Chapter 1

Kiara's pov

Nervousness engulfed my body like a second skin. It was all too much. The theatre lights felt too bright, I felt too exposed and the multiplying crowd felt suffocating. My hands shook as I smoothed down my skirt. My toes curled in my pointe shoes. I took a deep breath to calm my nerves and the throbbing heartbeat that threatened to evacuate my chest. It didn't help that my dad and brother were going to be among the crowd anticipating my performance. The thought that calmed my fraying nerves was the fact that there would also be another person in attendance. My heart fluttered and I suddenly started to feel warm despite the chilling temperature at the thought of him watching me like he always does.

I didn't care about the hundreds gathered in the opera theatre as thoughts of him consumed my mind. In my mind, I was only performing for one person and that filled me with a sense of tranquility amid the chaos around me. My shoulders loosened and I stopped thinking about anything else but him as I let myself feel the soft notes of the melody playing. I let the music seep through my pores with every stretch, turn and lift of my arms. I was transported in a world of oblivion where nothing else mattered except the piano notes and the feel of the stranger's gaze on my skin throughout the performance. 

The final note lingered and my body slowed against my will. My muscles were burning with unreleased tension but I couldn't care less because of the feeling of serenity that followed. Applause crashed over me, gentle at first then it grew louder but I scarcely heard it. I was in another world entirely as I was still riding the high from the adrenaline. I accepted hugs from the other dancers backstage who congratulated me for my solo performance.

A loud voice boomed behind me and I knew the owner of the voice without having to turn. My dad stood at the entrance of the backstage with my brother, Sebastian, in tow who had a mega watt smile planted on his face. Seb pulled me in for a hug as he patted my head the way he always did.

“That was the best thing I have ever seen. I'm proud of you little sis,” Seb murmured while he still embraced me.

“And how many ballet recitals have you been to?” I added with a smile on my face.

“Just one, but enough to see it's the best one out there,”

I giggled at my brother's playfulness. He always knew how to make me feel better and I really missed him because it's been months since I last saw him. He finally let me go as a throat cleared a few feet away from none other than my father, Alejandro.

“That was adequate enough although it could use a little polishing,” my father stated in that business matter of fact tone of his.

I couldn't help the crushing feeling in my gut at his words. Nothing I ever did was good enough for him and I'm the idiot for expecting any different. Seb mouthed ‘don't listen to him’ beside him and I couldn't help but feel the lightness in my chest I always felt around my brother. 

“Thank you father,” I replied robotically before excusing myself to go to my dressing room. My pulse stumbled as heat crept up my neck with every step I took towards my destination at the thought of what lies awaiting me. I looked at the bouquet of white roses with a single sunflower tucked in the other stalks placed neatly on the dressing table. He came. I was really determined to uncover the identity of my mystery person. I almost tripped on my way to the dressing table as I scrambled for the card he always leaves behind for me.

‘You looked ethereal in the light, my pretty ballerina’ was what the note read. I blushed to my roots as I re-read the note while tracing his handwriting until it was ingrained in my brain. As depressing as it sounds, these little notes from the stranger were the highlight of my life. I looked forward to receiving the flowers from the mystery man as it was the only auspicious thing in my rather bleak existence.

I had grown an unhealthy obsession with a nameless,faceless man who had a really big say on the trajectory of my moods. For all I know he could be a creep or a pervert with a fetish for barely legal girls. But no, I won't let such thoughts ruin my fantasy of the mystery man. One of these days I would uncover his identity and I'll keep that as a vow to myself. I got changed in a pair of jeans and a loose blouse and packed all my things in my carry on. I was really dreading exiting this place for fear of what might lie in wait for me back home. At least he didn't seem mad when we last spoke. I had grown accustomed to reading all the tell tales of his current mood and I knew how to appease him and not let things escalate. And from our short correspondence earlier he just seemed to be bored immensely like there were better things to do than attend her daughter's perfomance which had renowned people flocking from every corner of the universe. I just hoped Seb would stay for a few days before heading back to New Orleans and act as a buffer between me and Alejandro. It would also be really nice to catch up with him and learn about the numerous endeavours he's been involved in.

I walk out of the theatre building and I'm signalled to get into the black SUV with my father and brother. The ride home was painfully quiet since Seb was busy on his phone and there was nothing to fill the silence in the car. This will be a long drive.