II. Shae likes you.
‘The Star Shawnee Shae was punched by the artist Jamal because of the novel actress of the film 'Run away'. Where she acted Taylor the spy lady. It was said that this party was a birthday party of Jamal's sister.’
Ms. Grayson turns off the TV. And ruffles her hair.
“Myla I told you not to go.” She yells.
“You know I would never do that. This is hard for me too.”
“Oh Please. Did you listen to that? Your career is at risk. You need to get interviewed about this. What are you going to say? Will the believe it.”
Myla stands. “I don't care. I'm fucking tired. Tired of all this shit! I owe no one a single word. And I won't be attending any interview.”
“Are you kidding me! You must attend this to back yourself up. They're are the only ones who can cover you up.”
“Bullshit! They won't see me. I'm not going to step a fit in that place. This is my life. If I killed someone, they should take me to jail.”
She walks up and her manager blocks her path. “You promised not to fuck things up. I'm you're manager and I want the best for you. Above everyone in this town you choosed his assistant! Have you gone insane? I warned you to forget about him.”
“It's not as easy as that Ms. Grayson. I respect you and now you're crossing boundaries. Why can't you understand me?”
“You must take responsibility of your actions Myla. I don't care what you're going to do but I'm not cleaning this mess. Your name has been painted out there. You better clean it up yourself or you watch it be covered by mud. Choose.”
Her manager dismisses herself and Myla stays back gathering up all these feelings.
She moves towards the couch and burries her face in it; sobbing hopelessly.
...
“Jamal?” Gabriella calls out but he doesn't respond.
“Jamal!”
He drops dead his tracks. “What?”
She stops in front him. “Come with me. I have something to show you.”
She walks ahead and he hesitantly goes after her.
...
Myla's project begun and all the cast are being interviewed and introduced on the red carpet.
Jamal received this same contract so he shows up during the interview. Little did she know.
Myly wares a black stripped gown which exposes her back and cleavage. Her wig is unlatched slightly below her back.
Her entry confused some journalist as they snap coming towards her for an interview.
She walks on her heels towards a journalist that starts speaking. “Myla! You look powerful in this black robe. Tell me who dressed you.”
She smiles. “I did. My manager assisted me.”
The lady makes an ‘ok’ face. “What about those shoes? I love them.”
“Thanks. I choosed this from my collection. It's not a brand new model trust me.”
The lady grins. “Alright. Let's talk about the movie. ‘The wedded stranger.’ What can you say about it?”
“It'd be fun. Actually this is totally out of the type of movies I go in for. But I've read through all the script and the female lead is someone amazing. I'm sure I'd be able to buy her perfectly well because . . . we have a thing in common.”
“I can see this coming. And we all can't wait to watch you play that stuff. You know what I mean.”
They laugh a little and Jamal walks in.
“I can see another cast approaching. What can you say about meeting new people or maybe old ones in this movie.”
Myla turns to see who she's talking about and her chest almost break apart when his eyes collides with hers.
She does something awkward due to nervousness and faces the camera.
“I'm sorry. Can you come again?”
“Sure. I meant what can you say about casting with new actors and actresses?”
“All I can say is that I'd get to know them and we'd work it out together.”
She nods and questions. “What about the Mr. Jamal. Is there something specific you want to compliment about his appearance tonight and how y'all will fit in this movie?”
Myla goes blank. Is this question intentionally to force words out her mouth or just an interview?
Ms. Grayson matches forward after listening to the lady's inclination. She walks Myla out of the place towards other Journalist.
But all of them ask her something similar and even worse.
Myla is tired of running away so she faces her first journalist to answer her question.
“He's . . . very good looking and charming. Apart from that I think there's nothing else I know about him that interest me. But we'd certainly fit in this movie. Hopefully.”
“Why say that?”
“Because that's just what it is.” she says and walks away.
...
*Day one*
“Good day everyone! I'm director Ed Shedrick. And I'd be working with you guys throughout. Don't be scared. I'm fun!”
They giggle and he continues. “I'd assume that y'all have read the script. Or maybe part of it. Because today, that's what we're going to talk about. But first. I'd want to know everyone of you individually. You're free to introduce yourselves.”
Someone in the crowd raises a hand.
“Yes, you?” he permits.
“I'm Caterina. I love it short. This is my 5th year of acting and I'm a fan of all the films you've directed.”
The man in his 40's looks less surprised as he smiles at the lady. “Nice to meet with you fan. You should know I adore your latest character in ‘Today's mom’. I'd love to see that same spirit in here. Are we riding?”
She nods. “Absolutely Sir.”
“Next?”
His eyes click into Myla's. “Miss?” he points out and she looks behind to see if there's someone else there.
“It's you I want.”
She looks ahead, her brows raised as she stands. Mr. Ed cranes his eyebrows by her humble act.
“Sorry. I thought someone else was over shoulder.”
He goes out of words for a second before saying. “First of all I want to compliment your beauty. Secondly, your humble act just now. You seem a little distant when I was talking. Did you understand everything of what I said?”
“Yes, sir.”
Dr. Ed looks over at Jamal then back to her. “Do you two know each other?”
She stares at him blankly and Jamal replies. “Yeah we do.” his tone being a little dominant.
Myla darts her eyes towards Jamal and back to Dr. Ed at once. The older man understands everything in thin air.
“I see . . . And if I'm not mistaking y'all are the lead cast?”
Myla seems oblivious about his role. “Uhh . . . ”
Jamal nods again. She scratches her head. How can this be? She can't believe he's joining her project and now he's the male lead!
“Interesting. So you are?”
“Myla. This is my second film.”
He nods. “You got talents young lady. I talked with Mr. Andrew to give you another role of song writing and production. I didn't know you were a member of the cast.”
Myla renders a short smile. “I've directed one of your books. ‘Devourers of Darz’. That's amazing. Nice to have you here.”
She smiles softly. “Thanks Sir.”
“You can call me Ed.”
Jamal narrows his eyes towards his director while Myla sits down.
Other cast greet her and they get to talk with each other.
...
After few hours. “Tomorrow we'd be living to Las Vegas. We prepared a mansion for all of you. We'd stick to each other until the project ends.”
“Ok so let's get ready. Our flight we'd be in thirty minutes.”
Everyone stands and moves to their belongings. Myla enters the main corridor. She needs to take some air.
She finds a restroom and gets in. After she stares at the mirror for a long time. She watches her face and steps out only to get welcomed by Jamal.
She tries to walk past him but he holds her arm. She draws back after settling her eyes on that position.
“Do you remember what I told you at Patricia's birthday party?”
“Are you mockingbird? After everything that happened you still got nerves to show your face. If you want to kill me just do it. Stop . . . following me around.”
“Myla!” his voice deepens and she presses her lips into a thin line.
“It was all acting. We knew they'd set you and Amid up. He told me about your meet up the night before. I just had to play along. I told you that. ‘Make sure not to take anything that happens in the party seriously.’ Remember?”
She reflect.
‘I've carried out a series of investigations and non of them pointed out what I wanted. But as we leave this door. Make sure not to take anything that happens in the party seriously.’
“You were such a dumpster.” he taunts.
She frowns and smacks his chest and a feigns to be hurt.
“Why didn't you make it clearer? Stop playing with my heart like that Jamal. I may have a heart failure.”
He gives her a soft gaze. “Your heart?”
She blinks her eyes. What? “Umm . . . I meant my feelings.”
He stares deep into her eyes. “I didn't want you to leave with Shae but you still did. If not that I wouldn't want to get suspicious I would've taught him a batard lesson.”
She opens her mouth to speak and he puts his finger over it. “You better not say anything right now to support him. I thought you could see how irritated I was when he held you to leave with him. Are you really this blind to the reality. Shawnee likes you!”
Myla dazes into his eyes with an empty head. She has never looked at it that way. Is Jamal so jealous that his mind has begun thinking stuffs? Or is he being simply truthful.
“Uhh? Why will you get irritated if he does?”
To be continued...