The Billionaire's Ballerina

 _OLIVER_The day - and business - went by slowly. Usually, that isn't a good sign, but it was just for the day anyway. Slow though the day went, business was too thick and heavier than usual. I guess that's what I get for taking over the family business because my older sister got a sudden passion for music and left the company all to me when I was twenty-two years old. I didn't mind the work because honestly speaking, I expected her to abandon ship much earlier.Most of the shareholders complained that I was too young and lacked appropriate experience to run the company but nobody argues better than Judd Woodling, my father, who seemed to be more than agreeable to my succession.Woodling Incoparated is a large company with many branches that specializes in software. It is a family inheritance privilege. This company has been in my family for so long that I don't even remember the founder's name. I just know that he was from New Zealan

  _KIMBERLY_ "Yes, perfect," I said happily. "Let's try that again. One two three, one two three, one two th-" I cut myself short. "Jen arms wide, your wrists below like so." I demonstrated and she copied. "Excellent." One.  Two.  Three.  One.  Two.  Three.  One.  Two.  Three.  "Grace, elegance and posture. Dance is the essence of life. Let the music speak for you," I instructed.  Ever since I was young, ballet dancing was my life. It expressed me the finest and explained the emotions that I couldn't describe with words. It calmed me and, most importantly, it kept me sane. It saddened me that I would one day grow too old for it so, I wanted to enjoy as much as I could while my body could allow it. This class wasn't so bad. Well, most of the students' technique was poor but nothing that couldn't be fixed. That's why the

  _KIMBERLY_ I watched the class stand in front of the mirrors with their hands on the barres, as they practiced leg movements and arabesques. "Relax your bodies, children. Take calm breaths and remember the tips we went through earlier. Please don't strain yourselves," I instructed as I went around supervising and helping the children that needed extra attention.  Mozart's Don Giovanni, took hold of the background and some of the students were making their own moves as they practiced. This song's soft tune and sharp tones made it one of my favourites and I couldn't help but hum along with a small smile. After my rounds were done, I looked out the window at the beautiful clear sky. The entire wall on the right was glass and the view beyond it was a paved path with a few trees beyond it. The view wasn't anything unique or breathtaking but it was peaceful. People rarely walked there and after a few minutes of staring, my mind wandered.

  _OLIVER_ "And you go down like this," Lora explained as she gracefully brought her hands to the sides of her waist. "And do a cute, little jump." "Bravo!" I exclaimed as I clapped my hands at the demonstration that she gave me. "You're getting even better at this." "Of course, I am!" She said and I could see her swell with pride. "I am a Woodling after all." "Yes, you are." I spread my arms and she smiled before running into them although she had a mini struggle climbing onto the couch.  We were currently in the living room and since I was on vacation, Lora skipped school to hang out with me. Despite my protests, she refused and insisted to stay just for today. I knew that I was a little too soft on her but I hated seeing my daughter in tears. "If you misbehave tomorrow, I'll be strict on you," I said and she pulled away from me with a pout. "Why are you bringing that up now?" She asked with folded arms.

 _KIMBERLY_I stood in front of the Woodling mansion and gave the address that Oliver had sent me this morning one last glance, confirming if I was at the right place. Before I knew it, Lora's birthday had arrived and as promised, I came an hour early to help with preparations.The house was huge and gorgeous. It had two high pillers holding up a patio cover that put a nice shade on the chairs that were set around a dark wooden table and there was a water fountain in the middle of the front yard. Flowerbeds were neatly placed on either side of the house and I stared in awe while internally giving whoever planned this house a round of applause. Snapping out of my trance, I walked to the door and rang the doorbell. Ater a few minutes of waiting, a young blonde woman opened the door and smiled at me. She wore a maid's outfit so it wasn't difficult to guess what her role in the house was. "Good morning. You must be Kimberly," she said