That Lady Ballerina
The Baddest Chick in the Game
Jaejoong's POV:
“Athena is currently shooting one of her scenes.” Ms. Go says.
I called my “apprentice” all the way from Italy. We maintain our communication whenever I can't see Athena. Ms. Go is my “spy” who looks after Athena when I can't.
“How is she?” I ask.
She knows that I'm talking about how Athena is doing as she works with the people from her past.
“I think she's handling things well...”
“Sorry for troubling you Manager Go.”
“Aigoo...this kid...you don't have too. I told you that I'll support you on your plan to pursue her right? You don't have to worry....she haven't scolded me yet from helping you on that camping get away.”
“Is that so? I feel relieved to hear that...anyway, I have another thing to ask you if that's okay..”
I tighten my grip to the phone. I know that there's nobody I could ask this from aside from her since she has been her manager for a long time.
“Her mother...I know about her mom being in the hospital.”
“How did you know that?!” her voice shows surprised.
“That premier night...I was the one who drove her there and I followed her inside the hospital.” I confess.
I hear her sigh on the other line.
“Well the accident happened before I became her manager. That was so unfortunate but it does not weakens her spirit...her mother is still her strength. She's her most private thing. When she got dropped by her former agency, she worked day and night on different part-time jobs to pay for her mom's medical expenses.”
“About her family....how about her father? Doesn't she have relatives?”
“Her father remarried and had his own family even before the accident and I don't think Athena has a good relationship with him. As for relatives, I don't know much since we don't talk about her personal matters but I doubt if she has any. I never heard anything about relatives.”
It's my turn to sigh. What kind of life she's living with? One by one, her dark days has been unfolding in front of me and the feeling of wanting to protect her is becoming stronger.
“Then, all this time Athena is doing all by herself?”
“Hm. Chairman Ahn truly believes of her talent. He knows that Athena has the potential. Seeing her situation, he feels sorry for her. The agency's future is not yet clear for it is a rookie company during that time but he took the risk and offered her a contract. Athena might not be expressive with words but I think she did all to show Chairman her gratitude. She worked hard and brought a lot of money to the company making Serendipity well-established as it is now.”
Athena is indeed the Serendipity Agency's star actress. Now I know why the agency is treasuring her and standing beside her despite all the troubles she's having. Athena and the agency have the deep-rooted relationship that started from needing each other for survival.
“Oh...Jaejoong ah, I have to hang up now. The scene's over.”
“Alright. Thank you again Manager Go.”
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Hae Won's POV
“The clothes there are really nice right?” Mae Ri says while we go out of a boutique.
She's my first friend since I got back here in Korea.
“Hm.” I nod and we continue our stroll here in the shopping centre.
“Hae Won ah, let's drop by for a moment. I'm going to buy something” she says pointing to the record store.
She pulls me inside.
“Which one are you going to buy?” I ask.
“Baek Ji Yeon.” she answers. “By the way, what kind of music do you listen to?”
Since I'm a ballerina, I often listen to classics which I find relaxing but I also listen to modern songs.
“I like Katy Perry's music.”
“How about local singers?” she asks while looking at the album in her hand.
I didn't answer so she looks at me.
“Ah....I forgot, you lived in US for almost ten years.”
“Yes. It hasn't been that long since I came back here so I don't know much about Korean singers.”
“I'll pay for it.” She said afterwards.
I decided to browse at the racks. There are a lot of boy groups and girl groups contrasts to US which is being dominated by solo artists. A song being played suddenly caught my attention. The voice is very familiar. That's right....it sounds like Kim Junsu's voice. I would know because I've been listening to the voice record he made in my phone. I like listening to it before going to bed and it feels like a lullaby.
A lot of high school girls are on the other side. I approach them and ask.
“Excuse me, can you tell me the title of this song?”
“It's uncommitted by XIA.” one of them answers.
“Uncommitted....XIA..” I repeat.
I see a black and white poster on the side. XIA Tarantallegra is written to it. I stare at the guy whose face is being covered with a lace-like ensemble.
“Hae Won ah!” Mae Ri approaches me.
“Hm. You're done?”
“Yeah. I got it. Let's go.”
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Jaejoong's POV
“Just call me if you have anything.” The old nurse tells me.
She’s kind enough not to ask much questions as to why I wish to see the patient. She remembers me from that time.
“Thank you.” I answer shortly.
She left and closes the door so I turn to the patient. I put the flower basket at the bedside table.
“Anneonghaseyo Ommoni. My name is Kim Jaejoong.” I bow slightly introducing myself to her.
“I know this is a surprise for you and this is not a good situation to introduce myself but I really wanted to meet you.” I say.
Athena’s mother breathes calmly with her eyes shut. I sit on the chair beside her bed.
“Your daughter Athena is currently doing a movie in Italy so I decided to visit you on her behalf.” I started.
“I am person who likes your daughter a lot. She hasn’t accepted me yet but I’m willing to wait and work hard to get her heart. I know that she suffered a lot in the past and I want to carry some of those burden for her to somehow ease her pain.”
I laugh hollowly.
“It’s not that I’m too confident about that but I’m sincere with my feelings for her. I’m hoping to get your blessing so please get well soon Ommoni. Please get back for your daughter because she needs you too.”
I grasp her hand. It’s a bit cold so I rub it to make it warm.
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Junsu’s POV
I’m on the theatre for the rehearsal of the play. Everything is smooth and almost perfect. I remember the first four nights of the play. We received a warm support from the audience. The theatre hall was filled with audience. It is my third play to ever do and I still feel the rush whenever I perform. I like how I can deliver the lines thru a song.
“Everybody...” the stage choreographer stands in the middle to get our attention.
“The ballerina that we worked with for the first month of performance will be changed.”
She announced making the cast to wonder. There are scenes that include some ballet dance so we have ballerinas for that.
“What happened?” I ask.
“Our main ballerina got injured the other day and the doctor advised her to stop doing the show for now. But not to worry because we found somebody to fill her shoes. I’m actually happy that we got this replacement. I’ve read a lot about her for she’s one of the promising ballerinas in the modern ballet world.”
“Ah that girl?!” one of the casts reacts and they started whispering.
“I heard that she’s the youngest ballerina to ever win the Benois de la Danse Competition in Moscow.”
“What’s that?”
“Well it’s a prestigious competition for ballerinas.”
I didn’t comment but just listened to them.
“She studied at the New York Conservatory of Dance School of Classical Ballet under world class ballerinas. She also won gold on the Prix de Lausanne when she was just 20 and last year on Benois de la Danse. Now that she’s in Korea, I’m really glad to have her for the play.” The choreographer added.
Seems like she’s a really good one I thought.
We resume our practice but thirty minutes after I heard someone arrived.
“People....this is our new ballerina, Ms. In Hae Won.”
A lady wearing a white trench coat and scarf is beside her.
It’s her! It’s her...my mind shouts.
“She’ll have a lot to practice to catch up on us for this coming performance so please welcome her.”
She then bows shyly.
“Anneonghaseyo. I’m In Hae Won. I’m really happy to be a part of this play and I’m excited to perform with all of you. I’ll do my best to give a good performance so please guide me well.”
We gave her a round of applause. The choreographer introduces us to her one by one.
“This is the singer XIA...he’s playing Death in this play.”
“Nice to meet you.” She genuinely says while shaking my hand.
“The pleasure is mine. Uhm...do you recognize me?”
Our eyes meet and it looks like she’s trying to remember me.
“Ah! Yes...you are a singer right? I saw your poster and heard one of your songs in the record store earlier.” She smiles at me.
“H-huh?”
She bows politely and walks away. I blink my eyes. Didn’t she recognize me?
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[Author's Note]:
Thank you for patiently waiting for my updates. I know I'm quite slow but I'm doing what I can.....Continue to leave your comments guyz....:)
This time it is Junsu-Hae Won poster! Thank you so much to Always Keep The Faith Graphic Shop! Especially to slsove and eternity!
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