Rise of the Billionaire actress

“Are we still going to act like everything’s alright?” Daniel struggled to swallow. “You know we need to talk about it at some point, right?”

“There’s nothing to talk about. Why can’t you get that into your head?” Esther hissed, “We are adults with separate individual lives, let’s keep what’s past in the past.”

The desperation in her tone burned Daniel’s heart, “What? Scared you’d return to being obsessed with me?”

His tone held an unfamiliar arrogance, he was baiting her.

“Ob- Are you kidding me?” She dropped her spoon, “What on earth is there to be obsessed with? Give yourself a break, if I want to get hurt, I’ll be fine slicing my fingers. Just to set facts straight, I wasn’t obsessed about you, I was-

“In love with me.” Daniel sufficed and she rolled her eyes.

“Infatuated. I was a stupid little girl who didn’t know shit even if it stared her in the face. And for that, I paid dearly.”

His eyes turned furious, “Don’t insult what we shared, I will take everything else but please- don’t say that.”

Daniel sounded so broken, she almost relented in her words.ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

“There’s nothing to insult. There was nothing between us, and there wouldn’t be anything either.” She spoke firmly and got on her feet. “I don’t know what your mission is, but I need some space right now, and you need to respect my decision.”

Esther wanted him gone. She could feel him tug at her heartstrings and it was only a matter of time before things escalated.

He didn’t know that though, or maybe he did, because his next words both shocked and silenced her.

“You liar. Eighteen years and you are still the same.” Daniel drew close to her. “Look me in the eyes and tell me we had nothing. Tell me it was all a bluff to you, tell me you don’t feel this,” his pointer finger lingered the sculpt of her face, “Tell me you don’t want this.”

The air charged with electricity and Esther struggled to breathe. Who was she kidding? This man had her curled on his finger, one touch and she was gasping for more. She wondered what his lips tasted like, how many lips had kissed it, if it was still the same, if it was still hers.

Locked in a tight gaze, they naturally drew closer, about to seal a kiss when the front door flew open.

Shocked at the unforeseen entrance, Esther stilled and with a curse, turned around to see the very person she thought it would be.

Karen.

“Did I come in at the wrong time? I’ll be on my-” Karen made to leave but was stopped by Daniel.

“It’s alright. I was just leaving.” He picked up his things and made for the door. “Call me.” He said to Esther and left the house.

Esther palmed her face, anticipating the endless questions from her friend.

“Why is a celebrity in your house and kissing you?” Karen blurted as soon as the front door closed. Esther released a sigh, There was really no way out of this.

Meanwhile, unknown to Daniel, he was followed and photographed on his way out. Things were definitely getting interesting for them both.

*****

Deloise walked around her party with a half-emptied glass of wine. People casually introduced themselves to her and she tried her best to be as welcoming as possible. She took pictures with supposed big shots in the industry, kudos to Doris, but she grew tired and worried as time passed.

She found her way to the balcony for some air, only to meet Aaron, standing by the railing with a glass of his own. Subtly, she turned around, but was stopped by his voice.

“Tired already?” He turned around, “It’s written all over your face.”

She walked towards him, “What are you doing out here, and alone?”

“I could ask you the same.” He remarked with raised brows and took a sip of his drink. “I don’t feel too welcoming, whereas, you have no excuse.”

“Don’t stay out too long.” Deloise made her way back, and Aaron smiled.

“A penny for your thoughts?”

Deloise stilled at his words. She wondered if everyone saw through her act.

“You can talk to me. I might be generous and let you in on a secret too.”

Aaron sat on a bench and Deloise took a seat beside him. The wind blew past them as they overlooked the city.

“You go first.”

Aaron couldn’t help a smile. She was smart.

“My birth parents regard me as a mistake.”

Nothing prepared her for his words.

“Hey-”

“Don’t look so sad, good thing I don’t care what they think.” He held a cynic smile. “Can you imagine how disastrous it’d be if I still regarded them?”

Deloise could tell it was a rhetoric question. What was she supposed to say to that?

“Your turn.” He turned to her, “What’s got your panties in a twist?”

“I do not have my panties in a twist.” She corrected with an eye roll,

“Whatever. You can’t hold out now I’ve spilled my guts.” He said, “I’m all ears.”

“This has been my dream forever.” She began,

“Holding a party?”

“No silly, having a part of this world.” She explained, “believe it or not, this has been a figment of my imagination for so long, everything happened so fast.”

“For a newbie, you’re taking it like a champ.” He remarked, “You should enjoy it, you worked for it.”

“I know, but it’s hard to do that when the only person I want to share it with is the one I need to hide from.” She let out a huff, “It’s so daunting trying to keep things sane with the publicity. I’m not handling it as great as you think. I can’t even enjoy the party without thinking of the news spreading.

“And why is that a problem?” Aaron inquired,

“Because if my mom finds out I’m doing this, I might as well pack up and leave.”

” Here I was, thinking you had the whole thing figured out.” He gauged her with raised eyebrows, ” It always feels like everyone got their shit figured out.”

Deloise let a simple sigh of agreement fall out her lips. She was grateful he didn’t ask more intrusive questions. They were both grateful to maintain silence.

One thing was certain, they had an underlying understanding of themselves. Maybe one day, one good day, they’ll open up on the intricacies of the journey they embarked on.

For the meantime, knowing they both had skeletons in the closet was enough. There’s no such thing as a perfect life after all.