Chapter 3

The next day, Alex was working in the office when his phone rang. Without looking at the caller ID, he picked up his phone.

“Hello, baby brother.” His sister spoke from another line.

“What do I owe the pleasure of you calling me?” He asked her teasingly.

“Well, it will be great if you pick Brooklyn from her class.” She told him, hoping that he would agree.

“Linda, your daughter is eighteen. Why can’t you just buy her a goddamn car?”

“Alex, we are planning to get it for her next birthday.” His sister defended herself.

“You said the same thing last time.” He rolled his eyes.

“Don’t roll your eyes on me.” She knew her brother well enough to imagine his reaction.

“She is an adult. Stop treating her like a kid.”

“Tell that to John.” Linda huffed. “Anyway, will you please pick her up? I have got to meet the deadline, and John is stuck in the meeting.”

“Ok, fine, what time?” He asked her grumpily.

“Five. And don’t be grumpy. Who knows, you might fall in love with one of the dance instructors.” Linda teased her baby brother.

“Linda, you know what happened last time and...”

“Alex, I very well know that. But you shouldn’t let your past interfere with your present. You should be glad that you finally got to know the truth about Daphne.”

“Okay, as you say. But I am not ready for any kind of relationship, so please don’t pester me about it.” He beseeched her.

“As you say, brother. Don’t forget to pick up my little daughter.”

“She is not so little anymore.” With that, Alex hung up the phone.

As much as Linda tries to set him up with girls, he wouldn’t trade her for anything. After so much effort, he was able to mend his relationship with both his sisters.

Plus, his eighteen-year-old niece was something else. She might be grown up now, but still with her baby face; she can wrap anyone around her little finger. No wonder John and Linda still treat her like a kid, and Brooklyn takes good advantage of it.

She is eighteen, and yet she lives with her parents. And the worst part is, she doesn’t even care about it. Most girls her age would be desperate to leave their parents’ place, but not her. If it were in her hands, she would forever stay with Linda and John, not that they would mind.

Where Alex was rescheduling his agenda, Marissa was busy practising a new routine with her class. Dancing was something that she always loved to do. It was her passion. Being one of the best choreographers has always been her dream. She may not be in the top position, but she was content with the post she was presently in.

She is one of the instructors and co-owners of one of the best dance institutes, ‘Live to Dance,’ along with her best friend, Ronny.

“Come on, guys. Start from the top.” She said to her current class. This was one of the best classes and a personal favorite of hers.

Their institute was not like other dancing institutes where the sole purpose of students was to become dancers. Yes, some do have a dream of becoming one, but others merely come here as a hobby or for fun. Nonetheless, it doesn’t matter as long as she enjoys teaching them.

It’s been two years since this institute was opened, and, in much less time, they have earned goodwill. They have won various competitions for their dancing skills.

Ronny and Marissa are both professional dancers. They might not have been trained in well-known institutes, but they are as good as any other, if not better.

“Let’s do it again from the top.” But she was interrupted in between by one of her students, Brooklyn.

Brooklyn has always been a kid at heart. Sure, she acts mature when she needs to be, but it’s very difficult to take her seriously because of her baby’s face. Linda and John treat her like five years old. Some might call her a brat, but she is anything but that.

Her age, kids are usually rebelling, but not her best friend’s kid. She is an angel. She will do anything that her parents would tell her to do. Linda and John are far from strict. In fact, they are very much laid back, unlike other parents, and have given her full liberty, which Brooklyn doesn’t take much advantage of.

But the name said by Brook was what caught Marissa’s attention.