The Grand Mistress

"Whaaat?" The shock of Lyndon's mentor brought all eyes to their direction. Seeing how he messed up, he immediately apologized. "Forgive me Mr. Val," he dragged his feet toward Simione and the guest thinking that since the attention was already on them, he should just voice out his concern. "But Pinocchio had been a traditional performance of Stardust this season, aren't you afraid this will cause a ruckus with your regulars?"

"Actually Miss Simione had been the talk of the town lately," Mr. Val entertained his question even when he find his intrusion very impolite, "Many are curious as to the rumoured Han's heiress beauty and skills,"

"But she's not Han," Lyndon said outburst. He was really frustrated about what he heard but he didn't mean to hurt Simione then, he was just emphasizing the fact because he knew Simione didn't like such a last name. 

"She's my granddaughter, how come she's not a Han?" Don Benedicto's voice filled the room. He didn't like it when their private matters were being opened in the public, it seemed like the Tang boy lost his manners tonight.  When they heard the Don's voice, everyone fell silent. The Don had quite a reputation and influence, so no one dared to go against him, especially in the ballet community.

"Forgive my student Don Benedicto, he's just a bit not himself lately because of his mother's situation," His mentor defended and went away after he bowed awkwardly. He didn't expect he'd Lyndon would offend the Don and so he tried to pull the boy away even before the situation got worse.

"Why did you even open that little mouth of yours?" His mentor chided as he dragged him out of the party. 

"I'm sorry," Lyndon apologized but his mentor who was also upset couldn't help but nag at him.

"You should act right. Your mother is putting too much pressure on me already," His mentor blabbered. "But what can I do? Simione had overshadowed everyone in this company, the guest sees no one but him," He sighed heavily. "Tsk. tsk. Tsk. What am I going to tell your mother? A missed opportunity again? How can you not be as good as Simione when you came earlier in the Mara Ballet Company  than her? Gosh!"

"I'm sorry mentor, I've been practicing everyday and had even asked for Simione's advice," Lyndon confessed. "I did my best,"

"I know, but then the answer is not enough for your mother and it's hard to explain things to her specially with her condition" His mentor brushed his already sweating head. "Stay here and stay out of Don Benedicto's sight. I need to go back and find other opportunities for you, okay?"

"Alright mentor," He obediently replied and waited in the corner like an abandoned puppy. Lyndon Tang was a good ballet dancer however Simione was extraordinary and someone as good as her comes rare, this was the reason everyone was frantic about her. 

"If only Simione isn't  here," Someone said that made Lyndon raise his head only to be welcomed by another pair of honey combed eyes like Simione's. 

"You shouldn't say something like that, Feather," Lyndon immediately chided her. Feather Han is also one of the promising ballerina's in Mara Ballet Company but like Lyndon, she was also nothing compared to Simione.

"I pity you," Feather continued, ignoring the fact that the boy already warned her not to say i'll things. "Well I don't mind ranking below Simione and being her understudy. You on the other hand needed to get to a big stage this year. It is a must because your mom might not be there anymore to watch the next time around,"

"I did my best," Lyndon told her so.

"Simione is very ungrateful. You had always been good to her and had been keeping her company to make her feel that she belongs to our kind, when she isn't," Feather emphasized. "She should have done something so the Pinocchio production should continue this season,"

"It's not her fault," Lyndon defended Simione although deep inside, some resentment was already growing but he tried so hard to ignore it knowing that it was wrong to blame it all to Simione. "She's also in a tight position knowing that your grandfather is very strict,"

"She's only making that up. The truth is grandfather had always been lenient with her," Feather told him. "She's just very selfish, she doesn't want to share the stage with us or even give us a chance. She's suppressing our talents,"

"Feather stop saying that…Simione is your family…"

"She isn't my family…you know that…" Feather refused Lyndon's words. "She's just a village girl grandfather found in the white mansion. She's so annoying,"

"You know that's not true…your father is her—"

"Stop! Stop it!" Feather didn't want to hear it. "Simione is nothing but a village girl. She should not be here. A person like her should have not been stealing the limelight from us,"

"She worked hard for it!" Lyndon spat to Feather's face. "She deserves what she have right now, her skills are incomparable to anyone in here,"

"She's just overhyped. If people stop talking about her perhaps they'll be willing to see our talents. She's basically stealing out limelight's! She shouldn't be here!"

"Feather why don't you tell that to your grandfather instead of lashing out on me," Lyndon shoo her away. He had struggles on her own and she doesn't want to handle Feather's tantrums now. 

When Feather realized that Lyndon got upset, she lowered her voice and apologized. "I'm sorry brother Don. I was just feeling bad for you. If I am Simione, I would give up everything so you can have your place. Unfortunately, I'm not her and all I can do is comfort you,"

Lyndon didn't reply and so Feather knew he wanted to be all alone.

"I'll just leave. However, I want you brother Don that for me, you are a very good ballerina," Feather flushed a sincere helpless face. "You deserve better than this,"