His Enchanted Swan

Chapter Eight

“Oh my god.” Christine whispered, “I thought Ariana was a slave driver. I don’t know if I should be envious of you for getting personal one on one time with Bartholomew, or if I should feel sorry for you.”

“Believe me, he can be quite the task master.” Yvette whispered back. They had just taken a break, and almost everyone seemed to be exhausted. However, Bartholomew had warned them that he expected nothing less then perfection.

“Well, he could master my task, any day.” Christine replied, as she continued to whisper. Yvettes eyes widened, as the both of them began to giggle.

“I’m surprised that Ariana is letting him take over so much of her production.” Yvette stated.

“Are you kidding?” Christine asked. “She wants to get into his pants, like the rest of us. However, I think you are the only woman here, who he is actually attracted to.”

“What are you talking about?” A surprised Yvette inquired.

“Oh come on.”Christine said with a smirk. “You can’t tell me that you don’t see the way he looks at you.”

“No, I don’t.” Yvette replied. “Besides, he could have any woman that he wanted. Why would he want me? And anyway, even if he did, it wouldn’t matter. I am madly in love with my fiancé.”

“Okay.” Said Christine. “But you are a young, healthy, living breathing woman. Just because you ordered dinner, doesn’t mean you can’t still look at the menu. And by the way, you have only ordered dinner, you haven’t been served yet.”

“What is with all the food analogies?” Yvette laughed.

“I guess I’m just hungry.” Christine chuckled. “We ballet dancers don’t get to eat tasty treats like normal people.”

“True.” Said Yvette, “But I guess one must suffer for their art.”

Christine then furrowed her brow, as if she was deep in thought.

“You know what though.” Said Christine. “Have you noticed some of the eerie parallels?”

“What do you mean?” Yvette asked her, feeling a bit confused.

“Well, think about it.” Christine replied. “Your name is Yvette, and you’re performing as Odette. The man performing, as Barron Von Rothbart is named, Bartholomew Rothman. And whether you are willing to admit it, or not, he is obviously enamored with you. I mean haven’t you always thought it was odd, the the man who is most famous for his performance of Rothbart is named Bartholomew Rothman?”

“Okay.” Yvette scoffed. “Now you’re just sounding paranoid, and crazy. Yes I always thought it was odd, but I assumed it was just a stage name, since he had famously personified the character. Second, he is not enamored with me. And third, there is one major flaw with your hypothesis.”

“Really, what?” Christine asked.

“Roger is performing as Siegfried.” Yvette replied. “And the name Roger is no where close to the name Siegfried.”

“True.” Said Christine. “But you are engaged to a man named Fredrick. And both Fredrick, and Siegfried share the nickname Fred.”

“That’s just crazy.” Yvette laughed.

“Maybe.” Christine said, as she smiled. “But you must admit, the very thought of it is intriguing.”

“You need to get laid.” Yvette chuckled.

“I’m working on it.” Christine said with a lustful smile, as her eyes made their way towards Bartholomew.

“Down girl.” Yvette whispered. “I think Ariana also has her designs on him, and she might not like you trying to rip him from her eager claws.”

Christine began to laugh. “Talk about someone who needs to get laid.”

“Alright people!” Exclaimed Ariana. “Break time is over, it’s time to get back to work!”

“Oh joy.” Christine sarcastically whispered, as she rolled her eyes. Yvette, just smiled, and chuckled a bit as they continued to practice. However, everything that Christine had just said to her, made her wonder.

Was Bartholomew actually attracted to her? She had seen pictures of him in the tabloids, seen with both models and actresses from around the world. There had even been some rumors, that he had become engaged a few times. He had been linked to some of the most beautiful women in the world. So why would he be interested in her?

She would be lying if she said that the very thought of it didn’t make her giddy. As a teenager, she had a huge crush on him. But even if it were true, which she doubted that it was, she already was engaged to the love of her life. Fredrick was wonderful, but still the thought of being with Bartholomew Rothman—

“Yvette?” Ariana exclaimed. “Are you paying attention?”

“Sorry.” Yvette replied, as she felt embarrassed being singled out in front of everyone. “Sometimes my mind wanders while I dance.”

“Well this isn’t community theater!” Arianna snapped. “This is the Boston Ballet Company. And maybe this isn’t New York, but we are still a professional ballet company. I expect you to act that way, and pay attention. Do you understand?”

“Yes Ariana.” Yvette replied. “I’m sorry, I promise I didn’t mean any disrespect.”

Yvette’s face felt flushed, as she felt humiliated since everyone was staring at her. Plus she knew she was already on thin ice with Ariana. First, because she had quit the production a couple of nights ago, and second because of all the one on one time that she was getting with Bartholomew. Not only did Ariana seem jealous, but Ariana probably didn’t like the fact that Bartholomew insisted that the part of Odette not be recast.

“For future reference, please pay attention to my instructions.” Ariana quipped.

“Actually Ariana, Miss Walsh was simply taking the direction that I had given her earlier.” Bartholomew announced in front of everyone. “My apologies, I should have discussed it with you. But if there is anyone to blame, then you must blame me. I am the one who decided to change your choreography, without your permission.”

“Oh.” Said Ariana with a shy smile. “By all means, you are the expert. If this is how you want it to be done, then that is how it shall be done. But I would like to go over your ideas with you. Perhaps we should get together soon, and discuss your ideas.”

“I would be delighted to, my dear.” He said, as he smiled, and bowed his head towards her.

“Wonderful.” Ariana said, as a big smile crept upon her face. “We shall have much to discuss.”

“I look forward to it.” He replied, as he continued to smile. Yvette couldn’t believe it, Ariana was beaming from ear to ear. The woman rarely made any facial expressions, except for frowning. A lot of the members of the corps, used to joke that she didn’t have any teeth.

“Alright people, enough gawking.” Said Ariana, as she addressed the corps. “Let’s get back to rehearsal.”

As they continued to dance, Yvette looked over at Bartholomew. He then shot her a quick wink. Why did he cover for her? She was just moving with the flow of the music, and let it take over her performance. True, she had not been following Arianna’s instructions. But he had lied to Ariana, he never told Yvette to dance that way.”

After awhile, the time was approaching 10 PM, even Ariana was wanting to stop rehearsals for the night. As everyone was gathering their things, Yvette couldn’t get it out of her mind about what Christine had said about all of the eerie parallels.

It’s just a bunch of coincidences. She thought. Christine is reading way too much into it.

“Excuse me everyone!” Bartholomew announced. “I just got a call from my niece. She had just flew in from Germany two hours ago, and she has just arrived. She is on her way up right now. Unfortunately she was unable to make rehearsals tonight, but she still wants to meet all of you.”

Needless to say, Yvette was a little more than curious. After all, this was the same woman who was taking away the part of the Black Swan from her. No sooner was Yvette thinking that, when the young woman had entered the dance studio.

“Uncle!” She cheerfully exclaimed in a thick german accent. She threw her arms open, as Bartholomew gleefully made his way over to her.

“You look wonderful as always, my dear.” He said, as he accepted her embrace. He then turned around to face everyone, and put his arm around his niece.

“Everyone.” He proclaimed with a huge smile on his face. I want all of you to meet my niece, Odelia!”

“It’s a pleasure to meet all of you!” Odelia said with a smile.

Odelia! Yvette wondered. The woman playing Odile, is named Odelia?

Now it really was an eerie coincidence. Yvette wasn’t sure anything could seem freakier at that moment. That was until she soon heard Christine’s voice in her ear.

“Oh my god!” Whispered Christine. “You two could be twins!”

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