Rise of the Billionaire actress

“What’s got your panties in a twist?” Elvis brought back the wandering mind of Daniel. “And why isn’t she here already? I paid quite a large sum getting her to be one of the caterers to this event.”

“She should be here anytime soon.” He didn’t spare him a glance, too occupied with watching out for when they finally arrived.

Elvis snorted, “Don’t be a killjoy and put a call across to her.” with a low voice, he added, “You look like a creep with that desperation written all over your face.”

“I’m two seconds away from decking the shit out of you. Where’s your wife?”

“None of your business, you should be more worried about when your lady will show up.” he took a glance at his watch, “for someone who has a job to do, this is a bit too late.”

“Tell me something I don’t know,” he gritted, fighting the urge to put another call across to them.

Elvis brought out his phone, “Since you can’t find the guts, I’ll do it for you.” Daniel’s eyes widened as he dialed a number.

“How the fuck did you-”

“Am I on to Miss Esther?” he asked in his most professional tone.

“Who are you and how may I help you?”

“This is from J&S. Where are you? It’s about time for the cake cutting and there seems to be no signs of you.”

“Ah-yes! I’m so sorry sir! I’ll meet you in the shortest possible time.”

“You should.” he looked over to Daniel, “people are getting antsy.”

On the other side of the line, Esther was freaking out.

“We need to go faster! Karen, step on it. Drive like your life depends on it.” Esther hollered and she did just that.

Elvis smirked. “You see, it wasn’t that hard now, was it?”

“What did she say?”

“That she loves you so much and can’t wait to start having babies with you.” he snorted, “Marry her already.”

“I’m trying to do that, but she’s giving me a hard time.” A waiter stopped by and he took a glass from her tray. “I can’t seem to keep up with her.”

Elvis didn’t expect such an answer. “Daniel Greenwood is in love! Never thought I’d see the day.”

“Mr. Daniel!” Stella called with a smile, and silence followed. “It’s such a pleasure meeting you here.”

“Always looking so beautiful, Stella.” He complimented with a smile, Elvis cleared his throat, earning an eye roll. “This is Elvis, my good friend. Elvis, Stella.”

They exchanged handshakes. “Nice meeting you. I hope you are having a great night.”

Stella smiled, “Awesome night. Just trying to find my place, there’s a lot going on.”

“Why do I doubt that? She happens to be one of the rising stars of the industry. I’m honoured to have her on my set as a supporting female role. She’s nothing short of spectacular.” Daniel said and she smiled abashedly.

Elvis’ eyes perked at the introduction. “With that record, I reckon you’ll be settling in more sooner than later.”

She smiled at Elvis’ words, “I guess so.” she shrugged, “I’ll leave you both to it then.”

Stella made her way into the star studded crowd. Her thoughts lingered on the mystery lady that got Daniel in a twist. She wondered if they caught the fact she listened in to their conversation.

*****

On the other side of the event, Anna made to leave but was held back by Moses’ hard grip.

“I thought this event was for important individuals, why would they let a dog in?” Moses asked no one in particular, “Is this your sorry attempt at maintaining relevance or is this credited to the security’s incompetence?”

“I should be asking you that question. Why on earth will they let a deadbeat inside the event?” Aaron’s eyes widened, “Oh I know! They probably couldn’t refuse letting daddy’s boy in.”

“Daddy’s boy?” Moses let out a dry laugh, “At least I’m not a bastard.”

That did it. Aaron’s glare turned icy as he made to hit him.

“Hey! Hey! Hey! You will not hit him, okay?” Deloise stood in his face. “That’s what he wants, he clearly wants to make you lose your shit. You are bigger than this, Aaron. Walk away.”

“Listen to the girl, boy! Run along.” A wicked smile sat on Moses face as he watched him struggle to keep his cool.

“Shut up.” Moses didn’t expect Deloise’s words. “You should be ashamed of yourself. Both of you.” She said, backing Aaron. “If you are looking for a cheap high, go get it somewhere else. It’s pathetic how low you are willing to descend in showing the sorry excuse of a person you are.”

“Hey-” Anna said, but Deloise continued.

“Let’s go, they aren’t worth this anyway.”

Deloise dragged Aaron towards their seat with blazing eyes. No matter the animosity, she drew a line when it came to matters concerning family. It was clear there was a deeper story between them, but what she couldn’t stand was seeing them take jabs on something evidently painful.

“Deloise…”

“You don’t need to explain. He was being a jerk and I just-”

“Erm-”

“Aaron, we meet again.” An older voice said, and Aaron swallowed his words.

Deloise searched for the owner of the voice, and connected eyes with a rich, elder-looking man. “And who do we have here?” he said, drinking her in.

She couldn’t help but notice the unfriendliness in his tone. With the prolonged silence and nerves racking between them, Deloise figured they knew each other to some point.

“Deloise Tanner, nice to meet you.” her smile was tight and her arm stretched for a handshake.

Aaron watched with clenched teeth as his father took a seat with them, blatantly ignoring Deloise who felt uncomfortable heat rush up her face.

“So you are the one.” the elder connected eyes with Deloise, he didn’t skip a beat as he said, “I hear you are in a relationship with him, why is that?”

“Father.” Aaron called in warning, it took everything to address him like that, “Know you place.” he gritted.

“You actually recognize who I am.” the elder Steele remarked, and to Deloise, he said, “You are yet to answer my question, what exactly is your mission? Money? Fame?”

“I don’t have any-”

“Don’t be funny.” he interrupted in a curt tone. “State your price while I’m being nice, woman. We all know you want something. State your price and leave him alone.”

“Hello!” Stella joins the table with a smile. “I’ve been searching for you everywhere, sir.” she said to the elder Steele.

Aaron and Deloise thought the same thing upon seeing their friendly banter. Before he could voice out his thoughts, his phone rang and it was Mr. Austin.

“Pick it up, maybe they’re here.” Deloise said when he ignored.

He stood up, “You don’t need to sit through this, let’s go.”

“Where are you going? I wasn’t done.” his father said with eyes that threatened him to defy his orders. “If it’s that bad you can leave, but I am not done with her.”

It took everything for Aaron to keep his mouth shut. They were racking up an audience and the last thing he wanted was to put her in a tight position because of his drama.

“I can take it, just go.” She whispered and Stella rolled her eyes.

“You heard her, big guy. Don’t be such a caveman, she’ll be fine.” she opined with a sickening sweet voice.

Aaron makes it a point to leave a kiss very close to her mouth. His eyes wavered, asking if she was indeed able to hold her own. Her nudge sent him on his way.

Stella snickered, “Don’t get your hopes-”

“Excuse me please,” Deloise interrupted before she could finish her sentence. “I need to visit the restroom.”

With a bow, she got up and away from them. She wasn’t feeling the urge to go but she needed to grasp a hold of herself before she sat through another torturous conversation with them.

She walked into the bathroom and came face-to-face with Anna.

“What is your mission here?” Deloise asked in a tone that didn’t go down well with Anna.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

“Who do you think you are to question me?” she scoffed, “I hate to break it to you but the world does not revolve around you.”

It was Anna’s turn to stomp out before she could get a word out. Deloise watched her leave with her mouth slightly opened. There was something about her that called to her, something different.

Meanwhile, Anna held an icy look as she returned to the main event. She catches a glimpse of Esther headed towards the restroom and warning bells go off in her mind.

She turned around and ran for it, successfully placing an out of sorts sign on the entryway of the restroom and heading out just in time.