Odette was sweeping one of the classrooms when she faintly heard swan lake being played in the room next door. Lost in the music, she began to dance. She used the broom to steady herself. Seeing Louis earlier had shaken her. She didn't realize how much she missed him, though she would never admit it. He had moved on; she should too. Auguste has been hired on as director and Louis as choreographer. Lucien becomes ill and is forced to retire. She wondered how Marie was. She sees Auguste every day and wonders when Rosita will return. Little did she know that a crowd was gathering at the doorway. Odette spun and rotated her hips, lifting one leg into the air. She glanced in the mirror and saw Louis, Auguste, and Rosita at the doorway. That broke her trance and startled her. She jumped into her bad ankle and crumpled to the ground, pain flashing up her leg. Louis was by her side in a flash. He places his hand on her lower back. Are you alright he asked, concern lacing his voice. Odette nodded, her head bent down. She refused to look him in the eye, not because she was mad but because all those years living with Regine had made her skittish and humbled. A door slammed, and she jumped. Rosita frowned; she had never seen her friend so easily startled. Louis's hand made its way to her chin and tilted her head up. He tucked her hair behind her ear and a small smile appeared on her face. He cupped her cheek, and Odette leaned into his comforting touch. Soon the spell was broken, and she jumped up, grabbing the broom. If you will excuse me, I have work to do. With as much grace as she could muster, she walked out of the classroom. She gave a nod to Rosita as she walked by, it's nice to see you again, Rosita. Rosita nodded, befuddled at the sight of her mentor and prima level dancer reduced to a maid. Rosita sighed and knew she would have to confront Odette later in the day. She turned to Louis, who had the look of a lost puppy. Auguste sighed; I tried to warn you.
Now Regine knew that the labor laws in Paris were lenient but not that lenient. She knew she would have to punish Odette but not beat her to a bloody pulp. She entered Odette's domicile, to which Odette immediately stood up, not looking her in the eye. Odette feared physical punishment as Regine had beat her before. Therefore she wore long sleeves and high collars to hide the bruises. Regine did not want to render Odette unable to work, so she has another idea. Sit down. Regine ordered. Without question, Odette sat. Regine unzipped the back of Odette's dress. "You made quite a mess yesterday." She said slowly. She grabbed Odette's hair at the base of her neck and quickly sliced through her locks with a knife. (Mess with her psychological state and tear down her self confidence to make her more submissive) Odette didn't have time to react when she felt Regine's long sharp nails dig into her back. Odette stifled a scream as Regine raked her nails down Odette's back. Regine's fist then came into contact with Odette's cheek. Odette fell to the ground. Regine's smirked them said, "I expect the entire building to be clean. Next time you disobey me; I won't be as forgiving. You are mine, remember that."
Meanwhile, Louis was entering the courtyard when he saw Regine walk across to her own suite carrying what looked like a cat. Louis cautiously knocked on Odette's door, who immediately answered, fearing it was Regine again. He gasped when he saw her, bloodied and bruised. He immediately barged in and gently tended to her wounds. He wrapped some ice into a cloth and had her hold it to her face. She thanked him gratefully. He tended to her back with peroxide. His hands went to the back of her neck; she felt him touch the ends of her hair which fell to an uneven chin-length bob. She could feel him cocking his eyebrow in confusion. "I disobeyed Regine." She stated. Louis gaped at her, "She had no right to harm you. Odette, you're bruised and bleeding. How dare she lay a finger on you." Odette sighed, "Louis, why are you here?" Louis cleared his throat. "I've come here to let you know that after work tomorrow, you are required at a meeting." He did not tell her it was a meeting with Rosita. Odette nodded and rose, "I will be there. You can leave now, Monsieur Merante; I can handle it from here." She sent him a small smile. He hugged her once more, fingers brushing up her neck and toying with the ends of her shorn hair. He felt her shudder. He would tend to her in the morning.
The next morning, Odette took a deep breath and knocked on the door of Louis's office. She opened the door where Louis, Rosita, Auguste, Lucien, and Marie were all sitting down. Marie gave a small gasp when she gazed at Odette's bruised face and shorn hair. Odette wanted to escape and felt herself turn around and head for the door when Louis wrapped his arm around her waist. She buried her face into his chest to avoid the gazes of pity the others gave her. Rosita opened her mouth, "What ha-." "I don't want to talk about it." Odette sharply spoke to her. Rosita promptly shut her mouth.
Louis gave her a smile, gently kissed her cheek, and guided her to the chair next to his. He kissed her knuckles as she sat down, waiting for whatever news he had. He was very straightforward, "I want you to teach here." She sighed and put her head down, her shorn locks hiding her face. "Why not?" he asked, holding her face and tucking her hair behind her ear. Rosita piped up, "You taught me." Odette looked at her with a weary expression, "That was when I could dance. The students and staff know me as the cleaner now. I couldn't possibly teach. not with.." she trails off and motions to her legs. She sighs and stands up, "Now if that is all you wish to discuss, I would like to get back to my work." Marie reaches out and places a hand on Odette's shoulder. Odette leans into the touch for a moment before glancing at Marie with a small smile and leaving. "I hate seeing her like this," Rosita says... In a few month's time, passion will once again grace Odette, thanks to a certain red-headed tornado.