Chapter 12:- Duet

"The last spot goes to no other person, but Alexandra Hall"

Immediately those words fell out of Mrs Bordeaux's mouth, Damilola became so still that she couldn't move. She made it. She did it. She was chosen.

All this felt like a dream to her. A beautiful dream, she never wanted to wake up from.

Noticing her still expression, everyone were confused.

What's with her attitude? She got chosen for christ sake. An opportunity only few had.

Gradually, Damilola's face which had no expression on it began to show joy. Her lips curved into a beautiful smile.

Though she was happy, but screaming too much will make her look like she wasn't expecting it. She needed to prove to be someone who was sure of herself. She had to take control of her emotions. She can scream when she gets home later.

Soon, the auditions were over and everyone who didn't make it to the team, took their leave, only the team members remained.

Five minutes later, Mrs Rogers who went into her office for a while to bid the judges good bye, came out and began to speak

"Now listen up everyone of you." She said.

Immediately those words left her mouth, all attention were drawn to her.

She continued "So, to the newest set of the groomers dance group, I want to say congratulations and welcome. Her words were followed with a round of applause.

After the applause died down, she said, "The interstate competition will be coming up very soon and the intrastate/local competition that will make us participate in the interstate competition will be coming up in no time. Normally we usually qualify for the interstate competition without the intrastate competition, but for those who had been following us up, you should know that this year, the committee are more strict about the competition, so, there will be no room for rest. We will have to focus on a nice duet, solo and a perfect group dance, that will blow the audience away, for all stages. So, we will be starting work as soon as possible." Mrs Rogers said.

"Today, I will be paring you guys in two's. You and your partners are expected to come up with a very nice duet for the intrastate  competition. The winning team will represent our state, against the remaining states for the interstate competition. The winning team, will then represent our country in the international competition. The winning dance group in the international competition will be tagged the best dance group in the world. So far, America has never won it." She continued after clarifying that they were all listening.

"So, before I go to the pairing, note that you also have to rehearse a nice solo also. If you and your partner fails to win the duet competition here, you can have a solo to yourself, but the solo or duet dance you will be using here won't be what you will use in the competition. I will personally rehearse that with the representatives.

Immediately she finished speaking, she began pairing.

"Carl Robert, I will be pairing you with Janet Cook.

"Katherine Leonard and Jake Miller"

"Barbara Walker and Collins Raymond"

"Karen Bliss and Mark Scott"

Mrs Rogers went on to pair more people.

"Tasha Martin and Travis Brown."

"Billy Clinton and Juliet Pat"

"Dave Richardson and Alexandra Hall."

Immediately Damilola heard Mrs Rogers say she would be paired with Dave, Damilola almost spat blood in anger.

This was really not happening was it?

There was no way she will agree to be paired with Dave.

He will anger her to death.

Damilola almost started crying. Though she wasn't cool with it. She couldn't complain because of what happened earlier.

She would be tagged 'a trouble maker' if she spoke out now.

She should probably go to see Mrs Rogers later.

"That would be all for today guys, you can go home now." Mrs Rogers said, drawing Damilola out of her thoughts.

Damilola followed Mrs Rogers as she saw her walk into her office. She wanted to talk to her about changing her partner.

She had to, because if she were to be paired up with that guy, they can never get a nice duet. She will be dead before the duet competition in the studio.

"Mrs Rogers, please can I have a minute?" She said immediately she met up with her.

"Alex, go home, it's late. We can talk another time." Mrs Rogers replied looking tired. She must have had a long day.

Damilola reluctantly left the studio and headed home.

_

Days went by, very quickly, and soon it was Friday.

The sky brightened gradually and presented a new day.

Damilola got to work as early as 7:00am. She did so much work that day, to the extent she wished to quit.

Being a receptionist wasn't giving her as much stress as this. Besides she had to be in the same room with a grumpy guy all day. He rarely said more than a word to her. There were sometimes he didn't even say anything. The most annoying part of it all was, he always didn't let her have lunch. Thank God the dance group gave them two weeks break to learn the duet. If not, she wouldn't have been able to cope.

Working for this guy was like living in hell, there was nothing to look forward to. She should have probably listened to James and declined the job. Just how could she let his good looks deceive her?

She only managed to console herself, thinking about the huge pay she will be getting.

Since today was the last day of her job with him, her heart was gladdened.

Immediately the clock struck 12:00pm, Damilola had dozed off.

"You don't expect me to pay you for sleeping all day, right?" A deep calm voice jolted her out of her sleep.

Damilola who was pissed off for being disturbed while sleeping was about to speak when, Richard spoke again, "Get up, and get bad to work. He said walking back to his chair, completely ignoring Damilola's expression of anger.

Just when Damilola was about to retort, a call came in through Richard's phone, which he dropped by her table earlier and told her to attend to the calls.