labeled with things like ‘Katya’s dress for Saturday’s dinner party’ and ‘Katya’s dress for brunch on Sunday.’ It irked me that someone had decided they could control my life to the point where they were dressing me like a doll, but that was a battle for another day.
There was a large bed with a fluffy white comforter, and decorative pillows piled high. I was grateful that the room was decorated tastefully and not in the Pepto-Bismol pink that most people associated with ballerinas. I kicked off my shoes so that I could wiggle my toes in the thick carpeting and indulge in the luxury of it all.
Next, I wandered over to the makeup vanity table and ran my hand over the surface. It was the epitome of old Hollywood glamour, and I kind of loved it – even though I knew I shouldn’t. When I was a little girl, this was exactly what I thought my life would look like as a prima ballerina. However, a big room filled with pretty things wouldn’t change my mind about going back to New York. I didn’t belong here in Bedford with the super-rich. I needed to be back with my best friend as we worked to live the life of our dreams.
After two days of arguments over where I was going to live, and hours on a plane with my new family, I was more than ready to stretch out my legs. I located my ballet bag in the closet, where someone must have dropped it off for me, and dug through it to find what I needed. I changed and popped my wireless earbuds in before I went in search of my new ballet room.
Once I got outside, I discovered what ‘French limestone’ was. Nina acted as if it was supposed to impress me, but it just looked like regular rocks to me. However, I had to admit that the landscaping outside was gorgeous. I could easily see myself sitting out here to read a book on a bright sunny day - if it was even possible to get those out here in Washington.
I saw the two buildings that Nina had referenced and hesitated. First, it was kind of outrageous that someone’s home even needed multiple buildings to contain everything. Second, I definitely did not want to walk into the devil’s lair by accident.
I guessed that the building closest to the driveway was the garage I was supposed to stay away from, so I walked around the other building. I let out a breath of relief when I saw the pool in the back. Perfect. I had just identified the correct building.
I wandered into the pool house and checked out the fitness center. I would definitely be able to do all of my strength training here without a problem. The fitness center was separated from the ballet room by a transparent glass wall. Anyone in the fitness center could easily watch what I was doing. I shrugged it off. Who would even want to?
I slipped in the room to see that two of the walls were completely covered in mirrors, and there was a barre at exactly the right height. Ryan was going to die when I told him I had my own ballet studio. A wave of sadness rushed through me as I sat down to put on a pair of ballet slippers. If Ryan had been here with me, we probably would have been running through the house and exploring every crevice excitedly. But being completely alone in a cavernous house was a different story.
I started to feel better once I completed my warm-up at the barre and switched to my pointe shoes. I was intent on my footwork when I caught a flicker of movement in the mirror. I stopped and crossed my arms over my chest as Kingston and Maverik barged into the room.
“We thought this is where you’d be,” Kingston said with a smarmy grin as he sauntered over to me.
“Did you need help with your pirouettes?” I quipped. “Because I can give you some tips to improve your technique.”
Kingston laughed. “Hear that, bro? Our new little kitten wants to help us out.”
“It’s Katya,” I informed him haughtily.
“Nah,” Kingston said with a sparkle in his eye. “Every time we come near you, you puff out your fur and hiss like a feral kitten.”
“Even kittens have claws,” I warned him.
“Sink your claws into my brother, and you’ll have me to deal with,” Maverik threatened.
Kingston was good-looking in