Exactly 6 months had went by and Chloe had become so familiar with Elora that she felt she had finally gotten the mother she desired in her.
"The annual ballet competition is coming up in two weeks Miss Elora." She said to her.
"Okay. That's great." Elora replied as she arranged Chloe's hair through the mirror in her room.
"Guess what Miss Elora?" She began.
"Chloe, you know I ain't good at guessing..."
"Please, just a little...!" She pleaded. Elora acted as though she was thinking about what she could possibly be wanting to tell her. A sigh escaped her lips.
"Nah... can't think of anything at the moment. So could you tell me??" She beckoned. A disappointed look appeared on the little girl's face then she gave a little sigh.
"Fine! I'll tell you..." She began as she paused for a while.
"Well, go on then!" She urged.
"I won my ballet class audition and was chosen by my teacher to represent my ballet class for the competition." She broke the news. An elated Elora hugged the little girl in excitement.
"Oh my goodness! That's so sweet. Congratulations my little princess." She said.
"I'm so proud of you."
"Thank you."
"You should tell father..." She said as the little girl's mood changed. Elora noticed this immediately.
"What's wrong? Did I do or say something wrong?"
"No, Miss Elora.... it's just that father, wouldn't want to come even if I told him. He has no time for me, besides, it isn't necessary."
"Oh my dear. Don't think of it that way. I'm sure he's gonna come if you just told him and trust me, I'll make him come. You just have to tell him about it."
"Are you sure about it?"
"Oh Chloe... I'm pretty sure of it. He'd be very proud and happy to come. Don't worry about it. He will!" She assured the hopeless little girl.
"Okay... I'll tell him." The little girl concluded as she smiled.
"That's awesome. He will come, I know he will." She hugged her. The two began to plan how they would approach Lord Higgins with the invitation.
"Your father will be returning this weekend and when he does, we'll finally tell him about it. Is that okay?" The little girl nodded.
"Yes, absolutely."
"Great. Let's get ready. Derrick will soon be here."
The following weekend, Lord Higgins returned from his travels. And his daughter couldn't wait to tell him what she had in store for him.
"Welcome my Lord. How was your travels" Madam Clara greeted with a courtesy.
"Thank you Madam. It was splendid. How has the household been?" He asked.
"Fine my lord, we've been anticipating your arrival." She responded.
"And Chloe, where is she?"
"Upstairs my Lord, in the library. Her governess Elora is with her. They are learning something new."
"Great. I'll go see what they are up to. Get my lunch ready in the next 20 minutes. I'm so famished." He ordered.
"Yes my Lord." She gave a courtesy and left. Charles found his way up the stairs to library.
****
"Your father's returned. And he's coming right this way."
"Oh that's great."
"Now, you can tell him about the competition." She stated. Lord Higgins stepped in immediately.
"Welcome my Lord." Elora said with a courtesy.
"Welcome Father." She gave a courtesy. He patted her on the back.
"How are you daughter?" He asked.
"I'm fine."
"Good." He took a look around and turned to leave.
"Uhm, my Lord!" Elora called out. He halted.
"Yes, Elora? Anything the matter?" He asked.
"Well... nothing really serious my Lord, just that Chloe has something to tell you!"
"Okay....? What do you want to tell me Chloe?" Chloe was dumbstruck for a moment because she wasn't expecting it to happen so sudden. She finally regained herself and spoke up.
"Uhm Father, I've been chosen to represent my ballet class in the annual ballet competition."
"Well, that's great news. Happy to hear that." He said as he turned again to take his leave.
"I was hoping...." Chloe continued.
"We were hoping you could be there to see her perform. Your daughter is a really talented ballet dancer." Elora said, cutting her shut.
"Yes father."
"Really?"
"Yes." They replied in unison. He paused for a while. There was total silence as everyone expected a positive answer from him. He finally broke the silence.
"I can't. What happened to you going with her Elora. That's your job. That's why I hired you. I have a lot of things doing. I can't waste my time watching some kids dancing."
"Even when your daughter is involved?" Elora asked.
"I hired you to govern her. I expect you to do your job. And stop questioning me. You will go with her. I am busy!!!" He replied angrily as his thundered, putting a lot of fear in the females. Chloe couldn't hide her disappointment and she ran out, heading to her room. She didn't even utter a word. Elora was dumbfounded. And Charles left immediately in an angry mood, leaving her there.
When she finally regained herself, she quickly headed to Chloe's room immediately. She met a sad young girl I tears.
"Chloe Dearie....." She said as she approached the young girl crying. She drew her close to herself as she hugged her. Her wet tears dropping on her clothes.
"It's okay sweetheart." She reassured her, patting her on the back.
"Father hates me so much. I don't know what I ever did to him."
"Oh dear. It's not like that. Your father doesn't hate you dear. He's just tensed and stressed out. He just needs time to pull himself together. I'll talk to him." She assured the little girl. She felt sorry for the little having to go through such emotional pain. Being a victim of such herself, she didn't want Chloe to go through such pain. She hated seeing her distraught.