Everything’s Golden
Everything’s Golden
Until it isn’t
Stepping onto the plane, I’m still energized from my incredible encounter with Master Navarro. I never dreamed I could be so gloriously unrestrained with a stranger—in front of an audience no less. It’s amazing to find new aspects of myself that I never knew were part of me.
It’s like I’m unwrapping one of those Russian nesting dolls, and each time I open another of the dolls, I unravel attitudes and fears that have been holding me back.
I grin at Amethyst like an idiot. “Did you have fun this afternoon?”
“Naturally,” she answers, looking amused.
When she isn’t more forthcoming about her adventure, I turn to Tamara, “How about you?”
She smiles and nods, then turns to look out the jet window.
Frustrated that no one is offering up details about their scenes, I ask Michelle the same question when she boards the plane. The enthusiastic book lover is more than happy to share, and goes on to tell me every minute detail of her scene.
When Headmaster Wallace finally gives the okay to take off, I stand up in alarm because we still have one empty seat. “What about Miss Diaz? She hasn’t returned yet.”
I’m startled by his answer.
“She won’t be returning with us.”
“Is she okay?” Tamara pipes up with sudden concern.
He smiles reassuringly. “There is no need to worry. Miss Diaz has chosen to stay in Barcelona.”
Despite his assurance, there is obvious tension on the plane as the jet readies for takeoff.
I do remember that Diaz told us she had been to Barcelona before. When she took the stage today, it was the only time I’d ever seen her look happy.
I stare at the city lights from my window, feeling a sense of loss as the plane takes off, and I murmur to the Lone Wolf, “I wish you happiness…”
The trainers call us to attention and begin questioning each of us extensively about our scenes.
When it’s my turn to share, I gush about Master Navarro and how he took my simple fantasy and turned it into something extraordinary.
When I describe the magnificent concert hall, Mistress Kim smiles and informs me that the Palau de la Música Catalana is considered a jewel of the city.
Lord Murray follows up with a question I’m unprepared for. “Was it difficult to work with someone who doesn’t speak English?”
I look at him, dumbfounded. “He doesn’t speak English?”
My classmates burst out laughing, but to Lord Murray’s credit, he doesn’t even blink in response.
“Apparently, that would be a no.”
I’m floored. I pride myself on being observant, so it’s a bit of a blow to my ego.
But when I think back on our scene, I realize that he never once spoke English to me.
It’s amazing to think that two people from completely different cultures could connect in such a deeply personal way without needing to speak a single word.
Dono Marcelo ends my questioning by asking, “Is there anything about the scene that you found challenging?”
I answer him with confidence, “Yes…but I wouldn’t change a thing.”
“Even the audience?” he presses.
I blush when I shake my head no.
When all of the trainers write down my response in their notes, I smile and shrug self-consciously.
I find it humorous that I chose to make my fantasy more simple this time around to match my classmates, while everyone else seems to have made theirs more complicated. It makes me laugh wondering what the trainers thought while reading our journals.
Sunday turns out to be uneventful since I have nowhere to go. Gwen is off spending the weekend on a luxurious yacht with Everett, the guy she ditched to take me to the New Year’s Eve party.
While they are living it up in the Caribbean, I spend a freezing Sunday afternoon curled up on my couch and vegging out on Outlander while munching on chocolate kisses in honor of Master Navarro.
I start Monday off feeling totally refreshed and ready to face a new week of challenges at the Training Center. I’m especially excited about reading Master Navarro’s evaluation of me.
But just as Mr. Onassis is about to hand out our evaluations, an assistant enters the classroom and whispers something in his ear.
He frowns and informs me. “Apparently, you have a visitor waiting for you in room 1042.”
Speechless, I gather my things and put them away while everyone watches with either a look of curiosity or envy. Once I’m out of the room, I make a beeline to room 1042 because I’m certain Leōn is waiting for me.
The first time we scened together was in that room!
I hurry down the hallway, trying to keep my cool as I fluff my hair and straighten my uniform. Taking a deep breath before I enter the room, I saunter in with a seductive smile on my lips.
Instead of Leōn, I see a handsome Japanese man dressed in a white kimono standing in the middle of the room.
My smile slowly fades.
He nods, and I feel a cold chill run down my spine when he holds up a bundle of red rope in his hand.
“Hello, Miss Lane. My name is Tono Nosaka. I’m here to teach you harmony with the rope.”
I hope you enjoyed Flaming Hearts!