At the dress rehearsal, I realized that Liam had
understated things.
The ‘small theatre‘ was the city’s biggest
venue, practically every big show had been
<
8:11
performed there.
90
1000
During the rehearsal, Liam was recording
everything.
“For the documentary when we’re famous,” he said, “Come on, lead dancer, say something!”
“I hope it’ll be a success.”
99
Liam shook his head. “Too formal, try again.”
“Hey, Liam,” someone shouted, “The head of
production wants you.”
Liam left, and I watched the rehearsal footage.
My heart was racing.
The dance was called ‘Blue Bird‘, about a
mystical bird who lived in a forest.
The camera showed me in a blue feather
<
8:11
((
costume, with green eye makeup. I really did
look like a magical creature.
The other dancers were chatting, planning a
dinner after the show.
Liam came back, looking grim.
He announced that the premiere had been
delayed, and we were moved to a different
theater.
Everyone freaked out.
“Why?!”
90
“That theatre sucks, Liam, are you trying to ruin
your rep?”
Liam remained calm.
“It’s a small venue, so what? The audience is
the same. Let’s just do a good show.”
<
8:11
But a few days later, I heard that the other
theatre had turned us down too.
Something was wrong.
“Everyone used to be begging for us to
perform, how can this be?”
“Who did we piss off?”
90
I heard some of the dancers muttering to each
other.
“Apparently, Ben Holdings didn’t like the lead
dancer. They said we’re not famous enough, so
no one will buy tickets.”
“And Liam wanted to cast Chloe, but Liam
refused.”
“Yeah… why didn’t he ask Chloe? What’s up
with Ava?”
<
8:11
90
“No way, he just likes her. Did you see the way
he looks at her?”
“You can’t jeopardize our future over a crush, that’s so stupid.”
…I stood there, frozen. My phone lit up. It was a message from Ben.
[Ava, can we talk now?]
I went back to the family home.
The white mansion was the same as ever.
The driver took me to the front door. I walked
inside, and Ben was sitting at the table, looking
at me.
“You’re back.”
Everything in the house was exactly as I had left
<
8:12
My pink slippers were in the hallway.
The white roses I’d put in the vase were all
dried up.
Ryan came to me, with the nanny, and said,
“Mom.”
90
He started crying. “I miss you! I keep dreaming
about you. Why didn’t you come see me?”
I looked at Ben, “Let’s get down to business.
What do you want?”
Since the divorce, Ben had been acting really
weird.
“Nothing,” Ben said. “I want you to come back,
that’s all.”
“I’ll provide you with money, clothes, jewelry.”
“If you still want to dance. I will find you the
<
8:12
“If you still want to dance, I will find you the best people.”
“Here, you’ll never be turned down again.”
Ben took a sip of his coffee.
“Think about it. Can Liam give you this?”
“Is that so?” I asked. “What’s the price?”
“No price,” Ben laughed, “Just stay as you are.”
90
“Ryan needs a mother, and I need…a wife.”
I stared at him, “Oh. So Chloe rejected you again.”
Ben looked embarrassed, “What does she have
to do with this?”
dea220d ma have to tall.
<
8:12
“Whatever, if you dragged me here to talk
about this, my answer is no. I don’t need your
stuff.”
90
“Is it worth it?” Ben said, “Giving up everything
for a guy?”
“Ben, I told you, it’s not about him, you just
don’t believe me.”
“Worth it?” I smiled, “It’s not about worth, it’s
about what I want.”
“Okay,” Ben replied, “So you’re high and
mighty, and how about the rest of your group?
Can they handle losing their job because of
you? As for Liam, he can’t even look after
himself, what can he give you?”
“You’re threatening me,” I said.
“I’m just being practical.”
<
8:12
90
“Were you being practical when you married
me?” I laughed. “Because I’m Chloe’s sister, so
that even if she rejects you, you could still be
close to her?”
“Ben, if that’s your idea of being ‘practical‘, I’m
disgusted.”
Ben stood there, silent, and his coffee cup fell
to the floor and broke.
The housekeeper quickly took Ryan away.
Ben walked towards me, his eyes red. “Why do
you have to be so mean and defensive?”
“Then we have nothing to talk about.”
Ben grabbed my hand.
He looked furious, “Ava, what the hell is wrong
with me?”
<
“Am I not good enough?”
I stayed silent.
Ben sighed, his voice soft. “Ava…say whatever
you want, okay?”
“If you don’t like anything, I——”
He paused, then said, “I can change.”
“There’s no need,” I said. “We’re divorced.
None of this matters.”
Ben stared at me, grabbed his phone, “I think that Liam isn’t suited for your group.”
I snatched the phone from him.
“This is between us,” I said, “Don’t drag
innocent people into it.”
Ben looked at me, then he held his hand.
<
“Just come back to me, Ava.”
“I’m not a good person, but I’ll give you
whatever you want.”
I called Liam and said I was dropping out of the
show.
He was silent, “Why?”
“Because…” I stalled, “The theater’s too small,
and I’m meant for the biggest stages.”
Liam breathed into the phone.
“Can you wait a little longer? I’ll get better, I’ll
get you a better stage.”
“Liam,” I interrupted. “Can you not understand
that I’m saying no? Find someone else.”
I hung up.
Г
Ben put his hand on my hair. “Good girl.”
“Are you a complete moron?” I asked.
“Yep.
99
“You’re a jerk.”
“You’re a jerk’s wife.”
“Your whole family is full of jerks.”
…The more I thought about it, the angrier I got.
Ben pinched my chin.
His face was close to mine.
I pushed him away.
“Remember our deal?”
Ben’s face was grim. “Yes.”
<
“Until the deal is up, keep your hands off.”
Ben walked away, enraged.
The world kept turning.
The posters with our group photo had been replaced with a single photo of Chloe.
She looked stunning, with her red dress.
And her show had so much hype.
The comments were endless, the tickets were
sold out.
