Rise of the Billionaire actress

“How do you feel?” Doris asked Deloise as they got prepared for her conference,

“I don’t know.” She muttered, “I just want things to go smoothly.”

Deloise felt a hand sweep her back, “Stick with the script and we’ll be done in no time.”

“That’s the easy part.” She muttered, spraying a minimum amount of perfume, “I’m worried about what comes after. The people were almost done with judging me, this will reopen that door.”

“Unfortunately, this is a world of constant judgment. Even the best actresses get a bit of it too.” She hands over the script, “You’ll get through this.”

Deloise goes through her statement in silence, she was supposed to tender an apology, formally announce her separation with Aaron and affirm Daniel’s identity as her father. It seemed like she was accepting every allegations meted against her. She couldn’t find it in her to care anymore, and nodded through the tips Doris gave her on public speaking and answering questions.

“You’ll be on in five.” Doris said at the door of the room.

Deloise felt her nerves rack as she took a deep breath. The conference was held in one of the hotel halls, and Doris’ arrival signaled they had to be on their way. With a nod, she picked up an empty purse that matched her outfit, and they made their way out.

They got to a double transparent door. They could see the reporters and news media officials, waiting for her appearance, with tailor made and probably intrusive questions. With an affirmative nod, Deloise walked through the doors, the flashlights from camera’s blinded her.

She got to the podium made for her. Adorned with a smile, she began, “Good day everyone. Thank you for coming.” Her chin raised as she continued her statement, “This conference is aimed at clearing the air on the many rumors concerning me and also answer some questions you may have.”

“My name is Deloise Tanner, a rookie actress under Evolve talent management. Some of you may know me as the main lead of the movie- Scorned, while others… as Aaron’s girlfriend.” The taste of his name left a sour taste in her mouth. “First, I want to apologize to my management, supporters and the general public, all negative impacts are sorely regretted and reflected upon.”

“As a young child, I grew up with a love for acting and constantly yearned for an opportunity to make it out here. Despite the restrictions of my mother who didn’t like the Idea, and convinced me into following the sacred path of a lawyer, I dropped out the moment I received a scholarship offer from Royal Arts.”

“My arrival to Royal Arts changed everything for me, I was able to become the woman I am today by constant hard work, self improvement and unfortunately, deceit.” the atmosphere became taut, “Contrary to popular belief, I did not go into Royal Arts knowing Daniel was my father, and if he knew, he did a poor job showing it.” She took a breath and continued, “Immediately I got to Royal Arts, I was led to the audition room for Scorned, led by Daniel Greenwood and Mr. Austin.”

“Whatever role I was given, I got fair and square. The only person I deceived throughout this exercise happens to be my mother; who I led to believe I was on the way to becoming a lawyer.”

Murmurs were heard in the room. The entertainment world was in a frenzy, riddled with opinions on what she said.

Deloise continued when silence returned, “As regards my relationship with Aaron, it was delightful while it lasted, but for irreconcilable events, we went our separate ways.” Murmurs resumed but she spoke anyway. “I wish him the best in everything and assure there is no bad blood between us.”

“Lies!” One of the reporters said and the hall riddled with noise,

“I believe there will be time to throw in your questions and observations.” She said with a smile, and continued while he got escorted out by security. “Lastly, I want to formally announce my retirement from Acting.” She bowed, “I am deeply sorry.”

“Retirement? She casted in one movie!” A man yelled but she was already on her way down the podium. It’d taken her a lot of effort to keep her tears at bay but any minute now, she knew she’d be bawling, and she couldn’t do it with an audience.

She passed a wide eyed Doris as she headed for their car parked around the building.

“What did you do?” Doris said, getting to step with her, “Why would you say that! Oh my God, the director will have my head!”

A second later, her phone started ringing. The director of Evolve Management, having followed the live broadcast, was seething.

“Don’t pick it up!” Deloise took the phone from her, “We need to leave now, please.” She implored and they entered the car.

“You have a lot of explaining to do.” She seethed and in no time, they were on their way out of the hotel, missing the raging press by a thread.

*****

They get to the house but Doris barely has enough time to sit before she is bombarded with calls and meetings from the management. Deloise sat in the living room, unable to process what she’s done.

Left alone to her devices, she went to her room, where she fell apart. For the first time ever, she cried, so much that she wondered if she had anymore tears left in her system. At that moment, she felt truly alone. She managed to hit rock bottom and couldn’t see a way out.

Everything was collapsing on her, her phone rang non-stop but she kicked it to a corner, she needed to escape. She had to escape this misery. Her life, joy and will to live was gone, broken beyond repair. In a desolate state, she slept off on the cold floor, with a thought that formed in her heart.

She couldn’t stay here. She had to leave. Fast.

On the other side of things, Daniel was worried, he felt his heart break when she announced her retirement, and with her refusal to pick his calls, his anger at Esther rose to an all time high. For the first time ever, his anger ran as deep as his love for her.

On the thousandth call, Deloise picked up. His breath hitched knowing she was at the other end of the call.

“Are you alright?” He asked after a while.

Deloise chuckled, “Fucking great.”

He’s never heard her curse. Not when she was angry, not when things fell apart, and not even when she caught them naked.

“You don’t have to do this, I’ll talk to Esther-”

“I made a decision.”

“No, just calm down, I’ll make things right. Evolve will-”

Deloise lost it, “I said I made a decision, dad! I’d like you to respect that!” She tethered at the brink of insanity, “Please…”

“Why..? Is this because of her?”

“I did it for myself.” She breathed, and without another word, ended the call.

Daniel swore underneath his breath, vowing to make things right. He was yet to speak with Esther- who made it clear she didn’t feel an ounce of regret for all she’s done.

Hell would receive him if he didn’t make her feel and understand the gravity of her actions and continued stubbornness.

******

Esther was in her home when a knock came from the front door. She wasn’t expecting anyone and honestly wasn’t in the mood to entertain guests.

“Who’s that?” She called from the couch, making no move to answer the door.

Silence.

Her eyes narrowed, “Hello?” she said and made way to the door when no one answered. “Daniel.”

“Hello to you too.” He made his way inside, pacing while she closed the door.

“What are you doing here?”

He shook his head, “You don’t get to ask questions this time around,” His eyes blazed, “How much are you willing to go? How long before you get over yourself and be a fucking mother?”

She frowned, “If you came here to insult me-”

“You earned it!” He bellowed, “You had no right, no right to keep my child from me and treat her the way you did.”

“Treat her the way I did?” She scoffed, “Don’t be funny, Daniel. At least I was there while you hopped countries, doing whatever the fuck you wanted. I was here, raising my child alone! And guess what, like always, you show up and destroy everything!”

“I destroyed everything?” Daniel couldn’t believe his ears, “Of course you find a way to get out of it, when are you going to own up to your mistakes? Yes, I left. Yes, I’m a selfish prick that deserves every bout of hate thrown at me.” A frustrated sound left his lips, “But must you bring that resentment into the raising of my child? Did she deserve to pay for my sins? Eighteen years! Eighteen years and you haven’t changed. All you have is a glamor to cover the disaster that is your life. I made it out, at least I made something of myself. What have you? Eighteen years of recycled pain and entitlement.”

“Get out of my house.”

“Deloise retired from acting.” He seethed, “Because of you, my child is living hell on earth and I can’t even do anything about it.” He held his head, frustrated, “Why are you so persistent in making it hard to love you?!”

Esther laughed, a cynical and reverberating laugh. “For all I know, your love is worth nothing, not even a tiny speck of dust. If she gave it up, it’s because she is a better human than you will ever be! Get out of my house, Daniel. Get out before I lose it.”

“For years I’ve pinned over you, I even came back for you! What else do you want, huh? What else do you want?”

“I want you to get out of my life. Do I need to get a restraining order?”

“You see this right here, that nasty character of yours, it’ll buy you a long and lonely life.” He let out a wry smile, “What the hell was I thinking coming here? You’ll never change. This was a mistake.”

Esther watched with a gaping heart as he left the house. Unable to help herself, she called Deloise, who picked immediately.

“Loise… Where are you?” she asked, “Just… come home so we can talk. Please..”

“There’s nothing to talk about.” coldness seeped from her tone, “I’ll really appreciate it if you stopped calling me.”

Before she could get another word out, the call ended and after many attempts at reaching her, the fact that she may have lost her daughter was glaring.

All through that night, Esther sat on the floor, and wept till she couldn’t anymore.