Hadley seized the moment. “Is it the divorce that you’re worried about? I admit I messed up the other day. That won’t happen again.”
Seeking to reassure Eric, she continued with a tone of resolve, “I promise to be available every day until we finalize the divorce. I won’t waste any more of your time. Are we okay now?” Her assurance was firm.
Despite this, Eric couldn’t quite dispel the irritation that lingered. “After all these years abroad, you’ve learned nothing about courtesy. Can’t you even give a simple heads-up before leaving someone’s home? What happened to your manners?”
Hadley clutched her phone tighter and sighed, shaking her head. Eric’s temperament was as terrible as ever, and his disdain for defiance remained strong. There was a time when his mood swings affected her deeply, but those days were long gone.
“You’re right. I was impolite,” Hadley replied, ready to wrap up the conversation. “Is there anything else? Because if not, I’m going to hang up.”
With a quick tap, Hadley ended the call.
She set her phone aside and turned over, ready to fall back to sleep.
“Hadley!” Eric’s voice echoed loudly through the room, his surprise and anger evident.
She just hung up on him? That took nerve. Eric seethed with frustration. Well, if she was so eager to be gone, so be it.
Regardless of Eric’s feelings, Hadley remained indifferent. With a new job secured, a fresh living arrangement, and a singular goal to earn money, she was focused.
Hadley immediately set about securing additional part-time work. Her plan was to teach dance, as dancing was her only real skill.
However, her hopes were dampened after visiting two studios; their schedules didn’t align with hers. Each studio required instructors for evening classes, but her evenings were already committed. The salary at Galant was too substantial to consider leaving.
Consequently, Hadley abandoned the idea of teaching dance. Following a morning filled with frustrations, Hadley found herself sitting in a park, unwrapping a peanut butter sandwich. The bread was now a bit gooey, yet she consumed it regardless.
A commotion nearby captured her attention. A film crew appeared to be in the midst of a crisis, pausing their shoot. Visibly upset, the director exclaimed, “Are we really considering canceling today’s shoot because we’re short one dancer? We have multiple scenes scheduled for this morning!” The assistant director bore the brunt of the director’s frustration.
“We’re only missing one dancer. Perhaps we could still proceed with the remaining ones? It might work out.”
“Really?” the director shouted, gesturing angrily. “Is this your standard of professionalism? Are you joking with me, or are you underestimating our audience? Find a suitable replacement immediately. You have half an hour!”
“Understood!” The assistant director, clearly overwhelmed, turned aside, muttering under his breath, “That dancer canceled last minute. How is this my responsibility? Where am I supposed to find someone on such short notice?”
Just then, the assistant director noticed a woman observing the scene. He dismissively gestured at her. “Can I help you? If you’re here to watch, please move along.”
The woman was none other than Hadley.
After a brief pause, Hadley gathered her courage. “Sorry, but I couldn’t help overhearing your conversation.”
The assistant director looked at Hadley skeptically. “And?”
Pointing to herself, Hadley confidently responded, “I’m a dancer. I hold a degree in modern dance from the Chauncey Academy of Art. Perhaps I could be of help? I believe I can step in for your missing dancer.”
Hadley’s voice trembled slightly as she spoke. Unexpectedly presented with this chance, she seized it, driven by necessity and a sudden impulse.
The assistant director regarded her with a measure of doubt. “Is that so?”
“Definitely,” Hadley answered, her nod decisive. “Dance is an art that can’t be pretended, and I have the skills.”
With time pressing, the assistant director checked his watch. “Okay, you have thirty minutes to master a new routine because we’re on a tight schedule. Can you manage that?”
“Yes,” Hadley assured him. “Just run me through the routine a couple of times, and I’ll be set.”
“Is that true?”
A hint of a smile appeared on the assistant director’s face, somewhat skeptical of her claim. “Alright then, show us what you can do! But remember, if you don’t get it right within two tries, that’s it.”
“Understood!”
“Come with me,” he instructed, guiding Hadley toward where the other dancers were gathered.
“Heads up, everyone. She’ll run through the choreography twice with you, and then I want to see how it looks,” he instructed.
“Understood,” responded the group of stand-in dancers.
Hadley nearly had the whole routine down after just one rehearsal. The choreography was straightforward-a basic ensemble piece suited for a television show background, easily within Hadley’s capabilities. Observing from a distance, the assistant director was impressed after watching her performance. He applauded, exclaiming, “Excellent!” He signaled his approval with a thumbs up. “You really nailed it! Welcome aboard!”
“Thank you,” Hadley responded gratefully.
Clapping his hands, the assistant director instructed the film crew, “Let’s get her ready. Makeup and wardrobe, please. We’re shooting shortly!”
He hurried away to brief the director on Hadley’s quick integration. Once in costume, Hadley joined the set, and the shoot commenced flawlessly.
Nonetheless, repeated errors by the principal actor necessitated several retakes of the scene.
As the day concluded and the temporary dancers were dismissed, the production assistant approached to handle their paychecks.
“Thanks a lot.”
“Appreciate it.”
Hadley collected her earnings and opened the envelope, delighted to see the number on her paycheck-$400, a sum greater than she had anticipated.
“After receiving your payment, you are all set to leave.” They were no longer needed for the remaining scenes.
Pleased with the amount, Hadley secured the envelope carefully.
“Hey, hold up!”
Just as she was about to leave, she heard someone calling.
Hadley turned to see the assistant director hurrying towards her. “Yes?”
Breathing heavily from his quick pace, the assistant director exclaimed, “I’m glad I caught you in time!”
“What can I do for you?” Hadley asked.
“Absolutely,” he replied between breaths, smiling at her.
“Your dance performance caught my eye-it was exceptional.”
“Thank you, sir. That’s very generous of you,” Hadley responded, appreciating the compliment.
“Here’s what I’m thinking,” the assistant director said, taking out his phone. “Why don’t we add each other on WhatsApp? Our team often needs dance doubles, and you have the right look and skills. I’ll keep you in mind for any opportunities.”
Hadley was taken aback by the offer. The idea of being a dance double had never crossed her mind.
Noticing Hadley’s hesitation, he continued, “Dance doubles earn significantly more than what you did today. Does that sound good to you? Are you interested?”
The prospect of better earnings quickly convinced Hadley.
“Thank you so much.”
She took out her phone. “Just a heads up, I have night shifts, so my availability is during the day.”
“That’s fine,” the assistant director assured her, syncing their WhatsApp details.
“Whenever something suitable comes up, I’ll reach out. If it works with your schedule, you can come aboard.”
“Perfect! Thanks a lot!”
Unexpectedly, Hadley found herself with a resolved part-time job situation. She couldn’t shake off the feeling that Srixby was treating her well.
Srixby was where Hadley’s roots were deep; born and raised, she was determined to remain. No one was going to make her abandon her home again, as they had in the past.
With the $400 she had just made, Hadley decided to indulge in a dinner treat for herself-an omelet with crispy bacon.
Placing her meal on the table, anticipation made her mouth water. However, just as she was about to enjoy her first bite, her phone vibrated.
Checking the display, she saw it was Eric. Hadley suppressed the urge to sigh heavily.
“Hello? What now? Are we ready to finalize the divorce?”
“Do you only ever think about that?” Eric retorted, his voice dripping with sarcasm and annoyance. “Hadley, it’s not just your manners that are lacking-you’re truly ungrateful.”
Hadley was taken aback. What was prompting this reaction?
“Tomorrow!” Eric’s voice rose sharply, his irritation clear. “Grandma’s surgery is tomorrow!”
Hadley quickly understood, though she remained unfazed by his tone.
“Oh, it’s tomorrow? Understood, I’ll be there early. But don’t call me ungrateful-you never mentioned Grandma’s surgery was tomorrow until now.”
“Hadley!” Eric’s frustration was evident.
Lately, she seemed to have a retort ready for everything he said. Just like how he hated the days when she relied on him, he was equally frustrated with her newfound independence. Before Eric could continue his rebuke, Hadley interjected, “Is there anything else? Because if not, I’m about to hang up.”
“Wait!”
Eric’s frustration was audible as he clenched his teeth. “Where are you staying? I’ll pick you up tomorrow morning, and we can go together.”
“No need,” Hadley responded swiftly. “I’ll make my own way there.”
She had turned down his offer?
Eric was clearly upset. “We have to visit Grandma together. This isn’t up for debate.”
He needed to maintain appearances, especially for Nyla’s benefit.
Hadley massaged her temples. “Alright, we’ll go together.”
“Where’s your place?”
Hadley paused for a moment.
She had no intention of letting Eric know where she lived. It wasn’t about what he might think; she simply didn’t want him invading her personal space.
“Let’s meet at Mayfield Road,” she suggested.
“Alright.”
Eric thought about the location after ending the call. “Mayfield Road? That rundown part of town? She’s living out there now? What an inconvenience!”
The following morning, Hadley set out early.
She arrived at their designated meeting point precisely at 8 a.m., only to find Eric’s car already there.
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