Rise of the Billionaire actress

“Just this morning, Evolve Talent Management has put out a statement regarding their newest intake’s retirement from the movie industry. In a PR release, they expressed their surprise at her actions, citing how she has refused to retract her decision despite every effort, and as a result breaking the managerial contract signed with the company.”

“Hours after the Press conference, an emergency board meeting was called and they came to the conclusion that the now-retired actress would be made to pay a fine (undisclosed) for breaking the contract, and shall be added to the company’s blacklist, effective immediately…”

The television was turned off by Doris after the last statement, she watched Deloise stare into the blank screen, worrying at the state of her mind. “I’m sorry… I tried all I could to prevent this but-”

“How much am I required to pay?” Deloise asked, “What’s the fine?”

“There’s no fine. We settled that using your payments from the appearance at Chicago. What is your next move?” Doris asked, searching her eyes.

With her retirement from the movie industry and her name’s addition into the company’s blacklist, Doris worried there was nothing else on the line for Deloise. Everything was a big fat mess.

It was hard to tell what went on in Deloise’ head, “You realize you are no longer my manager, right?” She said with a wry smile, “Don’t feel burdened by me… I’ll sort myself out.”

Deloise got on her feet and Doris followed.

“Don’t do that. Manager or not, I care about you, and I want to know you are alright. Before anything else, we are friends, and nothing’s changed.” She pointed out.

A thousand thoughts ran through Deloise’ mind, there was only so much she could do, matter-of-fact, she knew what she wanted – she settled that even before the press conference. She wondered how Doris would react to her decision, but nevertheless, she was undeterred.

“I have to leave.” She watched Doris face contort into confusion, “I will be leaving the country.”

Doris didn’t expect that. “W-what?”

“I have nothing left here. Don’t try to convince me otherwise, because it won’t work. I need to find myself, if I remain here, I can’t do that.”

“What about your family? You’ve barely gotten to know Daniel..” Deloise flinched at her words, “If you leave..”

“I considered that. Staying back to know him, and see for myself what sort of person he is..” she paused, “In the end, I found out I was once again putting other people’s happiness ahead of mine. Placing other people’s welfare, emotions and sanity before my own. I am no longer the person I used to be… I don’t even know who I am anymore. It’s not fair to either of us because even if I stayed, I wouldn’t be giving him a chance, I’ll be torturing us both.”

“Deloise…”

“Don’t feel sorry for me. It was supposed to be like this, let’s not make things harder than it needs to be.” she said, “It’s enough.”

Doris nodded, blinking back tears, “You seem to have everything figured out. How do I help?”

“You don’t. Before the whole fiasco, I already applied to France. Interestingly, I got my reply last night. I guess I will be leaving sooner than later.”

Doris engulfed her in a hug, “I hope you find happiness..” she muttered and in that moment, Deloise let a traitor tear roll down her face.

“Me too.”

*****

“What do you mean?” Daniel’s tone was grave,

“This is business, regardless who she is to you, she broke the contract. It’s only natural we act accordingly.” The director of Evolve said over the phone, “Besides, she quit acting, I doubt it will make any difference to her.”

“That was a decision she made under tight circumstances,” he roared, “You knew the situation, you all did, and that was all you could come up with?”

“I don’t appreciate your telling me how to run my company, Daniel.” The director said, almost picking offense. “Like I said, this is business, there are set rules that guide our actions. If she didn’t deem it fit to consult us before declaring her retirement on live TV, why should we be considerate of her? Evolve has a prestige to uphold, to avoid such from repeating itself, we had to take measures. It’s nothing personal.”

“Have you considered how she will feel right now? With everything that’s going on, you couldn’t wait till everything’s boiled over?” Pain dripped from his words, “You open your mouth to say it’s nothing personal?”

“Seeing she will soon be leaving the country, it’s hard to say she’s as bummed as you are.”

Daniel did a double take, “Leaving?”

“You didn’t know?” He shook his head, “Apparently, you aren’t as close-”

“I asked a question.” Daniel interrupted with a hiss,

“She is leaving the country. That’s about the little I know,”

Daniel couldn’t believe his ears. He ended the call and immediately called Doris, praying there was a mix-up somewhere. She picked at the second ring.

“Hello?”

“Is it true?” He asked without skipping a beat.

“What?”

“Tell me it’s a lie, tell me she isn’t really leaving.”

Her breath caught, “I can’t.”

“I need to speak to her… where is she?”

*****

Deloise was in her getaway home when knocks came from the front door. Thinking it was Doris, she opened the door and was shell-shocked.

“Deloise…” Daniel breathed and after a moment, she got out of the way, letting him in.

They settled in the living room, seated opposite the other. The atmosphere felt strained.

“I’ll just- get you some water.” Deloise made to leave but he stopped her.

“Why? Why are you leaving?”

Her mouth curved in an- oh sound, ” You heard…”

“Stay. I’ll figure everything out. Just stay here, trust me, in no time, everything will be settled.” He promised.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

She shook her head, “I don’t want that. I need to go.”

“No. We can work around you getting back to work, no matter the problem, it’s fixable,” he pushed, “just… don’t leave.”

She saw the desperation, and the pain, but her mind was decided. She had nothing here. Staying wasn’t an option. She hoped he would in time understand that.

“I can’t-”

Just when she was speaking, another string of knocks came from the front door, her brows arched in wonder and she headed for the door.

“Mother?”

Esther closed the space between them and held her in a tight hug. “Please… Don’t leave.” she pleaded and Deloise stilled.

“Who told you?” she asked, although knowing the answer to her question.

“I texted her on my way here.” Daniel piqued, “We are willing to put our differences aside… so please, don’t leave.”

Deloise got out of her hold. A thousand and one emotions running through her. She could see the sincerity, the oneness of their decision. He even got through her mother… something she was unable to do despite their years of living.

They were late, too late.

“I’m sorry.” she managed to say, void of every emotion. “My decision is final. You can see yourselves out.”

******

Aaron was scheduled for dinner with Ellen, they were to meet at a top tier restaurant, have a couple bites, and take some pictures before they separated. That plan was thrown out the window when Ellen called with a last minute change of plans that required an appearance with a male escort.

Ruffled by their abrupt change of plans, he headed to the hotel where he was to prepare and hoped the night would be a blur. His check in to the exquisite hotel was smooth and he trudged towards his room, only to be stopped by Stella.

“Aaron!” She spoke in a high pitched voice.

He couldn’t help but wonder – was she always that loud?

“Stella…” Aaron didn’t care to be nice. He was having a whooping day so pardon him if he wasn’t in the mood to entertain her antics.

Especially not after the other day.

“Fancy seeing you here,” She drank him in, “Let me guess, Ellen had you come over?”

“None of your business.” He hissed. Why were they even talking?

“Of course she did.” Stella scoffed, “This is her usual spot. Didn’t you do your homework? She brings all of them here, all her men.”

Aaron couldn’t care less, “Like I said, none of your business.” He continued his journey, determined to end their interaction.

“Deloise’s leaving.” She yelped, and he stilled. She smirked, knowing it got to him. “Deloise is leaving the country.”

He turned around, “Should I be worried?”

“You shouldn’t. But that’s the problem, isn’t it? You shouldn’t but you are.” She hissed, challenging him to deny. “Still in love with her?”

Two steps back and Aaron was in her face. “I’ll say this once. I do not care for Deloise. Whatever we had is over, and I’d appreciate it if you respected that.”

“You still didn’t answer my question.” She smirked, “I may charge you guilty-”

“She means nothing to me. Never did.” He spat, “And neither will you. So get out of my face.”

Aaron pushed past her and angrily located his room. Meanwhile, unknown to him, Ellen witnessed their exchange. Once he was out of sight, she appeared to Stella with an icy grin.

“I’ll take that as a mistake on your path, the next time, I won’t be forgiving.” She tutted, while Stella frowned, “Thanks for clearing that up though, I needed that.”

With that, She got out of sight with her manager trailing behind.

*****

Deloise, Anna and Amanda were having dinner together in her house, the air was light as they conversed.

“Thank God you escaped while you could. Law School is a bitch. I’d trade it for your life anyday.” Amanda moaned and Deloise smiled.

“You could always drop out and become an actress, Amanda.” Anna suggested, rolling her spaghetti.

“I’ll admit. Not everyone’s got the balls she does.” She raised her hands in surrender, “I mean, she is brilliant, multi-talented and absolutely adorable. I don’t have shit on her.”

“I’ll let you know that I am no longer an actress… at least for now.” Deloise notified with a shrug, “But I do have the connection. I’ll be glad to point you in the right direction.”

“Uh- no thanks, I’ll rather stick with the devil I know. I don’t think I’m fit for that life anyway… I’ll definitely get blacklisted from the industry faster than you did.”

Anna’s eyes widened, “Amanda!”

“What?” She looked between them and Anna gave her the look, “Oh-shit! I’m so sorry! I didn’t-”

Deloise burst out laughing, “No offense. You look like a deer in headlights.” She said between laughs. “It’s nice to know you haven’t lost that side of you, these days, people seem to be walking on eggshells around me,” Her eyes focused on Anna who shrugged.

“You can’t blame us..” Amanda hissed, “You just can’t catch a break with these people.” She said, scrolling through her phone with gritted teeth.

“What’s wrong?” Anna asked, concerned.

“There’s a video making rounds online.” Deloise perked at that, “Aaron has made it evidently clear he doesn’t care about her.” She caught Deloise flinching and added, “No offense.”

Amanda handed over the phone to Anna who watched with a frown and handed it over to Deloise. In the video, Aaron was seen having a conversation with a woman, in which he strongly makes it clear he didn’t care for her.

Deloise clenched her jaws as she watched the video, much more than anything, she recognized the woman he was talking to. She knew that form anywhere.

Once again, she was ridiculed on the internet. She needed to leave, and fast.

“I’ll be leaving tomorrow.” Deloise announced to the shock of her friends.

“Why?”

“What?”

“I invited you over to break the news.” she explained, “I can’t live here anymore, I need to find myself. Don’t try to convince me otherwise. It’s decided.”

Anna breathed, noting the resigned look on her face, there was no talking her out of it. “Where?”

Amanda wore a shit-eating grin, “Damn! Did you just agree without throwing a fit?” She asked Anna who replied with an eyeroll. “Never thought I’d see the day.”

To Deloise, Amanda continued, “You know I’ll support whatever decision you make, for as long as it works for you.”

“Thank you,” Deloise said, close to tears, “Both of you.”

“Now you’ll make me cry… group hug!” Amanda said and they got together in a group hug.

That night, the girls packed up her things as they discussed her impending visit to France.

The next day, Deloise left the country.