The 99th Game Was Mine All Along novel Chapter 12

Chapter 12 

That evening, Ariana lay in bed aggressively refreshing job boards and submitting applications to dance companies, her laptop casting a blue glow across her determined face in the darkened London bedroom. 

The application process for elite European ballet companies was far more demanding than American ones. Applications required submission at least three months in advance, followed by a grueling series of auditions and technical assessments spanning weeks. 

Only after clearing every hurdle could one secure even the most junior position. 

Despite her legs not being fully rehabilitated, Arlana began what her mother called her “application blitz.” simultaneously developing a punishing practice regimen in the small dance studio they’d installed in the townhouse basement. 

Though Luigi’s systematic revenge had prevented her from joining any professional companies during those three years, dance had remained her secret sanctuary. During those years, whenever he would disappear for “business meetings” (which she now understood were rendezvous with Leila), she would retreat to a small studio she’d rented off–campus. There, alone with just mirrors and music, she’d maintained her technique through endless repetition of fundamentals. 

Dance had been her first love–before Luigi, before everything. She had allowed that passion to be overshadowed, but never extinguished. 

Three months later, during her final audition for the National Ballet of England, Ariana pormed with a 

technical precision and emotional depth that left the judging panel visibly moved. 

As she completed her variation with a flawless grand jeté into a controlled arabesque, the artistic director exchanged glances with her colleagues–they had found their new soloist. 

When the scores were revealed, she had received straight A’s across every category–a feat accomplished perhaps once or twice a decade. 

During the feedback session, the senior artistic director studied her with professional curiosity. “Ms. Collins, your technical abilities are extraordinary, but there’s something puzzling in your performance 

history.” 

“Your training is impeccable–continuous since childhood without breaks. Yet after your junior year at Boston University, there’s a complete absence of competition or performance for three years. Most dancers with your potential would be aggressively building their portfolio during that critical period. What happened?” 

Ariana’s grip tightened momentarily on the microphone, but her face remained composed. When she spoke, her voice carried neither bitterness nor regret, just simple fact. 

17:22 

The Black Swan’s Final Revenge Pirouette: The 99th Gijk Wa All Alo 

“I got caught up in a toxic relationship that consumed those years,” she said. “Classic story–wrong guy, wrong time.” 

Noting the panel’s sympathetic expressions, she offered a serene smile. “But that chapter’s closed now. Completely.” 

“Trom this point forward, thy career is my only partnership. Dance doesn’t lie, manipulate, or betray–it just demands everything, which I’m more than ready to give.” 

Her matter of fact handling of personal trauma impressed the panel as much as her technical prowess. She wasn’t running from her past–she had processed it and moved beyond. 

Ariana’s meteoric rise within the National Ballet of England became the talk of the dance world. As the only auditionee in five years to receive unanimous top marks, she bypassed the corps de ballet entirely, starting as a soloist. 

Within a year, she claimed the position of principal dancer, then delivered a debut performance of “Giselle” that prompted the London Times to declare: “Collins doesn’t merely dance roles–she inhabits them with a vulnerability and authenticity rarely seen on contemporary stages.” 

As the company’s reputation soared under its dynamic new artistic director, invitations flooded in from prestigious venues across Europe, Asia, and North America–including Boston’s historic Wang Theatre. 

Reviewing the performance calendar in her office, the director regarded Ariana with obvious concern. 

Familiar with the extraordinary circumstances of her “death” and rebirth, she had nearly decided Ariana 

would remain in London during the American tour. 

Before she could suggest this arrangement, Ariana interrupted: “I see that look, Margaret. I’m going. The company needs its principal dancer for the American debut.” 

“Ariana,” the director began carefully, “Boston is directly on the itinerary. Your former life–the people who think you died–it’s a complication we don’t need to face if-” 

for our 

“I’ve considered it thoroughly,” Ariana replied with the same calm precision that characterized her dancing. “I’ll perform wearing the Odette mask for each production. It’s thematically appropriate modern ‘Swan Lake‘ anyway.” 

“For press and interviews, Zoe can represent as first soloist. I’ll be temporarily mute–doctor’s orders for 

vocal rest.” 

The director drummed her manicured nails against the polished desk, weighing the proposal against potential complications. Finally, she nodded. “You’ve thought this through. We proceed as planned–with your modifications.” 

The first stop on the National Ballet of England’s American tour was i 

Boston. 

Revenge Pirouette: The 99th