“Were you talking to me?” I asked.
Eisenia scowled. “You won’t be prima ballerina. Do not get comfortable.”
Girl, bye.
I put my back to her and returned to stretching. I didn’t care how long she waited for a response, but she wouldn’t get one. Wasting my energy on Eisenia would prove her right. If the artistic director walked in on a fight or argument between her and me, the company would definitely not even consider me as prima ballerina.
That’s probably what Eisenia wants.
She walked off with her two lackeys and began their own stretching ten feet away from me. One of them whispered something to her.
“Oh I agree.” Eisenia rolled her eyes. “Only Olesya could’ve done Nikiya. Everyone is saying how bad last night’s performance was. They hated Ava in the role.”
Whatever.
The two laughed as if on command.
Other ballerinas and danseurs remained quiet as they did their own warm-ups, but I knew they’d overheard her.
“She will be even worse tonight,” Eisenia continued. “The only good thing was that half the audience couldn’t see her anyway. She’s so black.”
Not today, Satan.
I stretched the other leg.
My temperature rose along with my heartbeat.
Think about Vogue. Think about Misha. But whatever you do. . .don’t listen to this bitch.
“Her plan isn’t going to work for her.” Eisenia sat on the floor but didn’t pull out her shoes or stretch. “You know what they’re saying, right?”
Her lackeys nodded.
Still, Eisenia raised her voice so everyone could hear. “They are saying that Ava had something to do with Olesya’s death. That’s the only way she could get the role. What a horrible person.”
If O had been here, she would’ve spit in her face regardless of her career. But O’s bloodline held fame in the ballet world. She’d been the great-great-granddaughter of famous Russian ballerina, Anna Pavlova. While she had carved her own path by revolutionizing the role of The Dying Swan. O could get a role anywhere she wanted based off her name. She had the right look and bloodline. It didn’t matter how many people she pissed off. All would’ve grabbed her.
I didn’t have the same luxury.
Not yet. But one day, I’ll do more than spit in Eisenia’s face.
Surprisingly, another ballerina spoke up from the other side of the stage. “Be quiet, Eisenia.”
The bitch searched the crowd to see who could’ve dared.
Alyssa walked forward and glared at Eisenia. “Olesya would be horrified that you said that. Ava was her best friend and it’s wrong that you are picking on her.”
Eisenia jumped up from the stage. “Mind your business.”
“I will not.” Alyssa tossed her red hair back and put her hands on her hips. “If you spent as much time on your pirouettes as much as you do bothering everyone, you could have been principal.”
Eisenia stuttered. “T-they considered me.”
I laughed.
Everyone turned my way.
I rose and continued my stretching. While I was thankful for Alyssa coming to my defense, Eisenia was merely a distraction. Giving her any energy was a waste of anyone’s time.
Eisenia turned my way probably hoping she had my attention. “What are you laughing at, killer?”
I turned to her and laughed again.
Alyssa shook her head. “Be careful with what you say about people, Eisenia. It is not smart to yell out allegations.”
“She did it.” Eisenia pointed at me. “She killed Olesya. I know it. She will get caught soon and then you all will feel bad.”
Alyssa frowned. “You are being ridiculous. Ava was not even in Prague, when Olesya was killed.”
Eisenia countered, “But Ava’s boyfriend was in Prague.”
I paused from my stretching.
Eisenia continued, “In fact, Olesya was killed right next to his father’s property. If you don’t believe me, then look it up.”
The others turned my way.
Shock filled my face, but I hurried and regained my composure.
Eisenia seized the opportunity of my being caught off guard. She walked over, pointing towards my face. “I saw you leave with Mikhail Stronz last night. He was the one that delivered all of those roses to the stage.”
Enraged, I stepped forward. “I had no idea you were my fan, Eisenia. To know more about my life, you should follow my fan page.”
“They will arrest you soon.” Eisenia came closer. “I know you had something to do with it. You had your Bratva boyfriend kill her. That’s how jealous you were of your own best friend.”
And then horror hit her face as she gazed at something behind me.
My bodyguard came to my side. He might’ve been the biggest man to ever stand on this stage. Up close, the scar on his face looked angry and red, making me think it was new. Regardless, the scar gave him a more menacing effect. “Is everything okay, Ms. Jones?”
I’d asked the guards to remain in my dressing room. I’d even offered water and snacks. They ignored me. It appeared that they would be following me everywhere.