The Austin Arrangement novel Chapter 26

I was filled with anxiety as I paced the floor,in my pointe shoes and my Red tutu dress that was covered in sparkles to catch the light as I moved.

Backstage at the War Memorial Opera House,I glanced in the direction of my Male Ballet partner that I've been practicing with for weeks. Unlike me,Julian seemed cool as a cucumber.

Pull yourself together,Vanessa!!

I pulled back the Gold curtain made of silk,just slightly so I could have a peek. Big Mistake..Huge Mistake!! Seeing the Men and Women dressed up in their fancy tuxedo's and floor length gowns,filling up the 3126 seats had made me all the more nervous to get out there.

Jeremy's face had caught my eye in the front row,as he chatted on his phone.Of course,I wouldn't really expect anything less from him since he doesn't even want to be here. He dressed up and he made an effort though,he's here for show. Not my show but our lives,the even bigger show!!

What the hell is going on between us is the question that's constantly swirling around my mind??

That kiss we shared was..Well it was pretty damn HOT!! There was a loss of self control there on both our parts.

But he did make the first move yet again.I can no longer deny that my so called Husband makes me feel a little bit naughty,when he's kissing me the way he does. But what does it mean??

Let's be real,the man can't control his sexual urges around me. Especially since he spends more time around me more than any other women. I think that angers him some, he's made it quite clear on many occasions that he doesn't want to feel anything towards me but Hate.

The lines are Blurred!! Things are messy now!

"Mrs Austin.."

I turned from the curtain with a fright and saw Alex making his way towards me. He was all dressed up in a new suit and looking smart for the occasion.

I grinned."Wow! Alex,You're looking dapper as they say. Did you buy a new suit just for tonight?"

"Of course i did,it is your special night after all. I wanted to make a good impression on the In laws."He circled his arms around me,pulling me into a hug."Lovely,You look like you're about to shit a sideways brick you're that tense."

I chuckled,pulling back from his embrace."I'm not even going to ask how you've come up with that..

But you've made me laugh so thank you."

"You know Alex is always here to cheer you up..Day or Night!"He smirked. "You're nervous,Come over here and sit down,relax a second while you wait for your show to start."

My show! I love that he makes me feel like I'm centre of attention. Tonight is all about me and he's going to make sure of it.

I walked towards a little wooden stool and sat down. Alex leaned back against the smooth wall behind me. I could hear the noises of the hustling crowd grow louder as they filled up the many rows in the Audience,on the other side of the curtain.

I was nervous,a lot more nervous than I've ever felt before. I wondered if it was because the Austin's were here to support me. I carry their name around with me,everywhere I go,in everything I do. I can't mess this up!!

"Ugh,I'm so nervous. What if I barf on everyone in the front row,Alex?"I looked up at him,as he towered over me.

"That won't happen,That stage is big."

He chuckled,after making the joke that was intended to lighten the mood.

He pulled a piece of paper from his suit jacket and handed it to me."A little something for you..Read it."

I unfolded the white paper four time before looking down at it. The words of black ink and swirl lettering.

"I want to fly

To dream

To dance

With words

Set to wing

"A pact,I'm going to hold you to that."

I noticed the sudden hustle and bustle backstage and from that I knew it was show time. I looked at Alex and smiled,feeling less nervous now thanks to him."I guess it's time!"

We looked around the backstage at the workers as they passed, making their last minute preparations prior to show time. The dancers were in the midst of doing their warmups,like some light stretching and some breathing exercises.

"Looks like it."Alex took my hands in his and looked at me."I'm going to be sitting in the front row with the rest of them."He pulled me into an embrace,rubbing the sheer material of the back of my dress."Good Luck out there."

"Thank You!"I stood silent as I watched him walk away,out of sight and back to his seat in the audience.

I walked towards the gold curtain for the second time tonight,pulling it back slightly and looking out. I couldn't help it,I wanted to see him.Without a phone to his ear,Jeremy sat in the front row looking impatient for the show to start. I'm sure he just can't wait for this to be over with so he can move on to the after party and fill himself with Scotch. Jeremy doesn't strike me as the type of Man who would be into dancing or the Opera.

I guess I better not keep him waiting any longer!!

***

JEREMY

When the curtains had opened I imagined that I would be disinterested in what was going on up on that stage. I figured that I would be spending the next 2 hours suffering in silence,while trying to keep myself in check as I sat beside my Mother. Ballet is not something that I have any interest in..But I was interested in her..Vanessa! My Arranged Wife!

As much as I tried,I couldn't tare my eyes away. I knew that she was a Ballet teacher and I had heard from my parents that she was good at what she does. I guess she would have to be to earn a living from it. I had no idea that she was this good. Too good to be teaching snotty little kids in a run down studio,her life should be on a stage as a well known Ballet. Watching her was sort of mesmerising, to everyone in the audience and not just me.

I glanced over at my Mother in the seat beside mine in the front row,she was dabbing her face with a little white handkerchief. My Mother has never been the dancing kind of woman,and that made her appreciate the people that could all the more.

Vanessa and her Male Ballet Partner took their bow up on stage before the gold curtains closed. As we shuffled out of the Audience,my Parents chatted with Family and Close Friends that they had invited along for the evening. I guess it was my Mother's way of showing off the daughter she never had.

"Vanessa was Marvellous."My Father, shot a glance in my direction and smiled as we walked down the three Red carpeted steps and into the lobby. "What do you think,Son?"