The Austin Arrangement novel Chapter 5

I wasn't a fool,I knew who Tom Austin was the second he walked into the studio. A Billionaire wanting dance lessons from me,there's a lot out there that are far better than mine.

I should count my blessings that he came to me though.

The class had left and I was straight at it myself,empty room and the floor was all mine.

Like every time I have the studio rented I made use of my time,with jumps and leaps across the hardwood.

I was in my Zone!!

Imagine doing this on a stage in front of a massive audience,I've done it a couple of times but it was nothing big.

Is it unrealistic to want to be someone, someone that people talk about and Say things like..

"That Ballet with Vanessa Garcia as the lead,I've never seen a girl with so much talent."Yeah,It's pretty unrealistic!!"

I heard my phone ringing at the other side of the room and I walked that way with a sweat on.

I picked up my phone and saw that it was a call from Finley.

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PHONE CALL

"Hi Brother,What's up?"I wiped the sweat off my brow with my towel.

"Ness,I was called into the office today at college,I was told that our payments were late..Like very behind."

Shit..Shit..Shit!!

A panic coursed through my body and I tried to think of something to say without him worrying."Oh Crap, I forgot all about that.

I'll transfer the money to them by Monday,it's too late to go to the bank right now."

Finley sighed."Is everything okay,Ness? Like we still have the savings that Mom and Dad had set aside right?"

The imaginary savings that I lied and told you we had..Yes I lied to him.

I'm his Big sister and I didn't want him to worry."Sure,Everything's fine we have money,I don't want you to worry about that.

I've been so busy here at the studio that it slipped my mind."

Sometimes I find it so easy to lie to him because I do it enough. I know it's for the best.

It might reach a point where I can't do this anymore and I'll have no choice but to tell him..But for now I'll keep it to myself.

"Well alright.I'll still see you for dinner on Sunday,Right?"

I faked a smile,even though he wasn't in front of me.It just made it easier for me to be happy despite wanting to fall apart."Sure,I wouldn't miss it."

END OF PHONE CALL

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I hung up the phone and sat down on a plastic chair that had been left out from the evening class.

I felt total despair,holding my face in my hands and crying.What are you doing to do,Vanessa?

Finley's tuition was way past overdue and I didn't have close to what they needed. I had some..Just not enough.

They're going to kick him out of school..Of course they will if we're not paying for him to be there.

Jesus Christ,Vanessa!!

"Are you okay,Darling?"

I looked up and saw Mr Austin standing by the door to the studio, looking like he was ready to take pity on me.His face told me everything.

I stood up,wiping my wet face with the sleeve of my Bolero wrap cardigan."Mr Austin,What are you doing here?"

"I forgot my jacket,"He pointed to his jacket that was hung over the back of the chair i had been sitting on.

"Oh,Right."I picked up the expensive navy suit jacket and handed it to him.

I looked down at him,feeling more of a panic now."Marry your son,I can't do that. I don't know him..He doesn't know me."

"I don't expect you to fall in love with him,Darling. A year of your life is what I'm asking for and I know it's a lot.

At the moment my Son isn't fit to run a business,he isn't a likeable character but I think you could change that.

You could make him look responsible and trustworthy."

I'm sure there would be a queue of desperate women lining up to marry the Austin Billionaire, but I just couldn't bring myself to agree to it."I'm sorry,Mr Austin.I can't marry your son."

"It's okay,I understand."He Rose to his feet with his suit jacket in his arms."It was nice meeting you,Darling."

I forced a smile,although my emotions were everything but."You too."

I watched him from my chair as he crossed the Studio and left. I felt bad for telling him no,despite not wanting to say yes..But that's just the person I am.

Pierce from the front desk stood by the door of the studio."Vanessa, Robert wants to speak with you about your rent on the studio.

You're falling behind,even though he would rather you stay he'll have no choice but to rent the space to someone else."

Things just went from bad to worse!!

What am I going to do..How am I going to make this work?

Of course I could go against everything I believe in and take Tom Austin up on his offer. A year of my life married to a Man I don't know but I could be set up for life.

It would get Finley through college and I'll be able to keep my space at the studio.

Do I have a choice? NO!! I'm going to have to marry that man.

END OF FLASHBACK

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