Chapter 4

Brielle's POV

I finished putting the last book on the self and the clock hit 2:50. I walked over to the kids section and smiled as Delilah was reading her book in her favorite corner. She looked up at me and smiled brightly.

" Ready for practice baby? " She hopped up and nodded her head.

" Alright, come on then " I held my hand out for her and she grabbed it. We walked towards my table and I grabbed my things and put them in my bag. She grabbed the dance bag and we walked to the door. Mr. Burkley came out of his office and turned off the light.

" My car is out back. Come on " I turned to him and huffed.

" Mr. Burkley we can take the bus. You don't have to take us " He rolled his eyes and grabbed the bag from Delilah's hand. I groaned as he walked us out.

" You can't just leave the library unattended " He turned back to me.

" Brielle.. Take a good look around sweetheart. No one's here..I think we'll be just fine " He locked the doors and we walked to the back. We go into his car and he drove off.

After a silent 15 minute drive we reached the studio. We got out of the car and waved goodbye to him. Entering the studio I was greeted by all the girls who were signing in.

" Hi Ms. Newman! "

" Hello Brielle! "

" Hey Bribri! " I giggled as they all greeted me in their own way.

" Hi girls " I waved as I walked Delilah into the dressing room. We took our little corner and started to undress. I finished pulling up my leotard and I grinned at Delilah who was struggling with her stockings.

" Come here baby " I pulled them up for her and finished dressing her. I sat her in front of me as I took out a hairbrush and tie. I wet her hair a little before brushing it up and tying it into a bun. Once I finished I put her in her little tutu and tied her shoes.

" Alright baby go into Madam Alexandrova's room and start stretching ok? " She nodded and skipped off. I brushed my own hair up as I looked into the mirror. I heard the door open and I turned my head as I wrapped the tie around my hair. Madam Alexandrova walked in and I smiled softly as she walked over to me. She was around Mr. Burkley's age. She had short blonde hair and glasses. She was also very healthy and slim for her age.

She crouched down next to me and grabbed one of my feet.

" It amazes me how much you love to work and dance and you have yet to have one blister or bunion. No calluses or anything " I finished tying my hair in my bun and I grabbed my shoes. Her accent always caught me off guard

" Hello Madam "

" Hello Brielle. How are you my dear? "

" Pretty good " She gave me the side eye.

" I hear you're searching for a job yes " I groaned as I pulled out my pointe shoes.

" Mr. Burkley told you? "

" That old man tells me everything "

" You know he's probably still upset that you didn't accept his date offer " I smirked as I tied my ribbons.

She sighed " He's cute but I don't know " I stood up and she did as well.

" You want that job? " She asked and I nodded.

" I just don't know if I'll get or if I do get the job, I don't know what I'll do with Delilah. " I jumped when I felt her slap my bum. Some people would be surprised but whenever anyone in the studio does or says something that she doesn't like, Madam Alexandrova hits us and you do NOT want her to hit you.

" You act like I'm not here to take care of Delilah. You stop with this nonsense immediately. Now hurry up into that room! You have a class to teach. Don't make me bring out my stick " I was already running before she even said stick. A few years earlier when she first taught me ballet she pushed me so I could become strong enough to take care of Delilah. I would clean the studio everyday in exchange for classes and a paycheck.

As I would dance she would be with Delilah making sure she was ok. I even overworked myself once and she hit me with her stick saying and I quote 'Brielle! You have a 2 month old baby to take care of. You stop mopping that floor right now and go take her and yourself home' She's always been supporting as well. Even bought me things to take care of myself and Delilah. For that I am forever grateful and terrified of her.

I walked into the studio and the girls turned to me as they smiled. They were all stretching and I was happy to see each one of them here.

" Is everyone stretched and warmed up? " They nodded.

" Alright well- " I was cut off when we heard Madam Alexandrova's voice.

" I hope you're all practicing. I would hate to see you girls playing around " We heard her bang her stick twice and we all panicked. I turned to Floral as I pointed to the stereo. She got off the floor quickly and ran to play a Beethoven symphony.

" Alright girls combination 12. Ready? " I whispered and they nodded their heads as they ran to their places. We started on the eighth count and the second we did Madam Alexandrova opened the door.

We continued as if we were already doing it and we heard her hum.

" Hmm.. I thought so " She closed the door and we all stopped and looked at the door in relief. She and that stick have a magical bond that just frightens the whole studio.

⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯

I had just finished my final class which was Delilah's and she was all drained out. It was 7:05 and I was packing our things up so we could go home. I changed her out of her dance clothes and put her back into her other clothes. I also changed mine as well. I took out our hair and I grabbed our things. I sat her on my hip and walked out of the dressing room as she dozed off into my shoulder.

I turned the lights off and walked over to the office where Madam A was putting her things away. Before I even made it past the door she spoke.

" You sit your little bottom right on that seat. You know I take you girls home at night. " I groaned as I took a seat in one of the waiting chairs. Five minutes went by and she walked out of the office as she closed the light and locked the door. I stood up and walked outside to her car. She locked the studio door and walked to the driver's seat. I got in the back with Delilah and she shivered as she snuggled into me. I took off my hoodie and wrapped her in it. Madam A got in the car and started it. Immediately she turned on the heat and handed me one of her sweaters up front.

" You know Brielle, I really need you to get that job. Fall is already here and winter is approaching us. I want you to be able to support yourself and Delilah all throughout the cold. I don't want a repeat of last year " I looked down as I wiped the hair from Delilah's face. Last year when it below 10 degrees and snowing, the heat got turned off. We were extremely cold that day and Delilah even got sick. I didn't want us to sleep through it so I call Madam A and she instantly hopped in her car and drove over to us.

We stayed at her home for a whole week and she even payed the bills for me that were overdue. I begged for her to let me pay her back but.. She brought out her stick.

" If anything I'll be here 24/7 to take care of Delilah and so will Mr. Burkley " She said rolling her eyes at his name and I laughed softly as I nodded my head. She stopped in front of our apartment and I handed her back her sweater. I grabbed our things and smiled at her. Thank you Madam " She smiled.

" You're welcome darling and I might see you tomorrow but who knows what Burkley has up his sleeve. " I was about to ask her what she meant but she shooed me out.

I walked up to our building and walked in. When we got to my apartment I opened it with my key and kicked it open. On the floor I could see the mail so I dropped our bags on the couch and picked it up putting them on the counter. Delilah was waking up slowly and I rubbed her back.

" I'm gonna give you a little bath ok baby? " She nodded and I walked to the bathroom to undress her. I gave her a quick bath and dressed her in a white t-shirt, throwing her hair in a pony. I took a quick shower myself and put on the same thing. I didn't want to wake her up for dinner now so as usual I'll wait for an hour or two to pass by for her to get up and ask for something to eat. I picked up my phone and walked to the bed. I opened it up and I saw a text from an unknown number. I sat on the bed and opened the message.

Unknown: Hello Brielle. Sorry I didn't come by today. I've been a bit busy with work. I'll be stopping by soon. Goodnight darling.

Killy.

I smiled as I read the text. He made me feel things that I really didn't know people were capable of feeling. I saved his number in my phone and I texted him back with a small blush on my face.

Me: Goodnight Killian.

Not even 30 second went by before my phone buzzed in my hand with his name popping up.

I answered it slowly and held it up to my ear.

" H-hi Killian "

" Hello sweetheart. How are you? " I shivered as I heard his dark voice through the phone.

" I'm good "

" Sorry for calling so late. You could've been asleep for all I know. " I smiled.

" It's ok. "

" So how's Delilah doing? "

" She doing alright "

" That's good. Anything new with the job search? "

" I-uh found this one job. It's a personal assistant "

" Really? "

" Yeah I'm thinking of applying for it. It pays pretty well "

" Well that's good. " He was about to continue when I heard muffled voice speak to him.

" Ugh. Not now Benjamin. I'm busy "

" Who's Benjamin? "

" As of right now he's just an annoying british man " I heard Benjamin gasp and Killian sighed.

" Don't act like that isn't the truth Ben "

" You can tell Benjamin I said hi " I giggled and Killian tsked.

" He doesn't deserve a hi. But I'll tell him.... Someone on the phone says hi Ben. "

" And who might that be on the phone? " I could only hear him a little and Killian groaned.

" Brielle says hi Ben. "

" Brielle? Hmmm... " I could hear footsteps retreating.

" Yeah, walk away Ben. The least he could've done was say hello back " I giggled again.

" It's ok, really. He seemed a little grumpy anyway "

" When isn't he grumpy?... Anyway it seems like a pretty good job "

" Yeah. I just hope it all goes well " I said and I heard a small giggle. I looked over to Delilah to see her smiling as she looked up at me.

" You like Killy " She whispered I pulled the phone away from my ear.

" I do not! " I whispered back and I heard Killian chuckle through the phone. I held it back up to my ear.

" Is that little Delilah? "

" Yes it is. Do you want to say hel- and she just ran out the room "

" Well darling I won't keep you on the phone for long.. call me later will you? "

" Y-yeah I will. Bye Killian "

" Goodbye sweetheart " I hung up the phone and sighed.

" You like Killy! " Delilah smiled as she popped her head in the door and ran off.

" You get back here little girl! " I hopped off the bed and chased her around the couch.

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