Episode 22
Jeanne’s Pov:
“Come on Alex” Kim suddenly said.
“Are you seriously worried about a dog? Besides, it’s possible no one treated him and he just got better on his own”.
“No, I don’t think so.” Alex said.
“Ambrose was half dead when I left this morning and now you’re trying to tell me he miraculously got healed? That’s impossible”.
“Well, it definitely wasn’t a ghost and if someone really did attend to him, then it’s for your own benefit, right? So there’s no need to be pineckity over it” Malcolm said.
“Yes, Alex. Don’t ruin this special dinner with a dog’s issue, please” Kim added and he sighed and looked down at his food.
But it was obvious he wasn’t satisfied.
“By the way, Kim, why are Hetty, Mia and Lea not with you guys?” Mrs Tristan asked and Kim rolled her eyes.
“Well, aunt, they didn’t want to tag along. So I couldn’t force them” she replied repugnantly.
“Oh! Are you guys having issues?” Mrs Tristan asked.
“No no no. Not at all. Well, unless they’re the ones having issues” Kim replied.
But with the look on her face, if was obvious she was lying.
Then, they started talking about the band and other artistes.
They even made mention of the loverboys performing in a senator’s daughter’s birthday party.
“By the way, Jeanne” Kim suddenly said after a while.
“Why don’t you tell us a little about yourself? Like, your family and all that”.
My eyes dimmed as it got me startled. Why’s she asking me such a question?
“Jeanne?” She called again and I coughed a little.
“Uhm…” I started nervously.
“There’s nothing much to say. Just that, my father loves me a lot. But he’s presently out of the country.”
“Are you referring to Mr Raymond?” She asked and I flinched.
How did she get to know his name?
“Y…yes” I replied.
“Oh! Isn’t he your adopted father? Because I made some research and I discovered he had found you lying by the roadside and he took you in. But you and lost your memories and couldn’t remember a thing from your past” she said.
“Oh ,dear. You lost your memories?” Mrs Tristan asked and I nodded slowly.
Why are they bringing this up now? I don’t want to talk about it.
“So you have no idea who your real family are?” She asked but I just lowered my gaze to my food.
“Aren’t you concerned?”
“Well, it isn’t her fault, Kim. She lost her memories” one of the lovergirls said.
“Yeah. But if I were her, I’d definitely be worried. And I heard Mr Raymond had put you up on TV. How come nobody came for you?”
I took in a deep breath and didn’t say anything. I don’t think I can stay here any longer.
“Are you sure you even have a family?”
“Kim, come on; let’s not talk about that now” Mrs Tristan cut in.
“I’m just being curious aunt. I mean, you need to be sure you’re not leaving with a ghost in the house. Or, could it be her family doesn’t care about her? And they’re probably the ones behind her loss of memory? Then they dumped her like trash after that? Or, does she even have a family at all?”
“Did you really call for this dinner to talk about Jeanne?” Alex suddenly asked and everywhere went cold silent for a second.
“Of course, not Alex. But I’m just…”
“Then, quit talking about it” he cut her off and she made a fumed expression and glared at me.
I felt hot tears forming in my eyes and it was taking me a lot to prevent it from dropping.
But I really need to get out of here. I can’t hold it anymore.
“Nanny, I need to use the toilet” Molly suddenly said and that was a big relief to me.
I couldn’t even talk. I just nodded and we stood up together.
“Uhm…Jeanne” Kim called calmly.
“Could you add some more sauce to my beans, please?” She said with a feigned smile and I slowly took the sauce from the table and went to her.
I added it to her plate. But when I was about leaving, I tripped on something and fell on my knees on the floor.
I heard her giggle and looked up at her and discovered she had actually set her leg on the way so I could trip.
Why’s this lady doing all these to me?
“Nanny?” Molly called and held me and I quickly got back on my feet.
The pains were increasing.
Immediately, Ambrose barked and came to where I was and my heart skipped.
He stepped on my toes and licked my feet and I heard Molly gasp.
“Nanny! It seems Ambrose likes you now” she said in astonishment as he sat on my toes.
Oh, God!
Why’s this dog trying to create a double mess for me?
I looked at Alex and noticed he was staring keenly at me.
Well, of course, such act is enough to get him suspicious.
I sniffed and took Molly’s hand and we started walking away.
Ambrose barked and tried going with me, but stopped at the stairs.
I entered into the room with Molly and immediately she went into the toilet, I sat on the bed and busted into tears. My heart ached a lot.
Everything Kim had said kept piercing in and made me feel so much pains.
Is it possible I don’t have a family? Or does my family care less about me and abandoned me?
Could it be the reason they didn’t come for me even when Mr Raymond had put me up on TV?
Am I not important to them?
I bent my head and wept bitterly. I felt so dejected. Why does my life have to be different? Why can’t I have a normal life like everyone else who can boast of a family?
Why does my life have to end up this way?
I cried ruefully for a while and when I noticed Molly was coming out of the room, I quickly wiped my face si she wouldn’t notice I was crying.
“Nanny, are you alright?” She asked as she sat on the bed and I faked a smile and nodded.
“Mmm. Did you wash your hands?” I asked in a cracking voice.
“Yes nanny” she replied and took the TV remote, turning on the TV.
“Uhm…aren’t you going back to the dining? ” I asked.
“No. It’s too boring over there. Besides, I’m filled up” she replied as she selected a cartoon channel and relaxed to watch.
I sighed and leaned on the wall and closed my eyes. So many thoughts kept niggling at me and I didn’t even notice a tear was strolling down my cheek.
I sniffed and went into deep thoughts and for a moment, it seems I slept off.
☆☆☆
I opened my eyes and found Molly already asleep with the cartoon still displaying on the TV.
I took the remote and turned off the cartoon and then, I tucked her into bed and left the room.
My head was feeling so hot.
I got to the sitting room and standing on the staircase, I saw the loverboys and lovergirls having fun over there; although Alex wasn’t with them.
A music was playing from the speakers and two of the lovergirls stood in the middle of the room and danced so perfectly.
I watched their dance steps and found it incredible.
Then, Kimberly came up and the two lovergirls stepped back. She was now the only one standing.
She started dancing to the song and the lovergirls began clapping and cheering immediately. It was just as if i was watching one of her dance videos online.
She danced and twisted her body like the diva she was and it got me amused. She was such an extra ordinary dancer.
No wonder I had fallen for her.
She danced alone for a while and after some time, three lovergirls joined her and the dance became so uniform and unique.
“Yeaaah!” They cheered in the room and laughed.
The last girl joined in the dance and after a while, the loverboys also joined and it became like a club.
The loverboys held the girls by their waists and before I knew what was happening, Daniel started kissing the girl he was holding and the rest of them laughed.
I sighed despondently and walked away, going into my own room.
I laid upwards on the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling. So many sad thoughts kept flashing through my mind.
I just want to live a happy life – become a famous singer and make name. But everything seems to be falling apart.
I have no idea where I come from. And my role model doesn’t like me.
Suddenly, I recalled something miss Beatrice had said during training:
*You don’t necessarily need to have a role model to become one*
*Turn your weaknesses into your strengths*
I turned on the bed as her words replayed in my head:
*The art of music is done with passion*
*Singing comes from the heart. And so does dancing*
*you don’t have to imitate someone’s dance steps to be perfect. Create yours*
Then, just as if someone tapped me on the bed, I stood up and grabbed my headphones and left the room.
I went outside to an open space and since the whole place was dark and quiet, I decided to make use of it.
I connected by headphones and played one of my favorites – dancing in the rain.
I sure didn’t know how to dance, but I’m ready to learn.
*Dance is a free movement of the body. Do it for fun and you’ll be surprised* Miss Beatrice had said.
I started dancing the way I could and felt a heavy burden going off my shoulders.
From now on, I promise to work hard and achieve my dreams.
Kimberly Percival, it was a terrible mistake taking someone like you for a role model because I wish to be nothing like you. From now on, I am my own role model.
It’s true I don’t have a family for now; but someday, I promise to be at the top where I can never be made a laughing stock again.
And I also know that someday, I’ll get to find my family, even if they care about me or not.
From now on, I don’t wish to be someone like you, but someone greater than you.
I danced for a long time and when I finally stopped, I felt so happy. Indeed, a heavy burden had been lifted off my shoulders.
I sank my fingers into my hair, breathing heavily.
I know I can do this.
Yes!
I’ll do this. I’ll get to the peak someday.
I turned around and noticed a masculine figure standing at the balcony.
I flinched and strained my eyes through the darkness to see whom it was and…what?
It was Alex!
Huh?
He was facing my direction and held a glass of wine in his hand.
Wait; has he been watching me the whole time?
Oh, God!
I stood dumbfounded as we kept staring at each other for a long time.
I can’t believe he’s been watching me all along.
Then, after a while, he turned around and walked into the house.
Kimberly’s Pov:
I stood at the high balcony and watched in bewilderment as Alex stood by, watching Jeanne dance.
I can’t believe he watched her the whole time and it was possible he admired her.
And that Jeanne…her dance steps seemed to have improved.
I mean, the last time I checked, she wasn’t such a dancer – not at all.
But now, I’m seeing something different.
Even when she had tuned around and seen Alex, they kept staring at each other for a long time. What is going on?
No. I can’t let this happen.
This is why I never liked that lady in the first place.
I can’t let her reap where she did not sow.
I need to think of a way to get rid of her.
TBC.