Chapter 73
I never expected Leo's friend to be Amelia Percy.
Seeing her brought up a tangle of complicated feelings. She was Leopold's uncle's daughter, raised alongside him, closer to him than most of the Percy family. That closeness had naturally extended to me over the years.
She'd gone abroad to study a couple of years ago. I'd assumed she was still overseas, never imagining she'd returned and was now running this Crescent Ballet Company. It seemed like everyone had been moving forward these past few years. Everyone except me.
"Cindy, come on, let's chat in my office."
She pulled me down the hallway. Unlike Leopold's all-business aesthetic, her office was filled with art pieces of varying styles, lending the space an air of elegance and warmth.
"I'm not as buttoned-up as Leopold. Is it weird for you, Cindy?"
I snapped back to attention, forcing a smile. "No, I actually prefer it here. Just... don't mention Leopold's name."
Amelia's eyes widened. She immediately pulled me down onto the couch beside her. "What happened? Did Leopold hurt you?"
I shook my head. "No, he didn't hurt me."
"Something's definitely off." She studied me carefully. "You and Leopold are fighting about something. You never used to care before, but this time you're bothered."
"If Leopold did something to hurt you, you have to tell me. Even if I can't handle him myself, Grandpa will. He'll definitely stand up for you."
"Leopold really didn't do anything to me." I maintained my smile. "I just don't want to be anyone's accessory anymore. I want to be my own person."
This time Amelia didn't question it. Instead, she nodded enthusiastically in support.
"Cindy, you're absolutely right. We should live for ourselves. When I was abroad, I heard you made the international ballet competition and placed first in the semifinals. I was so proud of you."
"I missed the celebration dinner Grandpa threw for you last time. How about we grab dinner tonight?"
"Dinner can wait. The finals are in five days, and I want to spend every minute practicing. We can celebrate after the competition."
"Right, right, I got so excited I forgot." Amelia nodded vigorously. "So you're here today because you want to join my company?"
Her directness made it pointless to beat around the bush.
"Yes. I left my previous company, but the international ballet competition doesn't accept individual competitors. Someone recommended I come here."
"Then it's settled." Amelia agreed without hesitation. "With your credentials and skills, having you here is an honor."
"Don't agree so fast. Hear me out first, then decide."
I took her hand and continued. "I'm only here temporarily. After the finals, I'll probably go abroad. I won't be able to stay long-term."
"But you can set conditions. As long as I can meet them, I won't refuse."
"Oh, is that all? I already know. Earlier..."
Amelia's voice faltered. She glanced at me, then quickly corrected herself. "Leo already told me. Even if it's temporary, it works for me."
"From a business perspective, I really do need a dancer with your talent and visibility to put Crescent Ballet Company on the map."
"And as your friend, I'm more than happy to help you reach an even bigger stage."
I knew she was just trying to make me feel less guilty.
"Amelia, thank you."
"We don't do polite formalities with each other."
Amelia paused, then asked tentatively, "So what really happened between you and Leopold?"
I couldn't tell her the truth. "You'll find out eventually. But hey, how do you know Leo?"
"Leo and I... we met at a mutual friend's party."
Her hesitant tone made me suspicious.
"How come you never mentioned him before?"
Amelia released my hand and turned to look out the window. "Why would I lie? The past is the past. Right now, we're just friends."
She always did this when she was hiding something. My heart clenched. Were they 'just friends' now? What had they been before?
Could Leo and Amelia have been together in the past? The thought twisted uncomfortably in my chest.
"Have you known Leo long?"
Amelia's expression turned noticeably tense. "Not... that long. Maybe five or six years?"
Five or six years wasn't exactly short. I looked down. "Then you must know him pretty well."
"Let's not talk about him." Amelia forced an awkward smile. "How about I show you around instead? Even though you're only here temporarily, you'll still be with us for a while."
I realized I'd asked questions I had no right to ask. I quickly composed myself. "Sure, thanks for taking the time."
It was clear this was a Percy family operation. Though the company's reputation was still building, the studio's design and layout of the functional areas far exceeded comparable companies. The small theater and performance hall were even larger than those at the established company I'd just left.
Midway through the tour, someone came looking for Amelia about a client meeting.
"Cindy, I'll have someone take you to the rehearsal room to meet everyone. I'll catch up with you later."
"Go handle your business." I'd only planned to meet people briefly anyway.
"Wendy is my assistant. If you need anything, just ask her."
Amelia introduced the young woman beside her.
"Alright, go on. Don't keep your client waiting."
Only then did Amelia leave. Wendy led me toward the rehearsal room, giving me a rundown of the company's current situation along the way.
Though Crescent Ballet Company wasn't well-known yet, they'd had two breakout performances last year. Currently, they had thirty dancers, ten soloists, and twenty ensemble members. No principal dancer had been appointed yet.
The rest was standard management: finance, costume and makeup, stage tech, and logistics support.
"Ms. Wipere, this is the rehearsal room. When there aren't performances, everyone practices here."
Wendy brought me to the rehearsal room entrance. Voices drifted out from inside.
"I just saw Lucinda Wipere talking to Ms. Percy. Looked like she's joining our company."
"Really? She placed first in the international ballet competition semifinals. Why would she come to a small studio like ours?"
"Haven't you heard? Lucinda got kicked out of her last company. They said she had character issues and was sleeping with the higher-ups."
That last comment caused an uproar inside. Wendy's face paled. "Ms. Wipere, please don't be upset. I'll go clarify this right now."
"No need. I'll handle it myself."
I pushed the door open. A group of dancers huddled together, listening to a girl in a yellow dress holding court at the center. I walked straight toward them, my voice calm and clear.
"Want to know if it's true? You can verify it with me directly."
The chattering group scattered like startled birds, leaving only the yellow-dressed gossip sitting alone, exposed. She looked mortified and embarrassed before her expression twisted with defensive anger.
"Anyone can say pretty words! If I asked you directly, would you even admit it?"