Page 27

Cakewalk

A nxious about the overnight flight tomorrow, I decide to take a bubble bath before going to bed. I need to be completely relaxed to have any chance of getting a full night’s sleep.

Sadly, I’ve never been able to sleep on airplanes. Squishing myself into those narrow seats while rubbing arms with strangers? It makes the entire experience uncomfortable and nerve-racking.

Needing to hear the voice of my best friend, I set my phone on the edge of the tub and give Gwen a quick call. “Hey, G.”

“What are you doing up?”

“I just found out our class is flying out tomorrow night to an unknown destination.”

“How exciting, Soph! Are you busy packing for the trip?”

I chuckle. “Nah. I’m just sitting here sticking my toe up the bath faucet.”

“Nervous about the flight, huh?”

I sigh heavily. “Yeah…”

“Well, you’ll just have to keep your eyes on the prize. That’s what I’m doing. No matter how bitchy the prima donna gets, I keep my head down and forge on.”

I sit up in my bathtub. “Is it really that bad?”

Gwen snorts. “It’s several layers of hell worse.”

“Oh, Gwen. I’m sorry to hear that.”

She groans. “It’s okay…I’m tough enough to handle the abuse.”

“But it’s not right! Can’t you go to the director?”

“What? And be labeled ‘difficult’? No way, sister. That’s a death sentence in this industry. I’ll just have to suck it up until this fucking play is over with.”

My heart hurts for her. “How can she treat you like shit, but you’re the one who’s the problem?”

“It’s all about who your friends are, Soph. And the bitch knows a lot of important people. I don’t dare make waves.” She sighs, sounding exhausted. “So, your little plane trip—it’s nothing. Even though it’s going to suck, you can handle anything you put your mind to. We both can.”

I let her words sink in.

But then I say in earnest, “I wish I could be there to protect you.”

She chuckles. “I wouldn’t want to rain down the wrath of Sophie on her. It helps to know you’ll be tackling your fears while I face mine.”

“You’ve got it so much harder than I do, G.”

“I wouldn’t say that.” She laughs. “I can’t think of anything worse than flying in coach for hours.”

“Nightmare unlocked…” I whimper, sinking back into the water.

“You’ve got this, Soph.”

“Hey, I want you to keep something in mind. Every single time that woman acts out at you, she’s doing it because she knows you’re the real talent. The only way for her to stay on top is to eliminate anyone she sees as a threat.”

Gwen is silent for a moment. “Thanks, that helps put things into perspective.”

“I say we make a date for Sunday,” I announce. “I may be jittery from lack of sleep for two days straight, but as long as you ignore any crazy thing I say or do, it shouldn’t be a problem.”

“Count me in.” She chuckles softly. “I’m glad you called.”

“Me, too.”

I climb out of the tub to dry off. Gwen has a special gift. Because of what she said, I’m not even worried about the long-ass flight anymore. If she can put up with a hateful actress for the next few months, being on a crowded airplane is going to be a cakewalk.

Friday is busier for me than usual because the father of my student, Clara, asked to meet with me concerning his daughter.

I trust—or rather, I hope —he isn’t about to fire me for calling him on his behavior toward his daughter. As a result, I’m a bit nervous when I ring the doorbell.

I’ve never been here when she wasn’t around, so it feels a tad awkward when Mr. Branson answers the door and then leads me to the formal living room. “Please, have a seat.”

I clasp my hands together when I sit down, trying not to fidget.

“Would you like coffee, Miss Lane?”

It feels strange to have my client offering me refreshments, and I decline.

“We’ll get right to it, then,” he states, sitting on the couch beside me. “I’ve been giving a lot of thought to what you said.”

“Okay…”

He sounds nervous when he says, “This isn’t an easy thing for me to admit, but I was wrong. I should have been more supportive of Clara.”

Relieved by the direction this conversation is taking, I smile. “I’m glad to hear that.”

“I’ve taken what you said to heart. You mentioned that Clara has real potential, so I would like to up the number of her lessons to three times a week.”

I tilt my head, looking at him suspiciously. “You aren’t trying to get two more hours of ‘peace’ every week, are you?”

He shakes his head, chuckling. “No, no. I sincerely want what’s best for her.”

Although I’m happy he’s had a change of heart, there’s simply no way I can spare the time right now. “I wish I could accommodate that, but my schedule is fully booked.”

“If not three days a week, how about two? Surely, you can do that. I’d be happy to double the rate if that will help convince you.”

Although I could certainly use the money, I don’t want him to know that. Harnessing the badass inside me, I let out a long sigh and furrow my brow as if I’m considering it.

“Fine! I’m willing to pay triple the rate.”

It takes everything in me not to react. Instead, I utilize one of the lessons I learned from Mr. Onassis about effective communication and clarify what he’s proposing. “So, you are offering me three times the rate for an extra lesson each week?”

“No,” he corrects me. “I understand the time constraint this will put on you, so I will pay you that rate for both lessons each week.”

I swallow hard, unable to believe my good fortune.

He says earnestly. “Please say yes.”

I nod, slowly letting out the breath I’ve been holding. “I’ll do it.”

He pops off the couch, rubbing his hands together as if he’s just made a significant business deal. “Excellent!”

Amused by his reaction, I stand up to leave. “I’ll go over my schedule and see what I can arrange.”

Grabbing my hand, he shakes it vigorously. “I can’t wait to tell Clara.”

“Great.” Needing to get out of there before he realizes he’s paying far too much, I head toward the door. “It’s been lovely chatting with you.”

“Yes, yes. I’ve taken up enough of your time.”

I’ve never been treated with so much respect by a client. He even walks me to the door and then stops for a moment. “I just want to say what a difference you’ve made. Not just for Clara…”

Mr. Branson then shakes his head and laughs at himself. “I apologize. I’m rambling now.”

I’m touched that he’s given what I said serious thought. “I’ll give you a call next week to discuss her schedule.”

I feel like I’m walking on clouds, thrilled that someone appreciates my worth as a professional. I shake my head as I return to my car.

I never considered that my newfound confidence would play out in real-world situations. It makes me wonder what other surprises are ahead…

Arriving at the Luxe Escape that night, I’m sure of two things—I know my worth, and I know I can handle any obstacle thrown my way.

When I get out of my car and hand the valet the keys, I tell him, “I truly appreciate how you always treat my old car with such care.”

“Of course. We value your patronage, Miss Lane.”

Feeling like a million bucks, I walk into the hotel. After thanking the doorman, I join my classmates standing in the lobby.

Because of Mr. Onassis’s strict observance of time, we’re all here a full fifteen minutes before eight—even Pixie Girl. With time to spare, I walk over to the front desk to speak to Chase, the gentleman who’s had my back since the night I came looking for a room.

I overhear him asking the couple in front of me, “Are you interested in a standard stay or a more structured experience?”

“Structured experience,” the man states, and his girlfriend giggles excitedly beside him.

“Excellent. You’ll begin your experience in Room 3000.”

When I notice that the woman is wearing a collar around her neck, it dawns on me what is actually going on.

Chase greets me warmly when I step up. “Hello, Miss Lane. I was told your class will be leaving the hotel this evening.”

“Yes, we will be. I just felt the urge to come over and tell you how much I appreciate you.”

He smiles humbly. “Thank you.”

“But…I do have a question.”

“Certainly. How can I help?”

I lean in when I whisper, “Is ‘Structured Experience’ a secret code for BDSM?”

His eyes twinkle when he replies, “I’m sure I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

I smile and thank him for his time.

On my way back to the group, I notice all four trainers leaving the elevator. But something is wrong, because not one of them looks happy.

I hurry to rejoin the others, crossing my fingers that our flight hasn’t been cancelled.

Rather than telling us what’s happened, Headmaster Wallace instructs us to follow the four of them to a meeting room off the main lobby.

After shutting the door, the four trainers turn to face us as one.

Dono Marcelo is the first to speak. “After discussing it extensively, we have concluded that one of you will not be joining us tonight. In the spirit of full disclosure, we’ve agreed that it was best to inform you all of our decision.”

All of us look at each other in surprise, wondering who is being let go tonight.

Lord Murray adds in a solemn tone, “We feel it is best for this student to end the program now. Either they are not ready, or this is not their true calling.”

I suddenly get the sinking feeling they are talking about me.

The idea that I might get cut from the program sends shockwaves through my whole system. I understand that Leōn and I failed to heed Dono Marcelo’s direction during the practicum. But it isn’t my fault they paired me with the man of my dreams and I can’t get enough of the guy.

I glance at the other students, trying to convince myself that it’s not me. But I stop cold when I see Beefcake staring at me with an air of certainty.

What the hell did he say to them?

This can’t be the end! I’ll take any punishment the trainers want to dish out, as long as they let me stay.

I look at Headmaster Wallace with pleading eyes, silently crying out to him.

Please don’t let them kick me out!

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