Rise of the Billionaire actress

“You got the job! You got it! I knew you had it in you.” Doris called in excitement and Deloise couldn’t help the smile that blossomed on her face.

“Really?! That’s awesome news!” She replied with as much enthusiasm. “Wait- since I’ve been selected, when does the filming start? I’m still quite occupied with the shooting. Do you think I’d make it in time to prepare?”

The overthinking Deloise managed to make an appearance and Doris rolled her eyes.

“Calm your tits down, the shooting is not until the movie premier. You have all the time in the world.” She assured her. “For now, get prepared. I’ll be with you shortly. We have to take some shots for the media.”

“Alright.”

Deloise dropped the phone and made her way towards the closet, searching for something decent. In no time, she was on her way with Doris, headed for a photo-shoot.

The shoot went by without problems and soon, they were headed out, satisfied with how the pictures came out. They entered the car and Doris spoke first.

“I forgot to tell you. You finally have your first paid appearance. It’s happening next week.” She informed her with a smile.

” Really? What is the occasion? Where will it be?”

Deloise felt excited, curious and nervous. A lot of feelings coursed through her veins at an intense speed, she figured that was normal with the sort of life she was given to lead.

“It’s a company occasion. At Chicago.”

Every prior feeling she had vanished. All that was left was a sinking feeling of hollowness and dread. She couldn’t do an appearance there. She couldn’t go back there.

“Cancel it. I can’t go there.” She said and Doris did a double take.

“You don’t get to do that. Besides, like I said, it’s a paid appearance and the management decided it was an event fit for you to attend.” Deloise countenance grew poor at the implications of her words, “Don’t be discouraged. It’s going to be a fun experience.” Doris said with an encouraging smile.

Deloise wasn’t having it. “Don’t you think we can still do something? Think about it, it’s a whole new city. Can’t we decline this once?” she begged at this point.

“I’m sorry you don’t like it. But there’s nothing I can do.” She stated to her devastation, “There are some things we don’t have control over, and this is one of those things. This isn’t an offer, it’s an instruction; and it’s way too early to be picky.”

*****

Deloise went into anxiety after the conversation with Doris. She couldn’t shake off the feeling of dread as the days drew near. So much that she felt her game drop in acting due to her perceived lack of concentration.

Like every other work day, Deloise was at the shooting scene. Waiting out the time till she had to go on. The ringing of her phone jolted her from the thoughts that distracted her.

“Amanda.” She said with a lot less excitement than usual.

“Hey girl! Fix your tone or I might think you are getting tired of me.” Amanda was quick to call her out, “What’s up with you?”

Deloise sighed, “I’m so sorry babes, I’ve just had a lot going on and…” she breathes, “It has nothing to do with you.”

“Does it happen to have something to do with a certain Aaron?” she asked in a sing-song voice, and Deloise’s eyes widened.

“Oh my goodness!” Deloise whisper-yelled. “How did you know about that?”

“You’re famous hunny.” She stated off-handedly, “The question should be, when were you planning on telling me about him?”

“Never. Because it’s not what it seems like.” Deloise looked around, careful not to let anyone hear her, “I’m at a shoot right now. I have to go.”

“Oh no you don’t. You are yet to give me some much needed information about the pretty boy.” She whined.

“I told you already, there is no such thing.” Deloise stressed, “I’ll talk to you later. I need to go now.”

“Wait!” Amanda piped and Deloise was running out of patience. “What does he smell like?”

That did it. She ended the call and dropped her phone with a huff.

She wasn’t going to hear the end of this now. Her anxiety rose a notch at the thought of just how far and fast news spreads. During her little moment, she failed to take cognisance of the fact she wasn’t alone.

“Who am I to you then?” Aaron approached her space, right in the eyes of the people preparing for their next shot.

Caught in the heart, she turned around. “Did you eavesdrop on me?”

“What do you think?” He drew dangerously close to her. “Tell me plainly, did I hear you correctly? Who am I to you?”

“I-I… W-What are you trying to do?” She stuttered, eyes flickering between him and their forming audience.

“You are yet to answer me, firecracker.” Her eyes drew in recognition. It’s been a while since he addressed her via that nickname. Apparently, someone missed it. “Did I just hear you deny me?”

“Aaron… we’re in public.” She reminded him, shuffling uncomfortably on her seat.

“And?”

Her eyes drew to a close as he was mere inches from her face.

“You’re yet to answer me, Deloise.” Aaron called in a teasing tone.

Her eyes flickered open in aggravation, “I don’t-”

This time around, she was cut short by a kiss. Yes, he actually connected lips with her. Watching eyes widened at their display and cheers/coos were heard.

That distracted Deloise but she was way too occupied to do anything about it. After one hell of a kiss, Aaron drew back with a satisfied smile.

“It’s officially our first day as a couple.” He whispered, “So stop hiding our relationship.” He tuts and makes a mess of her hair.

Deloise watched him walk away while in a haze. Safe to say the rumours intensified at Royal Arts and beyond. She was officially Aaron Steele’s girl. Or something like that.

******

“It’s been so long, man. Almost feels like you disappeared off the face of the earth.” Elvis struck a conversation with Daniel as they waited on their order.

“You’re the one who runs a company, I’ve just been waiting for a spot to open up in your schedule.” Daniel retorts and he almost spits out his water.

“Asif! You’re the hotshot with a busy schedule. I honestly can’t keep up with your appearances these days.”

“That’s funny, seeing I’ve been in the city for the past week.”

His friend’s jaws dropped at his words.

“What? Do you have a shoot here or something?”

“It’s something more important than that.” Daniel gave him the look. “You know that.”

His brows narrowed in thought. “I don’t get it…” he muttered before a light bulb went off his head. “You’re lying.” He said, refusing to believe.

Daniel couldn’t help the shit-eating grin that made its way to his face. “Do I look like I’m lying?”

“Oh my goodness! You found her?!” Elvis felt bewildered. “How on earth did you manage that?”

“I’d loved to say I have my ways but that would be a lie.” He started, “I didn’t have to do the searching because she appeared before me. God sent her my way after so long.”

Daniel proceeded to recount how he met Esther to a more than willing Elvis.

“She’s been underneath your nose this whole time!” Elvis heard the accusation in his friend’s tone.

“Hey, It’s a big city, you know? And I sort of have a company and family to run.” He defended, “Maybe you were destined to find her yourself, and get your happy ending.”Content from NôvelDr(a)ma.Org.

“I wish… She’s been a tough nut to crack.” Daniel sported a faraway look. “I’m getting there though. It’s just a matter of time before I get in.”

Elvis sat up, “What’s there to crack? Unless she is genuinely uninterested in you, has a significant other, or changed her sexual orientation, I don’t see why she wouldn’t take you with both arms.”

His words rubbed Daniel off the wrong way, “What are you getting at?”

“Do I need to spell it out? No one in their right mind would reject a world star except there’s something fishy going on.”

“Now that’s where you’re wrong.” Daniel defended, “Esther has never been moved by material things. Not then and definitely not now.”

“There’s no such thing. With everything that you’ve said, it’s clear she isn’t that person. But then, I can’t really tell..” He shrugged.

“Yeah. I have this thing planned where I made her the caterer. I want you to spearhead the preparations.”

“It’s just the beginning and you’re already playing games? She must be a tough one.” Elvis shook his head in amusement.

“Shut up and do as I say.” Daniel was aggravated, causing a full blown laughter from Elvis,

“Whatever. What’s the time frame of this event?”

“One week.”

Elvis did a double take. “One week?!” he asked incredulously.

“I don’t have much time, so get it done already.”