Rise of the Billionaire actress

” You are one lucky girl! Welcome to the family, definitely looking forward to seeing your abilities up close.”

One of the top Actresses under Evolve Management said through the mic. Deloise smiled on her seat.

It was her reveal day at the Evolve Management company. In honour of their latest addition, the company deemed it fit to throw a luncheon.

Diverse calibers of people were invited to the event. Part of which included but weren’t restricted to A-lister celebrities, influencers and artists.

Nothing screamed the word intimate, but she wasn’t complaining. Deloise felt bothered by the calibers of people attending the luncheon because of the publicity she knew it would garner. Despite the fact that she needed it, especially to kick-start her career, she felt a sense of fear.

She was a newbie in the sphere and knew how fast and vast news could fly. Just one click and her mother could be looking at her, watching her, and seeing just how much of a coward and liar she’s been these few months.

Deloise ached to come clean with her mother, firmly address the situation- but she couldn’t bring herself to do it.

Not when things were going smooth, not when she was about to make a solid name for herself in the industry. It was too late to come clean- too late to blow things off without solid proof that she’d been right to do what she did.

The end, they say, justified the means. Despite how intense and frustrating it felt keeping her secret, she could only move forward and pray things didn’t get bad.

” Congratulations.” A familiar voice said behind her. ” I knew you had something in you.”

” Mr. Daniel! Thank you so much.” She said with a genuine smile. ” I didn’t think you’d make it.”

” To the reveal of my female lead? No way. It’s a shame I can’t stay longer though.” He said, “You see those wolves waiting out there?” Daniel gestured behind him, reporters waited around the event, no doubt searching for the next big story.

” It’s just a matter of time before they pounce on me, and I have to leave before it becomes impossible.” He smiled, ” Have a splendid time.”

Deloise couldn’t help her smile as she watched him slip into the crowd of alike celebrities and made it out unscathed. Oh the terrors of being the people’s favorite! She thought amusedly, and turned around to a brick wall.

” Always so clumsy, sunshine.” His scent intoxicated her, a deep embracing sandalwood scent. ” You look breathtaking.”

Deloise put some space between them, ” Didn’t expect to see you here.” Her tone was far from friendly.

” That’s because someone forgot to send me an invite.” His tone was accusatory. ” Being a generous person, I decided to show up and support my soon-to-be girlfriend.”

” Yeah, whatever.” She turned around, done with the conversation.

” Wait!” Aaron pulled her by the waist, ” I’m sorry. I know I messed up last time but please forgive me.”

Deloise couldn’t think. For some weird reason, her brain decided to heighten her awareness of the buff arm around her waist.

Her senses went on an overdrive when she noticed his breath on her earlobe. ” Please, I promise it won’t happen again.”

” It’s a-alright.” She stuttered, tempted to pull her hair at the nerves that wrecked her. ” Have an awesome time…”

Even that sounded lame to her. At that point, she felt desperate to exit the calculative gazes of people. This is not the time and place to push that narrative!

” Wait a second.” She felt his arm tighten around her. ” Did I tell you how breathtaking you look?” He threw a wink, and she felt her body quiver. What the hell was that about?

” Congratulations, you deserve it.” He hinted at the entire occasion and she felt her heart still.

She deserved this. One line that meant more than he could imagine.

****

Esther busied in the kitchen, churning out layers upon layers of cake. Recently, business was looking good and she couldn’t stop her reckless mind from pinning it down to the recent appearance of a certain someone in her life.

Ever since their unforeseen reconnection, she made sure to block every possible means of nurturing anything more than friendship.

As though God heard the meditations of her heart, she got swarmed with so many orders in such a short time she wondered if someone gave out her number or she was finally getting the rewards of her hard-work.

Her heart leaned to the latter.

” Esther!” A familiar voice called from the entrance.

” Karen? Is that you?” Esther called from the kitchen, beaming when she heard the definite steps of her friend. ” When did you get back?” She pulled off her apron and headed on to the sitting room.

” A few minutes ago. I wanted to surprise you.” She muttered. ” How about you? You are glowing! What have I missed?”

” Other than the fact that I am baking more cakes than usual, nothing.”

” I went on vacation yet you seem to be the glowing one. What were you really up to?” She taunted, ” Who’s the secret man?”

That was a joke, but due to recent events, Esther looked like a deer in headlights.

” There is a man!” Karen reiterated, this time, more curious. ” Who is he and why am I just hearing it now?!”

” Don’t be silly. You know me.”

” Exactly how I know something’s up.” Karen narrowed her eyes, ” What are you hiding?”

Esther’s phone beeped and the message she saw sent her to a panic mode;

‘Touched down. Be there soon.’- Daniel

” Okay! I can see you’re tired from the journey. You need to rest it out.” Esther helped Karen to her feet to her friend’s confusion and led her to the door. ” I’ll join you at home soon. I need to finish my job.” She excused.

Before Karen could figure out the right words, the door was shut.

Phew!

Esther dropped behind the door and heaved a sigh of relief. Her relief got cut by the startling fact that he was on his way. Of all days to show up, Daniel- freaking- Greenwood chose today?! She thought, already losing her shit.

It didn’t take long before said person showed up in front of her door with takeouts. ” What are you doing here?”

Daniel pushed his way in, ” Here to see my favorite person in the world,” he raised his hand, ” I got us dinner.”

” You don’t get it,” Esther quickly shut the door. ” This isn’t what we agreed, you don’t get to do this.”

” I don’t get to do what exactly?” Daniel feigned confusion, to her exasperation.

” This!” she gestured at him, ” Showing up unannounced and- are you even paying attention?”

Daniel busied himself setting up the table, ” You caught me. Listen, we can either eat, or you continue complaining while I eat. I’m really hungry.”

” This is the last time you show up here like this.” She warned, arms crossed below her breasts.

” Fair enough. Can we eat now?” he spoke like a child, eager to eat. ” I hope you still like Chinese.”

Esther suddenly didn’t feel like eating. Of course she still loved Chinese food, despite her eighteen years of avoiding the said food, one glance at it still had her salivating.

” It’s alright. What are you up to?” her tone was curt.

The change of mood didn’t go unnoticed by Daniel, ” I have something going on in this city, meaning, I’ll be here more often.” He said, and gauged her reactions. ” Getting a befitting home is much work.”

” You never really liked staying alone.” The words were out before she could stop it, ” I mean, you’re probably dreading getting a place because it would be a waste spending that much money.” Esther diverted, praying he didn’t catch up to her.

” I still don’t like staying alone, nothing’s changed.”Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

Esther felt the deeper meaning in his words. She took a bite from her steak, ” Some people change, while some don’t.”

” How about you? Are you the same person or-”

” I might be everything else, but not the same girl I was eighteen years ago.”

Esther spoke, looking directly into his eyes. At that moment, they knew the topic’s changed by the electricity that charged through them.