Chapter Three
>THE PUBLIC HUMILIATION
...The Vitale Mansion
Muse adjusted the microphone that was pinned to her dress. She was at a television set.
The studio assistant was giving instructions in the background but she did not care.
Things had been tense since the chaos and her family did not trust her.
Now she had to endure a joint appearance with Colleen on a popular show to raise their company's image.
She took a deep breath, forced a smile as went to sit beside Colleen in the recording room.
Colleen sat beside Muse in a white dress.
She smiled triumphantly and hoped that her plans would go well.
They were alone in the quiet room.
The sound of chatter came from outside as they prepared to go live.
"Don't be nervous," Colleen said. Muse stared ahead.
"I did not come here to chat with you." Colleen giggled, the sound irritating Muse.
"That is unfortunate, coming from a desperate nobody trying to hold onto what does not belong to her."
Muse glared at her, gritting her teeth. "Do not push me Colleen." But Colleen leaned in closer and said in a venomous whisper.
"Reed thinks you are also pathetic."
"Shut it!" Muse snapped, standing to her feet and staring down at Colleen.
"You are just a nameless hungry little beggar who deserves crumbs!" Muse's vision blurred from tears of fury.
Her hands flew through the air and landed on Colleen's cheek.
Colleen's face fell to the side, a smile forming as her skin stung from the impact.
"How dare you?" She smirked in amusement. Muse hit her again and again, the sound echoing in the empty studio.
The smirk on her face vexed Muse, her anger boiling over.
"You deserve every bit of this!" Muse spat in a shaky voice.
"We are live! Cut the feed, now!" The producers voice boomed in the room.
Muse realized in horror why Colleen had been smirking.
Muse's stomach sank to her feet as she noticed a blinking red light on one of the cameras.
The cameras were supposed to be off, had she turned it on, provoked her on purpose?
The damage was done.
"Thank you for the evidence Muse," she said standing to her feet and walking out of the recording room.
Her heart was beat erratically as Colleen's triumphant expression burned into her memory. Muse had no idea that the footage would be spreading in no time.
When Muse returned home, the scandal was trending on social media was with captivating headlines.
She met her mother who was waiting in the luxurious living room with a cold expression on her face.
"What have you done Muse?" Her mother screamed as she flashed her phone scream in Muse's face.
Muse's throat tightened as she read the words out loud.
THE FAKE DAUGHTER OF THE VITALE FAMILY ATTACKS NEWLY RETURNED BIOLOGICAL DAUGHTER ON LIVE TV.
"I- she provoked me."
Her mother sighed in disappointment, annoyed.
"There is no excuse for this sort of character Muse! You are an embarrassment to this family."
"She started it first!" Her mother's palms met her face.
Muse could see nothing as everything went dark.
Pain shot through her.
"You have no fucking right! Stop trying to paint Colleen as evil!"
"But she is evil!" Muse's voice cracked. "Why can you not see that?"
"Enough Muse! I am fed up of your antics, one more incident like this and I will throw you in the streets. You had better start learning to be thankful for my gratitude."
"Yes, mother." Muse swallowed the lump in her throat and turned away, going to her room.
Colleen appeared at the top of the stairs with a smug expression on her face.
Her cheeks were red and swollen from Muse's slap.
"Thank you for the concert," she mocked. "The whole world thinks that you are a lunatic."
Muse gritted her teeth with rage. "Let me be Colleen. Get out of my way."
Colleen grinned broadly.
"Why should I do that when it's fun? Do you even really deserve such -Lunatic!"
Muse saw red, reaching for Colleen in vexation.
Her fingers grazed the fabric of her gown before Colleen tumbled down the stairs with a loud piercing scream.
Her body hit each of the step with a sickening thuds as the entire family rushed in.
Her mother screamed in panic and horror, the sound echoing throughout the house.
"Colleen!" Muse stood frozen with genuine surprise. Her brothers glared at her with angry eyes.
"I did not push her!" she defended instantly.
"Do you expect us to believe that?" Michael bellowed before her knelt beside Colleen, who lay moaning on the floor.
"Call an ambulance!" their mother screamed.
Chaos unfolded as they fussed over Colleen and took her to the hospital.
Hours later, Muse was bundled up against her will and taken to the psychiatrist hospital for tests and observation.
The place was cold and noisy, the walls white in colour. She had been detained at her family's insistence that she was unstable.
Muse tried to tell the truth, that Colleen had orchestrated everything.
But it was used against her.
That night as she rolled restlessly on her bed, a shadowy figure entered into her room.
She stilled as metal glistened in their hands.
It was a knife.
Her life was obviously in danger.
The figure came nearer and her instincts kicked in.
She grabbed the metal tray on the bedside table and swung it at the intruder with all her strength.
The knife bounced to the floor with a clang as the figure stumbled backwards.
She seized the opportunity to escape.
She ran down the winding corridor bare footed, fueled by adrenaline.
She emerged from the emergency exit and continued to run.
The night breeze was chilly against her skin as she navigated the hospital terrain.
She arrived at the main road and flagged a taxi.
She quickly hopped into the taxi and as it pulled away, she saw her chasing assailant halt, kicking into the air frustratedly.
She was exhausted when she arrived at the Vitale mansion in her hospital gown.
The gate man helped her to pay the cab fare. She ran into the house screaming for her mother.
Her mother stepped out of her room, emerging at the top of the stairs.
Muse stilled mid stair. "Why are you yelling at midnight? How are you even here? You should be at the mental hospital," she pointed out.
"I need to speak with you," she in a hoarse voice.
Her mother folded her arms. "What is it now Muse?"
"Someone tried to kill me at the hospital." Her voice was shaking. "I know that it is Colleen's work. Mother, she is dangerous."
"Do you hear yourself? You sound insane," her mother snapped at her in an angry tone.
"It is the truth!" Muse pleaded. "You have to believe me."
"So you ever get tired of spewing nonsense from your mouth!" She demanded. "Infact, I will call the metal hospital. They will come and take you away in the morning."
Muse hurried to her mother's feet, holding tightly unto her ankles. "No, mother please," she begged. "I promise, I will change. Please," she begged as she wept. "Please, just give me another chance."
Her mother sighed. "Fine. But this is your last chance. The moment you throw another tantrum you will be out on the streets."
"Mother," she whispered.
"Am I understood?" she asked with a cold gaze. Muse's shoulders sagged as she nodded reluctantly. Her mother turned and walked away.
Muse clenched her hands into fists. If her family refused to see the truth, she would gather enough evidence to expose Colleen and protect them from the evil lurking within their home.
She would not go down without a fight.