CHAPTER FOUR: his return

Four years later.

“And this year's Oscar award for the best actress of the year goes too”…. The host paused trying to decipher the desperation of the audience. 

The tension in the air was palpable, thick with anticipation as the announcer’s voice echoed through the grand hall. Every breath seemed to hang in suspense, eyes glued to the stage, waiting for that one name. Then, it happened.

“Nova van vica !!!!!” He exclaimed with excitement and a wide smile. 

For a heartbeat, the room stood still, the name reverberating through the space like the crack of a whip. Then—chaos. The crowd erupted into an uncontrollable frenzy, a tidal wave of cheers, applause, and screams. People jumped from their seats, some even spilling their drinks as they threw their hands into the air.

“WE LOVE……. You Nova”. The screams of different people from different corners echoed. 

Nova, a woman whose name told tales and who had gone through so much, didn't expect to even win this award. She looked to her side toward Eryx who gave her a reassuring smile, he held her hands to make sure to relieve her anxiety.

“You deserve this, Nova. She heard him say in a whisper but loud enough for her to hear. Go get it”, he urged. And Nova stood up and started to walk towards the stage. She was wearing a black, shiny, and fitted gown which stopped just above her knees. The dress accentuated her hips and butt. As she swayed her “to die for hips” her skin glowed and her hair bounced rhyming with her movement.

Her green eyes matched perfectly with her brown hair, making her so ethereal. She was so beautiful.

“You are so gorgeous, Nova, my eyes hurt”. Eryx muttered as he used his hands to shield imaginary lights like a psychopath. He kept smiling as he watched her walk further away from him. You will be mine no matter what Nova and anyone who tries to stop me from being with you should be ready to embark on a journey of no return. He thought to himself with a smirk.

“Oh my God! That was the first thing Nova exclaimed when she got on stage. Who would have thought someone like me who just got into the entertainment industry a year ago would win an award”. She smiled as she cleaned the tears that threatened to fall from her eyes.

“Firstly, I would love to thank one person. She looked straight at Eryx. The only person who stayed by my side. Four years ago, when I thought my life had ended, he came for me and protected me. He helped me chase all of my dreams, even when I thought it was already too late”. Her voice cracked.

“He was truly God sent”. She remembered those nights she couldn't sleep because of her pregnant state and how Eryx stood by her side all the time. She couldn't even start to think of how good he had been to her. 

“Thank you so much, Eryx”. She screamed as she held up her award dedicating to him and Eryx stood up and started to make his way towards her.

“You are the best Nova, no one can compare to you!!!!!!” The crowd screamed with joy.

“I love you all so much, I want to thank you all for the love and support, I promise to bring in more content for all of my fans”. Nova directed her energy towards the crowd, giving them a heart she formed with her hands.

Eryx had already gotten up on stage. He gave her a very big hug as he said into her ears“ I am proud of you flower”. He complimented her with the nickname he had grown fond of calling her.

****

After the program had ended, Nova was in the changing room. She had to change up and go meet Eryx outside, they had a date together with her four-year-old son Xavier. She had sent her nanny to go get Xavier from school. From school, she'd take him home and get him dressed.

In that way, she and Eryx would just get Xavier from her apartment.

“Well well well. A shrill voice suddenly interrupted her thoughts. If it's not the only Nova van Vica, then who else”. The voice echoed bitterly.

It was Jane, the ex-best actress. “Just because you won it this year doesn't mean you are worth it”. Jane spitted. Nova had gotten so moved by Jane's audacity, she had to turn towards her. 

“Everyone knows how you got it. You were so desperate, you fucked your way up there Nova”.

“Everyone knows you slept with ery”….. She couldn't complete her words as Jane felt a heavy slap to the face.

“Growing up as a child, my mother would always say I had a fast reflex. Nova said as she cleaned her hands, clearing off imaginary dust. I am so sorry I didn't know when my hands came in contact with your wretched face”. Nova's eyes widened with an equal and higher intensity. This wasn't the first time Jane was getting on her nerves, so excuse her if she overreacted.

“You fucked up, bitch”! Jane screamed. She “hated Nova so much, especially because of her smart mouth.

“The next time you say trash about me, Jennifer. I am going to make sure you make the head news. Jennifer Allen Scott bribed to get the award for best actress but still failed”. Nova whispered with a wicked smirk while gesturing.

“Huh”! Jane gasped. “How did you… how. I meant that's not true”. Jane had started to get uncomfortable.

“I have evidence”. Nova said coldly before walking away, leaving Jane in bewilderment.

“IT'S NOT TRUE, AND MY NAME IS JANE, NOT JENNIFER”. Jane screamed as she dragged her hair in frustration. “How dare your nova”, she seethed.

Nova was walking towards the car to meet Eryx when her phone rang, it was her nanny Bailey. She immediately picked up the call.

“I am almost there Bail… her words were caught short, and her eyebrows formed into a frown…what do you mean?”. The uncertainty in her voice couldn't go unnoticed.

“Ma'am, Xavier is nowhere to be found, I… have searched everywhere for him, but I couldn't find him, I even went to your apartment, but he isn't there”. Bailey was already on the brink of tears. 

“What do you mean you couldn't find him? You took him to school this morning, didn't you?”.

“Yes ma'am. I did, but I can't find him here, he is not in his class either but”… Bailey paused, contemplating if to say what she had heard.

“But what! Bailey?”. Nova was already getting frustrated at this point. 

“But. but I heard some students saying a man came to pick him up”.

“What”! Nova's scream had attracted Eryx and he got worried. What's wrong, flower? He said subtly. 

“It's Xavier, he is nowhere to be found”. Her eyes blazed with panic.

“Calm down Nova, calm down. We are going to find him, I promise you. Come with me”. He said while taking her away. 

A few minutes later.

Nova had arrived at the apartment and was already on her knees crying. “Please God keep my Xavier safe”. She begged as her face dropped with tears. Eryx was by her side, he had put his men in place to find Xavier in the next twenty-four hours.

“Stop crying, flower, you know I can't stand to see you crying”. Eryx begged Nova with a sad gaze.

“What will I do Eryx, if I lose Xavier I am going to end my life”? Her shoulders shuddered by the intensity of her tears.

“Not on my watch, Nova. We will find him I promise you”. Just when Nova was about to reply to his words there was a gentle knock on the door and immediately Nova stood up and ran towards the door like some marathon race.

Once she opened the door, she saw Xavier and her lips curved upwards into a relieving smile and she ran towards him. However, her steps suddenly halted as the person she saw behind her son cleared the smile off her face immediately.

Her eyes widened in devastation, what was he doing here? “What…what”. Her words did not seem to align with her thoughts.

“Nova”!. The man called out with longing. And she looked straight at the man who was in a wheelchair chair. She couldn't tear off her confused gaze u

ntil her son said.

“Mum, I brought Dad home”. Little Xavier uttered with a content smile.