Charles left the house after his conversation with George. He personally drove this time to Chloe's ballet school. On getting there, he met his little girl performing her practice on the stage while her teacher guided her. Chloe was so good that she didn't miss any steps in it. Her mates marveled at her performance. Elora had stepped out to use the restroom when Charles came in.
"Wonderful performance Chloe. That was beautiful." Her teacher remarked. Just then, Charles stepped forward as he clapped his hands, drawing the attention of everyone.
"Oh Good morning Sir Higgins. Surprised to see you here. What brings you here?" The teacher welcomed him. All the kids greeted him in unison.
"Thank you Miss Salome. Nothing much. I just came to see how my little angel's doing. And I must say I'm impressed by how dedicated you are in teaching her." He commented.
"Oh my sir. Thank you. Your daughter is very talented I must say. And I'm really impressed by how good she is. She bested all her mates and is representing her class for the upcoming ballet competition. I'm...." He cut her shut.
"Yes Miss Salome. I'm well aware. That's why I came to see her performance." He turned to his daughter.
"Weldone Chloe dear." Chloe, who was surprised to see her dad there and what was more shocking was him telling her teacher how impressed he was with her performance. It was crazy! He had never done this in the past four years. Infact her dad only came here once in a year and that was only every beginning of the year for reasons she did not know. Why was he here? Why the sudden change or should she call it pretense? Like he had always been proud of any little achievement she got. Inside of her she was pissed and just wanted him to leave but she resented and kept cool in the scenario. She simply responded to his statement with a courtesy. Just then, Elora stepped in.
"How's her performance this time Miss Salome?" She asked, unaware her boss was there as she came forward to meet them.
"Very well Elora." She replied as she gasped on noticing that Charles was right there.
"My Lord. I barely noticed your presence. Welcome." She gave a courtesy.
"Thank you Elora." He appreciated.
"I only stepped out to use the restroom. What brings you here?" She asked.
"Well, I came to see how my baby's practice is going. Is that a bad idea?" He asked.
"Absolutely not my Lord. That's splendid." She answered. A smirk appeared on his face.
"Well Chloe. One more rehearsal to wrap this up. Can you do it?" Salome asked her.
"Yes ma'am." She gave a courtesy.
"Alright." Elora and Charles stepped back and sat down to watch Chloe's performance. She was dancing the waltz of the swan princess.
Elora and Charles sat right next to each other. Elora was quite uncomfortable. Goose bumps engrossed her skin. She wondered what had brought Lord Higgins to Chloe's ballet class. Seeing him there, she remembered how she had spoken to him three days ago and how he had immediately shouted at her terminating their appointment. Was he here to actually finalize it and make her quit her job? Was he still mad at her over what she had said to him? One part of her, wished she hadn't said those things to him. Now she was about to loose her job because of her actions. She was really scared. She tried her best not to freak out or make him notice her uneasiness.
"Wow, I never knew my baby was this good in ballet. I'm so impressed...." He began. Elora didn't say a word.
"Tell me Elora, what did you do to make her so interested in this? I remember how Madam Clara always came complaining to me that she had refused to learn this. Is it some magic? Chloe's different from before." He stated
"I really didn't do anything my Lord. Chloe just found passion in it and decided to take it seriously." She answered.
"But you helped her find it. Everything is still centered on you." He said. She didn't alter a word. Chloe finished her rehearsal and was allowed to go rest for the day.
"Thank you sir for joining us today." Salome appreciated.
"It's fine Salome." He replied. Chloe bade her teacher goodbye. The trio stepped out to leave. On stepping out, Elora noticed Derrick wasn't there waiting for them. She wondered where he was.
"Don't worry about Derrick. I told him to leave. Wanted him to help me do something." He said to her, noticing the worried look on her face.
"Oh. Okay."
"We'll take my ride." He said pointing at his carriage. Chloe was silent all the while. They all boarded the carriage and Charles bid the coachman to move. While they headed home, no one said a word. Charles decided to break the silence.
"Did you enjoy dancing today Chloe?" He asked. Chloe who had been staring at the road through the window, ignored him. Elora tapped.
"Answer your father Chloe." She said to her. She pushed off Elora's hand and turned away.
"Chloe, your father just asked you a question. Proper courtesy demands you give him a response." She stated.
"And so what if I don't want to give him an answer?" She questioned, Elora was stunned.
"Chloe!?" She exclaimed.