04

Our bodies move with the rhythm, his feet always following mine smoothly. Everyone around us disappears, which leaves only us to dance in this big room.

The air is filled with tension while we keep dancing, not able to say anything because shock has taken over my entire body.

And before I know it, he twirls me around, his hand leaving mine. I land back in Chris’ arms again, and the song stops right on that moment. My breathing is erratic.

He notices my panic. « What’s wrong ? » he asks with furrowed brows, and he leads us away from the dancefloor.

« He’s here, » I gasp, and take another glass of champagne from a waiter that passes me. « Who ? »

I gulp the golden liquid down and set it on a nearby table.

« Vincenzo fucking Amoretto. »

Still, in shock about what happened, Chris drags me across the room to my parents. He’s here. Vincenzo’s here. And I danced with him.

Fuck, the way he looked at me, how he gripped me by my waist, reminding me of how it used to be between us. I subtly look around the room, trying to find him but fail. He hasn’t changed a lot. His stubble has just grown a little which I find myself liking a bit. And his hair is slightly longer but not like it’s noticeable.

But you noticed.

I don’t notice all the people we talk to, actually, Chris is the one that talks and the time flies by without me noticing it.

I’m pulled out of my thoughts by my mom who comes walking over to me. « Athena ! They’re looking for you, honey. You should get backstage, » she says excitedly and grabs my hand softly in hers. « What ? » I mumble confused.

She glances at me over her shoulder. « You’re going to sing, remember ? »

Shit.

That’s right. I have to sing. In front of Vincenzo.

The thought just causes more nerves to grow. What if I fail ? What if everyone starts booing ? He’ll get to see my embarrassment and start laughing along with all the people. Mom opens a thick, red curtain and we walk through it.

We’re in a small room where only a couple of people are standing in – some with headphones that are talking while walking around the room, and then some who are standing around a beautiful black woman with short, black hair – and there’s a little staircase at the other side of the room.

« That’s the stair to go on stage, » mom whispers in my ear.

The woman walks in our direction with a friendly look on her face.

« Hi, I’m Gabriella. You’re the one I’m going to sing with ? » she asks me when she arrives. I part my lips, but my mom responds for me.

« Yes, she’s the one. She has a beautiful voice, » mom says proudly. « I’m Athena, » I introduce myself and stick my hand out for her. She accepts it and smiles at me while we shake hands. « Nice to meet you, Athena, » she smiles.

« Likewise. »

I fiddle with my fingers nervously in front of me, and Chris squeezes my waist. « Relax, Athena, » he whispers to me. Gabriella sees it, and smiles softly. « Are you nervous ? » she asks and kindly puts a hand on my shoulder. I press my lips together and nod. « Very, » I answer and sigh deeply.

« Don’t worry, my dear. Everything’s going to be fine, and I’ll be there with you, » she smiles and takes her hand off of me. We walk a little further into the room, and a man walks up to us.

« You have to be on stage in a few minutes, get ready, » he tells the woman and glances at my mom, Chris and I. « Who’s accompanying Gabriella ? » he asks, and I shakily raise my hand. « Me, » I answer and take a step forward.

He nods. « Alright, you follow Gabriella, » he says and flashes me a smile before walking off into another room. Mom turns to look at me.

« We have to go, but we’re going to stand right before the stage, alright ? I’m so proud of you because you’re going to nail it, » she smiles and presses a kiss against my cheek. She walks out of the room, leaving only me and Chris.

« You’re going to be the star of tonight, Athena, » he smiles and hugs me. « I’ll be proud of you, no matter what happens, » he says and leans back a little.

« I love you, » I tell him. « Love you too, » he smiles and presses a kiss against my forehead. Then he disappears behind the curtain, and I go over to Gabrielle.

We chat a little, and I discover that she’s a really sweet and funny woman. She keeps telling me that it’s all going to be fine, and before I know it, we go onstage. There’s a curtain hanging before the stage so the public can’t see us just yet.

I adjust the mic to my height and let out a shaky breath.

You can do this.

« Ladies and gentlemen, tonight there will be two beautiful voices performing for you. Give them an applause for willing to sing for you. I present you, Gabriella Stones and Athena Robertson ! »

The people are clapping and cheering for the curtains to open and they do. The curtains open, exposing us for the people to see. I instantly spot my family and Chris standing on the front row, and I suppress a smile.

All eyes are on us, but surprisingly enough my nerves back down a little. My heart calms and my nerves aren’t as bad anymore.

« You can do this, » Chris mouths to me and sends me a kiss.

The music starts, and Gabriella starts to sing.

« Dangerous love, you’re not good for me darling.

Yeah you turn me away, like I’m begging for dollar, » she sings, and surprises us all with how raspy but beautiful her voice is.

« Danger, oh, how you hold me.

I get a chill inside, and nothing frightens me baby. »

This is my part, and I prepare for it. I take a deep breath and grab the mic in my hand, stepping forward and trying to ignore all the eyes that are focused on me.

« Is it love, when so easily said goodbye ?

Is it love, when we’ve given up before we tried ?

Is it love, when you stole stole my piece of mind ?

Is it love, when you cry, and cry and cry ? » I sing and close my eyes while I sing. I calm down on stage, and try not to sing with a trembling voice.

« So, when you walk out that door, don’t you come back no more. My heart has had enough, at the give and take, and as much as I want you to stay, » I sing and instantly think of the man I was dancing with. My hand clenches around the mic.

It’s when I open my eyes that I see him. And I see his eyes focused on me. And me only. I clench my jaw together when I see him standing with Nicole, his arms wrapped around her waist whilst she’s talking to other people, like a happy couple. That just angers me.

« You’re a dangerous love, » I sing while looking at him straight in the eyes, never looking away, « and baby you’re no good for me, darling. Cause if you’re gonna love me, and leave me hanging here, then I’d rather you leave, leave me lonely, » I sing, my voice now getting an angry undertone. Those words are directed to him, and he knows it.