The night's wind was cold. Blowing gently into the air and washing its cold breath against the unlucky souls of the night. Adeline stood just outside her room, on her bedroom balcony, gazing at the stars. She had her bright red robe tied tightly to her body. The feeling of arms wrapping themselves against her waist instantly brought her out of her deep thoughts. She slightly turned her head towards the man behind her. Smiling gently as she smelled his Bourbon and Oak cologne.
"What are you up to?" He asked in a raspy voice, a tone deep with tiredness. He must've woken up feeling cold air, after all Adeline kept the balcony doors open. "I couldn't sleep and needed some fresh air. Plus I'm hungry but I was too lazy to go downstairs," Adeline replied, and he laughed.
She laughed when she heard him say, "I'm surprised that you've made it so successful with how lazy you are." It was true none the less but quite ironic. A frown graced her tanned skin when the arms gently released their embrace. "Where are you going?" She asked curiously, saddened by his sudden departure. A small grin graced his lips as he turned slightly from the open bedroom door. "I need to prepare something for my wife to eat."
Adeline grinned and watched his half-naked figure walk out of the room. She sighed and watched the stars in the sky. It was only after about thirty when she started to get confused and worried and headed down towards the kitchen. It surprised her when she saw no one in the kitchen, only a lone pot of ramen on the counter near the stove.
"Eli?" she asked worriedly. With an eyebrow raised, she rounded herself around the corner and headed towards the living room. She immediately stopped once she saw the scene in front of her, her mouth parting to form the most startling scream she had ever heard herself do. Stumbling slightly from shock as her hands covered her mouth. Her body trembled and in fright. It took a few seconds for her mind to actually comprehend what was actually happening. However, it only took a few seconds for her to be on the ground next to Eli.
Her hands trembled as they reached towards him. Eli's body was sprawled across the living room floor, soaked in his own blood with a knife displayed directly in his chest. Tears flowed through her eyes, clouding her vision and her hands slowly removed the knife from his chest. Leaning over his body and crying in despair. A waterfall of 'no's', 'who did this', and sorrows 'please don't leave me' escaped from her lips as she rocked his body back and forth.
Her mind was so occupied that she didn't even bother to think about whether the intruder was still here or not and frankly, she didn't care. It was only after the sound of her front door breaking that Adeline was able to break out of her moment. The sound of police sirens finally reached her ears and her head shot up when the living room was surrounded by police men. All pointing their guns at Adeline and shouting words she could barely hear. Not over the sound of her heart pounding against her chest. Finally, she could get revenge for her husband.
"Adeline Dubai, you're under arrest for killing your husband, Elihja Hudson" Adeline's heart immediately stopped. "What?" whispered from her lips. She stared up at the man in front of her in confusion and hatred. "You've got it all wrong. Why would I kill my husband? You have to find the killer!" Adeline demanded. Heavy tears streamed down her face and the man in front of her stared at her with disdain.
"Ma'am, we've gotten a report from one of your house servants that you've stabbed your husband to death and with the evidence right in front of us…" The man stated and Adeline looked towards the house servant who stood some distance away from the scene, her face neutral and her eyes full of hatred.
Despite her rough shaking head, sobs continued to seep from her mouth. "No, no." That's not what happened. I didn't kill him, I loved him and I would never-" She spoke as her hands dropped the knife and grabbed her head in a fit of rage. The police glanced at each other before signaling to cuff Adeline. Once they did, they roughly grabbed her and took her to the police car.
In an almost unbelievable sight, neighbors and reporters gathered outside the house. Waiting for something to end someone's career and enhance theirs. And when Adeline finally came outside, they became wild. As if seeing someone cuffed and heading to jail was so interesting. And it was. Especially if the one cuffed and being sent to jail was Adeline Dubai. One of the top celebrities in the country.
And like the seasons, Adeline was trialed and sentenced to prison for twenty years.
*
It only took a few days before she was seated in front of her lawyer, a man she trusted with her life. It had been rough ever since she stepped foot into prison and she wanted nothing more than to get out and head towards her house. Away from unhinged prison mates and media prying eyes. She felt like prey in the Sahara desert.
"Don't worry Adeline, we're trying to get you out of here as fast as we can. Just sit back and hold tight" Justin, Adeline's trusted lawyer stated as he held both of her hands tightly and Adeline couldn't help but sigh in relief. She was thankful for the man in front of her and would do anything to express her thanks to him.
"Thanks Justin, you don't know how much this means to me. I've been so stressed about this whole thing and I'm sorry you had to work so hard." Adeline said, tears forming in the corner of her eyes. His only response was a smile, and he reached over and dried her tears. "It's nothing. After all, I'm just doing my job." He started before pulling a bottle from his coat pocket and handing it to Adeline. Seeing her confused face he explained, "It's for headaches and stress. Take two of these and you'll sleep for the rest of your life."
Adeline laughed lightly and popped two in her mouth. "Thanks Justin, without you, I would probably be dead." After their conversation, Adeline was finally taken back to her cell. It only took a few minutes before she crashed down in her bed and instantly fell asleep.
*
The light sound of beeping was the only thing that could wake her up from her deep slumber. Feeling energized and refreshed, Adeline opened her eyes, sat up and stretched. She was startled to find herself not in a prison cell but in a hospital bed.
Her eyes scanned the room carefully and stopped when they landed on a man. He seemed deep asleep and restless. His feet hung over the small hospital couch and his head used his arms as a pillow. Adeline stared at him in confusion, wondering why there was a random man sleeping in her hospital room. It was more confusing why she was in a hospital room.
"Excuse me," she said. Her voice was light and sweet. Unlike the strong and vocal voice she was used to hearing, how long did she sleep for? Although soft, her voice stirred the man on the couch to respond. His green eyes immediately looked towards Adeline on the bed.
He seemed shocked for a few seconds before standing up and walking towards the hospital bed. "Amelia, you're finally away. I thought you were dead for good this time!" The man spoke with eager worry and she couldn't help but be shocked by how smooth his voice was. She stared intently at the man with judging eyes. His light green eyes complemented his dark brown hair well. His jaw was strong and his nose sharp, he was tall and lean and seemed to be a man any girl would easily fall for.
"Who are you?" Adeline asked and the man looked at her confused. "What do you mean by who I am? Amelia, you already know who I am. We've been working together for three years." The man said deadpan. Adeline raised her eyebrows and looked at the man from head to toe. "I would know if we worked together or not, I've never seen you in all twenty four years of being an actress." Adeline stated.
The man stood in silence, his eyes blinking before raising his right eyebrow at Adeline. "What the hell are you talking about? Amelia, this isn't the time to act like this." The man began. "Why do you keep calling me Amelia? My name isn't Amelia, it's Adeline Marice Dubai. Thirty six, married and a world famous celebrity." Adeline declared in a serious tone and there was a moment of silence before the room was filled with laughter.
The man in front of her tipped his head back in laughter, occasionally wiping his eyes full of tears. He then calmed down and shook his head. "Now that was a performance. How come you didn't do that eleven hours ago? "Honestly, if I didn't know, you could have fooled me." The man said, still laughing here and there and quickly stopping when he looked up to see Adeline's serious, murderous face.
"Oh…you're serious?" He asked in disbelief and Adeline tilted her head. "Why would I lie about something as useless as that? It's obvious that you can look it up. I mean who in their right mind hasn't heard of me?" Adeline asked, to whom it was true. Especially after what had just happened. It was obvious her face and name were all over the media right now. However her world seemed to stop when a phone was suddenly placed in front of her face. The screen displayed a search bar, "Adeline Dubai". Adeline's eyes traveled down until they stopped after a few words, her eyes wide in disbelief. "Search not found". It was unbelievable. There was no way her face and name would disappear like that.
"Unbelievable…type in Eli Hudson immediately." she demanded and the man did exactly what she wanted only to come up with the same conclusion. Adeline was lost for words. How was this possible? Having seen her confusion and despair, the man turned towards his camera and flipped it. "Amelia, is this you?"
Adeline was shocked, an understatement. Her hand slowly cupped her face. Instead of tanned skin, she had milky white skin. Her hair was long, silky and deep black. Her eyes shifted from a dark brown deep set to a light gray mono lid shape. Her fingernails were not painted, but instead, were in their natural state. Instead of her round nose, it was long and sharp. Her lips were full and round. Her face looked thin and not like her round and healthy brown face.
"Who-who the hell is this?"