The Dance Of Fire

Chapter 7.

She was patiently waiting with the director of the dancing school where she worked. They arrived ten minutes earlier in the lobby of the corporate building. Waiting for more people to arrive. Wearing a red pencil dress with a white silk shirt and black heels, she wanted to seem professional. Nahara was surprised when she was asked to attend the meeting. It was not supposed to be done this way. The year when she won the scholarship, the committee came to the school and watched the candidate dance on the stage. But this year they wanted to discuss the candidates first before they would let them perform. Holding her small purse in her hands, she looked at the polished floor. Until she heard the voice she didn’t want to hear so soon.

-We are ready for you.-Einar came out of the elevator. She was in the company of the school director and his assistant. She was representing one of the teachers since most of the candidates have been training with her. She stood up, avoiding his eyes. They all went inside the elevator to the top floor. She recognized the offices that were now full of people. All the desks were busy. They were led to an empty meeting room. Bruce has already set up the table with all the folders with the candidates' information and evaluations. Einar took his seat at the head of the table. She sat on his left side between the director and his assistant. Determined to be only an observer at this meeting, since her position was not important to making a decision. She was sure whoever was chosen would deserve it. Bruce cleared his throat and was the only one that kept standing before them.

-Thank you so much for coming on such short notice. This year we have some changes to the procedures for awarding our scholarships. M.r Einar wants to be personally involved this year and has invited you over so we can personally discuss all the candidates.-he had started the meeting. Nahara opened the folder, finding the three names they were selecting from. They all had their strengths and weaknesses. She heard the director speaking to Bruce, but to be honest she was not really paying attention. This just brought her to the time when she had competed to get the award. How excited she had felt. How hard she worked on her performance. She trained months in advance. Taking care of every single detail. Knowing that everything depended on it. And having eventually won it, she had to let it go.

-Nahara.-she heard the director Bill mention her name. She raised her head in confusion.

-Forgive me. I was lost in thought. Could you please repeat your question?-she admitted politely. Einar shifted in his chair. Their eyes met for a second before she looked back at the table in front of her. This time he was dressed in a dark green suit which made his emerald eyes stand out even more.

-You have won a scholarship before. Our records have it only three years ago.-his voice was cold. Calm. Business like.

-Yes I did. The competition was tough that year. I feel fortunate to have won it.-she didn’t explain anything else.

-But I don’t see you entering any competitions after that.-Bruce took the lead in the conversation. Nahara felt her palms getting wet. It was hard to forget it, but she had to.

-My leg got broken. I couldn’t continue anymore.-she answered his question. Einar noticed her wording. She didn’t say she broke her leg. She said her leg got broken. As if someone else had done it. Bruce silently nodded his head, noticing the same thing.

-You have returned the money.-he pressed. Nahara didn’t say a word. There was nothing left to say. She stood up, looking around the room.

-If you will excuse me.-she said, heading towards the door. Her face was getting red. She was embarrassed to talk to them any longer. Exiting the meeting room, she headed towards the toilet, followed by curious gazes from the staff. She looked at herself in the mirror, taking a couple of deep breaths. Willing herself to calm down. She was strong. This was just a meeting. She didn’t have to answer any questions. They were just curious. They didn’t know anything. Slowly fixing her makeup that didn’t even need to be fixed, she washed her hands with cold water. Her face looked pale. She seemed tired. But that was the way it was. There was nothing she could do to change her life. Even though she wanted to run away, she forced herself to walk back to the meeting room. Followed by Einar's look, she sat back down at the table. Staring at the same folder as before. Not saying a word. Letting Bill and Carl lead the conversation. Her presence was not needed. After about an hour, they had invited them to have lunch in the cafeteria. Nahara looked at her watch, knowing that she would be late to go to her foster parent's house. It was Friday and she always visited them on Fridays. Einar noticed her behavior.

-Do you have another meeting?-he asked. She stood up, following Carl.

-It can be arranged for another time.-she said calmly. They went back to the elevator, going down a couple of floors. Finally, they reached an open space converted into a small restaurant filled with tables and chairs. At the side was a long buffet line with sandwiches, salads, and pasta dishes. Realizing that most of the tables were only for four people, Bill, Carl, and Bruce sat together, leaving Einar and Nahara to find another place to sit. Silently, he led her to a table on the other side of the room. Soon, the staff came and put a salad and sandwiches on the table with bottles of water and orange juice. Nahara still looked at the table, trying not to face him. Her resolve around him was weak each time she saw him. Einar sat opposite her, opening a bottle of water and putting it in front of her.

-Who is the best candidate?-he asked openly. She finally looked into his eyes. They were all her students. She had trained them for a long time.

I'm sorry, but you will have to choose for yourself. It would not be fair of me to have favorites.-she refused to help him. He gave her a small smile. It was as he had expected.

-Maybe we should give scholarships to all of them.-he suggested testing her. Nahara stood his gaze.

-You can do as you like with your money.-her voice was cold again. She was controlling herself in front of him. It was obvious to him.

-Why did you return the money? It was never requested from you. I have checked. Nobody contacted you to take it back. It was yours.-he wanted to know. She took a second to think about her answer. The truth was simple.

-It was given to me so I can dedicate my time to dancing. Since dancing is something I can not do any longer. It was not mine to keep.-she was honest. His emerald eyes enjoyed looking at her.

-I wish I had seen you dance. I am sure it would have been beautiful.-he really wanted to see it. Those words made her feel confused. -Why are you doing all this?-her question was simple. He had nothing to hide from her.

-I just find you very interesting.-. Those words made her cheeks blush.

-I am already seeing someone.-she decided on a lie. He put his hand on the table. Very close to her. But he didn’t touch her. It was just the intention that mattered. Her dark eyes looked at his hand as if it could burn her.

I'm seeing someone also. But that doesn’t have to stop us. But seeing someone and feeling someone is different. Don’t you agree?-his voice was deeper now. Almost inviting. Nahara kept looking at his hand coming closer to her. This conversation was going in the wrong way. She should not have come.

-I am not that kind of girl, Einar. You have misjudged me by a mile.-there was a warning in her words.

-What kind of girl are you then, Nahara.-he had said her name as she had said his. Slowly standing up, she decided it was going to end there and then.

-I'm a girl that is out of your reach. Now excuse me. I have to go and do something more useful than having lunch with you.-she stopped caring about the scholarship. She will deal with the consequences of her actions later. She went away. This time not returning.