Rise of the Billionaire actress

The meeting soon drew to an end and the esteemed guests were escorted out by Mr Austin. Deloise didn’t move, she hoped to leave when the room was at least halfway emptied out. She felt lucky to be ignored the whole time by Ms Ema after the lashing she received.

This experience wasn’t the prettiest for her but it sobered her to the fact that she needed to take her job and life more seriously if she was going to last. It was a rude awakening – the fact that she could be dropped at the slightest misconduct.

She had to be extremely careful and conscious of slip ups because this was the last chance at her dreams and life. She didn’t have anything else. She couldn’t fail at this.

While pondering these thoughts, Deloise didn’t notice Stella approach her. She jolted in surprise when she heard the sharp voice of Stella.

” What? Aren’t you leaving?” She asked with a smile which Deloise detected as faux and mocking.

When she didn’t reply, Stella tutted and with graceful steps encircled her while she spoke.

” Don’t be too worried. You actually look good in those.. What’s it called? Maternity gowns?” Stella sported an unsure look, perfectly acting like she meant no harm, acting was natural to her.

” Regardless of what it is, it definitely suits you so you shouldn’t feel too conscious. You’re the lead female after all.”

Deloise didn’t say a word. She didn’t even spare a glance at Stella who threw innocent and perfectly hidden jabs at her person, competence and general outlook.

The worst part was the fact that some people were still hanging around, waiting for who she believed to be the director as he was out for sometime.

She was also waiting for Mr Austin. Deloise thought it right to apologize for the tardiness and embarrassment she caused the academy and production.

With the words of Ms Ema, she came to realize that her role was very important and needed to be handled with true discipline. She couldn’t afford people thinking she wasn’t serious or cut out for the job.

After waiting for over thirty minutes, Deloise figured the director wasn’t planning on returning anytime soon and left the building.

She headed back to her home, making mental notes on all that was discussed in the meeting and preparing to read, and if possible, act out her designated role in preparation.

Immediately Deloise entered her home, she headed straight for a much needed bath. She remembered the merciless insults that were thrown at her earlier and scrubbed with more intensity.

She wished the first few hours of the day didn’t happen, but no such luck. She lived it and it’s constant reminder wasn’t leaving anytime soon.

Deloise was fresh and clean when she jumped on her bed with the script for the film she played the leading female.

The story followed a woman who had her only child poisoned and killed by her husband’s Mistress. It told the tale of a scorned woman who made it a goal to take vengeance upon all her adversaries while simultaneously winning the love of her husband.

Deloise was more than excited to play the part, and as she read her character’s script; the fears, desires and arc of her character grew in her heart.

She was determined to portray every single trait, conflict and perk of her character. She couldn’t wait to get on set and the more she went through her lines, the more she looked forward to the challenging parts of it.

The only downside of the deal was the fact that she had to play marriage with the jerk. There were some steamy scenes involved as the story followed an enemies to lovers trope.

Deloise was a lover of fairy tales, but deep within, she didn’t believe in it. She believed that happily ever afters didn’t exist in real life but was ecstatic to partake in creating some feel good fictional movies where it was preached.

The satisfying part of the book was that her character was to transform into a strong woman from the weak and defeated person she used to be. It was like the death of her son killed something yet resurrected something in her.

The storyline gave her the feel of the rise of a phoenix. No doubt – Ema Bennett was one hell of a storyteller!

She was woman enough to tell the truth despite how she felt about her.

While basking in her fictional realm, Deloise’s phone suddenly rang, jolting her away from her reading. Her interest was piqued when she found out it was an unknown number.

Deloise hesitated for a moment before swiping the answer button and placed the phone on her ears, waiting for the caller’s introduction.

“Come to the administrative building now!” A thick male voice said without context.

” Sorry, who is this? ”

Her question was met with a beep sound, signaling the end of the call. Deloise didn’t know what to think and wondered if someone was trying to play a joke on her. She returned the call a few more times but was directed to voicemail.

Having had enough, Deloise continued her reading. She figured that if it was important, then the call would be returned.

Soon enough, Deloise was passed out on her bed, script in hand, while she slept soundly. She had managed to cover a tangible amount of the script and decided to take a much needed nap.

Meanwhile, In the office of the director, the cast of the production was gathered and waiting for the arrival of Deloise. This time around, Aaron was on seat with the rest of the crew and cast members, including Mr Austin while they awaited the female lead for yet another time in one day.

Mr Austin was growing agitated at the tardiness and made it a point to ask Aaron if he actually called her as earlier instructed.

With every single affirmation, his countenance grew poorer.

The entire room was filled with murmurs on just how irresponsible she was being and notions to drop her were gaining momentum. The only thing this did was fuel the anger of Mr Austin, who was struggling to keep it in.

She had somehow managed to arrive late for two meetings, without explanation or reasonable context. Mr Austin was a firm believer that talent without discipline was a recipe for disaster.

They were yet to begin filming and she was already acting in such an uncouth manner! Maybe Ms. Ema wasn’t wrong after all. There were many serious individuals ready to take on the job and he wasn’t about to settle for anything less than perfection.

That was the criteria for Royal Arts. The academy wouldn’t have attained such a great level of mastery if they allowed such incompetence amongst their candidates.

Deloise wasn’t going to be an exception.

” Give me a moment.” Mr Austin requested from the guests, picked up his phone and walked out of the office with a mysterious look etched upon his face.

On getting outside, he took two steps from his office door and quickly drafted a message which he forwarded to Deloise.

Without a moment’s thought, he proceeded back inside the office and addressed the people.

” Let’s begin.” He said and the meeting ensued.

*****

Two hours later, Deloise stirred from her sleep. She felt nourished from the nap and immediately sat up to check if her roommate was in the room.

These days, it felt like they barely had time to connect. They both had different schedules and lifestyles which made it hard to find ample time to know themselves better.

After verifying that she was alone, she picked up the script on her bed with the intention to put it away when her phone came into view.Please check at N/ôvel(D)rama.Org.

She dropped the script and picked it up wanting to check if the strange number had finally returned the call, only to be met with the shock of her life.

It was a message from the director. She didn’t have his number saved but it wasn’t hard to tell when the same email which saw her through her transfer process sent a message which read:

” If you are no longer interested in the role, Kindly turn in the script. But if you don’t, make sure you are here before the meeting elapses. Mr Austin, director – Royal Arts Academy. ”

The email oozed the threat behind the words and immediately, everything began to add up. The call to meet at the administration building -which also is a host to the director’s office- the cast members staying around, and now, the message that nearly made her cough up blood.

She checked the time she received the email and upon seeing the two hours ago mark, one thing was certain.

She was fucked.

Deloise jumped off her bed like a deranged woman, had a change of clothes, threw her hair in a messy bun and ran out of the dorm like her life depended on it.

It actually did.

For the second time today, Deloise arrived at the office building out of breath and in a frenzy. On getting to the door of the office, it was suddenly pulled open and people trooped out of the office, signaling the end of the meeting.

As the crew and cast members walked by her, some gave her the stink eye while some went as far as making faces and throwing some poorly minced words about how she was unfit and irresponsible.

To each and every jab, Deloise took with good faith, praying she didn’t get cut out by the director. She was a tad bit later than he had instructed and her heart was erratic at the thought of what the repercussions might be.

Soon enough, the office emptied and she was finally able to get in. On seeing the look on the director’s face at her arrival, she immediately got on her knees to plead her case.

” I’m so sorry sir, I didn’t mean to arrive late. I had no idea there was a meeting and when the message was sent I was asleep. I really want to do this. Please, forgive me just this once.”

Deloise hands were clasped together and shaking in fear of her world being destroyed. She couldn’t afford to be dropped. She worked way too hard to get here.

” One time you said? You didn’t receive a call asking you to come over here?” Mr Austin inquired with an eerie calmness.

Aaron sat by the corner, watching it all unfold.

” I received a call to come to the”

” Oh so you did. And yet you choose to ignore the invitation, because?” He interrupted her, his countenance growing poorer as he interrogated her.

” I didn’t realize. I’m sorry. Please don’t cut me off. I promise to be better. Please sir.”

” Leave.”

” Please sir, it was a mistake! One that would never repeat itself, please give me one more chance.” Deloise was close to tears. She saw her life flash before her eyes. She couldn’t believe this was happening.

” Not you. Aaron.” Mr Austin corrected, revealing the fact that Aaron was in the room. Immediately he stepped out, and the director began.

” I don’t know what happened today, Ms Tanner. But I sure as hell wouldn’t stand for such irresponsible acts onwards! You are the lead of this production and I expect a certain amount of discipline and commitment from you; and so help me God if I don’t see it in no distant time, you’ll be out of this gig. Do you understand? ” He asked with fire in his eyes to a stupefied Deloise who only nodded her head in affirmation, unable to speak.

” Good. Now get out. ” He barked, residual anger still brewing within.

Deloise scrambled on her feet with tears in her eyes. This was the first time she was being spoken to in such a manner by the ever supportive Mr Austin.

By the time she was out the door, the floodgates opened and irresistible tears poured from her eyes, heart and soul.