CHAPTER 34

FOUR HOURS FLASHED BY LIKE FOUR MINUTES. The jet finally landed and the hostess did give a few remarks before letting us go.

Everyone had fallen asleep over the trip except from me and Ciara. Well of course.

We spent the entire time gossiping with one story popping up after another like popcorn. It felt good knowing that my gossipdiary which had been starved for quiet sometime was now fed, almost vomiting some out.

I learnt how spoiled this entertainment universe was and now everything wasn't what it seemed.

We all were happy faces in front of a camera but behind the scenes we were like leeches; either feeding off of someone's blood or having yours syphoned.

A lot of renowned actresses had sold their bodies to various movie producers and directors just for a spot. Unbelievable and cheap as it sounded, it was real.

Everyday, a large percentage of celebrity pregnancies were being aborted and concealed under the pretence of menorrhagia. Girls have really gone sour.

I also found out that famous actress, Chantel Jeffries, was arrested and charged with a DUI following her break up with Marc Barret. Her driver's license was suspended for one year and she was given six months of probation. She was also ordered to perform 25 hours of community service and attend 20 hours of Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. Total humiliation.

Harley Davidson, not only model but also famous singer, and frontliner of the band IGNATIUS attempted to travel to Shanghai to participate in the 2014 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show but ultimately could not. Her Chinese visa was reportedly revoked after an online video showing her doing a slant-eyes gesture in imitation of Buddha was criticized as racist by Chinese internet users.

Hearing such a traumatizing story caused me to be cautious when attempting to imitate anything at all in the name of fun.

The sweetest of all gossips was when I heard about Renée Rue. I hated that we sort of had a similar last name and she always seemed to be copying me. She instigated an online competition to see who was best between me and I, and unfortunately, I won. She was to loose to think she'd stand up against me.

As the media had it, she was a victim in a celebrity hacking and internet posting wave of stolen nude iCloud photographs. I held my hands to my lips the moment I heard that.

It was like music to my ears. I couldn't wait to run such in her face when I see her.

I actually thought staying away from Adam was going to be terrible but Ciara proved to me otherwise. It was actually fun.

Having arrived in Florida, the smell of sea welcomed us and I prayed that I wouldn't be sea sick. I hated it so much. Along with the awful smell, grew a bigger resentment I haboured in my heart pertaining to my family. Being at shore conjured memories in my brain of another shore....and I disliked it.

We received a very warm welcome and I felt at home.

We were all booked to the same hotel. WESTERN AVENUE, and my room was unit 2301. Ciara's was next to mine and unit 2302. As though fate, our rooms were the only ones on our floor.

It was afternoon when we arrived and thankfully we were left alone until dinner time. I really needed my sleep, it was good for the complection and this was just the perfect time.

"I can't believe we talked for four hours straight...." Ciara laughed as we got onto the elevator with out luggage.

"What does that tell you???" I asked, happy seeming.

"We're more capable women that you think...." She winked and I clicked my tongue at her. I pressed the button and the elevator closed.

The hotel had recommended us a chauffer but we turned him down. We were strong enough to handle our own bags.

We arrived onto the 23rd floor and this whole place smelled so new. Golden walls and somewhat glass doors. It was classic.

"Girl.... I'll see you down for dinner at 0600 hrs...." She waved as she inserted her password.

"You mean 1800?" I corrected only so that I'd pick a fight before we go out separate ways.

"I did say you've become rude right....?" She asked, with one eyebrow raised and the other lowered. How does she do that?

"I love you too big sis....see you at dinner..." I quickly inserted my password too and rushed in.

I looked around the place and it was sick.

Everything was white and sparkly as though today was the opening date. They had a very high standard and I immediately fell in love with it.

If only hotels from San Diego would learn. Fortunately, after this, I was going back home to Buenos Aires. I missed it there.

A month is too long to spend in San Diego and since the movie's production was stopped, I couldn't wait for it to resume.

So apparently no one was willing to stand up to Drake Anderson.

At the thought, I immediately fell a fullness in my stomach as a familiar sense of frustration rose in my heart. How did I keep forgetting to call him?

I still didn't thank him for all he did. If not for the break, I wouldn't be here. I definitely had to call.

I reached for my main phone but unfortunately, it had no battery. My backup phone had power but I wouldn't call him on that phone. It was my private line.

I guess I'd just wait.

I placed my phone on the charger and then threw myself on the massive bed.

A lullaby registered in my brain which I pushed off at first. There was something about the lyrics that reminded me of someone terrible who for a long time I was trying to forget.

My mother...

I didn't want to think about her now. I propelled my body by the shoulders and thought of Adam.

Then slowly...drift off into sleep.

*********

Dinner was served in a very huge hall, almost auditorium. The ceiling had an arched structure of masonry, forming a canopy. It had light bulbs everywhere and a huge crystal raindrop chandelier which was designed to look like falling rain. Whoever designed it, nailed it as well.

"Eleanor....come sit next to me please...." Ayesha called. I was immediately out in an awkward position. I planned to sit next to Adam but being reminded I would meet him after 24 hours blew me off. Then I thought of Ciara.

I would so much love to sit with her again but she was nowhere to be seen. And now, this girl was kindly asking me to sit with her. How could I refuse that even if I wanted to?

I took a deep breath and walked towards her. She pulled the chair for me and I sat down. She was quiet a gentleman.

I took notice of the name tags placed on the tables so I took mine with. I placed it in front of me and turned to this amazing woman.

We talked for sometime with her doing most of the talking which I didn't mind. She told me how life was on set and how life was off set. She didn't forget the ups and down and hiccups the had faced in building her name.

I also had loads to speak in that chapter.

More than one should anyway....

Then, a cold breeze blew right over us making my heart skip a beat.

I turned to my right and saw the devilin herself walking down the stairs to the dinner table. She was in a black dress and finally got that dark make up that she wanted. Her hair simply placed in a ponytail, she looked like a dark fairy that came to cast a spell on us. Gentle and quiet yet deadly.

Her eyes caught mine and they started talking.

A long moment passed and she began to squirm under my gaze: sensing the anger, insidiousness and hate in it. From the moment I met her, I developed bitterness towards her. She was beautiful yes but had an ugly character. Worst came to worst when she dared to stand up to me after I told her not to go down the road with me.

Ciara must've been right. It wasn't rocket science. Jeannine was an infamous star and was trading her bed to get a taste of what classic felt like.

How did she suddenly get on such an elegant wedding's guest list? If she wasn't invited, she had to pay utmost five hundred dollars for an invite which I knew for sure she couldn't afford.

'Maybe she earned it?' What a joke. I thought and deep inside, a plan started to form.