Chapter 37: Chapter 37
Annabelle's POV
Sunday went by in a blink, dreaming about Stefan and it was already Monday morning. I was excited to join work. I woke up early, showered, dressed up in a pair of black fitness elastic slim pants along with a black sports bra and a white tank top, and my white vans. Pulling up my long hair into a ponytail, I went down for breakfast. Since Martha was with gran and Arielle at Audrey's house, Jenny had made some coffee for me as I entered the kitchen. I sat at the small cozy tea table in the kitchen and sipped my coffee, as Jenny prepared toast and scrambled eggs and diced some assorted fruits for me. I was a little apprehensive about the first job of my life and wanted to chat away to divert my mind.
"How many children do you have Jenny?" I asked Jenny.
"I have two daughters,'' she said with a smile, serving my food and bringing it up to me.
"Thanks. So who looks after them when you come to work?" I asked, imagining little children being alone at home in the absence of their mom. Of course, I had a vivid imagination. Jenny chuckled hearing my question making me more confused.
"My daughters are older than you by at least 7 years. Both are married. My elder one has two sons and a daughter and my younger one is expecting twins any day now," She said, smiling proudly.
"Oh, your younger daughter is expecting twins?" I squealed. I couldn't help it, I loved kids. When I get married to Stefan I would have lots of kids. I blushed at the thought. I had no control over my mind nowadays. Crazy thoughts about me and Stefan kept on flashing on my mind, driving me insane.
"Yes, Anna, I don't know how to say this, but I would need to go and give support to my child when she delivers her babies," Jenny said, as she cleaned up the kitchen. I could see that she was feeling bad to leave me all alone. I gasped feeling guilty for forcefully retaining her here when her daughter needed her more than I did.
"You can go, Jenny, she needs you. It's just me here. I can cook. In fact, I love to cook. I'm used to living alone," I said smiling at her, reassuring her that I could manage without her.
"Stefan will be upset if I left you alone," she said hesitantly. I shook my head. I would have to talk to Stefan. Jenny's daughter needed her more than I did. In fact, living alone was no big deal for me.
"I'll talk to him. I'm an adult and I have lived alone since I was 10 years of age. Trust me, Jenny, I can manage. When do you plan to go?" I asked her.
"Her due date is next week," Jenny said thinking hard. She seemed to be in a dilemma, I noticed.
"I'll take the keys with me every day. I'm giving you my number. Just inform me whenever you decide to go. Lock the house well and inform the security at the gate. Alright?" I suggested a simple solution. She nodded happily.
"Thank you, Anna. You're a sweetheart," She said, smiling with relief.
"So are you," I said, grinning and hugging her.
"I will be late on my first day, I need to rush. See you," I said as I wrote down my number for Jenny. I was ready, so I just picked up the house keys and stuffed them into my bag, and left.
The dance studio was a 15-minute walk from the mansion, which I didn't mind at all. I was used to walking and always preferred comfortable shoes since I didn't own a car.
I saw the huge LED glow signboard showing the name " Happy Feet" in bold letters. The huge automatic sliding glass doors slid open when I went near, showing a classy, sleek, modern-looking reception area decorated with artificial plants, lights, and a huge 3D wall art of a joyful ballerina.
The white and rust decor with black and mustard accents gave the place a very refreshing and happy look. I approached the receptionist seated at the huge desk, typing busily at the computer. She looked up and smiled at me.
"Hello, welcome to Happy Feet. How may I help you?" She asked in her melodious, sweet voice. She must have been the one who called me up. I liked the positive vibes she exuded. She was the same age as I was, maybe younger, with deep blue eyes and blonde long hair, a perfect heart-shaped face, and pouty lips. Her creamy complexion didn't require any makeup. She was gorgeous.
"Hi, I'm Annabelle Carter," I started to introduce myself but she intervened, saying, "Welcome To Happy Feet, Ms. Carter. I'm Cassandra Daniels, please come this way. Our Manager, Michael Warner will see you now," she said politely, leading the way through a well-lit wide corridor, with dance studios on either side of it. I could hear classes going on inside those studios.
At the end of the corridor was a staircase that led upstairs. It was quite impressive and tastefully decorated. The whole place had a positive and happy vibe. Upstairs there was a waiting area with lots of chairs and sofa sets. A marble statue of a tap dancer stood tall in one corner. Four big dance practice studios opposite each other were filled with little children in dance uniforms of white T-shirts having the "Happy Feet" logo and black fitness stretch pants.
At the far end of the hall was the center manager's office right beside a big staff room. Cassandra led me to the office and softly knocked on the door. We heard a distinct voice asking us to enter. She opened the door and went inside. I too followed her with my heart thumping loudly in my chest expecting a grumpy old manager who would yell orders at me.