????HIS BALLERINA????
THEME: {What the heart sees}
✍️ Written By Precious Pinky✍️
???? Chapter Forty-Five ????
~Run if you can, princess~
????PAULO????
“Are you really going to trust him?” Kat asked.
“We have no choice. If we don’t trust him then there’s no way we will be able to get all this puzzles right!” He said.
“But you said this man refused to tell you anything the day you went to him.” Liam pointed out.
Paulo nodded his head in agreement. “Yes. But he is ready to talk now. Isn’t that a good thing?”
“What if it’s a plan? What if…”
Paulo shook his head immediately, cutting Liam off. “I doubt this is all planned out.”
“Why?”
“He sounded scared, guys.”
“What?” Kat questioned.
“What do you mean?” Liam asked as well.
He let out a de-ep sigh before saying. “Something doesn’t feel right.”
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????ACE????
Ace walked into the house and went straight to the bar.
He picked out a bottle of whiskey and a champagne gla-ss. He poured himself a drink and downed the whole content.
“Ace.” His mother called from behind, disrupting his peaceful quiet moment.
“Get away from me.” Ace said throu-ghgritted teeth, pouring himself another drink.
“We need to talk, Ace.” She said, refusing to leave him alone.
Ace snapped his head to her direction, glaring at her. “Are you going to tell me what you know?”
“No. But…,”
“Forget it. If you are not going to say anything then I see no point in us talking.” He was going to walk away but she caught hold of his wrist, stopping him from walking away.
“You have to listen to me, Ace.”
“Listen to you concerning what!?” He yelled.
“Concerning her!” She snapped. It was the very first time for his mother to speak to him in this manner. “You have to stop looking.”
“What?”
“She will kill you if you remember, Ace. I can’t let her kill you or even come close to you and that’s why I don’t want you to remember anything.”
“What… what are you saying?”
Naomi gulped, looking around as if suspecting someone was around. “You might not like me but I love you so much, son. I will do anything to protect you even if it means hurting someone else.”
“What are you saying? Who is this person you are talking about? Tell me why you don’t want me to remember anything exactly!” He asked, pulling his hand away from her grasp.
“She will hurt you. I know what she can do. And you know as well.”
“What do I know?”
She took a step closer to Ace, cupping his face. “Lot. But it’s better not to remember anything. Stop what you are doing with Paulo. And tell Paulo to stop as well.”
“Why?” Ace asked, stepping away from her hold.
“What?”
“Why should I stop? Why should we stop?”
“One of you will die of you guys don’t stop.”
“What?”
“Paulo, you…and the girl. One of you will surely have to die. And I don’t want it to be you.” She paused, taking a de-ep breath. “I can’t lose you too.” She cried.
Ace knitted his brows, trying to process everything his mother has just said. “The girl…?”
*The witness is a girl?*
*Yes. No one knows her identity or anything about her. She is a mystery and also our last hope to discover this mysterious murderer.*
“You know about the girl, don’t you?” Ace asked his mother.
She gulped, lowering her gaze to the floor.
“Who is she?” He asked again.
“You don’t have to know that.” Naomi said.
“Why not? Why don’t you want us to capture this murderer? What are you hiding? What are you so afraid of?”
“Of losing you. I’m afraid of losing you just like I lost your father. I’m afraid that she might win.”
“She? Are you talking about the murderer?”
“Ace, I just want you to stop looking for answers. Forget about your father’s death and move on. Please.” She pleaded.
“What?”
“Just leave this case. She will kill you if you keep searching.”
“You know the murderer, right?”
Silence!
Silence!
Silence!
“ANSWER ME!”
“I CAN’T SAY ANYTHING TO YOU, ACE!” She yelled in reply as well. She was breathing very fast. “I can’t say anything to you about this case. But I want you to stop.”
“Do you think if I stop she won’t kill me?” He questioned, stuffing his hands into his pan-ts pocket.
“She promise she will stop if you_”
“And you believe her? I received a note from her today. She won’t stop until she sees me dead and i won’t stop as well until I capture her and make her pay for everything she did.” He sighed. “Stop asking me to stop because the next time to ask that of me, you won’t like want I’m going to do.” He turned to leave but stopped and partly turned to look at her. “For once in your life, you’ve given me the clue I needed… The gender of the murderer. At least now we know it’s a woman. And trust me, I will remember every damn thing I need to remember… Everything.” With that said, he walked away.
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????BALLERINA????
“Who are you?” Ballerina asked, standing up to her feet.
The hoodie girl slowly handed her a note. “You dropped this.” She said.
“What?”
“You dropped this note.” She repeated her, taking Ballerina’s hand and dropping the note on her palm.
“I didn’t drop anything.” Ballerina said, giving the note back to the girl but the girl didn’t collect it.
“Well, neither did I.” She said. “And besides, it’s just you and I here unless…” She stared down at Jersey. “It’s the dog.”
“Does that make any sense?”
“Exactly.” She turned to leave but stopped and partly turned to Ballerina. “I hope we meet again, princess.” She left as soon as she said that.
Ballerina’s mouth dropped open, her eyes were wide-ned in complete shock as she stared at the girl’s back. Gradually the girl faded away, leaving Ballerina in an empty street with Jersey and a note she sure as hell know she didn’t drop.
She stared down at the note, tightening her grasp, her face were hardened in anger and frustration.
She was completely frustrated and annoyed.
She grabbed Jersey’s leash and started walking away from the bench when someone caught her wrist from behind, surprising her in the process.
Ballerina let out a loud yelp, pulling her wrist forcefully from the person’s grasp while Jersey started barking very ha-rd at the person.
“Ballerina?” The voice called out.
Ballerina slowly opened her eyes to find a girl of her age staring at her with a huge smile in her face.
The girl’s face looked very familiar even her voice but…
“It’s me, Ballerina. Me. Can’t remember?” The girl said.
“I…” Daisy. The name struck Ballerina almost immediately the girl strikes a Ballet pose, smiling.
Daisy was once Ballerina’s friend. She was also a ballerina who loves dancing and engaging with people with great moves _Ballerina was one of those people she engaged herself with because of her great moves_ Ballerina knew about the girl’s strategy but paid no attention to her.
According to Ballerina, a true Ballerina won’t fight a fellow Ballerina just because of a move… the true fight of a Ballerina is on the stage where the audience are given the opportunity to vote for the best.
She knew she was best but Daisy’s strategy were taking her far.
She mingled with people more than Ballerina. Not just any people but people with great talent.
In honesty, Ballerina admires Daisy for her free social life.
Ballerina on the other hand sick at interacting with people.
But even with Daisy’s strategy and other things, Ballerina always come out as the best. Daisy was always her understudy in every ballet show.
Daisy hated it but there was nothing she can do.
But ever since Ballerina’s accident, she stopped ballet while Daisy continued and became the best in the industry. She became the solo lead in every ballet show.
Ballerina and Daisy have never crossed path since she became blind…until now.
“Daisy.” Ballerina said in a low voice, surprise to see Daisy. Jersey was still barking at Daisy. “Calm down girl.” Ballerina said to the dog, stro-king her head gently. “It’s a friend.”
Jersey stopped barking at Daisy and lay on the ground.
“A friend?” Daisy questioned.
“That’s the only way to stop him from barking at you.” Ballerina explained, dropping the note in her pocket. “What are you doing here?”
“Um, I came around for a ballet show. I’m the solo lead actually.” She smiled.
“Good to hear.”
“I’m so happy to see you. I thought…um, you were blind.”
Ballerina forced a smile to her face. “I was. But I’m fine now.”
“I heard about your aunt. I’m so sorry.”
“She died three months ago… isn’t it too late to say sorry?” She was rude. She knows it but the anger radiating in her was damn strong. She’s even doing a good job in acting normal.
“Oh. Yeah.” Daisy opened her bag and brou-ght out a flyer, handing it over to Ballerina. “I’m inviting you for my show. Will you come?”
Ballerina collects the flyer and stared down at the date. It was on Monday, just three days ahead. “I… I’m not sure I can make it. I have other things to take care of.”
“What are you saying, Ballerina? You have to come. You need to come. Please.”
“Alright then.” Ballerina finally said after a long hesitation.
“Yay. Everyone will be very happy to see you.” She smiled. Her phone suddenly started ringing, she brou-ght it out and stared down at the caller ID. “Oh, it’s the director… i have to go now. See you on Monday.”
“Hmm.”
Daisy hug-ged her then walked away, leaving Ballerina in de-ep thoughts.
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????PAULO????
“Why are we here?” Paulo asked, looking around the quiet street.
“I don’t want to get caught talking to you.” Charles said, looking very nervous.
“Are you okay?” Paulo asked him, worriedly.
“You don’t have to get worried about me, detective. You have to worry about the girl. The witness.”
“The witness? You know the witness?”
“She was rushed to the hospital alongside Ace. You are right, Ace lost his memory. He lost it because of the shock and everything.” Charles sighed. “He didn’t actually forget everything. There are some things he remembers but can’t just remember it in details. His mother, Naomi asked me not to say anything to anyone. She’s afraid of losing Ace, her son.” Charles looked around nervously. “Naomi knows something about the murderer. But refused to say a word to me. Also Claire, Princess Ballerina’s late aunt.”
“What does Ballerina’s late aunt have to do in Ace’s case?”
“She have a very huge role to play in the case, detective. There is a connection between Ace and Princess Ballerina…”
“What connection?” Paulo asked.
“The girl…the witness of Mr Reyes case is…” BAM! A gunshot was heard and before Paulo could react or do anything, Doctor Charles was lying on the ground with blood gushing out of his heart and mouth.
“Doctor Charles.” Paulo called out, coming to sit beside the dying man. He placed his palm over the bleeding heart as if trying to stop the bleeding but nothing could be done. The blood kept gushing out, profusely. “Stay awake, doctor Charles. You have to stay away.”
“I…*Coughs out blood.* I…I expected this to happen, actually… *Coughs out blood* I knew…i…I was followed… *coughs out blood.* I…”
“Stop talking. If you keep talking you won’t be able to make it. I will call the ambulance.” Paulo was going to bring out his phone but Charles’s bloody hand came over his, stopping him from reaching out to his phone.
“Do… don’t. I won’t be able to make it.” He said, coughing out blood again.
“How do you know that?”
He smiled, revealing his teeth that was painted red because of the blood. “I’m a… doctor, remember?” He slowly reached out for his pocket and brou-ght out a bunch of keys then handed it over to Paulo. “Go…Go to my…house…my…my study room…check my…safe…bo…box… you… you will find…the answers…tha… that you need.” His eyes were dropping close already. “Pro…Protect the…them… Detective.” His hand that was over Paulo dropped to the ground as he gave up a ghost with his eyes wide open.
“Mr Charles.” Paulo called out, shaking the lifeless body as if that will help bring him back to life. “Mr Charles.” He called out again, tears streaming down to his face.
He didn’t know why he was crying besides he doesn’t even know the man in person but de-ep down, he felt sorry for the poor man.
He knew his life was at stake for coming to him but yet he came.
He was possibly tired of keeping the truth away.
He possibly wanted everyone save.
But too bad he had to die.
Paulo slowly run his hand throu-ghCharles’s face, bringing his eyes closed. “Thank you and may your soul rest in perfect peace.”
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????BALLERINA????
Ballerina walked inside the house and plopped down on the couch while Jersey ran to her room.
She bring her hand to her face, blocking the reflection of the light from her face.
She let out a de-ep sigh, thinking about Daisy and how far she has come.
Why can’t her life be like that?
Why can’t she be perfect?
Will she_
Her mind quickly diverted to the note she had received earlier that day. She brou-ght it out and slowly opened it.
She read the note in a whisper. “Run if you can, princess.” Ballerina eyes went wide, her heart began beating very fast, at the same time slow.
“My princess.” Heather called out, bringing Ballerina back to the land of living and startling her in the process. “I’m sorry for startling you, my princess.” she quickly apologized, bowing her head.
“It’s fine.” Ballerina said, waving her off. Her gaze came to the maiden, whose face she have never seen before standing behind Heather. “Who is she?”
“My princess, this is Chloe… your new maid.”
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#To Be Continued….