by Diamond
“Good morning, mommy.” I came up to her and gave her hug. I went to the fridge and grabbed the orange juice and a glass and sat on a stool.
“Good morning baby, are you excited about your interview?” She looked up at me, and put a smile on her face.
“Yes, but a little nervous too,” I pour orange juice in my glass and took a drink. She grabbed the carton and put it back into the fringe.
“Well I know you got this, would you like some pancakes before you head out?” She started making a plate and put strawberries and whip cream. My favorite, I licked my lips and shook my head yes, ready to dig in.
She set the plate in front of me and I smashed that food down. It was my favorite breakfast. I looked at the clock and jumped up.
“I gotta go mama,” I gave her a hug and she wished me luck, as I ran out of the house. Once I got into my car I sped to the dance studio. I pulled up and took a deep breath and got out of my car, I walked through the doors and walked to the front desk.
“Hi my name is Blu and I’m here to interview with Bella Johnson,” the girl at the desk looked up and smiled.
“You’re gonna be in studio one, your back up dancers are already here. Ms. Johnson is running about fifteen minutes late. So please get changed into your costume before she gets up and do any last minute things, good luck Blu.”
I decided to go with a pussycat dolls theme and use their moves and songs to make my routines. I was so nervous right now; Bella Johnson is known for asking people on the spot to work for her company.
“Thank you everyone for helping me with this. Y’all are greatly appreciated!” I looked at each one of them and smiled. “Now, I was told we should get into our dance costumes, so please go change and be ready in five so we can do some stretching and warm up routine.”
I walked into the locker room and set my bag down, I was in business mode. I cleared my mind of everything but dancing and the opportunity in front of me. I took a few deep breaths and set out my clothes. I was wearing the same outfit that Nicole off the pussycat dolls was wearing in buttons. I got everyone else the rest of the outfits from that video as well. I had a mixed CD with all the songs I’m using and combined dance moves.
Remi walked up to me with a big smile on her face, “I’m so proud of you, Blu, for making it this far. You know how hard it is to get an interview with her?”
“Thank you, Remi. That means a lot and thank you for offering me a chance to dance with you guys. I feel like I have a second family now, even though we haven’t been hanging out much but this shows you guys will always be there when I need you. Yes, I was so excited when I got the call back.”
“Attention ladies!” A man in all black came into the dressing room, he was clearly gay and I loved his style.
“Where is Blu?” He looked around then at his clipboard. I stepped up and raised my hand with a smile on my face. Remi put her hand on my back and pushed me further.
“Well hello there, Blu. My name is James and Bella Johnson would love to speak with you before everyone else comes out to join you, so please follow me.”
“Nice too meet you, James” I smiled and followed behind him. all my nervousness just went away and I felt confident in myself. I had to know I was going to get this.
Bella Johnson was looking at some files at a table that was set up in the corner with a radio on it. when she heard us walk up, she stopped what she was doing and took a good look at me.
“Hello Blu, I’m Bella Johnson.” She gave a warm smile and put out her hand.
“Hello Ms. Johnson,” I took her hand and shook it and gave her a warm smile. I wasn’t expecting her to be this nice.
So I was watching you since you walked in and I loved how you took charge and told everyone what was going on. The whole late thing was a lie so I can see if you really had what it takes to be in charge of a group of dancers. They all followed your directions and you thanked them which is always nice to hear. I have a few questions to ask you before you show me what you got.”
“Okay,” I took a seat across from her and put my hands together, I was really starting to get nervous again. I had never went through this before.
“Okay, Blu first question, why do you want to be a dance choreographer?” She looked at me with an intense look like she was trying to read me.
“Well, I think dancing is art and being able to make up a dances and teach people how to do it is important. I like to think of it like a canvas and I’m the painter and I’m drawing.”
“I like that answer, Blu. It’s like you’re telling a story. My next question is; how long have you been dancing?”
I laughed a little before I answered. “My mom said I’ve been dancing since my feet hit the floor. I have videos to prove it. I started dance class when I got into kindergarten. Since then I knew this is what I wanted to do, dancing is important to me; without it I don’t know who I am.”
“I like you a lot, Blu. Now, I’m hoping your dancing matches your personality. What theme did you pick today?” She looked at me with a straight face and crossed her arms. I was jumping for joy inside.
“I have pick the pussycat doll theme. Sexy but classy, here is a CD of there music.” I handed over the CD and she put it into the CD player.
“Its Blu’s time to show me what you got.” She took a sip out of a water bottle that was sitting on the table.
I ran back and got every body into format and I was in the lead; I started counting. James hit play on the CD played and the song Buttons came on by the pussycat dolls.
I'm telling you loosen up my buttons baby (Uh huh)
But you keep fronting (Uh)
Saying what you going do to me (Uh huh)
But I ain't seen nothing (Uh)
I'm telling you loosen up my buttons baby (Uh huh)
But you keep fronting (Uh)
Saying what you going do to me (Uh huh)
But I ain't seen nothing (Uh)
Typical
Hardly the type I fall for
I like when the physical
Don't leave me asking for more
I'm a sexy mama (mama)
Who knows just how to get what I wanna (wanna)
What I want to do is spring this on you (on you)
Back up all of the things that I told you (told you)
We all got into sync with each other and started moving, I felt the energy in my body pick up as I was dancing. I took moves from their music videos and added my own and it was hot. By the time the song finished I was feeling good. Bella was clapping and so was James, they both had big smiles on their faces and I still have one more dance to go.
The song when I grow up started to play, we all started to get hype and the energy in the room was great there was no way I wasn’t getting this.
Boys call you sexy (What's up, sexy)
And you don't care what they say
See, every time you turn around
They scream your name
Now I've got a confession
When I was young I wanted attention
And I promised myself that I'd do anything
Anything at all for them to notice me
Once again we killed it and I couldn’t have been happier with the way things were turning out. If I didn’t get this, I would be crushed. I wished Skie was here to see me in this moment. I couldn’t wait to see her tonight. Ms. Johnson was writing some notes down on the paper and my crew went to the locker rooms to change and get ready to leave. I was about to do the same thing, but James stopped me.
Bella stood up and walked over to me, she gave me a warm smile and handed me a piece of paper and walked out the room. I watched as James followed, I looked at the paper in my hand I was scared to open it. I couldn’t take it anymore, I flipped open the paper and tears came rolling down my eyes
Blu,
What a lovely performance you put on, I would love to offer you a full time position at my company. James will get into contact with you when you start. You are a beautifu
l person and a fantastic dancer with great energy. See you soon and congratulations!
Bella Johnson
My dream just came true, and I slid on the floor and couldn’t move ;I was in shock. I was so damn happy right now, and nothing could mess up my mood. I got off the floor and ran to the locker room to shower and get changed for this dinner I had with my mother. I walked over to where I put my stuff, when Remi walked over with her things ready to head out.
“So? What happened? Did you get it?” She was jumping up and down with a smile on her face.
“Yes, “ I yelled in excitement and we gave each other a big hug. Everyone else came over and we were wilding out.
Everyone gave me their congratulations and I told everyone thank you. I hopped in the shower washed up. I put on a red dress and some flats, let my hair down and took out my phone to text Skie.
Blu: Baby I got it!
Skie: I knew you would. I am so proud of you! We are celebrating tonight
I grabbed my bag and went to my car, I got in while I waited for my mom to show up. She said she would pick me up after and we would drive there together and pick up my car after. I saw her pull into the parking lot and got out my car. I got into her car and we pulled off.
“Mommy, I got the job!” I said with excitement in my voice. I swear my day couldn’t get any better.
“I’m proud of you, honey,” she just kept looking ahead. She looked nervous, like if she wasn’t driving she would be fidgeting with everything she could get her hands on. I was really starting to get worried, I had a feeling in my stomach that something wasn’t right.
We pulled up to the restaraunt and went in. We found a booth in the back and sat down, the next thing I knew Ghost and Ryder walked right up to us. Ghost sat next to my mother and Ryder looked at me confused. He lipped what’s going on, I shrugged my shoulders at him. he sat down next to me, they looked at us and we looked at them.
“So, we both have something very important to tell you two.” Ghost spoke with a calm voice, he looked like he was drying to say something else.
“Would yall just say it already?” I said, I was getting frustrated because this was slowly messing up my day and I wanted Skie.
“Blu honey,” my mother spoke in a soft voice. “Ghost, is your father. We are sorry we kept it from you for so long, but it was something that needed to happen.”
I looked at them in disbelief, Ryder looked at me and back at Ghost. Tears started pouring out of my eyes, I couldn’t stop them.
Ghost chipped in. “I couldn’t marry your mother. I was forced to marry Linda and at the time it was best that I sent you away with her. My father didn’t know Emila was pregnant with you and if he did, I would have lost everything. When he died, I wanted to tell you, but we thought it was best to wait.” Ghost tried to reach out to me, but I backed up into the booth.
“So this whole damn time y’all let us believe that we were just friends? That we weren’t really brother and sister!” Ryder yelled and everyone looked at our table.
“Son, we couldn’t tell you, I didn’t wanna hurt your mother more than I was already doing. There is another reason we are telling you guys this.” Ghost looked sad; something I’ve never seen on him. “I have Cancer and I’m getting worse, it hasn’t showed yet in my looks, but it will. I didn’t wanna die knowing I was keeping this a secret.”
“Oh how nice, so I finally find out who my father is just to find out he’s dying!” I yelled, I was angry more liked pissed the fuck off. I couldn’t look at my mother. The sight of her made me sick. To me she was a lying bitch! She let me go to Ryder’s house for years knowing that Ghost was my father. That explained why he treated me the way he did. He treated me better than his other daughter and come to think about it sometimes better than Ryder.
“I know you’re upset but we kept this for a good reason!” Ghost yelled back. He had no right to be angry right now, only me and Ryder did.
“Mom, you make me so fucking sick! I will be coming by later to get my things. I am moving out. Don’t call me don’t ever try and speak to me again, I hate you!”
“You will not speak to your mother that way!” Ghost yelled and his face looked scary for a just a moment, but he softened it.
“Blu, love, I didn’t mean to hurt you. I know I shouldn’t have kept this from you, But I would have died if I would have told you. Ghost’s father told me if I would have told you I would have died”. She looked at Ghost. “He knew about her, Ghost” my mother began to cry.
Part of me wanted to hug her and tell her everything was okay, but it wasn’t. She should have fought harder.
“So, are you the woman my father has been cheating on my mom with for all these years?” Ryder asked in a calm voice.
“Yes, I am not happy about some of the choices I have made, but I love your father with all my heart.” My Mom looked at Ryder in the eyes.
I looked at Ghost and my mother, I can’t believe this is the man my mother been seeing all these years. The leaving on the weekends. This whole time she was sleeping with my father, but yet I couldn’t know who he was. My grandfather had been dead for years, there is no way this should have still been hidden.
“Ryder, Blu, I love this woman with all my heart. I know we shouldn’t have kept this hidden for all these years,” Ghost said, it was pride in his voice, I just looked at him with disgust written all over my face.
“So what are you trying to say dad?” Ryder asked, with the same look as mine. He crossed his arms and we both waited.
“I signed your mother’s divorce papers this morning,” he tuned to my mother and pulled her out of the booth and got on one knee and took out a box from his pocket. I really couldn’t believe after all this ,he decided to do this! Ryder got out of the boot and I followed.
“Emila, I love you with everything in my body. I know this have been a long time coming, but will you marry me?”
“Yes, Ghost I will marry you.” My mom looked happy and sad at the same time, he put the ring on his Finger.
“I hope you two are happy,” I said and ran out of the restaurant with Ryder right behind me. Once I got outside I stared crying and passed out. Ryder was right on time to catch me before I hit the ground.
Chapter Twelve
Ghost
I was going through some photos of Ryder and Blu as children. I had to smile to myself because they grew up with drive and knew what they wanted in life. I knew I did some really fucked up shit in my past, but I had my reasons for doing them. My own father would have killed me and Emila if I didn’t marry Linda. He hated the Italians that much. Linda was beautiful, yes and I did love her at one point, but Emila always had my heart. My father was a very powerful man, no one dared to cross him. Even my own mother was afraid of him. she left him when I was seventeen years old. She died shortly after that, they say it was an accident but I knew better.
I met Emila after I started dating Linda. At the time I wanted my cake and to eat it too. But then like everything, when you keep it hidden it will come to light sooner or later. My father found out about Emila and freaked out. But I continued to see her. Linda had no idea I was sleeping with someone else besides her and as far as I saw it, she would never know.
Me and Emila ended up finding out she was pregnant with my first child. I was the happiest I had ever been. But, my father had other plans for my future. That same night I found out I was going to be a father, my dad told me I would have an arranged marriage with ,Linda. I fought against it with no luck. He said if I didn’t get married to her, he would disown me, and he would never give me his empire. So, I told Emila what was to happen and sent her and my unborn baby away. I didn’t know my father knew about the baby, that was a shock to me.
When I proposed to Linda, I found out she was pregnant as well. Of course she got welcomed with open arms. At the time I felt like I had no choice but to do what I was told. I would have ended up like my mother. My father was a heartless man and didn’t care about anything but himself.
After he passed, everything was left to me, since I was his only child. I noticed I started to act like him and that was my worst fear. Emila tried to convince me that I should tell Blu I was her father, when she was little, but I said no. I didn’t want Linda finding out about Emila or Blu, I was becoming a very selfish man.
Blu and Ryder ended up becoming friends, and I made sure they went to the same schools. I still kept track of what Blu was doing. I got to watch her grow up, but she never knew who I really was to her.
When she turned sixteen I was gonna tell her the truth, but Emila stopped me and said that it would hurt her. So, we agreed that we would tell her when she was eighteen, but once again Emila got scared. I could have gone behind her back and told Blu myself, but I couldn’t do that to, Emila. By this point, Linda knew who Blu was, I can tell in her eyes that she despised me and Blu. So I forced her to be with me, I made her scared of me. Just like my father, I’m not proud of all the things I have done, but I did them. I looked in the mirror in my master bathroom, I was starting to look like I was sick. I was an older version of Ryder, but I was started to age and look sick.
I guess Cancer was finally catching up to me. I had to make things right with everyone around me. When Linda left, I had thoughts of killing her with my hands, then I thought about Ryder and how he would feel. Then I felt like she deserved to be happy, she actually loved me at one point but that was long gone. I walked into my room and got into bed, today my doctor was coming to run a few test. Ryder hadn’t been home since I proposed to Emila, I guess Blu hadn’t been home either. My phone started ringing, I grabbed it off my night stand and answered.
“Ghost Speaking,” I got up and went to my balcony that over looked the pool. Things had changed so much in a few days, I needed to put things back together