Prima - Alta Hensley Page 0,12

they wanted to protect it. So, knowing they couldn’t fight off the powerful army that outnumbered them, they covered the Buddha in clay to conceal its value. All the monks died in the attack, but the clay Buddha — worthless in the eyes of the invaders — remained. It wasn’t until 1957 that someone noticed a crack in the old clay Buddha. Golden light emerged from the dirty, dark crack revealing there was so much more beneath the surface. When they chipped away at all the filth, they discovered a pure gold statue — a priceless statue.” I paused to take a breath and to see if I had completely lost Clara in my story. When I saw I still had her full attention, I added, “I think you are that Golden Buddha. I see the golden light in the cracks the demons once seeped from. Beneath all that filth is a priceless prima ballerina.”

She stared at me, studying my face. Looking for sincerity possibly? But she didn’t argue or counter my words. She simply stared at me in silence.

“So, what I’m saying,” I continued on, “is that years and years of dirt and mud piled on you does not change what truly is underneath. You just have to chip away at the clay.” I gave a shrug and a grin. “My point being that the Volkov Ballet, my brother Yuri as your choreographer, and I help you do that. I really think we can make you the dancer you once were.” When she still looked unconvinced, I said with all the sincerity I had. “Clara, I see a beautiful ballerina bathed in that gold light. I swear to you I do.”

She gave me a heart-stopping smile and stared into my eyes for a beat too long. “That’s a beautiful story, but I don’t know what it has to do with me or what you want me to say.”

I want you to fucking say yes! I wanted to yell, but I didn’t.

I forced myself to remain calm and in control, even as I switched tactics. “Well, if you decide you do want to stop attending the pity party you seem damn positive is all the fun you’re allowed to have for the rest of your life, come and join me. I’ll be in the office when you’ve showered and changed. You should come sign the contract then.” I began to move away but paused to add, “But, Clara, I’m not going to beg, and I’m not going to pressure you anymore. This is your life and your choice.” I wanted to add, don’t fuck it up, but I managed to restrain myself.

I turned around and walked away at that moment before I could get too lost in her gaze. I hoped I had said enough, and she would meet me in the office and accept my offer.

All I could do now was wait. Wait for who I hoped would become my prima ballerina.

5

Clara

I knew there was a big smile on my face as I headed backstage to get changed, no matter how hard I tried to conceal it. I was doing my best to appear nonchalant, but I’d never been very good in the role of Miss Calm, Cool, and Collected. I was still trying to wrap my head around the fact Alek had told me I’d been accepted to join Volkov Ballet and train as their principal ballerina, and I didn’t know what to think. I hadn’t come to the audition with the intention of being offered a contract.

Honestly, I didn’t really know why I came.

As I pushed through a door to find a large dressing room, I heard the voice of that annoying little devil come through loud and clear.

So, you came because you… what? Were in the neighborhood? Needed the exercise? Get real, girlfriend. You came because the man pushed your buttons and you wanted to prove you still have skills. Lie to everyone else but not to yourself.

I looked around to see names on cubicles that held totes and various articles of clothing. Not about to infringe on anyone’s personal space, I continued across the room when I saw a door open and two dancers emerge with towels wrapped around their bodies, others around their hair. Grabbing a towel off a stack on a table, I slipped into the shower room where I found several curtains already pulled across stalls, steam coiling toward the ceiling as hot water pounded sore bodies. Stepping to the left, I