Meeting him
Meeting him
"Elena I want to meet this guy, Get the old family approval and whatnot", Grandpa chuckled.
"Though I'm not worried about you, Elena. You have a good taste, so I can't wait to see him", He went on.
"I understand papa, I will bring him", Shaking my head with a soft laugh, I took comfort in his words and his gentle hand on mine. "I didn't forget that I promised to take you to Fraunces Tavern at the end of the season, and you look like you doing great, so they will let me take you out of here for lunch tomorrow", I added and I was serious. I will fight the nurses to accomplish it. It would be worth it to have lunch with grandpa out of the hospital.
"That's a lovely idea, Elena. I would love that", He beamed at me and the glimmer in his eyes was a positive sign for me. "Well, it's about time you made it over to the studio for practice", Grandpa murmured.
"You're right", I balked at the time on the bedside table. Leaning forward, I gave papa a quick kiss on the cheek and got up. "I will see you tomorrow then. And thanks for the talk, I needed it",
"Absolutely anytime. I love you so much Elena", He picked up the cup of coffee, I brought him and settled in to go back to watching his shows on the TV. "I love you too, papa", I lingered in the doorway for a moment, so happy to see him sitting up and watching TV without coughs wracking his body. He didn't look so tiny and frail today and I was glad all my sacrifices weren't going in vain.
Plus I had papa's advice lightening the mood in my mind. Those sage words and thrill from the morning with Andrey Volkov left me on top of the world on my way to the studio. I was more than excited about my show tonight, and despite my concerns for the future, I felt hope that things would work out how they were meant to.
ANDREY'S POV
I took a long drag from my cigarette, standing under the lights of the theater. My nerves were on the edge, and waiting here wasn't making it any better. Not when I knew Elena was in there, and I was about to see her on the stage for the first time since her fall.
My concern for her well-being almost overwhelmed the excitement of seeing her performing. While the doctors might have cleared her to go on stage after being pushed down the stairs, I worried about her.
Was her ankle alright?!
How was her head?!
Did she eat enough today?!
Dragging my hand over my head, I huffed then looked at the cigarette butt between my fingers. From the corner of my eyes, I caught sight of my aunt and uncle getting out of the back of a black Escalade. I flicked my smoke down and crushed it under my heel as they approached and their driver drove away.
"Andrey", Nikolai, said nodding his head in greeting. He didn't look too pleased to be here. I think he looked too excited two months ago when we were here to talk the mayor into giving us the deal for our latest club.
My uncle's reservation was written across his face, starting with the pinch of his brows and deep down lines. Nikolai Volkov didn't approve of my exclusive contract with Elena even though he was the one who connected me to her in the first place. I never would have met Dax if Nikolai hadn't introduced us.
~lets go buy you a ballerina~
It was strange how the thought of that now made the edges of my mind turn red. Elena wasn't an object to be bought and sold, but I already failed her in thinking that way when we first met.
"This is going to be marvelous, yes?", Annika let go of Nikolai's arm and looped her arm through mine instead. "To see the lovely Elena on stage again. oh! I really can't wait?", She beamed.
"It certainly will be", I answered.
"I can't wait either. Let's hurry up and get inside", With my aunt on my arm, and uncle trailing behind, we made our way to the theater entrance.
Nikolai had his hands shoved into his pockets, moping even as he walked around the pouring fountain and weaved through the energetic crowd. Everyone besides my uncle was animated. Hands waving and smiles wide as we approached the final showing of Swan Lake for the ballet season.
"You look very good tonight, Andrey", Annika poked at the fabric of my suit jacket. "Is this a new suit!", She asked, checking it out. "It might be, but I needed a new one, anyway", I responded to her. I got this new suit for tonight. Like an excited teen getting dressed up to go to prom with his crush.
After all this was a big night for Elena, and I wanted to look my best while being here to support her.
We followed the herd and the crowd thickened as hundreds of people squeezed in through the doors. The night I first laid my eyes on Elena, I walked through these doors with a thorn in my side. I hadn't wanted to be here at all that night, but Nikolai wanted me with him to ensure the mayor listened to us.
I sat in my seat, remembering how I had shifted around against the red cushion as if my legs were restless, and trying to get me out of there.
When the lights dimmed and the music started, it didn't make my head throb as it had done that night.
So many afternoons, I came back home to Elena listening to Swan Lake's music and practicing or stretching. I knew every note by now.
Over two months ago, I didn't give a single shit about ballet, the theater or any other dancers but all things changed now. All because of the night, I saw the most beautiful woman on the stage.
And there she was now, coming over to perform…