In search of a dancer
1415 Words
Dante’s Pov
There was fear in her eyes. She looked petrified. For some reason, I listened closely to her rampaging heartbeat.
It got me wondering. Did I look that scary?
Her pale face spoke words her mouth could barely mutter. I felt the panic in her struggle to make words.
Her huge doe eyes shook with emotions I didn’t understand. At once, it whacked me in the head that she probably had no idea who I was.
“Mr. Dante??” She finally found her words
“In the flesh.” I muttered back.
I wasn't enthusiastic enough to make it sound jovial enough to ease the tension in her face. I could still hear her heart racing harder. It made me wonder if this was how she was with every stranger.
“You can sit down.” I eased into the chair across from her, taking a seat.
She blinked rapidly, returning back to her seat like she just gained control of her body.
“Sorry. I didn't know you would arrive this early. I would have gotten into something more presentable.” She apologized. Beads of sweat rolled off her forehead. She fidgeted with her fingers on the table, refusing to meet my eyes.
“It's okay.” I tried my best to soften my voice. “It's your birthday after all. You deserve a break.”
“How have you been?”
She shrugged. “I am finally a high school graduate. So yeah…I guess I am glad.” She still couldn't bring herself to look into my eyes as she spoke.
The awkwardness in the air couldn't be any more potent. I felt Isabella’s presence linger somewhere behind me.
Some silent seconds passed without a single word from the both of us. I decided it was time to leave.
“Alright then.” I got to my feet. “I would let you finish your breakfast while I speak to Corey,” I informed her.
Laura opened her mouth to speak but the words never came out. I paused. Curiosity got the best of me.
“Is there something you would like to tell me?” I asked her, crossing my arms.
She looked extra pale. Her lips trembled as she tried to speak, shaking her head vigorously, she replied. “No. I just—I am just glad to finally see you in person.”
A ghost smile curved my lips. “Me too.”
I was almost out of the dining room when it occurred to me there was something I had forgotten to say.
“Oh. Happy birthday.”
“Thank you, sir..” She blurted out nervously. Still Refusing to make any more eye contact. It no longer disturbed me. I was beginning to get curious about the things she had been told about me before my arrival. Maybe that's why she acted the way she did.
I walked by the staircase leading to the second floor, pulling out my phone to call Corey. He picked after the first dial.
“Where are you?”
“The backyard pool. I just wanted to—” I cut the call. I had the information I needed.
I strolled into the backyard, taking in the scenery. Chrysanthemum beds laid next to the walls of the house, continued by Azaleas. I found him in blue striped-in shorts, basking underneath the sun. He didn't pick on my presence until I was looming over him like a dark cloud
He eventually had to address the darkness that floated above him.
I shook my head, disappointed at his lack of awareness. He wouldn't survive a day in my world being this relaxed. I had to remind myself that that was the whole point of orienting him away from my secret life. He was not a pure breed due to the fact his mother was human before she absconded with some of my wealth.
“Hey, Dad!” He got into a sitting position after noticing me.
There were no hugs or intense joy from familiarity. Just a simple understanding of the role we played in each other's lives.
I lowered myself onto the bench next to him, on the spot he had just been laying on.
“How have you been?” I asked, facing him. It felt like the start to a scripted interview.
His tight knitted eyebrows eased up as he sighed. “I have been well. My business degree is going fine.” He threw me a side glance before adding, “You didn't age a day. I’ve missed you.”
The last time he saw me, he was still a boy.
Around that time, I had spoken to him about his mother's intentions for divorce. This was several years before I married Evelyn on paper.
I intentionally raised them both under the same roof so they had someone to rely on, hence why the idea of him marrying Laura felt unnatural to me.
“Missed you too,” I said back to him after some moment of silence. Admitting to the part of me that truly did miss him was something I was still learning. He was my son after all.
It still didn't change that it felt uncomfortable saying it out loud to him. But I did mean it. Emotions weren't just my strong suit because I have spent a better part of my life losing people I had grown to love.
I got used to depending on myself emotionally. It desensitized me in general to craving people's presence. They became numbers in my book.
We sat in more silence. Most of the conversation we just had felt scripted. We didn't have the best relationship due to our time apart.
I offered a silent prayer for some wisdom and guidance.
I did a sign of a cross unconsciously.
Corey's voice sifted through my mind. “What are you praying about?”
I shrugged. “For the people who didn't get to see their kids become adults.” I said. For some reason, I lied.
Corey hummed, nodding like he perfectly understood what I meant.
“Did you think about my request?” He brought up the conversation we had earlier.
“No.” I deadpanned.
He looked visibly displeased.
Not only did I not want him to get married to Laura, but the thought of him lying in the same bed as her made my belly twist in an ugly manner for some reason.
“What do you mean ‘no’?” Corey sounded pissed.
I got to my feet. “No means, you are not allowed to marry your sister—”
“You know she is not my sister—”
I jerked him up to his feet aggressively, balling his collar into a fist and lifted him by it. His eyes widened in fear.
He was probably shocked at how strong I was to be able to lift up a grown man without a hassle. He had no idea who I was, even though my blood flowed through his veins.
“You will not marry her.” I stated firmly. “It would only happen if that's what she wants. And if she doesn't want you, you won’t come within 6 feet of her or do anything stupid against her will. Do you understand me?”
“Yes sir…” He nodded.
I let go of his shirt, straightened it, and exhaled “Good.”
“We will have a birthday dinner to celebrate her coming-of-age and her graduation from high school. Laura deserves this. Make yourself available.”
He nodded as reply again.
“Use your words, son.” My tone was strict.
“Yes sir.” He muttered.
I sauntered away from him without another word.
“What about me, Do I not deserve to be celebrated?” he yelled from a distance, sounding betrayed.
“You lived a different life.” I reminded him, walking away from him in the opposite direction.
I pulled out the scribbled address from my front pocket. I placed a call to reach Montell. He worked for me as the head of my clean up operation. He was best at tying loose ends or sending people to their final end.
He picked after the first dial.
“Yes boss.” His voice filtered into my ears.
“Send your best men to the location I am about to send to you. Then wait for my orders.”
- Writer
