Eva was enough perturbated and she wondered if she would be able to withstand further revelations. She then asked, “What happened next?”
Christian then hold Eva’s hand and asked her to close her eyes.
As they opened their eyes, their spirits were in a hospital bedroom while their body remained in the closed room. On the hospital bed was an old greyed-hair lady whose neighbour is death – she was so skinny that you could see the shape of her bones.
Eva could barely look at the feeble state of the old lady. “Where are we? And who is that?”
“Butler Hospital in Rhode Island. It’s Mrs Rivers, the mother of Emily.”
Eva was so confused. She could not grasp the relation between her bad deed and Mrs Rivers. “What happened to her?”
Christian then looked at Eva as if he was accusing her. He took her hand, and they ended in the closed room once again.
Eva then said, “I’m so confused. How is all that related to me?”
Christian touched the wall and images started to be flicked one after another on it. All the images were of a funeral.
Christian then added, “After you’ve pushed Emily, it was found that the latter’s ribs were fractured. It led to many health complications until she took her last breath – just a few days later after the day you pushed her.”
Eva was jolted. She knew that Emily had died after having some health problems, but she never expected that she was culpable. A few hours earlier, Eva was feeling disgusted by Michael for being such an inhumane murderer – and now she found her herself in the skin of a murderer. Everybody thought it was just an accident, but it was purposefully done, and Eva was responsible for Emily’s death. Eva was not able to contain herself – tears flooded her eyes while guilt tainted her blood.
Christian put his right hand on her shoulder and said in a comforting voice, “You have to be courageous. Be strong, please…”
“How can I? I took someone’s life away just to appease an itch,” Eva said while crying.
Knowing she got blood on her hands, Eva could not imagine herself living for another second.
Christian then took her hand once again, but this time, Eva stepped back and cried, “Stop! I can’t take it anymore… I’m just a monster disguised in an innocent angel… I cannot let myself live.”
“Please, you have to…”
“To do what? Continue to live when I’ve sent somebody else underground?”
Christian remained silent and Eva crumbled on the floor. Eva then looked at him and asked, “But, how is that related to Mrs Rivers?”
Christian took a deep breath and narrated, “After Emily’s death, Mr Rivers found refuge in alcohol and soon become alcoholic. He started to develop severe health problems due to his heavy drinking and finally left the world exactly five years after Emily’s death. Soon, Mrs Rivers became depressed after losing her unique daughter and her husband. She gradually fell in a state of dementia accompanied by unbearable grief."
"All this is due to my jealousy and stupidity. I've caused the breakdown of an innocent family," Eva said looking at her hands with disgust – the hands of a murderer.
"Stupidity is a common talent among people. Sometimes, we end up doing things which are visibly stupid, but we're too blinded by stupidity," Christian said.
Eva looked at him and remain cried. She could feel the accusing tone of Christian.
Christian then added, "But, you have to be strong. Your journey is far from its ends."
"Please, Christian. Let me go," Eva pleaded.
"I can't," Christian replied.
"I have taken Michael's life, Emily's life, Mr Rivers' life and soon Mrs Rivers' life... I have taken the life of four people... I can't take it, anymore," Eva said.
"Not only four," Christian replied.
"What?"
"Sometimes, we think that our actions are never to be judged, but we forget that each action can either give life or take life," Christian replied.
Eva's heart nearly stopped beating.
"Give me your hand," Christian said.
"Where are we going?"
"To look at the other victims of your actions," Christian replied.
∞∞∞
Chapter 15
Words can kill
"Aurora Deltown, nine years old and Tania Spetzvilt, twelve years old," Eva said while reading the headstones which were next to each other.
There was a frosty zephyr which froze Eva's blood. She felt an inexplicable irritation gnawing her heart. Perplexed, she asked, "Why have you brought me to this cemetery? And who are those girls?"
Christian seemed untouched by the cold with his well-grounded pose. "Get closer to the tombs and put each hand on one," he said.
Eva reluctantly did so; her hands were quivering as she got closer. Once her hands were on the tombs, Christian put his hand on her right shoulder – as if to support her as further revelations were next door.
In a twinkle of an eye, Eva found herself in a garden with jasmine blossoming out of delight; a wave of laughter was reigning; the feeling of happiness was at its zenith. She then saw two girls playing hide and seek.
"You won't find me," the girl hiding behind the tree said teasingly.
"I'm coming!" The plump girl said while running towards the tree while tripping thrice.
Eva tried to seize her to prevent her from falling, but she was unable to touch her. Suddenly, the little girls disappeared, and Christian appeared beside Eva.
Eva recoiled at Christian's sudden apparition. "Were they Tania and Aurora?"
"Yes. The plump girl is Aurora and Tania is the girl with the darker complexion," Christian replied.
In some seconds, it was a different plot. The girls were taking their lunch along with their parents at the picnic table. The smiles of the members of both families were so genuine that the word 'happiness' seemed too substandard to describe such a feeling.
Eva was still worried as she could not see the connection between her and these innocent girls.
Then, after some minutes, the two girls went upstairs. Eva followed them until they arrived in the kid's bedroom. Tania switched on the T.V – an interview featuring Eva Gallagher was being broadcasted. Both girls sat there, idolising Eva's perfection. Eva understood that Tania and Aurora were her devotees.
Suddenly, Christian came next to her and asked, "Do you remember what you said during that interview?"
"Not really. When you are a socialite – you have to say what you need to say in order to uphold your social image. That's all, " Eva replied.
"Keep watching."
Eva remained silent and watched the T.V too.
The blonde interviewer asked, "People see you as an epitome of perfection. What are your thoughts?"
"You know – nobody chooses to be perfect; perfection chooses who it wants to bless," Eva had replied laughingly.
"I see. What's your definition of beauty?"
"I know that inner beauty is also very important, but we have to admit that the envelope has to be perfect too. Nowadays people do not really value inner beauty. I mean one would be more likely to look at the slim girl with a fair complexion, instead of a girl who does worth a brass farthing," Eva had harshly replied.
As Eva listened to her former rude definition of beauty, she remembered all the critics she had had to face.
"I don't even worth a brass farthing," Aurora thought. Eva could read Aurora's thoughts and she immediately felt guilty for indoctrinating such an idea in a nine-year-old's mind.
Christian then abruptly held Eva's hand and ended into Eva's mind once again.
Christian then asked, "Why have you said such a nasty thing?"
"I'm sorry, I was immature at that time," Eva replied.
Eva could feel that Christian was expecting another response.
"For sure it was stupid, but what was your real intention?"
Eva knew that it was impossible to conceal anything as Christian seemed to know everything beforehand.
She then replied, "Okay, I said so because I was wanted to denigrate Verogina. She was trying to shadow my glory."
At that time, Verogina was an Afro-American of a chubby countenance, who was emerging in the world of celebrities, after being titled 'the most talented fashion designer'. Soon, Eva had felt threatened and had resorted to an indirect attack through the interview.
After all those years, Eva was now realising that her reaction to competition was immature. Christian looked at Eva without saying a word. Eva could suddenly feel a sense of guilt invading her. She understood that what she had said in that interview did have some unwanted repercussions. Eva looked at Christian with her heart quivering. "What have I done, Christian?"
"You were trying to hurt Verogina, but you missed your target, and your bullet ended up in Aurora's heart," Christian replied firmly with a hint of pity.
"What do you mean?"
"Maybe you don't realise it, but people tend to take others as their models. For Aurora, your life was exemplary. The day she had watched this interview, she was totally hurt as you were setting unrealistic beauty standards. Aurora's self-esteem was assaulted as she thought that society will not accept her if she does not have a slim figure," Christian replied.
"Oh no... I never meant to hurt her," Eva said with lowering her eyes out of shame.
Christian then touched one of the walls. Eva tried to stop him, "No, please! I don't want to know!"
It was too late. A blurred vision was projected on the wall.
"No!!!" Eva shouted as she saw Aurora throwing herself from the third floor of a house.
Eva collapsed on the floor in despair, crying her heart out as guilt tortured her soul.
"Your actions and your words can change the life course of another person without you realising it. That's why one should always make sure to calculate the possible impacts of his words and actions," Christian said boldly.
"Please, Christian! Just wake me up from this nightmare! I can't take it anymore! Please," Eva pleaded with her hands grabbing Christian's feet.
"It's not a nightmare, Eva. That's your truths," Christian replied.
Eva cried so much that she thought that there was a drought ongoing in the body. Eva remembered calling Michael inhumane, but she now realised that she was even worse. Michael was taking the life of innocents, but Eva destroyed an innocent's heart and soul before taking her life.
Eva then tried to pull herself together and face her reality. "Have I killed Tania too?"
"Yes."
Eva recoiled at her own misdeeds. She never thought that her life could affect others to such an extent. Eva stared at Christian with her eyes filled with guilt and the blood of innocents running through her veins.
"Take my hand," Christian said while holding out his hand to Eva.
Eva took a deep breath and hold Christian's hand.
"Where are we?"
"In a hospital room," Christian replied.
As Eva looked around, she saw a girl on the operating table with a doctor and nurses all around. As Eva got closer, she recognised Tania.
"What is happening?"
"Tania was undergoing an operation in order to bleach her skin, but it went wrong. The body you are seeing right now is Tania after having just taken her last breath," Christian replied.
At this second, Eva remembered her racist comment which was in favour of light-coloured skin girls. “One’s words can kill,” she said to herself.
Chapter 16
Aftermaths
The bell struck thrice – the sound, declaring the forthcoming revelations. This time, Eva found herself in a clothing store. The place and atmosphere seemed like an already played scene to her.
"Where are we?"
"In the past," Christian replied.
"Why have you brought me here?"
"This time I won't be beside you. You alone will have to uncover the other revelations," Christian answered.
"What do you mean by that? You cannot leave me here, Christian. Please," Eva pleaded.
As she seized Christian's hand, the latter evaporated into a thin air. Eva was bewildered and anxious.
As Eva looked around, she remembered that she had once come to this store located in New York. The door opened, and Eva saw herself coming in; dressed in her furry dress with her Louboutin heels. The saleswoman immediately assisted her.
"Good morning, ma'am! May I help you?"
"Good morning," Eva said joyfully while roaming her eyes around the luxurious store.
As Eva looked at herself, she immediately remembered that particular day and that particular saleswoman. It was about two weeks before her engagement to Michael, who was then Greg.
"I would like to see your most elegant dresses," Eva said to the saleswoman.
"Any colour preference ma'am?"
"Red!"
"Yes sure, please wait here! I will go and fetch the best designs for you!"
Eva was sitting there impatiently – glancing at her watch at frequent intervals with her foot relentlessly tapping on the parquet flooring. Her impatience was a remarkable defect of personality. Eva remembered the day she left the restaurant in fury as Greg was late by three minutes.
Eva read her own mind, she remembered cursing the saleswoman in her mind for wasting her precious time – a time she could have used to further climb up the social ladder. Eva sat down and tried to decipher the significance of this episode of her life. She asked herself, "What truths lie behind this scene?"
As the saleswoman rushed into the waiting room, the impatient Eva got up abruptly and shouted, "Why have you took so much time?"
"Sorry ma'am, I had some difficulty in carrying all these dresses at the same time," the saleswoman replied.
"That's not a reasonable excuse! Why do you work here if you can't even handle your job with professionalism?"
"I'm sincerely sorry, ma'am. Please accept my excuses," the saleswoman apologised in a low timid voice.
"Anyway. Just show me the designs, please!"
Eva's rage seemed to be appeased as she went through the incredible designs. However, the former yelling was enough to draw the attention of the manager. Mr Deloyal entered the room.
"Hello, Miss Eva! That's a pleasure to have you here!"
"Oh! Good morning, Mr Deloyal! It's always a pleasure to be your customer," Eva replied.
"Good. I think that I heard you yelling. Is everything okay?"
"Yes, it's okay. It was just a bit of incompetency from your saleswoman who kept me waiting for some long minutes," Eva answered while pointing at the saleswoman.
"Oh, I'm sorry, Miss Gallagher! I hope that this issue does not affect your loyalty to this brand! However, I promise to make sure that this does occur anymore," Mr Deloyal said.
"My loyalty is staunch. Do not worry, but please do look into this matter," Eva responded.
After spending more than one-hour modelling in front of the immense full-length mirror, Eva finally chose a long silky red gown adorned with delicate embroidery on its tail.
"This one," Eva said before asking for the saleswoman's opinion.
The saleswoman replied, "It's actually an incredible design, but I don't think that it fits you well."
Eva was offended by this opprobrious comment – which was yet true. As Eva read her own mind, she remembered approving the saleswoman's comment about the dress which was not really fitting her. Still, she was conspiring against the saleswoman who had the guts to offend her. Eva then chose another dress and handed out a cheque of $3000 for the dress. However, before leaving the store, Eva went to Mr Deloyal' office.
"Oh, come in, Miss Gallagher!"
"Actually, I would like to complain about something which is subsequently putting my dedication to your brand in peril," Eva said. Eva knew that by saying so, Mr Deloyal would feel threatened – thus leading to the success of her ruse. Manipulation by blackmailing. That always works when you are a person of prominent importance in the society, Eva presumed.
&nb
sp; "Oh, I'm really sad to hear so," Mr Deloyal said.
After some minutes of ill-talking about the saleswoman, Eva made her way out of the office with a sardonic smile – gratified by herself.
Once Eva had left the store, the manager called for the saleswoman in the office.
"Yes, sir?"
"Miss Gallagher is one of the most loyal customers and her complaint has a significant weight," Mr Deloyal said.
"What do you mean, sir?"
"I'm sorry, Mrs Anne, but I have-
"Wait? Are you firing me?"
"Regrettably, I don't have any choice. Your incompetency can prove to be very fatal to me," Mr Deloyal said.
"Please, sir! I've been working here for almost five years! You can't fire me just because of one complaint..."
"Miss Eva Gallagher has a remarkable reputation and her opinions are highly considered by society. So, I cannot take the risk of having our brand name tainted because of her bad experience here. Furthermore, her loyalty counts a lot. I'm sorry, Mrs Anne," Mr Deloyal explained.
"This is unfair," Mrs Anne replied.
"Unfair or not, business is business. There's no place for common sense in this world," Mr Deloyal said while handing her a pink slip.
Mrs Anne stepped back and said, "No, sir, please! I'm not going to have any other job easily. My son is abroad and I'm living alone. I won't be able to survive if you fire me!" She then added, "Just because she is a member of the aristocracy, does not mean that she should be able to ruin the life of the working class in a snap of a finger!"
"Mrs Anne, please. The aristocracy is the monarch of the world: the rich reign and others surrender," Mr Deloyal stated.
As Eva looked back at her past deed, she felt pity for her own immaturity.
A disquieting aura seized the atmosphere as Eva entered Mrs Anne's residence. Although she knew that her intention was to get the saleswoman sacked, Eva had not actually been aware of the success of her plot until now. Mrs Anne had really been fired.
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