THE STOLEN BRIDE (BAD BOYS SERIES)

     It was the most awaited part of the concert ballet dance. The theater was filled with numerous prestigious people of high class that made the dancers anxious behind the curtains.

     But not for Eve. Because she was one of them. And dancing in front of these people just to entertain them made her want to puke. If possible, she may even choose to dance exotic dances than do ballet. Yet, here she was, waiting for the cue where she, the pitiful Odette, shall come in.

     As she looked at herself in the mirror, behind her emerged her most hateful face in the entire world.

     Livia Rizzo. The second wife of her father.

     As usual, her fake eyebrows were cocking towards the sky, even as high as the ceiling of the theater. She was holding bottle of water which she nonchalantly placed on the table.

     “What are you doing here?” Eve snapped without turning to face her.

     This attitude wasn’t new to the older woman who just shrugged it off and pretended to be a kind loving mother.

     “I just want to congratulate my daughter. Isn’t that nice?”

     Eve almost had goosebumps. “As I remember, that womb of yours is as dry as the dessert. What daughter are you talking about Miss?”

     Her sarcasm and sharp words didn’t escape other dancers and staffs’ ears that they all looked at Livia whose redness couldn’t be hide by her thick make-up anymore.

     She gritted her teeth and though she was eager to pull the brat’s hair, she ended up marching her way out of the backstage.

     If only the cue wasn’t given, everyone might had been talking about it. Since most part was played by Eve, she immediately stood up with high chin and elegant pose.

     She paused however, looking back at the bottled water her stepmom just placed there. though she hated her to the core, she had been thirsty since the play started. and no one even offered her one.

     With a swift movement, she opened it and took a small sip.

     The curtains were pulled and Eve was the center of everyone’s attention. And that’s when someone’s lips curved into a malicious grin as she placed a timer into 60 seconds. 60 seconds ‘til she got her revenge…

     Eve was doing well all throughout her part. Though it was just a minute, for her, it seemed an eternity. She swirled and turned, like an elegant swan dancing through the surface of the lake.

     And that’s it. she reached the most crucial part of the dance where she should jump the highest then fell to the floor to denote the death of Odette. Yet, when she turned around before the jump, she realized something wrong. She suddenly lost all her strength and she couldn’t jump!

     Something was wrong. Something definitely was wrong!

     Her mind was screaming, trying to decipher what went wrong. And that’s when she realized the water she drunk before going up stage.

     “Sh*t!” Eve cursed inside her head, not believing she fell into the evil woman’s trick. Of course! Why the hell would that wicked woman came just to congratulate her?

     It was the time. The music was at its peak. Everyone held their breath as they anticipated the famous scene.

     “3…2…1…” Livia’s lips turned completely into a victorious smile.

     Though she couldn’t, Eve gathered all her strength to jumped and she did. she managed to jumped like she had practiced. Yet, her landing wasn’t what it was suppose to be.

     Her ankle was twisted and the weight of her body even worsen it. plus, even her forehead bumped into the floor so hard she thought it might burst open.

     It didn’t. but she felt blood flowing from it as her sight turned blurry.

     At the final scene. Everyone stood up in standing ovation with loud clapping. They were all amazed by how realistic her fall or Odette’s death was. Though they didn’t know she indeed fell literally without proper landing.

     The curtains were drawn. And Eve was thinking that like Odette, she jumped into her death too.

***

     “How did that happen?! She had been perfectly dancing that part and I even watched her. how can she do such mistake?!”

     It was her father’s enraged rant that Eve first heard of while she was half-conscious. To her dismay, another voice followed speaking that made her head hurt even more.

     “Yeah. That’s right. How can she make such mistake? Pitiful child. She even almost broke her ankle and was still unconscious. Honey. What should we do if she Evelyn doesn’t wake up anymore?”

     Alfonso Rizzo’s sharp eyes darted to his wife and before he could yell at her words, a small husk voice interrupted.

     “Then you should bury me alive and take all my mom’s wealth that I should inherit.”

     “Eve!” her father immediately went towards her with deep angry stare. Even now that he was so close to her, Eve still couldn’t understand her own father. If he really cared for her and that he was worried of her.

     “It’s good that you’re now awake. Reporters had been waiting for your statement. They’re outside the hospital now.” his voice was unchanged, still the cold and authoritative father she’s familiar with.

     Right. how could she expect him to act like a caring father and talk baby to her?

     “Did they know I made a mistake?”

     He shook his head. “Yes. I tried to stop the rumors but it was already spread so fats that it was out of control. Tell me. How can you make such a mistake? I know you will never make one.”

     ‘And you will never allow one.’ Eve gritted her teeth.

     “Someone drugged my water before I performed.”

     Instantly, his father’s face changed. He’s more stoic and colder. Then, he stood up.

     “I knew it. I will ask someone to investigate. After an evidence was found, you will release a statement to the media.”

     After saying those words, her father walked out of the room, without even checking if she was really okay.

     “Dad.”

     Those rare word that came out from her mouth made the middle-aged man instantly paused in her tracks. Even Livia was surprised of how she called him.

     Normally, it was hard for Eve to utter those words after her mother’s death. Yet now…

     Alfonso Rizzo didn’t turn around to face his own daughter but he heard his daughter’s bitter and in-pain voice.

     “Are you asking them to investigate for evidence because you care for me? or you’re just finding something to explain to the world how your only daughter made a mistake? You didn’t even aske if I’m okay…”

     Eve chocked her at her own words.

     And her father didn’t even glance at her once.

     “You were always strong. I know you’ll get well soon.”

     And he left like that, leaving Eve tear eyed.

     As she was alone inside the white painted room that smelled medicine, she muttered to herself as she hugged her own self.

     “I was never strong, dad. I just pretended to be because no one wanted to protect me. not even you.”

***

     “I SAID I WILL NEVER GET MARRIED!”

     Alfonso Rizzo’s eyes bulge, caught off guard by her daughter’s outburst. He knew Eve was never like normal girls of her age that will cry out of frustration. She was a rebel like her late mother.

     Still, she had been a good girl and always been in control of herself. Yet, now, she was screaming at him face.

     His fist crumpled into a ball and so does Eve.

     “Listen. I was doing this to prepare a bright future for you. Morris Heirta is a good man and his family will definitely be a help in your career. Besides, you’re already 21. You’re getting married sooner or later.”

     Listening to his explanation made Eve smirk. “For my future? Of for yours? Aren’t you just trying to use me to achieve your ambitions that killed my mom? And now, you’re even selling me off to feed your own greed! Did that evil b*tch suggested this to you? she knew that Morris is a foul playboy and she wanted to send me to him! she did right? she did-”

     TCKKKKK!

     Iron covered palm landed hard on Eve’s cheek, throwing her to the floor. The pain numbed her that she couldn’t even think for a moment. The fact that her father just hit her wouldn’t even sink inside her head.

     Tears fell from her eyes, as she lifted her stare towards her own father. Whose eyes were shaking for the first time. Yet, it was still as cold as ever.

     He was about to help her stand up but Eve turned her head sideways, with pain and disappointment too evident in her eyes that Alfonso couldn’t bear looking at.

     Turning his back, his words was heard last. “You will get married to him whether you like it or not. And that’s final.”

     The door was locked and though Eve’s cheeks were still burning in pain, she immediately started packing her things up.

     She won’t wait until Livia’s plan succeeded. She already caused her accident on the theater not a month passes. And now, she again trying to get rid of her.

     She won’t let it be.

     If running away will be a temporary solution, she wouldn’t hesitate for once.