"𝐂𝐢𝐫𝐜𝐮𝐬 𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐬"

𝟐𝟕. "𝐁𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐞 𝐖𝐚𝐲𝐧𝐞"

When I saw Barbara, I almost lost it like I did with Jerome. She was dressed in a glittery, pink leotard and a tall, pink, feathery headpiece.

It covered her hair completely, so I couldn't understand why she spent so much time styling it. She also had a mask on, but it was white and quite tasteful.

I walked onto the stage while Barbara stayed near a colourful box. People applauded for me, but then they quickly hushed down, awaiting our next move.

Barbara opened the door of the box only to reveal nothing inside. She gasped dramatically and pretended to think deeply for a few seconds.

Then she closed the door, and when she opened it again, Jerome appeared inside. People laughed and cheered for him. He exaggerated a yawn and stepped out.

"Ha!" He grinned widely and threw his hands up. I smiled at him with pure adoration.

He glanced at me, quickly made his way to the stage and stopped right next to me. Barbara soon followed and stopped on my other side. Jerome swiftly threw one of his hands up while he kept the other behind his back.

"Greetings, Ladies and Germs! I am indeed the great Rudolpho!" He introduced himself, and all three of us bowed in unison.

"Please, ogle my lovely assistant! Oooh..." He gestured to Barbara.

She waved her hand as if she was embarrassed and then blew a kiss to the audience. He grabbed his hat and started laughing like Santa. I chuckled, entwined my hands and started swaying lightly. He glanced down at me.

"And my enchanting partner, the beautiful Concello!" He added, grabbed my hand and twirled me to him.

I blushed madly as the audience cheered for me. He winked and let go of me. I swiftly cleared my throat and bowed to the crowd. Jerome then started pulling a long red handkerchief out of his blazer pocket.

He ran it through his fingers and magically made a rose appear out of nowhere. The audience clapped with delight. He quickly handed me the flower and grinned. I took it, sniffed it and sent him a kiss. That made his smile triple in size.

Then he made a dove appear in the same inexplicable way as the rose and let the bird fly. I giggled, spun towards the audience and threw the flower into the crowd. A young man caught it and winked at me. I blew him a kiss and winked too.

Jerome immediately snaked his arm around my waist and yanked me possessively into his side. I chuckled softly, placed my hand on his and rubbed it gently, trying to calm him. He quickly pulled me over to the microphone.

"For my first act, I'll require a volunteer!' He exclaimed.

"Let me see." He turned his gaze away from the audience, pretending to be impartial with the decision.

"Duck, duck, duck, duck, duck, duck, duck." He pointed his finger from one person to another as he repeated the word.

"Goose!" He growled and firmly pointed at one of the people. The crowd turned to see the lucky person.

I looked at the boy too, and my face fell.

I know him.

★ Flashback to a little over a year ago ★

I sat on the lowest step of my trailer, waiting for Jerome to get back from work. It wasn't technically his usual shift. He was just often forced to help everyone.

"Mum! Dad!" I suddenly heard a child call for his parents.

I looked up from my book just as he burst out crying and fell to the ground. My eyes widened, and I quickly came up to him. He curled up into a tiny ball.