At Your Service (Book Two)

Chapter 17: Investors

This is it. This is where my mind will break. Despite zoning out a few times out of insecurity, Vicência was well aware of where she stood. Oppositioning her feelings was an exceedingly pleased Santiago, a devilish smile plastered on his face looking admiringly at his circus artists and other show participants.

He and Vicência observed them performing their own amazing stunts in training for the big show that is O Grande Retorno, held in the city of Salvador. All of them were more than enthusiastic about the upcoming show since they haven't shown the Vanderbilt Circus for so long. They practiced each of their parts happily knowing their superior, Santiago, is watching them train proudly.

Behind all of the exuberant energy of the circus members and the vibrant feel of it all, was a lamenting mind that made itself challenging the lively, and it's none other than Vicência, with her mouth shut unable to speak up. Her mind was melting considering the presence of Santiago beside her, trying to assure her that everything will be okay... if she complies.

"We welcome you back, Vicky." Santiago flapped out his gloved hand, presenting her with the beauty of the colorful cast of circus artists practicing in the campgrounds.

"I wish you didn't." Vicência snarled. Santiago shrugs, not finding her tone threatening, despite it sounding aggressive. "I can't believe you've brought me here."

"You better start believing if you wanna survive this." He jokingly said.

Unamused, Vicência glared at him. "After all you've done, after everything that you've put me through, you still dare to bring me into your shitshow."

"Foul," Santiago commented at her language.

"No! I don't care... what you say! You have no right to keep me here." Vicência gnashed her teeth.

"And do you think I care?" Santiago said, silencing Vicência. "Because I don't. You know why?" He asked while intimidatingly nearing her, "Because the show... must go on. That's what we do here in showbiz."

"Oh, piss off, I don't care about showbiz!" Vicência snapped. "I want my life back!"

"This is your life, Vicky." He gestured to the campgrounds. "If not, then what is? Don't you want to achieve greatness and fame? That's what you dreamed of back then, right?"

Vicência was left speechless. Her reluctance made her mind scramble. Despite her distaste of the Vanderbilt Circus and of course, the one leading it, she can think of nothing but to admit that he was right. She does dream of living in prestige, and she missed her days being a ballerina star of the circus. It's just the way he treats her that made her reluctant.

"There's potential in you, Vicky," Santiago placed a hand on her shoulder, a gesture from him that Vicência didn't tolerate in the slightest. "You're just holding back. Your talents can be much more and that is what makes you one of our greatest. And if you wish to explore your potential, you can be greater than you can possibly imagine."

After everything Santiago said, he still noticed Vicência's unbroken look of disbelief. Something about it told him that she wasn't convinced. As a matter of fact, her face slowly started to fall further into distrust. Santiago ignored it, "Just don't disappoint me or your audience."

The entire time Santiago gave her that 'somewhat-lame pep talk,' Vicência couldn't help but take note of how he said those words to her. His expression and his words of choice didn't match at all. It sounded more forced than sincere, something to persuade her feelings into having the want to do as told.

Before she could piece it all together, Santiago prepared himself to leave Vicência be after having no more to speak about, until she spoke up. "Why did you bring me here?"