Chapter 32: chapter 32

Ela's POV,I have invited my parents for the event tomorrow. I'm beyond excited as I can finally show them the place where I work. But feeling a tad sorrow as Kat is not here. She wouldn't have let me sleep and cheered me all along my dance routine. I called her today and she yelled at me for inviting her at the last moment. The final sequence of events and decoration is going on in office. I had a fit check of my costume. This event is sponsored by many reputed clients of our company. There is a food fest that will be held followed by charity program. I took a leave from office as my final practice is in evening.Thought of stopping by Kylen's house. I want to invite grandma and uncle. I recalled grandma saying that I could visit her anytime.The guards smiled at me as they unlatched the gates. They remember me! As it was day hours, I don't expect Kylen or Sam to be here. One of the guards borrowed my car key for parking while I climbed the steps thanking him.Going inside with a smiley face, I asked one of the maids, "Can I know if I can meet grandma now?""Yes, she is in the kitchen.""Thank you."Grandma was chopping the fish on a table as I peeped in."Hi grandma.""Hellooo dear!", her face lighted up seeing me."What's up?", she asked.I chuckled, leaning on the table, "All cool. How are you?""I miss my grandson.", she complained.I passed a worried look.She grabbed my hand, "Seems like Kylen is spending his time with his woman more and not with me. Do you know who she is?"My cheeks flushed right there. "You tell me.", I faked my curiosity."Oh its a woman who is precious to him, Ela. Someone he can't resist to be with. And he claimed that you know her.", she winked at me. Gosh, Kylen must have inherited grandma's flirtatious genes."Um. Well, I'm here to heartedly invite and expect you and uncle to watch my performance cum enjoy the party held at my office tomorrow evening.", I diverted the topic."Hmm. I did hear about your dance. You dance amazingly it seems.""Always have loved dancing.", I grinned."Happy to hear that. Will definitely be there with my son-in-law, dear.""Son-in-law?" "Kylen's dad.""Oh. So, you are Kylen's maternal grandmother.""Yep."I pressed my lips together, "Sorry about your daughter.""Life must go on sweety.", she nodded.Grandma didn't let me go without having lunch with her. After the delicious lunch, I took grandma to her room."Darling, can you get my phone. I think I left it in the adjacent room.""Sure."I walked out to enter another room. I saw the maid who was quivering, the other day. She gasped seeing me. "Hey. Are you okay?", I asked stepping closer, "Don't be afraid."She faintly nodded.Both of us heard a car's screeching sound. "Why are you scared?""I'm not-.", she whispered.She turned anxious hearing the footsteps."No.", she stumbled and pushed me aside before running away.Weird. I looked for grandma's phone. Finding it, I came out to bump straight into Kylen."Woa.""Ouch."He grabbed me by my elbows. I was seeing him in formals for the first time. His navy-blue suit folded over his right hand; a berry shaded, evenly ironed shirt with rolled up sleeves. A dark tie hung over his collar."Wandering around?", his deep voice alerted me."Ah, I was getting grandma her phone.", I licked my dried-up lower lip."Hmm.", he released me.I took a long breath, as he walked ahead.Oh man, he looks way too dashing in his formal attire. "You coming?", he paused, looking at me."Yeah.", I shook my head internally, joining him in the corridor.The day had arrived. The performances were lined up in backstage. I was bit nervous. "You got this, you got this Ela.", I kept chanting it in my mind."Eleanor Norberg! You are up next.", an event-coordinator called my name.Already?! I stood behind the screens, climbing the backsteps.The host announced, "Ladies and gentlemen, gear up for the next one. Next up is a pole dance performed by our own Amazing Video Editor and A Superb Dancer, Ms Eleanor Norberg!"I was waiting for the curtains to be pulled off and the song to play, when I heard noises from audience. "Pole dance?", someone shouted."We are not in a bar!""This is a graceful, reputed program. Couldn't she find any other dance forms?"I went blank hearing the shouts. I couldn't see who was talking as the curtains blocked me.I turned behind to see people from backstage staring at me."Skip this one, go ahead!""Yes! We don't want to be entertained by an unethical dance."Who the heck is barking! I literally wanted to smash that man, so I thought of getting down the stage but the assistant stopped me with a warning sign.The noise and shouts echoed the entire auditorium.I stood near the dressing room where a TV is mounted which is connected to a drone-camera facing the stage."Excuse me, everyone.", Kylen's voice was on the speakers.Watching him on the display, Kylen held a mike, strolling over the stage casually."Sorry to say this, but today's event seems to be disgraceful by a bunch of ethical cowards commenting on a dance that has been sailing out through generations. Ofcourse, it gained its popularity at the bars and clubs. But we are forgetting something essential."My lips curved seeing his sarcastic-poky reply to those idiots.He continued, "Well, let me help you by reminding it. The pole dance is something about how you balance your weight. It is to flex your flexibility, not your body."A part of audience applauded."I do appreciate your opinion but not your irrational judgements on one's talent.", he turned serious, "This is disrespectful for the dance as well as the artist performing it!""Wooh! Yeah!", someone shouted."If you are really bothered from it, I would show you the exit myself. And in the view of organization's charity, don't worry, I'll contribute the amount on behalf of them, if they wish to leave. Thank you!", Kylen concluded.There was another round of applause and I clapped too happily."Is he your boyfriend?", the assistant asked me with a tint of jealousy in her tone.