The bloody luna

Belle

"Congratulations Mrs Brielle for winning the most notable prize for your paintings"

The journalist's voice sang, her chuckles and smiles taunted me.

My smile faded as i could see my husband Daven and twin sister Brielle waving to the crowd which applauded them.

His one arm was on her waist, his other hand held the award together with her.

Her beauty was flawless, and she stole the spotlight. No one would want to steal a moment with her.

They were on stage, the cameras flooded their faces and, for a moment, my breath ceased.

Here I was, at his exhibition gallery, wanting to surprise him on his wins, only to discover he had used my sister to replace me.

They were congratulations her on her paintings, a work I stayed up all night to create due to the pressure my husband mounted on me.

My body vibrated where I stood, the orchestra playing at a corner of the hall fell silent.

"How do you feel about this? Mr Daven, your wife has just granted one of your dreams..." Another interviewer asked, her words blurred out the more I tried to listen.

I lost my breath, stepping backward and trying to understand the whole scenario.

A sickening wave wells up in my stomach as I tightened my grip on my handbag, trembling.

All my life since marriage, he has never made me public, with the belief that they'd scorn me for being ugly and that's why I always wear a mask.

He always says he was protecting me from the cruel world, but now I see, he always has someone to replace me.

If this was the freedom he promised, then I prefer being the unwanted burden of my family.

If he wasn't proud of me, then why did he save me from my pack and bring me here?

These questions troubled me, but there were no answers to them.

I lowered my eyes at the dress on her. I made that too and gifted her as a present because she was my best friend and sister.

That suit he wore. I saw it with love as a fashion designer. Most of the dresses worn by the people here were made by me.

I thought they'd love me for it and someday the world would know of my talent just as he promised.

However, my twin sister was taking the glory. Her evil chuckles sent a pang of hate in my heart.

I could hear whispers behind me, they were about my dress, which was my special edition.

However, I was too distressed to pay attention to them. I was there for my husband, but he was with another.

Then suddenly, the cameras rolled at me, flooding my face as all attention was drawn to the dress on me.

They were marveling at my outfit, if only they knew how broken I was. Some had even drawn closer to request for my business card, but I wasn't attending to them either.

I locked eyes with Daven as he brawled at me. Brielle placed an upside-down smile, stunned to find me.

She raised her shoulders high and leaned on Daven just to hurt my feelings the more.

Tears trickled from my eyes as I turned back to take my leave but the mask I had worn to conceal my face accidentally fell.

Those who once adored my outfit gasped. Their gruesome eyes widened in circles.

Some covered their mouths, others pointed at me in disgust while the men mocked me.

"It's the ugly duckling!" A woman cursed, hiding her pup behind her.

The path that was once crowded around me paved way for me. I shuddered, scared by their words.

Fear stole the very air out of me as adrenaline surged inside me.

The bag in my hand fell, and I was becoming dizzy.

"Look at her face, disgusting!" Another added, pointing at my scar while I struggled to pick up my mask. Someone stepped on it and kicked it away.

"I heard she had a hunch back!" a sonorous voice thundered, and before my very eyes, I could feel fingers on my dress, trying to rip it off just to see if I had a hunch back.

I fret where I stood attempted to push through the encroaching crowd and my gaze fell on Daven and Brielle.

They were just staring as though I was an alien, they wouldn't even stop the crowd, and I was embittered by their reaction.

Those eyes of Daven that made me believe I was the most beautiful person on earth were replaced with resentment and anger towards me.

Nevertheless, I was willing to ignore the signs.

I juddered through the guests who had become angry mobs and ran to hide behind Daven.

I threw my hands around his waist and buried my head on his back, scared, ashamed and weary.

He'd protect me, just like the first time we met.

"Do you know her daven?" a man whose appearance spoke of wealth questioned.

He was opposite daven and his question made me tensed.

My lips parted slightly, no words to say. Brielle was beside him, her eyes pierced my soul as she gestured at me to let go.

However, I wasn't willing to release Daven. I was too terrified to show my face.

"No I don't, she's not even an invitee" he responded with a glare at me.

He broke out of my hold and threw me to the ground. My body clung to the cold marble floor and I coiled my body, baffled by his response.

However, I managed to get on my feet with tears and I grabbed his hand, my pleading eyes peering at him.

"Daven, please make them stop" i cried, feeling embarrassed as I was almost half naked.

"You caused this for yourself, ugly duckling" he whispered and took my hand off him.

Brielle's face wrinkled as she spat on me. She was disgusted.

"You beast, stay away from us" her cold voice uttered as she leaned closely to daven, deliberately making me jealous.

"Call the security and let them know that a plague has broken inside my exhibition!" Daven ordered, not even taking a glance at me.

His voice was laced with venom as it pierced my soul.

The pain I felt around my body didn't measure to the one that hit my chest hard.

He held her hand and walked her away to attend to the prominent guests gathered, abandoning me.

I cried where I lay but soon my body was lifted by bouncers who threw me out of the venue.

I stared at the building with a heavy heart; astonishment reeled inside me. This was the worst humiliation ever.

I covered my face and began a race to the crosswalk close by, hoping to board a cab, but I was met with an empty road.

It was lonely, just like my heart. I didn't want anyone to see me with no mask on and so I had to walk the long distance.

I was cold and my shredded dress couldn't provide the warmth I seek.

Even Cinderella wasn't treated this way in public. My shoes were broken, and my bare feet had to bear the harsh ground.

There were no words to say, but uncontrollable tears streamed down my eyes as the events of earlier played continuously in my head.

I kept telling myself none of this was real. Just to cover my face, I had to rip off the hem of my torn dress to create a nose mask, only my eyes were visible.

Even the weather was against me as it had begun to rain. The cold air sent chills running down my spine.

I cried the more, dragging my legs while my body was being soaked in the rain.

However, a headlight suddenly appeared in front of me and I could hear the hum of a car rushing in front of me that i feared being hit.

It was so blinding, and I had to squint my eyes to avoid the ray.

I swallowed hard, nervous as I had suddenly stopped crying and grew curious.

Daven must have shown up to apologize, that he never meant it and was only defending his position.

He always does that and we settle.

Someone suddenly appeared in front of the headlights, disrupting my assumption.

I couldn't see who it was clearly until the figure drew close, and I realized it was a man in a hospital gown, holding an umbrella and racing towards me.

A sudden fear gripped me as I stuttered back a bit, squinting my eyes the more.

But this stranger had covered me with an umbrella, and I met his glassy eyes that were quite enthralling, and they dragged me from head to toe.

He looked blurry in my sight, but his voice held a deep abiding emotion that stole my breath for a minute when he said:

"I found you at last...mate"