Troublemaker

by Heather Beck

  “Excuse me, can I get through?” Tessa said to the people in front of her. When they didn’t respond, she raised her voice. “Excuse me, my mother is in charge of this event, you know.” Still, it did no good.

  “You’ll have to wait like everyone else, honey,” Mitchell said.

  Tessa let out an irritated sigh.

  Little by little, they got closer to the front of the crowd. Ava stood on her tiptoes, hoping to sneak a peek, but the family in front of her were so tall that she couldn’t see past their shoulders. Finally, they moved away, and when her eyes fell upon the exhibit that everyone was talking about, she did a double take, letting out a soft gasp.

  “Oh my gosh,” Tessa muttered. “Is that who I think it is?”

  Ava nodded, not able to find the right words because there, in the middle of the artist’s exhibit, was a large portrait of her as a mermaid. Drawn in ink and watercolor, it showed Ava, more beautiful than ever, with flowing golden blonde hair and a lilac tail, swimming in a blue-green sea, two dolphins by her side. Surrounding the portrait were other works of art, all the pieces featuring the sea and the creatures in it, all of them very familiar. Even though he hadn’t been on the list, this was Javier’s exhibit.

  Mitchell looked at the portrait and then at Ava. “I don’t get it,” he said. “Did you model for this?”

  “Not exactly.”

  His eyebrows knitted. “What do you mean not exactly?”

  Ava looked around, noticing that people were starting to stare at her. They obviously recognized her as the mermaid in the painting, Javier having captured every detail of her face perfectly. “I...I need to get some fresh air,” Ava said.

  “Do you want me to come with you?” Tessa asked.

  “No, I need a minute to myself.”

  “Will someone tell me what’s going on?” Mitchell demanded.

  Tessa looked at Ava. “You go,” she said, “and I’ll explain things to Dad, if that’s okay with you.”

  Ava nodded, mouthing, thanks before hurrying away from Javier’s exhibit. She made her way through the building and then out the back door. Stepping onto the outdoor patio, she was met by the live music of an indie Mexican band, guests listening while they drank mocktails, some even dancing. It wasn’t quiet or private, so Ava kept going until she reached the beach.

  It was a perfect night, the air warm, the breeze cool, the stars twinkling overhead, and the sound of the waves gentle as they ebbed and flowed, but still, Ava couldn’t find any solace in the beauty of her surroundings. Her mind felt scattered, her emotions all over the place, and it was all because of Javier. Painting that portrait was one of the most beautiful things anyone had ever done for her, like each stroke of his pen and brush had captured not only her physical self but her essence, too.

  Why couldn’t we have met under different circumstances? Ava thought with a frown, feeling torn. Maybe then I wouldn’t have to lie to you. Maybe you wouldn’t have lied to me.

  The sound of footsteps approaching startled Ava out of her thoughts. She turned to her right to see someone walking along the beach, appearing like a shadowy figure until he drew closer. Her heart started to race, not because she was scared, but because she recognized who it was.

  “Hi,” Javier said, coming to a stop in front of her. At the angle he stood, the moonlight hit his chiseled face perfectly, revealing that he looked as nervous as Ava felt.

  “Hi,” she said softly. “What are you doing out here?”

  “I needed a break from the crowd, so I went for a walk. I was just coming back when I saw you standing there. Is everything okay?”

  “Yeah. I needed a break from the crowd, too.” She paused. “So, you’re here. You decided to exhibit your work. I’m glad.”

  “Thanks. It was a last-minute decision. So last minute that I didn’t have time to be included in the pamphlet.”

  “I noticed.”

  Javier arched an eyebrow, almost playful. “You were looking for me?”

  “Of course I was. Your work is too good not to be shared.”

  “Oh.” He looked disappointed by her answer.

  “And I’m not the only one who thinks that,” she continued. “Your art is really making a...splash.” She looked away as she said the last word, not sure how else to approach the subject.

  “I take it you’ve seen it. All of it.”

  Ava nodded. “The portrait is amazing, Javier.”

  “You really think so? I was afraid you’d be mad.”

  “Mad? How could I ever be mad at you for that?”

  Javier shrugged. “I didn’t mean to cross any lines with it, but that day we went snorkeling, you looked so perfect, so at one with the sea that it inspired me. I know a lot happened that day – and the days following it, too – but every night since then, I’ve been drawing and painting, not stopping until it was done.” He laughed awkwardly. “I guess I should thank you for getting me painting again, for helping me create that final piece Rowan kept going on about.”

  “Your masterpiece.”

  “Probably only to me.”

  “No, not only to you.”

  A silence came over them, and even though there was so much Ava wanted to say to him, she knew she couldn’t. So, she kept her mouth shut and tried to ignore the strong feelings that he stirred in her. He was like a magnet drawing her closer, but she knew she had to resist his pull.

  “There’s something I have to say,” Javier said, breaking the silence. “I’m not sure you want to hear it, but I can’t keep it in any longer. I miss you, Ava. I miss you like crazy.”

  Ava felt her heart break. “Javier, I don’t know what you want me to say.”

  “Say you’ll be with me. I know you don’t think we’ll last because you might be going home soon, but I really don’t think that should stop us from being together now.” He reached for her hand, intertwining their fingers. “I’ve loved every second I’ve spent with you – good or bad – because we were together. Even when you leave, I want to make it work. I’ll visit you in California, or I’ll pay for your flights here. Whatever it takes because I’m not ready to give up on you, not even close.”

  Ava opened her mouth to speak, not sure what she was going to say when someone coughed behind them, trying to get their attention. Ava pulled her hand out of Javier’s grasp and turned around to see a thin woman who was very fashionably dressed, her dark brown hair styled in a flattering pixie cut. Ava had been so engrossed in her conversation with Javier that she hadn’t heard her approach.

  “Excuse me,” the woman said. “I’m sorry to interrupt, but are you Javier de la Cruz?” She looked directly at him.

  “Yeah, but this really isn’t a good...”

  “Wonderful,” the woman said, clearly not one to be dissuaded. “My name’s Ashleigh, and I buy art on behalf of some very wealthy clients. There’s one client in particular, a young self-made millionaire, who’s looking for original paintings by up-and-coming artists, and your work is exactly his style. Do you have a few minutes to talk?”

  “We’re actually in the middle of something,” Javier said.

  “Oh.” Ashleigh looked surprised. “Well, I promise I won’t take up too much of your time. I was hoping we could talk numbers.”

  “It’s fine,” Ava said. “You two should talk.”

  Javier shook his head. “Ava, I really think we should...”

  Ava interrupted him as she turned to Ashleigh. “I would offer him a good price if I were you,” she said. “There are a lot of buyers interested in his work.” Without another word, without even saying goodbye, she hurried over the sand and back toward the building. She wanted to put as much distance as possible between her and Javier because she had come dangerously close to falling right back into his warm, outstretched arms.

  As soon as Ava stepped back inside the building, she noticed that it was busier and louder than before. This is more like a party than an art show, she thought, walking through the crowd, trying to find her dad and s
ister. It’s too bad that partying is the last thing I feel like doing right now.

  “Ava, over here!” Tessa called, spotting Ava first as she gave her a little wave. Ava made her way to where Tessa stood, near a small stage with their mom and dad.

  “Honey, there you are,” Isabelle said, hugging Ava once she’d reached their side. “How are you?” She spoke gently, like she knew Ava had seen Javier’s exhibit, or more specifically, the mermaid portrait.

  “I’m fine,” Ava lied, not wanting to talk about it. “So, it looks like the event is a real hit, huh?”

  Isabelle nodded. “It’s amazing to see what all our hard work has accomplished. I’m just sorry I couldn’t find you girls earlier. It would’ve been nice to see the exhibits together, but Rowan has been keeping me so busy.”

  At the mention of Rowan’s name, Mitchell’s face fell, and immediately, Isabelle looked like she regretted her words.

  “Speak of the devil,” Mitchell muttered as Rowan weaved his way through the crowd and then stepped onto the stage, taking the microphone that had been set up. The microphone let out a screech as he turned it on, causing the crowd to become quiet and stare at him.

  “Now that I have your attention...” Rowan joked.

  The crowd laughed. Mitchell sneered.

  “I want to thank you all for coming out tonight and supporting Corazón de Artista’s first annual art show,” Rowan continued. “The turnout has exceeded our wildest imagination, and the feedback we’ve been hearing about our clients’ work...well, it means more than you know to our hardworking artists and our organization as a whole. It takes a lot of planning and manpower to put an event like this together, and I thank everyone, from our artists to our volunteers to our sponsors, who have made tonight possible. I want to bring attention to one person in particular, someone who has given her time, her effort, her all to our cause. She is truly a wonderful woman, and without her, I would be lost, professionally and personally. Isabelle, will you come up here?”

  Oh my gawd, Ava thought, casting a worried glance at her dad, whose face was bright red with anger.

  Isabelle made her way up to the stage, where she was met with applause from the audience and a hug from Rowan. She smiled politely, but it was clear that she was a little embarrassed – either by the attention or Rowan’s praise, Ava couldn’t be sure.

  “Once again, thank you for supporting Corazón de Artista,” Rowan said, “an organization that strives to give artists the opportunity to create beautiful works of art where the opportunity might otherwise not exist.”

  As Rowan finished his speech, the crowd clapped again and then went back to chatting among themselves and browsing the art. Rowan and Isabelle left the stage, his hand on the small of her back, and together they joined Ava, Tessa, and Mitchell.

  “Hi, girls. Mitchell,” Rowan greeted them.

  “Hi,” Ava and Tessa mumbled, feeling awkward.

  “I’m so glad you all came,” Rowan said. “Are you having a good time?”

  “Cut the bullshit,” Mitchell spat out. “I know exactly what you were trying to pull with that little speech of yours.”

  Rowan blinked, looking unfazed. “Sorry, I don’t know what you mean.”

  “Yeah, I think you do, but just so we’re clear, my wife can see past your cheap praise. She’d never fall for a guy like you.”

  Rowan slipped his arm around Isabelle’s waist. “Is that so?”

  “Stop it, both of you.” Isabelle pulled away from Rowan, but it was too late. The damage had already been done. Mitchell let out an angry grunt and punched Rowan in the face, causing him to stumble backward and fall to the floor. “Mitch, what’s wrong with you!” Isabelle said so loudly that people stopped talking to stare. She cast her husband the dirtiest look Ava had ever seen and then bent down next to Rowan, making sure he was okay.

  “I’m...I’m sorry,” Mitchell said, as if the reality of what he’d done had just sunk in.

  “I should hope so,” Isabelle snapped at Mitchell, never taking her eyes off Rowan as she helped him up. “Are you hurt?” she asked Rowan, her tone full of concern.

  “I’ll be fine,” Rowan said, his left eye already turning a deep shade of red. He put on a brave face for Isabelle, but when he looked at Mitchell, he winced and gritted his teeth.

  “I think you should go, Mitch,” Isabelle said.

  “What?” He looked gobsmacked. “Isabelle, come on. He provoked me with that speech. Why can’t you see that?”

  Isabelle looked away and said nothing.

  “Fine. Have it your way. I’m gone.” Mitchell gave Rowan one last dirty look, then turned around and walked away.

  “Are you really going to let him go?” Tessa asked her mom. Both she and Ava had been shocked to see the scene unfold, but they’d known better than to get involved – until now.

  “He needs to learn that he can’t go around hitting people.” Isabelle’s tone was firm, but in her eyes, Ava could see that she was a little torn.

  “But he’s our dad,” Tessa said. “Rowan’s nothing to us.”

  “Tessa!” Isabelle exclaimed. “I want you to apologize to Rowan right now.”

  In response, Tessa looked away, defiant.

  “Can we not do this here?” Ava said, looking around to see that people were still staring. She turned to her sister. “Let’s go find Dad, okay, Tess?” She didn’t wait for an answer as she pulled her in the direction their dad had went. It wasn’t just the prying eyes that she wanted to get away from, it was the whole situation, because if tonight was any indicator, it was clear that Rowan wasn’t just nothing to their mom.

  “This is so messed up,” Tessa muttered, probably thinking the same thing as Ava. “Hey, look, there’s Dad.” She pointed across the room, toward the exit. Hurrying, they caught up to him just as he was about to leave.

  “Dad, wait,” Ava said. “Please don’t go like this.”

  He turned to her, giving her a weak smile. “Your mom is right. I should go. Punching the host probably takes me off the guest list, anyway.” He laughed, even though it was clear he found none of this funny.

  “I’ll come with you,” Ava offered.

  Mitchell shook his head. “You girls should stay and try to enjoy yourselves. You’ve put a lot of hard work into this event, too. I’ll get a taxi back to my hotel. We’ll talk tomorrow, okay?”

  Ava and Tessa nodded and then said goodbye, watching as their dad walked out through the door, disappearing into the night.

  “Dad’s right. We should try to enjoy the rest of our night,” Tessa said. “Do you want to head out to the patio and check out the band?”

  “Sorry, Tess, but I don’t feel like it. After all the drama that went down tonight, I’m mentally exhausted. I just want to go home.”

  “Do you need me to come with you?” Tessa asked, even though the expression on her face made it clear that she didn’t want to go.

  Ava hesitated, not really comfortable with leaving her sister here by herself. She didn’t want to completely ruin her night, though, and besides, Ava felt like being alone. “No, it’s okay,” she finally said. “You stay. I’ll come back to pick you up once you’re ready to leave.”

  “That’s okay. I can get a ride with Mom.”

  “Are you sure?”

  Tessa nodded. “I want to talk to her, anyway. I guess I was kind of rude back there.”

  “Well, stay out of trouble, okay? No going off with a guy or anything like that.”

  “Yes, Mom,” Tessa teased, giving Ava a quick hug and then hurrying away, disappearing into the crowd.

  Looking forward to going home, taking a shower, and getting into her cozy bed, Ava left the building and headed toward the parking lot. A few lampposts and the moon and stars lit the otherwise dark lot, and although there wasn’t one empty space, it was quiet, not a soul in sight. She found it peaceful, glad for a moment of silence.

  Ava was almost at her car when she heard a noise that made her stop in her tracks. I
t sounded like someone had closed a car door, doing it slowly and softly, as if trying to be as discreet as possible. She turned around and scanned the area, catching a glimpse of what looked like a shadowy figure ducking behind a car. It happened so fast, though, that she couldn’t be sure.

  “Javier?” Ava called out uncertainly, her voice echoing around the parking lot. She waited tensely for a few seconds but got no reply.

  Creeped out, with the eerie feeling that someone was watching her and didn’t want her to know it, Ava ran to her car. She pulled out her key and had just unlocked the door when someone grabbed her from behind, covering her nose and mouth with a slightly damp cloth that had a strong chemical smell. Ava tried to hit and kick her attacker, struggling in his grasp, but he wouldn’t let go. She tried to scream, desperate to call for help, but all that came out was a muffled moan, hardly audible beneath the cloth and his strong hand.

  As Ava kept on fighting, refusing to give up, she felt herself growing tired and weak. She fought against those feelings, too, but they got stronger, her eyes fluttering open and closed. Her body started to go limp, until she had no control over it, and then everything went black.

  * * *

  Chapter Eighteen

  Groggily, Ava started to wake up, her surroundings pitch black, her head pounding in sync with the Calypso beats coming from outside. Calypso beats? Why are there Calypso beats? she thought in a daze. It was a familiar sound, but she couldn’t place where she’d heard it before. Where am I?

  Slowly, it all came back to her – leaving Encantado en el Agua, the prickling sensation that she was being watched in the parking lot, and then being smothered, that awful chemical smell invading her lungs. Ava’s heart started to pound, harder than her head and louder than the Calypso beats, which were now disappearing in the distance. She was in a moving car, stuffed into such a small, dark, airless space that it could only be the trunk.

  She tried to move, hoping to find the trunk door, so she could open it and jump out, but her hands were tied together and so were her feet. The thin, coarse rope cut into her bare skin as she wriggled her hands and wrists, trying to slip out of the rope or force the knot undone, but it had been tied too tight, too secure.