Chapter 45
"Ethan, I don't want to talk about it." I avoided his gaze. "Why were you looking for me?"
Ethan frowned slightly but respected my wishes and didn't press further.
"Your parents said you weren't home and didn't have your phone. They were worried you might do something desperate, so they asked me to help find you."
Only then did I remember—Leopold had dragged me away without my phone.
"Can I borrow your phone? I need to let my parents know I'm safe."
"Of course." Ethan immediately handed it over.
I quickly called my parents, assuring them I was fine—I'd just gone for a walk and forgotten my phone.
That put them at ease, though they mentioned Donovan had also sent people looking for me and asked me to contact him.
I had to call Donovan as well.
But Donovan wasn't as easy to fool as my parents. He asked directly:
"Did that boy drag you to the hospital?"
Feeling uncomfortable, I deflected: "Really, it's not like that, Grandfather. Don't overthink it. I need to go now."
After hanging up, I returned Ethan's phone.
"You haven't had breakfast yet, have you? Come with me to the hotel restaurant. Their signature blueberry pancakes and buttermilk waffles are excellent."
I declined politely. "I'm not really hungry."
"All the more reason to eat something. Otherwise, you'll have neither an appetite nor anywhere else to go."
I was surprised he'd seen through me so easily.
Still, I shook my head. "Ethan, I'd like to be alone for a while."
"Cindy, Ms. Salazar is here."
Ethan's words exploded in my mind like thunder.
"Really? Ms. Salazar came to Silverlight City?"
Ethan nodded. "She arrived an hour ago for an exchange event. She's leaving this afternoon. If you want to see her, I can arrange it."
"I..." I couldn't help hesitating.
I wanted to see my teacher, but I was also afraid to face her.
"It's okay, take your time deciding. Her event has already started and will last ninety minutes. It's at the performing arts center nearby—you can go anytime."
After much internal debate, I finally decided to see her.
But my courage was limited to begin with. By the time we reached the performing arts center entrance, it was nearly exhausted.
"Ethan, I... I'm scared to go in."
This must be what they mean by "timid when close to home."
Ethan checked the time. "Wait in the car. I'll go get Ms. Salazar."
Under the circumstances, I had no choice but to agree.
Waiting was torture.
I was nervous and anxious.
I didn't know what to say when I saw her, or whether she'd still be angry with me.
Remembering her meticulous care in the past made guilt overwhelm me.
What if she still hadn't forgiven me? What would I say then?
The more I thought, the more frightened I became.
Just as my spiraling thoughts were about to break me, someone tapped on the car window.
I quickly looked up.
Ethan gestured for me to look forward.
Following his indication, I saw Victoria standing at the exit, dressed impeccably, radiating elegant grace as she looked at me.
A gentle smile curved her lips.
My nose stung sharply.
I practically leaped from the car, running toward her.
"Ms. Salazar."
Seeing me, Victoria's eyes immediately reddened.
But she was still smiling at me.
"Cindy."
That long-missed nickname shattered my composure instantly.
As I drew near, she opened her arms to receive me.
In that moment, I was like a weary bird after a long journey, finally finding its home.
"Ms. Salazar, I'm so sorry."
"Silly child, I'm the one who should apologize. I shouldn't have expelled you back then, and I shouldn't have cut off contact. All these years—have you been well?"
My tears fell like broken pearls, unstoppable.
I could only choke out, "I was wrong, Ms. Salazar. You did nothing wrong."
It took a long while before my emotions settled.
Victoria lovingly stroked my head, smiling gently. "Ethan forwarded me videos of your competition. I can tell you never gave up. You danced beautifully. I'm proud of you."
The tears I'd just stopped nearly spilled over again.
"Ms. Salazar, I... I could actually be even better, it's just..."
"It's okay. I believe in you."
I bit my lip, nodding repeatedly.
"Ms. Salazar, when's your flight? If there's time, could we have a meal together?" Ethan suggested with a smile once our emotions had calmed.
"Ms. Salazar, do you have time?" I also wanted to spend more time with my teacher.
"I already changed my flight to five o'clock. Perfect for lunch."
We hit it off immediately and headed to a nearby restaurant.
These four years had changed not just me, but my teacher as well.
The first year after expelling me, she'd realized her approach was wrong.
But then she'd received transfer orders to work as an instructor elsewhere.
She'd been gone three years.
Later, learning I'd joined my current company and resumed pursuing my dreams, she hadn't rushed to find me.
She wanted to meet me at the summit.
Hearing all this made me feel even more guilty.
I silently vowed not to disappoint her again.
After the meal, Ethan and I took Victoria to the airport together.
Before leaving, Victoria told me something specific.
She was applying for a choreographer position with the Royal Ballet. If luck was on her side and she got selected, perhaps we could work together.
My eyes grew hot. I didn't dare respond to her words.
After seeing her off, I told Ethan what she'd said.
"Ethan, I think I'm going to disappoint her again."
The moment I looked down, tears poured out uncontrollably.
With Victoria's credentials, applying for a choreographer was beneath her—but it was the safest choice.
I knew she'd seen my transformation and knew I would aim for the Royal Ballet, so she wanted to help lift me up one more stage of the journey.
Ethan had reached the same conclusion. Not wanting me to despair, he encouraged, "Cindy, don't give up until the very last moment."
"Besides, with so many world-class specialists out there, someone can surely cure you."
"Here, wipe your tears."
I took his handkerchief and wiped my face, and couldn't help complaining.
"I actually don't want to cry. They just won't listen to me."
Ethan laughed and ruffled my hair affectionately.
"Come on, time to take you home. Your parents will worry otherwise."
I wanted to walk home, so I asked Ethan to park at the Bayview Villas entrance.
"I'll get out of here, Ethan. Drive safe."
I unbuckled my seatbelt and was about to exit.
But suddenly, the passenger door was yanked open violently.
Before I could react, someone grabbed my arm and hauled me out of the car.
"Lucinda, you actually know how to come back!"
A voice laced with fury erupted above my head.
I turned in confusion to meet Leopold's bloodshot eyes.
What had set him off now?
"Leopold, let her go!"
Ethan quickly opened his door and got out. He'd barely reached the front of the car when security guards appeared and restrained him.
This turn of events shocked me. "Leopold, let my senior go! There are cameras here. If you dare do anything to him, I'm calling the police immediately!"
Leopold laughed coldly, tightening his grip on me. "Already protective of him, are you?"