I want to see Myla|Let me help her.

“Didn't you tell her we went shopping?”

Myla flashes her eyelids. “I did. She's expecting me, soon at home. Babe, you know... I have work right?”

He exhales. “Off course. We both have work. But can we just book this appointment. That's all I'm asking for.”

“Jamal...but you didn't tell me this earlier.”

“Now, I'm saying it. We're closer, cutie. A few minutes won't be a lot, will it?”

“Babe...”

“Aight, fine. Next time we'd do it.”

Her face brightens, but deep down she knows he's not fine.

...

At Home.

Throughout the journey, there has been silence. Finally, they arrive home, and the maids assist in packing the stuffs in.

On helping his wife, and the maids, Jamal discovers that they didn't get cheese. And he precisely instructed Myla to get it.

Myla is stucking her kitchen, most especially her deep freezer, when Jamal bust in.

“You didn't get the cheese I asked you to get, did you?”

She ruminates for a second, and starts checking the things she put in the fridge.

When she doesn't see it, she remembers that she forgot it. Before she turns to apologize, Jamal says, “No need. I'd send the maids for it.”

“Uh...I can get it?”

“I thought you said, you had an appointment? Surely, you got so hooked up when you received the call, that you forgot about what I said. So, just let go.”

He walks away, and she stands still, like a statue.

There's nothing wrong with his statement, but then, she feels hurt by his words.

She tries to finish up real quick, and find her manager who was seated in her living room for hours.

“Can we have this talk outside? I need natural air.” says, Myla.

“Sure. I was thinking the same.”

They walks down the flawless house, cutting into a corridor that leads to the open garden, behind the house.

Myla settles on a chair, amongst so many others, which surround a central table.

A maid comes forth to ask the guest what she wants, and Ms. Grayson says, she's good, so the patron walks away.

Ms. Grayson looks at Myla, whose thoughts seem far away. “You don't look good.”

Myla returns to earth, raising her fonts in a question, “I don't?”

“Is this about your husband? I must've pressured you to come all the way, and he didn't like it.”

Myla twist her mouth, looking at the decorated table of fruits. She picks one and throws it into her mouth.

“He wanted us to book an appointment to see a specialist, after that. But, I refused, so yeah, he didn't like it.”

“That must have been tuff for you. I'm sorry I caused trouble. I know you have a lot of burdens as the wife, now.”

Myla fans her. “Nah, we'd get over it.”

“New rules at the film industry. Shall we?”

Myla nods, and the woman brings out a jotter.

“I wrote down rules in alignment to your next projects. Ed is still your director.” she pauses to look at Myla, whose facial expressions is frustrated. “I really tried to help. Everyone seems to worship that man.”

“You have no idea, I don't want to see his face.”

“At least the new project is with a very popular co-star...you will adore.”

“Can you not say that in this house, please.”

Ms. Grayson smiles. “Absolutely. If only you know who that is.”

“And, who is he?”

“James Bone.”

“No way! Not him. I had a crush on that man.”

“I told ya. Besides, he loves women like you.”

“That's going to be a problem.”

“It sure will. After all he just got divorced. Rumors had it, that things didn't end well as his ex still has a thing for him.”

“I feel sad for her.”

“You don't have to, gurl. She went through the same problems with her ex-husband.”

“Ex-husband? Shouldn't she be taking a break?”

“Talking as if she cares. Wait until you two become close in the movie, then we could talk about a break.”

Myla sits upright, with a frown. “This is supposed to be a no romance, action movie. We can't get too close, Ms. Grayson. We need to revise that contract.”

“I'm sorry, that's part of the new rules for this movie. Mr. Andrew will take the cast, through it more strictly.”

Myla shakes her head, disappointedly. “I can't believe I'm going to do this.”

“Don't think a lot, he won't be gross. It's a good kisser.”

“This is not funny, Mr. Gray. I'm married, and devoted. And Jamal... he's different.”

'Will you let a man touch you the way I do?'

Jamal's words replay in her thoughts.

Ms. Grayson, shuts her lips for a while, before reopening it. “When is your next album release? Fans are crying to hear from you after everything. They want to see both of you showing some love onscreen, again. You should talk to him about it.”

“Mmm, I will. Though he hasn't said anything concerning the movie house. As for the music, we'll figure it out. He's a great songwriter.”

“I'm not sure you've been into any of your social media accounts. People are crazy for you! And that has given it a lot of followers. About, 18.9 Million subscription, this season.”

This is what Myla could go insane about in some years back, but now, it's no surprise.

She hasn't been on the social medias as her manager said. The older woman handles everything. She barely has time for Twitter, or Instagram, and her YouTube channel is also controlled by her manager, though she's the master of what is posted.

Myla is going through her manager's jotter, with a pen in her hair.

Ms. Grayson decides to check her phone for a while, but then, she sees something, and her face lits up.

“Your husband is an Irish Prince! I don't know if he told you, but he has been nominated the 3rd wealthiest business man in the world! And the first, actor/artist who holds the highest Networth.”

Myla's eyes bulge out. “Wtf-he didn't tell me! Lemme see. Is that what you're looking at?”

...

Amid speaks over the phone. “As soon as I saw 'you're the fucking-close-to trillionaire' world's nominated business man, carrying a third place, I just picked up my phone. I'm so proud of you, man.”

Jamal leans against his chair as he chuckles. “I wouldn't be here if not for you. So, that's your worth too.”

“This was all you, your determination, and everything. I'm sure Myla will go crazy about it.”

“She's a good snippet, who must've known, already. It'll just wait for me to speak first.”

He laughs, and says, “I still can't believe y'all got married without my blessings.”

“That's on you to blame. I told you to let go of work, first.”

“You know I couldn't do that, Mr. Jamal.”

He chortles at his friends' response, then questions, “When are you returning, anyway?”

“Tommorow, morning. We have much to talk about; Some man trying to partner.”

“What does it do?”

“Petrolium. He wants it private.”

Jamal chuckles. “Private? Sure. I wanna see him.”

“Schedule?”

“Our usual.”

...

“Do you need anything else?” Mrs. Kush asks, sitting close to her daughter.

Latif nods. “Yes, I need to see Myla.”

“Baby, you can't see her. Remember what you did? She's not going to welcome you into her house, and may even lock you up. I won't let that happen.”

“I have to try. I just need to confess something to her. And I need to do that, before it's too late. I don't want her to go through the same pain.”

“Are you ok? She's supposed to be your rival!”

“No, I'm not, mom. I'm not ok. And I won't listen to you anymore. I've always known Jamal wasn't for me. But you kept pressuring me to be with him. You are the reason I'm this way. I won't fight over him, anymore.”

“Latif, listen to me...”

She shifts from her mom. “No, you should listen to me, mom! My hands are stained. I'm never going to watch it away. At least, let me help her.”

“She won't listen to you. She won't believe anything you say. Your dad, and I wanted the best for you, that's why Jamal was our choice. That lady doesn't deserve him. Stop saying all these things, and putting down your chances of getting him back.”

“Lies! I am the one who doesn't deserve him. And that's why I loosed already. Besides, you were not interested in my happiness, but his money. You thought it'd be easy for you to walk into his life, and gain his trust, so you could partner with him. But he's just like his dad.”

“You know nothing about his dad. You know nothing about that! Stop talking shit!”

Latif stands from her seat. “Mom, I'm not a kid, anymore! I've known you at least, to my best. You used me to destroy Jamal's career, and I was so foolish to understand that. All I wanted was Jamal for myself, and you knew I'd do anything to get him back. Anything, including poisoning an innocent soul,”

Mrs. Kush shuts her mouth.

“I don't want to play your games anymore. I don't want to be like you; greedy, wicked, a murderer,”

“Latif!” Mr. Kush calls, coming into their presence, and Latif shudders at his voice.

To be continued...