Returning to our story, I remember we left Marcus confused about Velvet’s thoughts. Let me tell you more about him. He was indeed one of the few who knew her past and one of the many hated by her. He was probably the only friend Fred had and the owner of “Le Circus dans le Paris”, a name that reflects the “brilliant” mind he has.
Because he knew her so well, he didn’t insist on the subject and considered it a non important thing. But it was an important thing, because in her red heart, a desire cruel and beautiful at the same time, was beginning to take control.
The next day began as usual: the acrobats and trainers were rehearsing for the glorious night that will come and Marcus was walking in circles, “tiring” his mind, thinking of what new attractions he could come up with. After all, it was the only thing, except keeping secrets, that he was good at. Velvet was walking through the Square, this time with a certain interest. She wanted to see that man!! Perhaps she wanted something more than only seeing him…
-You spent a long time walking!
-I don’t need practice to be the best attraction you have here!!!!, said Velvet loud, so everyone could hear her.
But nobody paid attention anymore. Everyone knew how proud, though disgusted she was. She took care for them to know it. And yes, Marcus couldn’t reproach her a thing, because she was the best attraction he had. And yes, of course she reminded him that; every time she felt disadvantaged, which didn’t happen very often because nobody could ever make Velvet feel disadvantaged.
-I was just worried!! Replied “the innocent” Marcus.
-Well don’t be!! I’m not the kind of woman that allows men to treat her like a rat!!, she said that looking at Marcus’s wife whom she knew was cheated 101 times.
Like always, she managed to make him look bad in front of the others and as always, he didn’t care at all. After all, he was the boss there! The prosecutor looks aimed to Marcus, were soon taken away when Fred arrived, saying he managed to find some clients for the night.
-Well, then, all of you to work!! Work!!! You too Velvet. You are my finest acquisition indeed and I want it to remain like that!!
As the night became master of the city the guests started to arrive at this ordinary but special event the Circus represented. Marcus was worried and nervous. The places were not all sold and there weren’t too many guests as other nights.
-You better find a new attraction, very soon, because not, I leave soon, said to him a Russian acrobat, considered by Velvet an illiterate person. And this time she was right: compared to her, he was…well, there was no comparison.
-So, where are your special guests, my dear Fred??
-Right there, my dear Marcus, right there, answered Fred pointing at a group of men. They were all dressed in fancy suits each one brought from foreign countries exclusively for them and they all had looks of superiority. All; except one. But we’ll come back to him a bit later. In the main while let’s go to the backstage and see what Velvet’s been doing.
-Do you think the men my father brought are people from the high society??, asked Velvet!!
-Better ask me if they are bachelors. And I don’t know!! And I don’t care either!! I am not that kind of woman!!
-What kind of woman?? Are you trying to say something about me?? Or perhaps call me in some way??, and she gave Anita the look she knew it would terrify the poor woman. And it did. If I remember it right, since then she never dared to insinuate anything bad about Velvet.
The show began with a pair of puppies, Marcus bought a couple of years ago and which were trained by an Armenian beauty: Mina. After a few minutes our Russian acrobat and his friend, a French whom he couldn’t speak a world with, joined the robe walkers into the most impossible jumps trough the air. But non of these extraordinary tricks, could entertain one of the special guests, the one that accepted the invitation only because of the politeness his status imposed. If things would have been different in his life, he wouldn’t have been here in the first place and secondly, he wouldn’t have been alone!!
The moment of Velvet’s dance arrived. Marcus announced her with quite restraint. He had the feeling something was about to go wrong.
She entered the ring with a grace you could rarely see in those days. Suddenly the viewer’s eyes stopped.
-It’s her!! She is real!!, a whisper was heard through the music.
Her dance was special that evening. Perhaps it was the new thing Marcus needed, since half the people sitting there were only interested in seeing her dance.
She was to busy to notice him. Too busy to notice the man she’s been thinking about since the moment she saw him. A man forbidden but free at the same time. A man that without her even knowing it, was right in front of her and fallen under her charms. He had fallen from the moment he saw her eyes but only now, he had the possibility of admitting it.
When she finished her dance, she made a bow with like usually.
But when she entered the hall that separated the ring from her cabin, she felt a hand on her shoulder. She thought it was Marcus:
-What? you weren’t… Oh, you… You’re the…
-Allow me: my name is John Bishop!
-I know your name sir, she said quite cynically. What I wanted to say is that you are the man from the funeral.
-A funeral you weren’t invited at.
-Since when there are invitation lists for funerals?? Anyhow I am sorry for your loss, Mr. Bishop.
-No, you aren’t!! That phrase made her stop when she was about to leave the hall. You didn’t know her, so you can’t be sorry, he continued.
-You don’t have to know a person to realize it was special!!
-You know quite a lot for a Circus dancer.
-Perhaps I’m more than a simple Circus dancer. Come and find it by yourself!!
Though she was inviting him without any ignominy into her room, he was too curious not to accept her invitation!! He was in one of those moments when you know that what you’re doing is wrong, but you still do it, it’s just how human kind is meant to be. It’s one of the little things that make life unpredictable, because sometimes, you can break even your own rules.
He realized what he’s doing was not appropriate, but it was already too late. He was sitting in front of her with a puzzled look “printed” on his face. Velvet was amused by her guest’s perplexity.
-What, you’ve never seen a woman smoking before??, she said while taking a cigarette out of the golden box she had on a table.
-I’ve never seen a woman doing any of the things you do!!!
Of course that was a compliment, though Velvet didn’t think so. She looked at him so weird… John started laughing.
-Oh, no, that was a compliment. I think. How did you…..
But he was interrupted, - I didn’t invite you here to talk about me!!
-But you said….
-I know what I said Mr….um.. Bishop, isn’t it?? Why are you here tonight?? Why did you accept my invitation? Your wife just died. Perhaps you are just another man in the crowd!
She talked so fast and most of the things she was saying were just to attack him.
-You are right. You are different!! I shouldn’t be here. As a matter of fact, it was a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Velvet. Perhaps I’ll see you again sometime!!! And he left the room.
-Who was he??, asked Fred who was just entering the room and saw John. Please tell me that you didn’t….
-Of course not!! I’m not THAT kind of woman!!
In his way home, John was still puzzled. That woman was a mystery, but something in her told him she was not one of the many dames Paris was famous for!! And then again, she was so different from Angeline…
“What did I do?? What just happened??”