The Bride’s Replacement

”All the pleasure is mine beauty,Angel C.S, ”Aldo replied.Calista could feel that all eyes were on them as they spoke.She remembered that he was still holding her hand.

She wanted to pull her hand away but before she could,a lady tall as her and much more slimmer stood beside Jameson Aldo.She didn need anyones introduction.She knew who she was. She was Cosima Andrews.She was not a singer nor an actress but she was a model.

She had won three gold awards and she held the title of miss New York.She was very beautiful and she was dressed in all classy.Her dress was silver with rainbow colors when viewed from a distance and so did her shoes.Her hair was blonde and she was beautifully slim.

Cosima gazed at the entwined hands.Calista followed her gaze,and when it landed on their hands,she forcefully pulled away hers.

Cosima was eying her as a predator would eye on her prey,ready to pounce on it. Jameson noticed the tension between them.He cleared his throat and spoke.

”Honey,meet Angel C.S. We are not long time friends but I guess we are friends now,right Angel? ”he asked but he sounded like their was no chance for her to say no.

Calista flashed him her sweetest smile and nodded, ”of course Aldo. ”

Cosima forced a smile at her. Aldo had never given her a reason to doupt him but the girl ”s beauty was too threatening for her.She had always been too sure of her beauty but this lady was competing with her.

”Nice to finally meet you Jameson Aldo Atlas and pleasure to meet you Cosima Andrews.I will leave you two now, ”Calista was in a hurry to leave the place since Cosimas gaze was not too friendly.

She stepped away from the two and turned to walk away. Almost all the faces at the ball were on her. Eying her with envy. If it were a year before,she would begin quivering with shyness but to this point,she was seriously used to all those eyes.

”How did it go? ” a voice made her turn to her right side.

”How did what go Lisa? ”she turned to ask her manager who was grinning ear to ear.

”Acting all dump now,huh? ”she asked with a teasing smile on her lips and eyes.

Calista stopped walking and turned to look at her.

”I really don understand what you are talking about miss manager, ”she responded calmly like she always did.

”Jameson Aldo…. ”came Lisas hinted answer.

Calista rolled her eyes up then let out a silent brief sigh.

”Did you expect anything to happen between us maybe? ”she curiously asked her.

”Of course yes… ”

”Sorry for the bad news then dear, ”Calista answered before Lisa could finish up her statement.

They both walked towards the white benches at the small garden of the hotel outside.

Minutes elapsed before the event began.It was a group competition performance but only a single person sang to represent the group.

She was here to represent the Secret Voices and she was here to take the Royals Super Voices down.All the singers waiting for their chance to perform in room behind the stage.

”Good evening ladies and gentlemen. Am more than excited to be here tonight and I can wait to listen to the beautiful voices of all these great singers. I am Wyatt Braylon,you can call me your host or the Mr Organiser of this event. In five minutes we shall start the performances but before we get to that, lets get to know our judges.

”Our first judge is Cosima Andrews… ” started the MC, Wyatt Braylon.

”Hope I didn get myself on her black book for talking to her Fiancee, ”Calista encouraged herself when she heard the name.She had dared to talk to her Fiancee and held hands for a while. She hoped beyond hopes that she wouldn be persecuted for that.

”Our second judge is Addison Atticus… ”Wyatt announced in a bolder and louder voice. Clapping, whistles and cheering was heard from the crowd as she proudly walked to her seat while waving and smiling sweetly at the crowd.

Calista didn know who she was. She had not known a model nor an actor nor a singer with such name…she hoped she would just be cool.

She turned to Lisa who just smiled warmly at her.

”And our third judge is… ”the MCs voice made Calista turn her eyes from Lisa.

”Teresa Vinc… ”he finished his announcement and the crowd cheered again. Teresa Vinc was a beautiful singer,a inspiration writer and the owner N.Y.V Group. She is actually the one that had inspired Calista to follow her dream with her inspirational book called Chase After It.

She smiled broadly while clapping,she wished she could just set her eyes at her role model.

”…and the our forth and last judge is… ”

Silence filled the hall as everybody waited to see who the last judge was.

”…ladies and gentlemen,put your hands for one of the Great Singers in the world, Jameson Aldo Atlas… ”

Different colored lights flashed the stage as Jameson walked on it. The crowd stood as they cheered and clapped in unison. The cheering was louder and thunderous.

Calista released a disappointed sigh. When the other singers were glad that they didn have to face him,she was disappointed that she couldn contest against him. She wanted to bring the Royals Super Voices down through defeating Aldo but it wasn just possible now.

She turned to Lisa and asked in a stern voice..

”Didn you tell me that he was going to perform? ”

”Angel,I was sure that he would perform. And when did he even become a judge? ”Lisa asked her too.

”A man as talented as Aldo can fit in any part. Whether a judge or a singer, ”Nillah, a singer,sitted next to Calista spoke.

Calista simply nodded without telling them why she was disappointed that he wouldn perform.

There were three singers in the room just behind the stage and they could hear everything going on, Calista, Nillah and Olivia.

”Or maybe you are disappointed that you won get a chance to perform with your crush…but you still wouldn perform with Aldo if he was performing because Royal Super Voices partners with the second position and Secret Voices can take the second position…not on my watch, ” Olivia barked calmly at Calista.

Calista turned and looked at her with a frown. That was really uncalled for!

She turned to the mirror before her and looked at her reflection. She was here to win not compete and yes,Olivia was right,she was not here for the second position but the first and she had to…

At Calistas silence,Olivia was more frustrated.The girl was beautiful and that was too bad for her and now,she was acting like she didn hear her speak.

”Today,eight groups shall be represented on the stage…so lets see who will make it to the semi finals and finally to the finals. Its a three days journey and today is the first day…lets see how it goes…first on stage is the G.L.M musicals, ”the MC announced.

Nillah stood up.She was the one representing the G.L.M musicals.

”Wish you luck Nillah… ”Calista spoke smiling sweetly at her.Nillah retuned the smile and nodded calmly.

”Thanks Angel C.S… ”she answered and walked to the stage.

The performances began and at each performed,Calista got restless….they were very great to think of winning against them.

”Every one is so great Lisa,how will I go ahead of them? ”she asked quietly.

Olivia heard her questions and began teasing her again.

”You shouldn be worried about that Cally,you can win against any of us. Six groups have been represented already and two are remaining. Secret Voices and Royals Super Voices…you and me. If am called before you then trust me you have lost to me… ”Olivia spoke with a sinister smile on her face.

”First,thank you for the great warning Olivia.Second,she is not Cally,she is Calista Serenity Ishaani if thats too long for dump like yourself,call her Angel C.S and please mind your own business… ”Lisa barked at Olivia who just smiled at her and ignored her. She wanted to speak again but before she could part her lips to speak,the MC called the next group to perform.

”Our next singer is from the Royals Super Voices…Olivia, ”the MC announced.

Olivia stood from her chairs and stretched her dress while smiling.

”Tsk! Tsk! Tsk!…too bad for you Cally..you will go back to India as you came, ”she threatened in a serene voice then let out a short laughter.She then turned away and walked to the stage.

Calista and the rest of the crew fell silent after she left…of course,Calista wouldn let any of them talk.She carefully listened to her song and her voice.

No wonder she was so confident! she mused as she listened. She was too good.

Her turn came and when she was called out,she calmly stood,took in a deep breathe and walked carefully out of the room. She was almost at the huge red curtain that separated the stage from the rooms where the singers sat in when Olivia saw her. She didn speak but she threw her demeaning gazes and sly smiles.

Calista ignored her and walked closer to the curtain.

”Ladies and gentlemen,please give a round of genuine applause as the final singers takes the stage…Angel C.S from the Secret Voices.. ”the MC announced.

Calista took in a deep breathe but didn move yet.Olivia saw that.

”Are you perhaps afraid of the stage or are you afraid of loosing? ”she asked while moving closer to her. Calista shut her eyes and clutched against her dress tightly as if she would find courage out of it.

”Ignore her…and you can do this Angel, ”Lisa encouraged her. She finally threw a last gaze at Olivia who was still smiling slyly at her and walked to the stage.

”Afraid to loose!?,no am not because I know I can loose to such a jack… ”she muttered as she walked at the stage.