Little ballerina

AVA’S POV

‘You have to be at my party, Ava or you quit ballet.’

Those were my Dad’s favorite lines each time he wanted me to do whatever was ask of me, and this time, it wasn’t any different. Not even a change in his expression or the slight curl of his lips when he let out those words.

And with each step I took into the hall where his party was taking place, my heart hammered wildly against my chest.

“This is just another one of his parties, Ava. You just have to stay for an hour and then leave.” Lily, my cousin muttered. 

She is my mother's younger sister’s daughter.

Lily has always been like a sister to me and despite her words were soothing, it didn’t stop the racing of my heart which thundered loudly in my ears.

I hate socializing and whoever brought about that word should rot in hell.

“I hate that I have to force a smile on my face each time I exchange pleasantries with a guest.”

 Goosebumps travelled up my arm at the thought of socializing and plastering one of my mastered fake smiles when greeting important guests.

“I just don’t understand why you hate socializing.” Lily shook her head, a small smile on her lips as she increased her pace, catching up with my fast ones.

All I wanted was to get over with everything and return home and maybe spend an hour practicing ballet before going to bed.

“Oh my goodness! Is this Ava?”

 A high-pitched voice, which definitely belonged to one of those hypocrite ladies, who would do anything to warm up to my dad and maybe get in his pants, called after me.

My steps faltered and I turned around to the sound of the voice, plastering a smile that never reached my eyes. “Yes. I’m Ava.” My voice sounded almost hypocritical like hers, except I wasn’t a mastermind in games like that.

“Wow, it’s pleasant meeting you.” The lady flashed me a smile. The cherry red lipstick on her lips was excessive, it almost hurt to look at.

“Same here.” I flashed her another smile, one which matched her energy.

“I’m Ms Lydia by name. I’m your late mother’s old friend.” The sound of her Christian Louboutin heels filtered out of all sounds made in the hall by the guest.

Ms. Lydia, as she called herself, was giving this ‘pick me’ vibe and I was really not having it.

“Oh, great.” I nodded and took a step backwards once I spotted my Dad exchanging pleasantries with some guests. “If you may excuse me, Ms. Lydia.

I have other things to do.”

Without waiting for what she had to say, I turned around and walked away, heading towards the direction where my dad stood.

“She’s a pick me type.” Lily began once we were far from Ms. Lydia’s hearing.

“She’s trying to warm up to me.” I added and Lily let out a mocking cackle.

“She’s backing up the wrong tree.”

Once I got close to where my Dad stood, I straightened my back, my smile unwavering as I called. “Dad. I’m here.”

My dad has always been obsessed with public opinion and hence, he wanted me to look perfect, in fact, he wanted everything to look perfect, without the slightest mistake that could change the public’s opinion about him.

“Ava.” He turned around, calling my name like he had memorized it over and over again.

“Yes, Dad.” I stepped closer, letting his huge hand fall on the small of my back.

“This is a business partner of mine……”

The greeting went all and about for over twenty minutes and my smile kept wavering and slipping below my mask every damn second.

Not to mention my cheeks hurt so much from constant smiling. I was already mentally and physically drained in just thirty minutes of arrival.

The slow music coming from the piano did nothing to soothe the aching of my cheeks nor the mental drain in my head.

“Have a lovely evening, Mr. Bruce.” Dad finally rounded up his greetings and we both left to a secluded part of the hall.

Once we were out of the hawk eyes of the guests, Dad’s hand slipped from my back and all traces of smile disappeared from his face.

It was like he was another person entirely. The person I have known all my life.

“You came late.” His lips curled slightly in anger.

“We got lost on our way here.” I replied afterwards.

“You almost disgraced me and some of the guests kept asking about you!” It was taking the last strength in him not to raise his voice at me. But once again, his reputation mattered to him more than anything could.

“I—-“ 

Just before I could apologize, like I always did, a group of men in suits, pushed their way into the crowd.

The tension in the hall dropped and the guests made way in fear as the men marched forward towards our direction.

My brows creased but I said no words until they stopped in front of us, eyes on my Dad.

“It’s been a while, Walter Morales.” 

The deep rich timber of a voice had me on chokehold as my head whipped towards the direction of the voice.

The voice was coming from the crowd, but I couldn’t find whom the voice belonged to, except he pushed through the men in suits and stopped just inches away from my Dad whose shoulder tensed at the sight of the huge man.

It was the first time seeing my Dad afraid of someone.

“Hello….Vincenzo.” Dad stuttered, his Adam’s apple bobbling up and down his throat.

“I don’t think we are close enough to exchange pleasantries. Don’t you think?” 

There was this deceptive calmness in his voice that had ice slithering up my spine.

“How about we discuss?” The huge man, whom Dad recognized as Vincenzo, leaned forward, whispering into my Dad’s ear. “I wouldn’t want your guests’ night to be ruined by seeing how your blood dripped down your throat as I slit it.” 

His tone was disturbingly calm and quiet, like he had done this a million time before, if not more.

Dad cleared his throat, a drop of sweat trailing down his neckline. “Take care of the party, Ava. I will be back.”

With that said, he made his way towards the hallway, while the huge man followed closely behind.

His men stayed behind, their gaze hardened without any trace of smile or whatsoever.

They meant business and whoever fucked up would be sent to the gate of Hades all at once.

“Who is that guy?” Lily whispered into my ear, causing me to flinch a little.

“I have no idea.” I chewed on my lower lips, my legs itching to follow them and hear whatever they had to discuss.

My Dad wasn’t one to be involved with bad guys, so why were they in his party?

“I will be back, Lily.” I was already marching towards the hallway before she could stop me.

Upon arriving at the hallway, I met my dad in a deep conversation with the huge man, whose face darkened by each second.

“Dad,” I called and walked closer, both of them turning towards me.

“Aha, isn’t this your daughter? The ballerina?” A dark smirk curled on his lips.

How did he know I am a ballerina?

I walked past him and stood beside my dad who stood frozen to the ground like he was covered in ice.

“Dad, are you okay?” I asked, worry etched on my face.

“Walter, remember what we discussed. I wouldn’t want to return to this shithole city again because of you.” 

He smirked and patted my dad on the shoulder before dragging his gaze towards me.

His scrutinizing gaze had my heart hammering widely against my chest and my breath choked raggedly.

I’ve never felt more open than I was under the gaze of someone ever in my life.

His steely eyes washed over me like a drum filled with water and my whole body went rigid.

“Hey, Little Ballerina.” He brows cocked as he prowled menacingly towards me, darkness surged behind his face.

It took every ounce of strength in me not to step backwards.

“Tell your papa to pay back the money he owes the Bratva. All else….”

I parted my lips, my eyes blinking rapidly as I cut into his words. “Or else?”

He chuckled. One devoid of any empathy, emotions or whatsoever. 

It was the most soulless chuckle I have ever heard my whole life.

“His head would be the first thing you would wake up to see in a week's time.”

Icy coldness teased over my skin and finger-walked down my spine at his words.