Mia did everything to avoid Mark that morning. And him, too, didn't want to get in touch with her. They both avoided each other like teens in a shy relationship. The previous night was way out of control. Mark needed answers. What he felt for her. The texture of her skin. Her shape and, even, the feeling.
Then avoiding each other was a bit obvious. If not to everyone, but to Eunice. She always got her eyes on them and whenever something was up, she could tell.
She intentionally begged Mia to drop off her dad's coffee but, she instantly declined.
“Sorry sweetie. I have something to attend to.” And boom, she escaped.
Finally, Mark left home and let Tyler in charge. He also dropped one of his credit cards so, in case there are things they wish to get, as he didn't know how busy it would be over there.
“Bye daddy! ” Eunice waved as her dad's car was leaving the compound.
“Just a week, right?” Mia muttered from behind, and Eunice turned.
The thing is, after the encounter in the kitchen, she did not wish to risk it. Once he returns, she would leave the job and find another. But never knew she was thinking out loud until a reply was heard.
“Huh!?” Eunice exclaimed with a raised brow.
“I meant, it's just a week then he will come home… You don't have to feel down. Or miss him already.” She lied, and Eunice burst into laughter.
“Me? Miss him? Haha! You are here, so, it's still going to be fun… Since I won't be going to school today. I want it to be a day to remember. A Saturday I will always look forward to.” Eunice yelled excitedly, hopping from one corner to the other.
Tyler and Mia exchanged glances before they too started laughing.
Just like Eunice said, she kept to her words. She asked the chef to make her favorite foods and begged Mia to watch her dance as she wanted to join the school ballet.
“Turn on the music.” Mia smiled and did as she said. Doing all she could to please the little girl. She was also curious to see how good Eunice was.
“Here I go.” And with that, she tried to use her toes to walk, but it was hurting and the moment she raised one leg up, she lost balance and hit her butt so hard on the ground.
“Awww…” She cried out.
Mia suppressed the urge to laugh and tried to assist, but Eunice obliged. Getting up on her own.
“Are you hurt?” Mia asked and Eunice shook her head.
“No. Nothing to worry about.” She attempted the same thing again and the result was worse than before.
Eunice didn't want to give up and kept hitting her butt on the ground.
“Okay, okay. I am tired of watching this… It's been a while, but I think I still remember some moves. Here…” Mia moved Eunice aside and started showing her some ballet moves.
Eunice watched in total shock. Her nanny was not only so sweet but also good at ballet. Her favorite dance. It was a dream come true. She always prayed to meet someone good at it, that can help her out with the moves.
The kids at school only bully and make fun of her anytime she tried a move.
“How?” She asked as soon as Mia bowed.
“About what?” Mia asked with a confused expression.
“Like, you dance it so well. Did you…” Eunice didn't finish her statement when Mia interrupted.
“My mum was a ballerina and also, sometimes, I follow her to practice.” Mia said with a forced smile.
“Can you tell me more?” Eunice asked curiously with so much interest.
She hated anything that would make her remember her late mother… The day she lost her mother, that was when she became a complete orphan, even though her dad was still alive.
“Okay. At the age of three, I tried dancing ballet, and it was always funny to watch. I…” Eunice interrupted.
“How do you still remember? I don't remember anything I did at the age of six. And you remember yours? Wow.”
“They recorded it.” Mia replied, laughing, “Things changed after a while. I stopped dancing and focused on things. You should consider yourself lucky. It's not an easy world out there.” Mia said, and the atmosphere felt chilling all of a sudden.
Gideon and her harbored hatred for their father and blamed him for their mother's death. It was all a painful memory. And that was the reason she kept working very hard so, he won't use that as an excuse to claim Gideon.
Mia gave way for Eunice to try again, “Take a deep breath. Free yourself and just move your body like it's weightless.” She encouraged and Eunice nodded.
While stretching herself, she asked Mia, “What about your mum? I can beg dad to make her my lesson teacher… Since he doesn't want me trying this by myself.”
“She passed on.” Mia said with her head lowered to the ground.
There were two minutes of awkward silence. Eunice didn't mean to awaken anything. She could see the sadness written on Mia's face.
“I'm sorry… What killed her?” The little girl seemed so interested. And Mia raised her head to meet the eyes of the curious little girl.
“Cancer.” Mia said with a forced smile and blinked furiously to stop herself from crying.
In a way, it worked, but her eyes only got teary.
“I don't think your late mum wants you crying.” Eunice commented and Mia laughed, “Now, watch me dance to beat you.” Eunice challenged.
Eunice started again, this time, she took a deep breath and tried to remember all the moves Mia did. Then, the moment she tried to use only her toes to walk, she fell again.
“Why can't I get it right?” She muttered as if talking to herself.
“Reduce eating too much. Go on a diet so, you won't feel too heavy when on your toes.” Mia advised while laughing.
Eunice's room door was opened so, anyone passing could see them. A maid pushed the door and poked her head in.
“Eunice, come down. Food is served.” She announced, and Eunice immediately jumped up.
“Someone is about to consume half of three people's meal.” Mia joked and Eunice knew what that meant so, she faked a frown.
“Not anymore.” She said as they left the room.