Page 2 of Forbidden Desires

Mr. Monroe lowers his head sadly. "They didn't conduct one."

That brings me out of my daze. "Why?" I demand. If he’d been threatened, why wouldn’t his death be seen as suspicious?

"That, I don't know. But if it were my father, I'd be seeking answers."

As we leave Mr. Monroe's office, I wrap an arm around my sister. I know what I have to do. Stop being so fucking selfish. Seventeen years ago, I left, got the fuck out of this town, but now I have to come back for her. Save the business our father is sending into ruin so she has the legacy she deserves. I need to make up for his mistake. Whether it’s what I want or not.

Chapter 2

Gisele

“Ihave the perfect role for you.”My father’s words from dinner last night play on repeat as Moreen, my makeup artist, paints the final stages of my makeup on to my face.

She chats away happily about the latest dramas with her boyfriend. I smile and nod along, trying to focus on her words, but I’m not really here. “The script has just been finalized for a show I’ve been working on for years. This is hush-hush, we haven’t even hired the creative team yet,”my father had said.

I see that determined look in his eyes, the one I know means business. I’m going to have no choice but to take whatever this role is. Just like I had no choice but to take acting, dancing, and singing classes from the age of four so I could be molded into his perfect protégé.

I take after my mother, the great Susan Kelley. She was transcendent, the best actress this city has ever seen. She and my father met when he was producing one of her shows, and they had an illicit affair that resulted in me. My mother was never quite the same after having me. She didn’t want the leading roles anymore. She wanted to be at home with her baby, but my father was relentless—until he realized he could turn his attention to me. My mother gladly faded into the background while I took center stage. It would be most little girls’ dreams come true, but it was never mine.

“You’re all done.” Moreen grins, checking out her handiwork. “You look more like your mother every day. But I guess you must hear that a lot around here,” she says while packing away her makeup case.

I glance at my mother’s photo on the wall beside me. She had a grace about her, a star quality that made everyone adore her. Long golden hair and piercing blue eyes. When she took the stage, the audience gushed in awe of her magnitude. I’ve heard the stories.

“Thank you,” I say, forcing a smile to my lips. I can play pretend; it’s what I’ve been doing for as long as I can remember.

“Break a leg tonight, sweetie. I’ll catch you at the afterparty.”

I offer a wave, my body running on autopilot. Before she shuts the door, our company choreographer and my best friend Cassie waltzes in, carrying an enormous glass vase of roses. Sickness fills my stomach. “Where do you want these?” Cassie asks cheerily.

With a shaky hand, I motion to the dressing table.

She places them down then moves in front of me, leaning against the dressing table as she hands me the card from the bouquet.

Last night as Satine. Perform your heart out, precious, make me proud. Next show, we will be working together. Dad

My heart pounds in my ears as the words on the card blur. For the last twenty-three years I have been who my father wanted me to be. Performed for him on cue. And I’m miserable. I don’t know who I am or who I want to be. All I know is if I have to take the stage again and pretend to be someone I’m not, I’m going to completely freak out. I stand in a rush, trying to stop the swirling thoughts now taking over.

“Gigi, are you okay?” Cassie’s hand comes to my shoulder as I pace back and forth.

“No,” I mutter, feeling like all the air has been sucked from my lungs, the corset of my costume tightening impossibly around my middle. “Get this thing off me,” I whisper, feeling like I’m going to pass out.

Her worried eyes meet mine. “You’re about to take the stage.”

“I can’t breathe, Cassie,” I cry. I don’t know what’s happening to me. I have worn this costume for months, and I’ve never had an issue before.

“Here, I’ll loosen it for you.” She comes around behind me, struggling with the ties of the bodice, eventually loosening it.

Leaning over, I place my hands on my knees, attempting to inhale deeply. I can’t do this. It's impossible for me to go back out there and pretend to be Gigi Kelley, the leading lady, when all I really want to do is run like hell in the opposite direction.

Her hand comes to my back. “In for three, out for three.” She rubs my back as I try to calm my breathing.

My head spins, and I take hold of the wall in front of me.

“I think you’re having a panic attack.” Cassie coaches me through it, helping me get my breathing under control. “You’re okay, Gigi, you’re safe here with me,” she tells me in a calming tone.

Eventually the fog clears, and I can see my shaky hands in front of me. I straighten up, my breathing more normal.

She takes my arms. “Is this about what happened last week with Dallas? Because fuck that jerk. After tonight you never have to see him again.”

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