“No,” I said with a roll of my eyes. “That would end my ballet career before it started. There aren’t a lot of companies who hire dancers who aren’t perfect.”
Kingston gave me an odd look. “What they think is perfect. Personally, I think you should gain a few pounds and get some curves.”
“I need to fit their vision of perfect if I want to live my dream,” I said stubbornly. “And why do you care what I look like?”
Kingston chuckled. “Wilders have a certain reputation to uphold.”
“Maverik is pretty insistent that I am not, nor will ever be, a Wilder,” I pointed out.
Kingston swung an arm around my shoulders as we started to walk towards the front steps of a building that reeked of old money and privilege.
“Don’t take everything Mav says personally,” Kingston told me. “He’s being a hard ass right now, but he’ll come around.”
“Why does he hate me so much?” I asked curiously. “Because of my mom?”
If Kingston was in the chatting mood, then I was going to take advantage of it.
Instead of answering, he pulled away from me and opened the door that led into the belly of the beast. We walked through the old-world elegance and wealth that was masquerading as a school. There weren’t any lockers or classrooms in sight, just plush looking offices.
“This is the administration building,” Kingston offered. “Admissions, the headmaster, and some of the more important staff members have offices here. The rest of the school isn’t this bad.”
I sighed and tried to act like this was somewhere I belonged, but I’m sure my unease was obvious. Kingston led me into a smaller office with an older woman sitting behind a desk.
“Mr. Wilder,” she said with a frown. “I wasn’t expecting to see you here voluntarily.”
I raised an eyebrow at him, but he just gave the secretary a charming grin that would probably melt the panties off most women he directed it at. It didn’t surprise me that Kingston was a troublemaker.
“Gertrude, you’re looking just as lovely as always.”
Gertrude just sniffed, completely unaffected by him. “Headmaster Rufford is on a conference call, but he’ll be with you in a moment. Have a seat.”
I sat in one of the chairs that she indicated, but Kingston stayed standing.
“I’ve delivered my sister as ordered,” he told Gertrude. “As much as I treasure the time I get to spend with our illustrious headmaster, I’m afraid I have other places to be.” He patted me on the top of the head. “Good luck, sis. Come to the ice rink when you’re done with your tour.”
“I thought you were giving me a tour,” I grumbled. I was far from fond of Kingston, but he was the only person I knew here, and I didn’t appreciate being dropped off like a pet dog.
Kingston smirked. “And I thought you were fine on your own?”
I glared at him but didn’t say anything as he walked away with a smug grin on his face.
My leg bounced, and I needed to move. My ballet studio was calling to me, and my muscles itched, begging for the release that a few hours of intense rehearsal could bring. Instead, I bottled everything up and tried to sit still. I needed to get through this meeting before I could be free.
Chapter 20
Katya
I didn’t have to wait long for the headmaster. When the older man stepped out of his office and regarded me with a frown on his face, I knew this meeting wasn’t going to be pleasant.
“Miss Wilder, step into my office, please.”
I felt like I was being called into the principal’s office for doing something bad. Headmaster Rufford was dressed just as stuffy as his personality seemed. His three-piece suit looked expensive, and his watch probably cost more than most people’s cars. The most irritating part of him was the arrogance that came off him in waves. He thought he was better than anyone else, and that attitude made me want to poke at him.
“Actually, my last name is Kotova,” I corrected him as I walked into the office.
His frown deepened. “Your step-father asked that we enroll you under the Wilder name. I assure you that everything that occurs within the walls of this school is under a veil of protection from the media. We have quite a few high-profile students who value their privacy.”
I sighed and took the seat he offered. I was quickly learning that Richard could be very controlling at times. I suspected I would be fighting a losing battle if I continued to argue, so I just let it go for now. I could correct the teachers and other students as necessary, and I hoped to stay out of this office for the rest of my time here.
“Miss Wilder, you seem like the type of person who prefers honesty over false flattery,” he started.
I nodded warily. It was never good when someone began a conversation like this.
“You aren’t qualified to be here,” he said bluntly. “This is one of the best private schools in the country, and the admissions process is very competitive. Your academic record is average at best, and your course load has been anything but challenging.”
I flushed with embarrassment, but I knew he was right. I had never really cared much about my grades; I just wanted to dance. I couldn’t be angry with someone who was only speaking the truth. However, I could be irritated at how smug he was and how he seemed to take pleasure in deliberately making me uncomfortable. This was a man who put others down to make himself feel taller.
“Yet, here I am,” I challenged him.
Headmaster Rufford got a twitch in his eye, but he held back any rude responses
