Page 29 of Falling for the Bosshole

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Opening night had arrived,and there was a buzz of excitement in the air. It was still five hours until curtain time, but backstage was a beehive of activity.

Ana sensed the excitement the moment she spotted the security force which lined the street to manage the expected volume of traffic. In the lobby, valets milled about anticipating the vehicles that would ferry the guests to the auditorium. Radio City Hall never looked brighter and more imposing than it did that night.

Ana realized Lash had done everything in his power to make the night a success. Invitations were sent out to different media offices. Full-page newspaper ads splashed the announcements. Banners could be found everywhere in the city, announcing the event. The paparazzi would be there in droves tonight.

Others who were not as lucky to have been extended an invitation had already taken their position outside the gates as the limousine Lash hired to ferry her to the venue came to a stop outside the theater lobby. Ana would have felt more like a movie star if she had a beautiful gown on and some make-up. But that was still going to happen inside in the dressing rooms where a swarm of make-up artists waited to do their magic.

She stepped into the vast theater where the show was going to be held. It was a madhouse with ushers and usherettes in black, red, and gold uniforms attaching names of guests to the seats. Ana noted that Horne Calloway’s name occupied one of the premier seats.

Inside the dressing rooms, the excitement was even more palpable as the dancers chatted among themselves. Ana spotted an empty make-up chair and was about to sit when Ricardo popped through the door.

“Hey, Ana. Do you have a minute?” He called out.

“Sure,” Ana replied as another dancer grabbed the chair she vacated.

In the hallway, Ricardo studied his nails as he waited.

“What’s up?” Ana asked with a friendly smile.

“So, did Lash talk to you about the finale kiss?” Ricardo asked.

“Yeah, he explained to me why it was so important that the kiss is real,” Ana replied.

“And you’re okay with it?” Ricardo insisted.

Ana sighed inwardly. No, she really wasn’t, but now wasn’t the best time to tell her kissing partner that.

“Yes, it fine,” she lied, then added, “We can do it. I mean, it’s just a kiss, right?”

Ricardo shrugged and muttered, “Yeah, it’s just I don’t know how long we can keep it up.”

“What do you mean?” Ana asked, puzzled.

“Pretending that we have a relationship. That was the whole idea for making the kiss real. Lash figured that it would start a rumor, and the gossip would make the public hungry to know more about us. A curious public would ensure that we have more spectators for the following shows. It’s not just about opening night. Lash is more worried about ticket sales afterward,” Ricardo explained.

Ana was stunned.

Lash never mentioned anything remotely close to what Ricardo just said. A rumor about his two principal dancers possibly being in a relationship? It was a great strategy, she admitted. Lash was looking out for the studio’s future shows. That was understandable. Lash would never put his money on a losing proposition.

But to make her believe all that bullshit about Horne Calloway giving the studio a glowing review, she realized he was using her to get what he wanted. Lash lied to her deliberately by not telling her he wanted to start a rumor. He not only lied to her, but he also betrayed her trust and used it against her because he was aware that she promised to make tonight a success for the sake of his mother’s memory.

Ana stifled a moan as Ricardo looked at her curiously. “Are you alright,” he asked.

“Y-yes, I’m fine,” Ana lied. She couldn’t break down now with the show just a few hours away.

Ricardo gave an exaggerated sigh then confessed, “It’s just that … I have a boyfriend, and he does not feel good about it.”

Ana wasn’t surprised. She always suspected that behind the macho image, Riccardo was harboring a secret.

“It’s okay. I’ll talk to Lash about it,” Ana said.

“Thanks,” Ricardo replied as he headed for his dressing room.

Ana was angry as she headed back to have her make-up done. She tried to stem the rage that was brewing inside her chest. She just had to hold it off until after the show, and then she fully intended to talk to Lash about all this.

She didn’t know how she made it through make up without breaking down. Ana was fixing her costume for the opening number when one of the ushers approached and informed her that Lash wanted her to join him in one of the theater’s private rooms.