“And…and that stranger…he saved me. I hate that, Doreen! I hate crying so much! I hate being a crybaby! I hate my-”Tessa wasn't able to complete that last word before Doreen unexpectedly kissed the red tip of her pointed nose. Her teary eyes widened in absolute shock, and maybe it was the deep immense comfort she felt from being around him, or the relaxation she felt from his aura…. Tessa couldn't tell. But she was trying so, so difficult to control herself from hugging him tightly, so clenched her fists and clenched her fists hard. Her eyes were shut, but once his lips parted from her nose, she opened them slowly and then looked elsewhere. Close — their faces were extremely close, and the sheer, unarguable glister of affection in his eyes felt like sadness was being extracted from her soul. Doreen had to lean in closer due to their height difference and seeing her cry so much because of some girls, he'd be damned not to find and deal with them. For causing his Angel to cry this
“So…he didn't eat before leaving?” She questioned with an evident worried expression. Tessa was late for her ballet classes. One could say the excess comfort she felt during her last night's slumber made her oblivious to time. Well, that would be far from the truth. Laying next to Doreen was truly… divine. Her troubles, issues, and sadness surprisingly turned to a distant dot in her mind whenever she was close to him — it was a feeling she had never felt throughout her lifetime. Even when with Tony — it wasn't that way. Tessa, the moment she rushed into her room, had half an hour or so to calm herself down — by herself she meant her accelerating heart. Recollections of their embrace and heartfelt conversation in her room last night were so humiliating. She thought about it for so long that she became forgetful of time. Now Tessa ought to hurry the hell to the Ballet Academy, yet once the maid Sophia informed her about the Master's refusal to eat, she couldn't. “Uh-huh. Same th
was the first time she'd be coming to the W Empire, and hell…!The largeness and elegance of the skyscraper surpassed her expectations excessively. The fact that Doreen managed something as jaw dropping as this was highly applaudable. Tessa sincerely would have gotten lost, but due to Klaus' presence and guidance, she thrived in locating the President's office. Her encounter with those two men who bore striking resemblance with Doreen creeped her out. He was always expressionless, and seemingly heartless, yet his aura was intimidatingly kind. But those men — heck; Tessa felt the one with the cigarette eye raping her. It was uncomfortable. Thank heavens Doreen showed up in time, and currently, as he pulled her softly into his office, she helplessly smiled. His touch or hold was always so gentle. “Why didn't you tell me you were coming?” Like a true gentleman, Doreen opened the glass door of his office for her. “Well…” A cheeky smile played on her lips as she drawled while walking
He had already arisen from the cushion to go after her, yet the blaring sounds of his phone hindered that. Interruptions like this irritated him insanely and Doreen sincerely would've ignored the call, but Pearl's calls being ignored was unadvisable.She'd fill his ears with yells until his drums got blocked, so reluctantly picked the phone. What the hell does she want?Once Doreen swiped the green button, he could already imagine her enraged face as she shouted from the other end. “Why did you take so long to answer, Doreen? Were you fucking someone or what?”“Pearl I… I'm not in the mood for your bullshit; what do you want?” A great part of Doreen's mind, and attention, was still fixated on Tessa. What were the possibilities that he would catch up with her if he ended this call now? Inwardly, he hoped his elder sister, and the sole being in the family that he spoke to, would hurry with her words. It was wishful thinking; one that'd never happen. Pearl's yapping was endless. “S
Throughout the entire day, every pair of eyes was fixed on the blond-haired beauty; Tessa. Unlike before when sheer hate, resentment, and thick jealousy filled their gawks, another emotion had blended with that. Amazement. The day's class hadn't even extended to an hour yet the events that had transpired were far too much!“All eyes on you, how does that feel?” Francess, the brown-haired haired, had her thighs kissing the wooden floors with her hands holding onto the barre. She was performing a spilt which was part of her daily warm-up exercise. Normally, she does this along with Maria but the ever so unusual, and bold Tessa took that spot. Tessa's left thigh was placed expertly on the barre, then she gracefully lifted it upwards before slowly pulling herself from the floor entirely. Their eyes widened in amazement as she held the barre while her whole body stayed in the air. Those slim thighs of hers were parted widely, and her form was so unbelievably graceful. For an assumed
“That was remarkable. I mean, splitting in the air.” Another genuine smile she stretched her lips into. “Thank you. You shouldn't do that without putting powder on your palms, though, Francess. They'd get sore.” As Tessa grabbed her hands then spoke concerningly yet softly, she strangely had a quick flashback. Those words…it wouldn't be the first time she'd be hearing them. “O-okay.” She stuttered then withdrew her hands. Afterward, both went to freshen up and Francess in her shower began feeling a heavy pound of her head. “Shit…” She turned up the water's pressure, then banged her fists on the tiled walls. “Why…am I feeling this way?” ~~•~~~•~“Mr. Gabriele!”The amount of glee she felt the moment her eyes landed on the aged man was immense. Thoughtlessly, Tessa hugged him and the restaurant owner smiled fondly. “I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry for what happened yesterday!” She began her word vomit, but Mr. Gabriele was attentive enough to tell she was remorseful. He saw no rea
His driving could easily be considered reckless due to the fastness of the Escalades' tires on the tarred road. Doreen Williams was one to always remain expressionless. Throughout most of his life, those who surrounded themselves around him found it impossible to detect a shred of emotion. His emotionlessness presumably would forever remain so but…Tessa Rashford came along. A world that always appeared as black as night and void of color was what Doreen lived in, but gradually she became his color.Effortlessly, he began smiling — like he was genuinely happy by just her mere presence, and scent. “Da… date? She's going on a date?” His heart was thudding fast — this time, not because of the thrill he felt whenever Tessa was nearby. This resulted due to fear, and immense anxiety. A date usually leads to a relationship right? A romantic relationship typically occurs from dates, and if Tessa goes on one with some fucker, does that mean he'd…lose her. Doreen was scared — overly afrai
Even though it wasn't the weekend, his daughter was one to always arise early. A huge and well-equipped gymnasium was in the mansion yet Francess preferred to run through the estate since it was a great morning exercise. “Isn't she doing that today?” Killian D'Arcy could be seen at the bottom of one of the curvy staircases. The gray-haired man had worry roaming through those blue eyes of his, and he bit his lips hard. Perhaps it was best to check up on her rather than wait for her descent down the stairs. “What are you doing standing here, Killian?” The not-so-warm voice of his wife, Stephanie, was heard. The couple were done with breakfast, and she was a bit concerned as to why her husband rushed out of the dining table — was something wrong?The blonde-haired lady at a glance could be dimmed unfeeling due to her constant blank expression. There was slight truth in that, but undeniably she loved her family. Well…not wholly. “It's Francess. She hasn't come down for breakfast. Mi
His dark hair was perfectly styled, and his tailored black tuxedo accentuated his lean physique.With the first notes, Tessa launched into a whirlwind of movement and her feet barely touching the stage. Her tutu fluttered like a butterfly's wings, and her pointe shoes whispered against the floor. “Oh!”“Wow!”“Ha!”The audience entranced by the soft rustle of her skirt, the gentle creak of her shoes, and the sweet scent of rosin wafting from her movements helplessly gushed out loud. As she danced, the music swirled around her like a velvet cloak — enveloping her in a rich tapestry of sound. The notes of the celesta twinkled like stardust, and the violins sang with a soaring beauty that left the audience breathless.As she revealed her swan-shaped birthmark, Doreen's eyes became glassy and an uproar; one so deafening occurred. He smirked, knowing the significance of that mark, and he knew that his angel was revealing her true self to the world.The music swelled, and Tessa executed
One would predict the atmosphere of a prison visitation room to be moderately tense. Especially when the inmate was one's birth mother, and got sentenced to prison for quite a significant time due to horrendous charges such as emotional manipulation, coercion, exploitation, and abuse of power. Alongside the rest, the father and twin brother. They've been thrown into prison for weeks. Yet, an ounce of that didn't linger either inhaled. Such calmness wasn't derived from the presence of two female guards stationed at the door, nor the solid glass barrier hindering the inmate from the prisoner. None of that was the cause of her composure — Francess had nothing to be troubled about when her dear friend, Tessa, was seated by her side. “Are you… anxious?” Both were settled on the worn out plastic chairs with backs and seats a shade of faded gray and her hand — placed on the counter got covered by a delicate one. It belonged to Tessa. Those blue eyes — warm and gentle, crinkled at the
“How can you consider your son something like that when all I've done for that fucking company is given it my all?”“You're all isn't enough!”“And so is yours! You — my fucking mother, keeps demanding unattainable shit from me when you failed at a simple task years ago! Years ago, you caused Francess' memory loss and…”“Shut up Francisco!!” Killian screamed ear deafeningly — numerous veins become prominent, and crawling incessantly up his neck; just like his son. Amid the screams, Francess, mute soundlessly, glanced at a feverishly shivering Stephanie, and once their eyes met — for the first time in… Years ago, the brown-eyed saw something in her. Affection she never got from her wasn't caused due to hate or anything, just… Guilt. Stephanie once again began her frantic words to vomit, yet they hung in the air as Francess's gaze drifted away, her eyes clouding over like a stormy sky. The bound wrists, the arguing voices, the slick stage – everything faded into the background as me
It ultimately did, and the restrictions of her hand; bounded behind by thickened ropes, sent more torrents of perplexity raining down her soul. “What's…”“… Happening!” The voice she heard before her consciousness choicelessly left her once more penetrated into Francess' ears from a different direction. Sharply, she glanced at one of the wings of the stage, and emerging from there was… Her family. The entirety of the D'Arcy were here. All donned such elegant clothing yet the atmosphere lingering around two out of three was questionable. While Francisco perpetually had a smirk dancing on his lips, and a printed document in his possession, Killian with his wife were unsettled. Unsurprisingly, Stephanie — her ever anxious mother would've slacked behind, but her husband's linked arm with hers prevented that. He ambled, head up, and eyes — which roamed with determination, tangled with a bit of regret were transfixed on his daughter. “What the fuck is going on here? What in hell's name
There, she got her entire existence thoroughly questioned by her mind due to the massive effect that conversation had. Francess sincerely bore no idea how she got to the opulent junior suite of the Fords Palazzo Ducale. Currently, she laid — back flat, and eyes glued to the complexly designed ceiling of her room with mind thinking solely about Theresa Ford. “I… I came here because I needed answers and now… I'm…!” Her pairs of eyelids, reddish due to excess tears, and eyes sunken into their sockets reddened, blinked slowly while a sigh fell from her lips. “… Confused. So fucking confused!” Francess’ trembling hands reached for her face then flattened on it before inaudible sobs. She was exhausted from everything — of breathing, living, and life itself. She'd be a damn liar to claim life became draining once Tessa came into the Ballet Academy back at home — who was she kidding? Then, she'd constantly practice ballet while ignoring the presence of drugs in her meals. Daily intake o
The few days spent — alone in the ancient of Milan entailed crisp air, and bone chilling winds. It always got freezing cold whenever night befall the beautiful city, and regardless of the hotness the heater of her suite provided, warmth clothing, and lengthy soak in hot baths, cold unceasingly engulfed her whole being. Tessa assumed she'd choicelessly, and all so adversely, grow accustomed to it, but… The good Lord answered her prayers. With arms thrown on his broad shoulders, fingers entwined — locked around his nape, and legs coiled over his torso, their bodies had no space between them. Basking in a bottomless ocean of comfort, Tessa certainly has never felt this…cozy before!“I'm fucking glad I'm here…” His words, whispered closely to her ear, had its accompanying warmth dissolving every ounce of chill in the bones, then wrapped itself so comfortingly around her heart. Not even the fireplace, residing beside them with its burning glow, could be equal to her beloved's warmth.
Parting her thickened wet eyelashes, the beams of the moonlight seeping through the large framed window kissed her face as she sighed. So slowly, she properly began showering with mind torn between two unsettling topics — Doreen's absence and Francess' presence. No… It would've been swell if the two ballet dancers didn't meet — ever again. Back then — their past, although unresolved, wasn't so hurting Tessa; it was never this bad. Confrontations were a lethal catalyst; she assumed leaving Europe would prevent the scene that occurred a few hours ago but….“I should've never started dancing. Fuck!” Slamming her hand hard on the glass walls encasing her, frustration morphed into liquid, took the place of blood in her veins and circulated unwantingly yet unceasingly in her entire being. Back then, guilt was always beside her — making living hard, but gingerly, Tessa realized better than any she didn't feel guilty. She felt stupid for befriending the brown haired — Francesca D'Arcy on
Memories poured into her mind in multitudes, and re-opening them, balls of tears snuck out then gilded slowly down her cheeks. “I wished never to be back here again but… Here I am.” Most ballet dancers would kill to step foot onto the stage of this neoclassical architectural masterpiece, and the passion which flamed it all had gone out in hers. The situation has changed — she has changed. Well, that was a few years ago. Tessa stared from the posh empty seats, curves of ornate balconies and boxes, then gaped longingly at the section for dignitaries. Adorned finely by crimson luster velvety and gold leaf, she chomped hard on her lips mere picturing her parents, and loved ones occupying it. Thousands were going to attend the Nut Bowl — thousands were going to be watching her with jaws dropped, stupor, and reverberation. Yet, it'll all be insignificant and downright unnatural if the one responsible for reigniting her fiery desire to dance once more isn't… Present. Tessa's gaze fell
Once her pair of feet ascended the last step which led to the highly revered stage of the Teatro alla Scala, her brown eyes shone brighter than a single star at midnight. Maria visibly was… Flabbergasted — so happily, tearfully flabbergasted. She wasn't the only one, too. As the Soloists and Principal Dancers needed for the Nut Bowl stepped onto the stage, each was evidently enveloped by the utter majesty of the stage. A stage where they'd perform in due time, and the HeadMistress, in charge of familiarizing them with it, helplessly smiled at their untamed display of amazement. However, as her attention moved from one dumbfounded individual to the other, Angelica's eyes fell on the Prima Ballerina then she sighed. “Oh Tessa!” While the rest moved across the stage, still soaking in its ethereal beauty, the stern Italian woman moved to the prized, overly talented yet… Saddened soloist. Unlike the rest, Tessa's portrayal of awe was short-lived since it took no less than some second