“…Well, I don’t have to state the obvious, do I?”
She snorted a chuckle. “No, you’ve made it terrifyingly clear that I shouldn’t do that again.”
“You gotta listen to me. I like that kind of shit. Following my directions is my love language. I don’t want you holding back with me. I know you’re inexperienced, and I like that. Butwith me, I need you to be comfortable so we can explore shit together.”
There were so many things Lo wanted to experience with Bria. He had plans to exalt her to heights she had never encountered.
“Okay, I can do that but you gotta be nice to me and make me a priority. You can be mean to everybody else but not me.”
Her spoiled ass…
Lo didn’t mind it though. He would spoil her as long as she was loyal to him.
“I got you… What do you like to do?”
“Hmm,” she hummed. “I love going to plays. Oh, and I love riding horses. My dad used to take me horseback riding all the time. I don't get a chance to do it since my schedule is so crazy but that’s probably my favorite hobby outside of dancing.”
Lo made a mental note of that. “Horses and plays. Okay.”
Bria snuggled closer to Lo, covering him with her clean scent. He hadn’t felt this comfortable in ages. Her presence was calming, which allowed him to disarm the guards he always had to have in place.
Sweat leaked from Bria’s pores. She curved her arms as she did a pirouette. This was her favorite move to do. It required much balance and muscle memory. She was in the midst of choreographing a new routine. Always wanting to be ahead of her competition, Bria typically rehearsed for hours, making sure her routine was close to perfection. There were some gigs coming up, and she wanted to be polished for them.
After another hour of rehearsing, her phone rang. Rushing over just in case it was Lo, she kneeled down and noticed it was her agent, Stella, calling.
“Hello,” she answered out of breath.
“Hey, did I call you at a busy time?”
“No, I was actually wrapping up my rehearsal. What’s up?”
“I wanted to give you a few updates on your schedule and bookings. So, I’m still fighting for you to have the lead in Swan Lake.”
Frustratedly, Bria shook her head. “What’s the issue?”
“Well.” Stella paused. “They don't think Swan should be led by a Black woman.”
Bria exhaled sharply while closing her eyes. After all of her years of experience and accolades, she still had to fight to be seen. Being in a white-dominated profession had given her so many woes that it had taken her love of dancing away at one point. Bria had been ridiculed over the years because she didn’t have the proper aesthetic. The hue of her skin was far too dark. Her body type didn’t fit the standard slim form that ballet dancers were known to have. Bria had even been refused certain roles because she was told she’d ruin the visual.
Standing at five foot ten with a muscular build and thick quads, Bria had been informed that she would benefit being an athlete rather than a ballet dancer. However, dancing was a passion that she would fight to have. It was not only her desire, but it was also an outlet. Ballet ushered her out of her reality and placed her in an existence that couldn’t harm her. She was shielded of the evils of the world. That was what she loved most about dancing. The escapism that it brought her was unparalleled.
“I can’t believe we’re still here again. Who’s up for the part?”
“Katie.”
Bria immediately rolled her eyes. “I bet she’s trying her best to talk to the producers and get the role taken from me.”
“I mean, we’ve seen this game before, right? She does it all the time, but I’m determined to get you the role. You do have the charity gala next week. I also have you booked to teach classes at ABT next month.”
That news made Bria perk up. Teaching had become a passion she enjoyed immensely.
“I’m looking forward to that. Please keep me posted on Swan Lake. I really want that role.”
“I will, hun. As soon as I get an update, I’ll call you.”
“Alright, talk to you later.”
“Bye.”
