His Enchanted Swan

Chapter Seventeen

Yvette couldn’t believe how grueling the rehearsal actually was. Bartholomew was strict, but everyone was still in so much awe of him, that they seemed eager to please him. Christine had never put so much effort in for Ariana. But then again, Christine was never exactly enamored with Ariana, to begin with. It wasn’t just the girls, who wanted to impress him, the guys did as well. After all, Bartholomew was a huge ballet star.

As they continued to practice, Yvette noticed that Bartholomew seemed to be watching her the whole tine. Even when he wasn’t even working with her, it felt as though he was constantly staring at her. Maybe it was all in her head, or maybe it was just wishful thinking. She thought back to the erotic dream, that she had about the two of them the other night. If he knew what she had dreamt about, she probably would have died of embarrassment.

As they continued to rehearse, an angry look, all of a sudden appeared on Bartholomew’s face. His eyes were focused towards the doors to the auditorium, and he looked as though he was about to kill someone.

“Excuse me!” He cried. “This is a closed rehearsal! I don’t know who the hell you think you are, but you shouldn’t be here!”

As Yvette turned around, in the direction that he was yelling, she saw Fredrick walking into the auditorium. Her eyes widened. Oh crap! She thought, as she saw Bartholomew angrily move towards him.

“I-I’m sorry.” Replied Fredrick, as he looked stunned. “I’m just here to see my fiancé.”

“Well you can’t just barge in here like this!” Bartholomew angrily replied. “I don’t give a damn who you are engaged to!”

“Wait!” Cried Yvette, as she ran towards the both of them, hoping to diffuse the situation. “Fredrick is with me. He didn’t know that he shouldn’t be in here. Ariana used to let friends and family attend rehearsals all of the time!”

“I do apologize.” Fredrick added. “I didn’t realize that I was doing anything wrong. And please don’t blame Yvette for this. I just came down to congratulate her, because I saw the wonderful things that you said about her on the news this evening.”

Bartholomew sighed. “No, no, I am the one who should apologize. I probably should have put a sign on the door. It’s just that-, well since you watched the news, then you would understand that I don’t want my new finale being made public until opening night. I suppose I overreacted, it’s just that I am afraid of the ending getting out to the public or to the press.”

He then smiled, and extended his hand towards Fredrick. “Bartholomew Rothman, by the way. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“Fredrick Furst .” He said, as he shook Bartholomew’s hand. “I’m a huge fan by the way. Yvette, and I saw you perform in New York three years ago, you were incredible.”

“Thank you.” Bartholomew replied. “And might I say, you are a very lucky man. Have you two set a date yet?”

“Soon.” Yvette added. “It’s just that Alex’s death sort of put our plans on hold, especially since he was going to be a groomsman.”

“Well don’t worry my dear.” Bartholomew said to her, as he smiled. “I’m sure you’ll be married, very soon indeed.”

“I’m looking forward to it.” Said Fredrick, as he put his arm around her, and smiled. “Yvette is the greatest thing that ever happened to me.”

“Yes.” Replied Bartholomew, as he returned Fredrick’s smile. “I’m sure she is.”

“Well.” Fred began. “I need to get going. I promise Mr. Rothman, I didn’t see anything, that secretive. I won’t come to rehearsals again. The last thing I would ever want to do is spoil this for Yvette. She’s an amazing dancer, and she has worked so hard. Anyway, it was a pleasure to meet you.”

“Same here, Mr. Furst.” Bartholomew replied. “I trust I’ll see you opening night?”

“Of course.” Fredrick answered. “After all, Yvette has always been my Swan Queen. I couldn’t imagine missing her debut.”

“Quite right, I’m sure.” Bartholomew responded. “Well, Miss Walsh, we should probably get back to rehearsals.”

“Um..o-okay.” She told him, as she felt a bit confused. When did they go back to a formal name basis? She then turned to look at Fredrick, who soon gave her a peck on the lips.

“Later sweetheart.” Fredrick said to her. “Love you.”

“Love you, too.” She replied. Fredrick then gave her a quick wink, as he turned to head out of the auditorium. Worried that Bartholomew might be angry with her, she turned around to look at him.

“I-I’m sorry.” She told him. “But he honestly didn’t know, and he really didn’t see anything that he wasn’t supposed to see.”

“It’s alright.” Bartholomew replied, with a stoic look upon his face. “Next time, I’ll put up a sign that says, ‘Private rehearsals, stay out.’, as well as lock the door. It was my fault for not doing that to begin with.” He then walked away from her, and didn’t even look her way.

“Okay, everyone!” Bartholomew cried. “Why don’t we take fifteen?” He soon left the auditorium, while completely ignoring everyone. Even though he said that he didn’t blame her, or Fredrick, Yvette couldn’t help but think that he was angry at her. As she made her way back towards the stage, she was soon met by Delia.

“So he is yours then?” Delia asked, as she smiled at Yvette.

“Going on five years now.” Yvette replied, as she returned her smile.

“He’s very handsome.” Delia told her. “Careful, I am the black swan. I may try to steal him.”

“Excuse me?” Yvette asked, as she was taken aback by Delias comment.

“I’m sorry.” Delia replied. “I have a wicked sense of humor, it can get me into trouble sometimes.”

“Oh.” Yvette said, as she was still worried that she might have upset Bartholomew. “I’m sorry. I should have known you were kidding. I was just worried, that I might have upset your uncle. I’m pretty sure that he wasn’t happy about Fred being here.”

“Don’t worry about my uncle.” Delia told her. “I think he is just mad at himself.”

“For what?” Yvette asked her.”

“For not taking all the necessary precautions.” Delia replied.

“Oh, you mean like not locking the door?” Yvette asked her.

“Something like that.” Delia said, with a shy smile.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Bartholomew was livid, as he made his way back to the apartment. But not at Yvette, he was angry that he came face to face with Siegfried once again. As soon as Bartholomew walked inside, he slammed the door shut behind him. He then walked over to the kitchen counter, and cried out in anger. With that, in one swipe, he angrily wiped everything off of the counter top. Appliances, and dishes came crashing down upon the floor.

How dare that bastard kiss his princess? And refer to her as his, Swan Queen! He was Siegfried reincarnated alright, he had the same smug look upon his face. Bartholomew wanted to kill him right then, and there. But he couldn’t let Yvette see just how angry he was, at the piece of human debris. He couldn’t help but feel bad, she probably thought that he was angry at her.

“Fredrick Furst!” He growled in anger. “Fredrick! Siegfried! Furst! Prince! I should have known your last name would be the German term for prince!” His name was practically Prince Siegfried! The thought of it only agitated him more. It was if the very name was so obviously mocking him. This time Prince Siegfried was not going to steal her love, away from him!

More then anything, he wanted to crush him to death, with his bare hands. But that would only turn him into a Martyr for Yvette. No, this Fredrick, was going to have to break her heart. If Bartholomew wanted her to eternally pledge her love to him, than he was going to have to kill her love for Fredrick.

A smile soon crept upon Bartholomew’s face. Delia will not disappoint me. After all, she is the black swan. She will use all she can, to get Fredrick to pledge his undying love for her. Than when Fredrick does betray Yvette’s love. She will come to me, begging for me to take her away. And when she does, she’ll be mine forever. I’ll take us somewhere, where mankind will never find us.

He then look towards the easel, as it still had the drop cloth over it, to hide it. His smile grew even wider. Soon, my beloved Swan Queen, soon.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

For the rest of rehearsals, everyone was mostly quiet, and concentrated mainly on practice. Bartholomew had said fifteen minutes, but it turned out to be more like a half an hour. It wasn’t like him, as he had always seemed so punctual.

Because of the three o’clock press conference, rehearsals had been from four o’clock to eight-thirty. So even though they went home earlier than normal, rehearsal still ended up being quite the work out.

As everyone was clearing out, Yvette slowly made her way over to Bartholomew. She had to know if he was angry at her. However, as she came over, he was beaming. A huge smile appeared upon his face.

“Is there something you want Yvette?” He asked.

“Um, I-um, I just want to make sure that everything is okay.” She said to him in a meek tone.

“Everything is fine, my dear.” He reassured her, “Don’t worry, I’m not angry at you, or your fiancé. I should have remembered to put up a sign, asking people to keep out.”

“Well, I’m glad to hear that.” Yvette said, as she returned his smile. “Well, I’m going to head home, and hit the showers. Goodnight.” With that she turned to walk away.

“Um, Yvette?” He began to inquire. “May I ask you something?”

“Shoot.” She replied.

“How supportive of your ballet career is this Fredrick?” He asked.

“Very.” She replied, as she was surprised by the question. “Why do you ask?”

“You are one of the most talented dancers, that I have ever seen.” He sighed. “I meant every word of what I said, when I said that you could be the next Anna Pavlova. But I would hate to see anything, or anyone hold you back. There’s a reason, I’m almost forty, and never been married. I just hope that he is supportive, and no matter what, that you will make the decisions that’ll make you happy. I’ve seen a lot of dancers, become broken hearted over the years. I myself have been more or less married to the ballet, while any woman that I have dated had been more like a mistress. I just don’t want to see you get hurt, or see all of your talent and true potential go to waste. Do you understand what I am saying?”

“I understand.” She replied. “And I promise Fred is not like that. I mean he did come all the way down here just to congratulate me.”

“Well, I suppose that’s true.” He replied, as he smiled at her. “I’m probably just projecting my own life onto yours. I know that my true Swan Queen will eventually come to me. I just need to be patient.”

“You know.” She began, with a coy smile. “Christine would probably kill me, if she knew that I told you this, But she is crazy about you.”

“Christine is a very lovely young woman.” He replied. “But, I just don’t think that she’s my type, and I am getting too old for short flings. I am done with mistresses. Although, it would be very tempting. Well anyway, what are your plans right now?”

“Well, as I said before.” She began. “I’m going home to take a shower, and then Fred will be over around Midnight. He’s a medical internist at one of the local hospitals close to the theater, and he’s working until eleven tonight. He just came by on his dinner break.”

“Oh, a doctor!” He chuckled. “Very impressive, Miss Walsh. If you have a couple of hours, you could shower at the apartment here in the theater. I want to continue with the fable. You really do need to learn all of it. I see you brought your bag this time, so you wouldn’t have to put on any of my clothes.”

“Sure, I’d love to.” She replied, as she smiled back at him. “It is an amazing story, and you tell it so well.”

“Wonderful.” He enthusiastically replied. He then playfully seemed to bow his head, as he gestured towards the exit. “This way, my lady.”

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