Hidden Heart: A Saga Of Redemption

Long Ago

[Victor subsided his emotions as if he was trying to suppress his pain. The pain which gradually ate him in these years. Now these were started opening before someone who he loved the most, trust the most.]

Victor: It was the day of finale. Everything was ready. The first 5 performances were done. (Sighed) I was on the 6th. My moment.

[He paused, his hands were trembling as he clasped them together. He couldn't look at Amelia, not yet.]

Victor: (Shifting) Amelia, I'll never forget that moment when the anchor called my name 'Phoenix Ace'. It echoed through the entire auditorium. And it was the last time someone had called my name on stage. (Back to the narration) After that the stage became silent and light dimmed. You could only hear my fans; cheering, hooting, chanting 'Phoenix Ace!' They were so excited... so excited to see me perform. I was just stepped forward and then suddenly the lights flashed. The whole stage lit up and it was not in our schedule. And then....(stopped)

[Amelia's heart ached as she heard the pain in his voice, and she gently rubbed the nape of his neck, hoping to soothe him.]

Amelia: (rubbing his nape gently) Don't hesitate, Victor. Just tell me. I'm here for you.

[He stopped, his voice was breaking as he tried to continue. Amelia's gentle touch on his neck kept him grounded, and after a long pause, he found the strength to go on.]

Victor: (voice trembling) The lights... they weren't for me. They were for... them.

Amelia: (confused) Who are 'They'?

[Amelia's brow furrowed as she listened closely, her hand still gently rubbing his nape.]

Victor: (swallowing hard) The crew, a doctor, 2-3 cops and shockingly my (in rage) Coach was also there. His facial expression was not too protective. Rather he was looking as if he was totally irritated. They all walked onto the stage. (shaking his head) I didn't know what was happening. No one did. The audience fell silent. You could hear a pin drop. The judges... they looked confused, whispering to each other. I could see it in their faces. It felt that something was very, very wrong.

[He looked at the distance as if refreshing the memories again and again.]

Victor: (voice shaking) One of the judges, Miss Carolina, she asked them... ''What's going on?''

[Victor's eyes filled with tears again as he recalled the scene that exactly followed.]

Victor: (softly, pained) The cop... the doctor... they both stepped forward. And then... they said it. (pausing, voice breaking) They said (whispering) I didn't pass the dope test.

[Amelia froze, her hand still on his neck, her heart sinking as she heard his words.]

Amelia: (whispering loudly) WHAT!!

Victor: (shaking his head) I couldn't believe it. I couldn't even comprehend what they were saying. They... they said I tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs. Me, (looking at her) Amelia! (Loudly) Me!

[His voice rose in disbelief, his fists clenching as he spoke.]

Victor: (angrily) I had never touched that stuff in my life! Never! Not even alcohol. But they didn't care. They showed the test results right there on stage, in front of everyone. The crowd... my fans... they were in shock. Some of them were whispering, gasping... others started booing. (Breaking voice) Booing me, Amelia. As if I was some kind of (whispering) cheat!

[Amelia's heart shattered as she watched him struggle with the memory. She could see the torment etched on his face, the betrayal he had felt from those who were supposed to support him.]