CHAPTER 1

(AHVI'S POINT OF VIEW)

"You can run, dear, but you can't hide from your destiny. When you fear and love something, it becomes your greatest flaw."

There are a few things I know I can't run away from. First is the reverberating sound of my grandmother's words in my head for no good cause and some so-called destiny she invariably speaks about. Second is the loud cheers of the audience right outside the backstage, waiting while their screams get vociferous. I swallow the lump that has cropped up on my throat and rub my moist hands together. And thirdly-

"Ahvi, are you ready?"

The hasty voice of my manager, Katherina hauls me out of my reverie and the woman materializes in front of me. I blink, clearing the sudden gauze that barricades my vision. I look and realize everyone is staring, waiting for me to give the go-ahead as I always did before every concert but this time, the words get sag in my throat.

"No." The word flees my lips before I can stop it. "Can I quickly use the restroom?" I sum up before anyone can start raising questions. Before anyone can open their mouth to respond, I grab my tiny black from my manager and sprint towards the private restroom.

I stand with my hands on the sink and peer at my reflection in the mirror. I wish I could splash water on my face but I don't think my makeup artist will love that, she'd put a lot of effort into getting my hair and face done.

And my dress; a stunning black dress with intricate rhinestone detailing that catches the light and adds an element of glamor to the overall look. The dress has a unique design, featuring both black and blue fabric that creates a striking contrast. It also has long sleeves, adding an elegant touch to the ensemble. It's a beautiful dress and if it's other times, I would be thrilled to be in it but today just feels out of it.

I unzip my bag and take out a bottle of pills. My manager doesn't endorse this but she doesn't know the strain that shuffles through my veins these days. The pounding headache that keeps me awake at night. She doesn't know that and she doesn't have to. I try not to glower as I hurl a few pills into my mouth.

"Ahvi, are you okay in there? We can't keep the audience waiting,"

I quickly put the bottle away and take one quick peek at the mirror before going to open the door, Katherina stands there with my black skate shoes. "I'm ready." I declare with a tiny smile and take the shoes from her.

She scans her brown eyes over me. "Are you alright? If you're not, your fans will always understand. The show doesn't have to go on,"

"I'm fine, I can do it," I reply with another smile and stroll past her. I love what I do and I love my fans, I've kept them waiting long enough.

I return to the backstage, the staff is pacing but immediately quells when they see me. "I'm ready."

"Let's go then,"

Figure skating is something I've been doing since I was 13. I would have done it earlier if Mom had agreed but no amount of plea did it for her till he came along.

I virtually halt at the thought of him but a small push on my lower back gets me going and I step into the rink. The cheers double and the crowd goes wild. I put on my signature smile and wave.

And when the music starts and I slide across the rink, my anxiety suddenly evaporates. As my skates glide in synchrony, I feel at home. It makes me forget that throbbing headache and him for a while.

Each arm and hand movement flows effortlessly and gracefully into the next movement, acting as my choreography. I feel unstoppable and invincible, just me and my moves.

The rink is my home.

*~*

The concert ends after an hour or three, I always lose track of time when I'm on the rink. I can stay there for hours without feeling anything because that's how much I love skating and giving out autographs is just a bonus.

By the time I leave Julia's Ice Rink, Chicago, it's 11 pm.

"Are you sure you don't want me to drop you off? It's late and I don't see your driver anywhere," Katherina voices as we step out of the building. She looks at both sides of the deserted road, hoping to see a glimpse of a car. She worries too much, more than my mom does. "Perhaps I should start looking for a new driver," She tsk and takes out her phone.

"It's fine. My driver can't make it because of an emergency, he has a life other than driving me around you know. I already called my Mom and she will be here in a few minutes," I assure her with a smile but receives a disbelieving look and goes back to her phone.

"If she's not here in two minutes, I'm taking you home myself. You should have called your stepfather," she adds.

Or my stepbrother.

I bite my bottom lip and hug my arms around myself as the chilly twilight breeze graces my exposed arms. I should have brought a sweater. I always forget. Just then, a black car drives in and parks in front of us. A big smile possesses my face.

"She's here. I told you, Katherina. You worry too much," I stare expectantly as the driver's side of the car opens but instead of the familiar blonde hair of my Mom, it's the familiar one of a man.

He steps out of the car and rounds it and when he comes into view, my breath gets hooked in my throat.

I take my time to look at him. His jaw is square and firm, his cheeks lean and angular with a strong, determined chin. He bears a relaxed expression, with a natural air of authority and dominance. His body is lean and slender yet powerful, with narrow hips, and muscular.

I tilt my head as his green eyes seem to radiate in the dark and his hair is a tinted, short, and trimmed dark shade. His outfit consists of black jeans, a brown sweater that looks great on his frame and physique, and a pair of white shoes. I notice the black ink embracing his left wrist beautifully. He‘s art.

When he finally stands confidently, with a clear and unemotional gaze in front of us, and smiles at me with his full lips, I feel my heart beating in my throat.

"Vance," I let out his name in a whisper. "You're here," I peer at him like a love-struck puppy. Maybe I am except for the fact that I'm not a puppy but a 21-year-old human who finds the man in front of her too hot and handsome for this world.

He leans his face right in front of me and I get a sniff of his manly scent. Lemony and woodsy; a scent I've come to like.

"Did I keep you waiting, little sis?"

The last part of his words is a harsh slap to reality that shakes me out of my stupor. Right. He's my stepbrother. Get a grip of yourself, Ahvi! I almost blew my cover.

I didn't notice the jacket in his hand till he was stretching it towards me. He grins with a sparkle in his green eyes and reaches for my backpack while I slowly take the jacket and put it on, shortly getting enveloped by warmth and a lemony scent that I bask in.

He faces Katherina and I study the ground that suddenly seems more intriguing; because the more I glance at that handsome face of his, the harder and stronger I fall.

And this is the third thing I can't run away from. Him.