The Austin Arrangement novel Chapter 5

I wasn't a fool,I knew who Tom Austin was the second he walked into the studio. A Billionaire wanting dance lessons from me,there's a lot out there that are far better than mine.

I should count my blessings that he came to me though.

The class had left and I was straight at it myself,empty room and the floor was all mine.

Like every time I have the studio rented I made use of my time,with jumps and leaps across the hardwood.

I was in my Zone!!

Imagine doing this on a stage in front of a massive audience,I've done it a couple of times but it was nothing big.

Is it unrealistic to want to be someone, someone that people talk about and Say things like..

"That Ballet with Vanessa Garcia as the lead,I've never seen a girl with so much talent."Yeah,It's pretty unrealistic!!"

I heard my phone ringing at the other side of the room and I walked that way with a sweat on.

I picked up my phone and saw that it was a call from Finley.

***

PHONE CALL

"Hi Brother,What's up?"I wiped the sweat off my brow with my towel.

"Ness,I was called into the office today at college,I was told that our payments were late..Like very behind."

Shit..Shit..Shit!!

A panic coursed through my body and I tried to think of something to say without him worrying."Oh Crap, I forgot all about that.

I'll transfer the money to them by Monday,it's too late to go to the bank right now."

Finley sighed."Is everything okay,Ness? Like we still have the savings that Mom and Dad had set aside right?"

The imaginary savings that I lied and told you we had..Yes I lied to him.

I'm his Big sister and I didn't want him to worry."Sure,Everything's fine we have money,I don't want you to worry about that.

I've been so busy here at the studio that it slipped my mind."

Sometimes I find it so easy to lie to him because I do it enough. I know it's for the best.

It might reach a point where I can't do this anymore and I'll have no choice but to tell him..But for now I'll keep it to myself.

"Well alright.I'll still see you for dinner on Sunday,Right?"

I faked a smile,even though he wasn't in front of me.It just made it easier for me to be happy despite wanting to fall apart."Sure,I wouldn't miss it."

END OF PHONE CALL

***

I hung up the phone and sat down on a plastic chair that had been left out from the evening class.

I felt total despair,holding my face in my hands and crying.What are you doing to do,Vanessa?

Finley's tuition was way past overdue and I didn't have close to what they needed. I had some..Just not enough.

They're going to kick him out of school..Of course they will if we're not paying for him to be there.

Jesus Christ,Vanessa!!

"Are you okay,Darling?"

I looked up and saw Mr Austin standing by the door to the studio, looking like he was ready to take pity on me.His face told me everything.

I stood up,wiping my wet face with the sleeve of my Bolero wrap cardigan."Mr Austin,What are you doing here?"

"I forgot my jacket,"He pointed to his jacket that was hung over the back of the chair i had been sitting on.

"Oh,Right."I picked up the expensive navy suit jacket and handed it to him.