Star-crossed double-cross 20

Chapter 20 – A little too big for your boots

“What the hell have you done?” Bianca screamed as she angrily stormed towards Lucian. Not in the mood to talk to the angry pop princess, Lucian shook his head and sighed loudly before continuing to scroll through his phone.

“Hey, bitch, I asked you a question,” Bianca shouted, striking the phone from Lucian’s long-nailed hands.

Annoyed, he stood up and looked his double directly in the eyes. “I don’t want to talk about it,” he growled, narrowing his perfectly arched brows.

“Well, tough shit!” Bianca countered. Zane is in the hospital! You broke his foot and three of his ribs. What the hell were you thinking?”

“Good,” Lucian spat, “That creep got what he deserved. Perhaps next time, he’ll think twice before he forces himself on someone.”

“That was the whole point. The plan was to break him and Melena up by seducing him. Not put him in the A&E. The press is all over this story. My reputation is in tatters.” Bianca replied, stunned by the crossdressed boy’s blasé attitude.

“That was your plan, not mine. It might not look like it, right now. But I’m not gay!” Lucian announced, spreading his arms wide and looking down at his mini dress and high-heeled sandals. “And I couldn’t care less about your reputation. My job is to be your double. To take your place when you’re too lazy or can't be bothered to live your privileged, pampered life.”

Bianca’s face turned bright red. “You have no idea how difficult it is to be me,” she cried out, shaking a fist in Lucian’s face. "I have no free will, no privacy, no life at all! You're going to regret making an enemy out of me, you sissy bitch!” She added before turning on her high-heeled feet and storming out of the hotel room.

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That evening, holding his glitter-covered eyelids shut, as long curled lashes gently tickled his cheeks, Lucian still felt irritated after his earlier altercation with Bianca.

(See image 20.1)

“In. one, two, three, four, and release,” he repeated to himself as he went through his breathing exercise. A type of meditation that always calmed him down. Especially when he was about to do something terrifying, like perform in front of a packed arena of screaming fans.

Opening his eyes, Lucian turned on his ridiculously tall heels and had a quick look out of the backstage window. Even with a pair of earplugs in, the sound of the people cheering was deafening. He gulped and shook his head, causing some of the strands of his wig to stick to his glossed lips. Gently raking his long pink nails across his face, he removed the fake hair and looked over at the rack of costumes next to him. Over the next three hours, he would be wearing all of them, and he still wasn’t sure if it was even possible to change as quickly as they wanted him to. After all, it had taken almost ten minutes to fit him into the tight, revealing outfit, he currently wore, and another twenty to do his makeup! How they expected him to change next time in under five minutes was baffling.

Seeing an approaching stage assistant, Lucian knew it was time. Resting his right ankle boot on the tip of its enormous seven-inch heel, he stretched out his calf muscle. His legs were already sore, and the night had barely begun.

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Back in the safety of the dressing room, Lucian stretched out his aching feet as an assistant removed his makeup. The concert was over, and judging by the crowd’s reaction, he had done a pretty good job. With his mind calmed by a pill, he'd popped before stepping out on stage, he'd danced his heart out and nailed every step. The more the crowd cheered, the more he lost himself in the moment. By the time he’d changed into his second costume, the smile on his inflated lips as they mimed along to the sickly lyrics was genuine. Out on that stage, for a brief moment in time, Lucian forgot that he was an aspiring male songwriter. He was Bianca Cabello. A sexy pop princess out to shake her booty and please her army of fans.

“Leave us,” Mariana forcefully announced, striding into the room.

Emptying her hands, the assistant tending to Lucian nodded before quickly scurrying away.

“You looked like you were enjoying yourself out there tonight,” Mariana announced as she took a seat on a sofa to Lucian’s left and crossed her legs. “Tell me. Now you’ve tasted the celebrity lifestyle, do you crave it for yourself?”

“What?” Lucian gasped, turning to face her with a confused look on his face. “What are you talking about?”

“I’m talking about you! The new attitude! The way you’ve behaved recently!” Mariana replied, rolling her eyes. “Have you forgotten who you are? Or has the image you see in the mirror corrupted your mind into thinking you are the pop star diva it sees?”

“I know who I am,” Lucian replied, pouting. “I’m just sticking up for myself. That's all. Why should I just sit back as everyone takes advantage of me?”

“Ha,” Mariana snorted while shaking her head. “Oh, little Lucita, you have much still to learn. This is show business. Until you reach the top, that's how things are.”

“No, that can’t be true. I imagine that when you’re a beautiful woman like you, some men will try and take advantage, but they can’t all be like that.” Lucian countered.

“Well, I’m glad you’re suddenly an expert on the topic, “Mariana stated as she stood up shaking her head. “Because from now on, you’re on your own. Your actions recently have embarrassed the record company and seeing as I can’t control you, I’ve been let go.”

“Let go? As in fired?” Blurted out Lucian as he rose to his feet. “They can’t do that. I’ll…”

“Have a word with them?” Marianna said before chuckling loudly. “Yes, you do that, darling. You can tell Raul when you see him later.”

“Seniorita Lopez, I'm confused. What do you mean later?” A surprised-looking Lucian asked. “We’re meeting him tonight? What does he want?”

Still chuckling, Mariana started walking towards the door. “Not us, you! And what he wants is no longer my concern,” she added as she opened the door. "So long, Lucita. And good luck to you!”