by Yume
* * *
The hallway was filled with noise and whispers. All the workers were getting ready for the show to begin. As for the theatre, the seats were only half-occupied. Standing near the curtain and taking a peek of the situation, she coughed.
Her eyes were still swollen from wailing the previous night and her throat hurt. The disappointment of seeing the theatre was only half full made things worse. It was his fault, she thought because she remembered having seen more audience the day before.
“If only he didn’t play the wrong note…” She muttered. Yet, deep down, she realized it was her own problem. Her career had long been slipping and the only person she could blame was herself. She was not talented enough nor was she beautiful enough, which was the truth. Her voice was never too out-standing. Being a singer was just one of her dreams she selfishly wished to achieve by no means.
As an Earl’s daughter, she could nearly have anything she wanted. Gifted and intelligent, she was adored by many. However, among all the prosperous jobs she could choose from, she refused to be help with family’s business or become a landlord but to sing. Her family was surprised and upset, but she could care less. For the past ten years, she made up her mind to leave such a wondrous home and chase after her dreams. It wasn’t easy though. At first, she reckoned her family background could assist her but in fact, the outsiders only saw the talents she had instead of the wealth that followed her. Not willing to return home and become everyone’s joke, she practiced day and night, attempting numerous auditions and try-outs for actresses. Eventually, she succeeded and signed a contract with a theatre. The first few years were without doubt the hardest time she had. As an unimportant artist, she was mostly neglected in the main show and mocked among the group. It was not easy to endure all those harsh words thrown at her and the assault she had never experienced before in her life before. Still, she kept crawling and climbing. Until then, she had gradually become a well-known performer in the town. Her career reached the climax as almost everyone fought to buy ticket to see her sing. Such superb period didn’t last long though. She soon realized she was not competitive enough. Rivals kept emerging and enemies kept challenging her. She fought back and retorted. Nonetheless, it needed more courage than she thought to do so. Her temper aggravated as all she knew was to be the best and beat everyone the first chance she got. Bossiness, meanness and cruelty were the only things she had to enhance her authority. And she paid the price for it. Obnoxious and detestable, her number of audience dropped without rise. Her life was again struck by another huge obstacle.
When the performance was finally over, she felt worse than ever. Corrie was right- she shouldn’t have performed today. Her voice was coarse and her show was a mess. More than half of audience left early and the more she tried to make things right, the more awful she sounded. In the end, no one bothered to listen to her last song.
Modified and crushed, she sobbed behind the stage. Corrie offered her a handkerchief but she kicked her away. She did not need pity nor did she need any comfort and reassurance. She had always been alone on this path. She succeeded alone. She failed alone. She smiled alone. And she…cried alone.
“Madam?”
“I thought I told you not to disturb me, Corrie!” She cried.
“No, Sir Dowson wants to see you.”
Instantly, the weeping woman wiped away her tears. There was no way she would cry. In front of that man.
“Let him in.” She whispered.
“Yes, madam.” Corrie nodded obediently.
Within seconds, a man in neat fashionable black suit stepped in. His hair was gelled and neatly combed to an all-back style. Well-built and handsome, he could be many young girls’ dream.
“Gabriella!” He exclaimed the moment he saw her. “There you are! I’ve been searching for you!”
“Hello, Larry.” Gabriella said in a flat tone.
“What’s wrong?” Larry asked curiously.
“Nothing.” She tried to hide her sorrow but in front of him, she could barely do so. He was her soul mate, her only company and her cousin. When everyone in this world stood against her, he was the sole one that stood by her, supported and protected her. She wouldn’t dare to say the passion she felt for him was love. More likely, it was a connected odd bonding.
“Gabriella, something’s happened, right?” He always saw through her, so without a thought, she threw herself into his arms, wailing.
“Larry…” She whimpered. “My dream is shattering…”
“What?” The man was astonished.
“The number of audience is getting smaller and smaller every day…No one’s coming to my show…”
Gabriella went on crying. As a listener, Larry could only try his best to pacify her.
After a long moment of silence, Larry muttered. “I think I know why.”
“Huh?” Gabriella looked up and glared at him.
“I know why people are not coming.”
“Why?”
“Joanna Burke.” Larry said. “The new star in St. Joe’s theatre. She’s getting all the credits.”
“I’ve heard of her briefly but…” Gabriella frowned. “I never knew she’s that popular.”
“She has just got her fame lately.” Larry reported. “When she held a concert for three consecutive nights last week.”
“So, that’s the reason!”
“Yes,” Larry nodded. “And…”
“And what?”
“And you know, she’s much younger and more beautiful, a fine lady in early twenties.” Larry added. “She’s the glorious and elegant type, so she gets all the fans.”
“What a witch.” Gabriella grumbled and glanced at Larry. “You’ll help me, right?”
Larry didn’t say anything but stared back at her two sparkling green eyes.
“Larry?”
The man sighed and looked away. “How do you want me to help you?”
“You know what I want.” Gabriella claimed, crossing her arms.
“But…” At once, Larry’s face went pale. “You can’t do that again! I mean, it’s incorrigible. You’ve promised me not to do that ever again!”
“But this woman is ruining my career!” Gabriella retorted. “She’s destroying me! Torturing me, Larry. Please!”
“No!” Larry persisted and turned around, facing the door.
“You can’t abandon me.” Gabriella said, grabbing his wrist. “Just this once, help me eliminate her and I vow to be good and decent for the rest of my life.”
“Gabriella.” Larry shook his head. “You can’t have everything you want. Life is unfair. That’s how it is. You have to succeed using your own talents but not to…”
“Shut up!” Gabriella interjected. “I don’t want to hear any more of your talk! Go away!”
“Are you sure?” Larry asked.
“Go!” Gabriella pointed at the door and bellowed.
“Okay.” Without taking a last look of her, Larry left.
She was alone.
Again.