Two

PRESENT DAY

“The ice queen is going to attend the movie premier of hunted hearts even though she didn’t get the role. Tell me George, why you think she is going to attend.” One newscaster said as he turned to his co-anchor as they discussed my life on the show, trying to think why I am doing something that stars refuse to do, they are thinking too deeply into the actions what they don’t know is that the reason is staring at them right in the face.

“well Anthony I think she is going there to show the writer of the script that she was right about the movie, she could be going there to gloat” George replied.

“That’s not how stars gloat.” Anthony said looking at George not getting the logic behind George thinking obviously just like me too, he wasn’t the only one confused with George analogy.

“true but then again is the Ice Queen like every other normal star, she is will be going there and leave half way just to prove to everybody that the movie is boring and that is why she rejected the script.” George said as Anthony made a noise like a light bulb just went off in his head.

I turned off the to because I couldn’t stand it anymore, they all display me as a bitch and I know that I don’t have any right  to complain since I did start the character and I didn’t discredit them when it started to grow into its own brand. The truth is that, this Ice Queen they are talking about isn’t really who I am underneath, the reason I rejected that script was because part of the storyline was too close to my own story with Noah and I couldn’t bear it, I am going to the premier to watch the movie because even though I couldn’t act it that doesn’t mean that the movie won’t be interesting. I will go to the premier and stay way after the movie because I have a feeling that I will end up crying or showing emotions and I need that time to compose myself and put my mask back on. That is the only successful way for me to deal with the world and survive.

My mask cannot go off in public, it will be the death of me. My phone rang and I picked it up just to see it was my manager calling me, I was tempted to not pick because I have a feeling he would want me to leave early so that the bitch personality which I am displaying will shine brightly. Still no matter how tempted I was not to pick I know that I have to pick. “What?” I demanded as soon as I answered the call.

“Are you in front of your to?” josh asked bypassing any form of greeting.

“Yeah, why?” I asked him cautiously, the only time josh is this way is when something big has happened.

“Go to channel seven, hurry.” He said instead and I quickly turn the TV back up and switched channels only to freeze when the new station was displaying my ex smiling face on the screen. I listened to the news as I paled even more, he got a new girlfriend and this time it appears serious … like he was serious with her, like he is finally over me, as I listened to the news, all half hopes I have about us reconciling went down the drain, he has moved on. It took him a long time but he did. I should too.

“Why are you showing me news about Noah and his current flame?” I asked josh who still ignored me.

“Do you recognize her name?” Josh asked instead

“No, why would I want to know his current girlfriend?” I gritted my molars, I am gradually not caring about what news he needs to tell me, I will hang up on him if he doesn’t say it within the next one minute.

“You should know her, you two are going to be in the same reality show.” Josh said patiently as if I am dense, I froze when I heard what he said.

“There is no way I will be in the same show was Noah girlfriend.” I said in an icy cool tone not caring what my company will say on the issue.

“We don’t want that too. That is why this is going to be problem and I called you to avoid it in a large scale, what should we do.” 

“Get the car ready and pick me up in an hour, we are going to the reality show producer office.” I said as I hanged up not giving him the chance to tell me that my plan is wrong in various levels.

In an hour time, I wore my signature white fur coat which I have dozens of, it shows people that I am angry, I stepped into the car  that was waiting for me outside my apartment building.  As soon as I settled into the seat I said “drive” and the drive immediately took off.

Josh was beside me in the car with his glasses on as he perused a couple of papers.

“What is that?” I asked him.

“Your contract with them, I am trying to see what loophole gave them the right to pull something like this. They should know better than to try to get a rise out of you.” Josh answered me as I gritted my teeth. He was right, the reason why they are doing this is for no other reason other than to get me angry and for me to lash out which I don’t do.

“Is the loophole there?” I asked as I rested my head on the seat head rest.

“No, there isn’t one. Our lawyers already gone through this before they told us it was safe to sign.”

“In that case, let’s get there. They want a display. They will get one.” 

“You can’t be serious” the producer said in a mini burst of anger while I calmly sipped my tea as if it is every day that I pull out of signed contracts.

“And please, do enlighten me, why can’t I be serious. The reality show is amazing, I am sure you can get another female to replace me… and do try to not to make her angry.”  I told him so calmly that a tic went up near his brow.

“Be reasonable Tiffany, this show will make free publicity for you and a lot of people would like to watch you and her besides, you are over Noah right. It won’t matter.” The producer added as I was tempted to pour the reminder of my tea over him.

“So you want to sell a story on me and her and not pay us extra. You are a slime bag. I appreciate your offer but I decline.” I said with a touch of humor on my voice. 

“Fine, I will increase your money.” The producer offered as I smile coldly at him and leaned in.

“You don’t get it do you. I don’t want your honesty, I want you groveling as you beg for me to reconsider and still even then I wouldn’t because you lost your chance. If you want to sue me for breaking the contract please do and I will see you in court while you explain yourself to the judge.” I said as I stood up and walked out of room with Josh at my heels

In the car on my way home to get ready for the premier, Josh started talking. 

“That will teach him something, I can’t wait for him to post it on their Twitter handle that you are no longer doing the show, let your fans take care of attacking him for you.” 

I rolled my eyes. “Stop deceiving yourself Josh, I don’t have those kind of Fans, now stop talking, I need to get into the right mind frame before the premier.”

“And speaking of the Premier, we want you to try and leave in the middle of it all.” 

I sighed as I felt an upcoming headache, arguing with Josh always brings out the worst of them. “I am not leaving the theatre early just to try and prove that I am a bitch. I am going there because I want to, not for any other reason so don’t turn this into another work moment for me.” 

“I am not trying to turn it into a work moment but when your actions are on the display and you are an actress, everything where you go in public turns into a work thing for you.” Josh said as I relaxed deeper into my seats. 

“Josh, don’t make hate you.” With those words, I turned my face away from him as he sighed. He knew better than to try and talk to me now. 

Maybe this acting career just wasn’t it for me. Yes I have the fame but I also have no privacy. Josh was pretty excited when this movie came in but once he saw the script, he knew I couldn’t do it. The only way I should be around that movie from the beginning to the end was at home, in my comfy blankets and a pint of ice cream in the fridge to make me feel better when my skin goes all red and hot for crying too much. 

Sometimes though, I am just a sucker for pain.