CHAPTER 2–FACING THE PAST & FUTURE BEFORE THE FANS - REBECCA

   

            Three days later, Rebecca made it to the press conference set. Really, it’s a televised commercial announcing a special to introduce the lineup of shows for the coming season on the studio’s many channels.

Of course, with Empire Nights, a long-standing favourite even though the ratings were slowly dipping had a prime spot. Rebecca would be the voice announcing the channel’s new lineup. Viewers will fawn over her beautiful, familiar face between sneak peeks and show explanations. They’d filmed interviews with producers and actors alike to round everything out.

Rebecca was already dragging herself along. As she passed the craft table and all the foods, she saw she wouldn’t be eating there soon. It was a world of hurt waiting for her. Rebecca knew she couldn’t afford to lose even a single pound, but eating that would not help her gain anything.

“Rebecca, there you are. Good news, Everett is here already. He’s agreed to your requests. However, he passed on the message that he could do nothing about Gena. He’s no longer with her, but her contract has her present. You must grin and bear it.”

Rebecca couldn’t help her sneer at the very thought.

“I can’t expect anything less. You made sure I’m not in front of the camera with her?” She tried to verify everything would run smoothly. She wouldn’t have to deal with Gena’s nonsense.

“It’s in your contract, so yes, it’s done. I still don’t understand what is happening.”

            “Ben, you don’t need the entire sordid story. I don’t want to share things that don’t concern others. I am not aiming to destroy them. Also, I am trying to handle the situation professionally.

            “Sordid story. Colour me intrigued. No, I don’t need to know. I’m still curious.”

            “It was a long time ago. I won’t bore you with the details. Just keep Gena in her corner and I’ll stay in mine.”

            “Rebecca. Several people have demanded to know why there’s so much animosity between you. Are you avoiding something, while Gena wants to seek revenge?”

            Rebecca covered a quiet snort and looked at her agent through the corner of her eye. “She’s got no reason for seeking revenge on me, but I have ever reason to destroy her. You know what? I choose not to hurt her or her career. I’ve done everything to let her live her life however she likes, and I don’t want to talk about it. My goal today is to maintain my professionalism.”

            “Alright. I see you’re ready. They’re waiting for you on the stage. Go slay them.”

            “You know I always try.” Heavy lights and camera equipment lay at the ready. It blocked her view at first. As she rounded the corner, Rebecca walked into someone face first. Her blonde hair cascaded as she jumped back, glancing up to see who she collided with. “I’m so sorry…” She didn’t finish what she said when the face above the hard muscled body formed into that of Everett Stone. He’d not aged a day, though he’d packed on a lot of muscle. Everett still wore that cologne he’d always loved. She could smell the deep notes of sandalwood and burgundy. She loved that scent and she shivered because his scent alone brought back some delicious memories that haunted her on the long nights.

            “Everett.”

            “Well, better late than never. You’re a right deva these days, aren’t you? No consideration for anyone but yourself.”

            “I’m early, Everett, not late. I leave being late for certain other people.” Rebecca referenced Gena. That was something Gena did, not Rebecca.

            “You lost too much weight. It makes you look old.”

            “Thanks for caring. If I’m so late, why are you wasting time on senseless small talk? Excuse me.” She had to squeeze around him to get to her seat. Today’s conference was in front of a live audience. Nothing could go wrong. Everett and she were supposed to do their part and talk about the good times when acted together. They’d take questions and see where it went. If the audience liked the past, returning. They’d insist Everett reprise his role.

            His agent would only agree to this conference. A show to announce new shows and, for her show, a walk down memory lane. Rebecca had a feeling the walk down memory lane was so they could reintroduce unfinished plots from previous seasons, so they wrap them up this season. Then they’d cancel the show the next season if things didn’t improve.

            Rebecca put years into the show. She felt betrayed by the studio. She’d given them her loyalty, and this is what she got in return.

            Everett turned on his heel and followed her. “So, what have you been doing, Becca?”

            “You lost the right five years ago to ask that, Everett. My life isn’t an open book you can pick up and drop when you lose interest. Can we stay on topic here? We’re here for the show. Also, please refrain from calling me Becca. We aren’t close enough for that.”

            She could feel his frown on the back of her head. He’d asked for this when he walked away from everything that involved her. God, she needed to sit down, or someone would notice her knees were shaking.

            Gena stood off to the side with a makeup assistant powdering her nose. Gena was obsessed with her looks; Rebecca didn’t understand how she failed to see how artificial she appeared in person.

            Rebecca insisted on natural looking makeup for these events. Albeit the makeup must be heavier, and it felt like a mask. But the bright lights washed out the colours. Gena, however, wore her makeup far too dark for her colouring. She wasn’t a woman who could pull of high contrast makeup, as with her clothes. The result she received was her clothing and makeup garnered the first glance before her. Like Gena was an afterthought.

            Rebecca took pride in the fact her blonde locks were naturally this colour; she knew Gena was Italian and not naturally blonde. If she wore her natural hair colour, the clothing and makeup would work far better. But no one dared to tell her about it. Rebecca said nothing. She knew karma do its job to Gena, eventually. It was only a matter of time.

            “Ms. Jones, over here. I’m Heather. Daisy called in sick today. So, I’ll be touching up your makeup. Let me have a look. They’re settling the audience in their seats. You’ll be called to your interview chair soon. You’re the first interview with Mr. Stone.”

            “Lovely. The power of editing, sadly, can’t make this avoidable. At least, they did earlier my introductions for the shows.” Rebecca deliberately avoided looking at Everett. She spoke to the makeup assistant instead. She knew he heard everything she said.

            “Yes, of course. They wanted a live audience, though.”

            Everett stood not three feet from Rebecca. He heard everything she’d said. “Of course, without them, there’d be no show.” He said aloud to everyone, and no one in particular. Everett didn’t stop frowning at Rebecca as he studied her. With his eyes on her and it felt intimate like a caress. Everett’s look was wrong for such a public space. What if the fans noticed?

            “Would it be easier if I sat down for you?” Rebecca asked the petite makeup assistant.

            “That’s so kind of you. There’s something distracting about putting on someone’s makeup while looking up their nose. However, for men, it’s easy to know if they need a little landscaping.” Heather tapped the side of her nose with a mischievous smile. She’d noticed how Everett listened to their conversation. It gave Rebecca a reason to smile. “Okay, all down. They’ll call you any minute.”

            “Thanks.”

            “Break a leg.”

            “It can’t be healthy for you to be that thin, Becca.”

            “I told you not to call me that. You lost the right to say it.” She remembered so many small flashes of memories when her heart raced with joy when he called her that. He’d lost the right the night he quit the show and her.

            “It’s not only your appearance that’s changed. When did you become so sarcastic?”

            “You know very well I like my privacy. You lost your pass into my private life.”

            “Why did you request I come back? Why are you acting this way?

            “Hush, there are fans within hearing. I didn’t. It’s the studio who demanded it.”

            “Do you want me to return?”

            “It’s out of my hands. Make your choice and have your agent talk to the board and the producer. It’s between you. I’m not involved.”

            “What’s with the freaky demands about my girlfriends showing up on set, then?” Rebecca heard his annoyance as he said this and smirked. It was petty, but she enjoyed it.

            “Oh, please, you know why. You did nothing but smirk through the entire incident. I’d prefer the set stay as a professional setting and not turn into a wild night of cat fighting. It’s a sound stage, not some honky-tonk bar on a Saturday night with a mud wrestling pit.”

            “I did no such thing. You were rude and insulting to her. I let you work it out.”

            “No, you let her manipulate the situation. I looked bad in the media and written up with the studio. I won’t allow that again. It’s my show.”

            “Really, if it’s your show, why don’t you have a say about my return?”

            “I’m not talking to you until we’re in front of the camera and answering questions.” It was killing her to hear his velvet voice. Her mind responded by flashing through memories of several hot, sultry nights with him and that voice of his. It was like a gateway drug. She wanted more of that forbidden fruit.

            “You’re wanted on set, Ms. Jones, Mr. Stone.” A stagehand stepped forward and hurried said to them before he moved on.

            “Work calls, finally.”

            As they settled into their chairs for the interview and communicating with the fans, Rebecca heard several young female fans up front gossiping rather loudly.

            “Isn’t it a shame? Isn’t it a shame that the paparazzi spotted Gena D’Or with Everett Stone again last night at that exclusive bar, Falcon’s Nest? You know the one. It’s at the top of the new building built by that electronics firm. What was it?” Rebecca looked at Everett. His first lie became obvious already.

            “Golden Arrow Technologies. It’s run by Gena’s uncle. So, who’s heard the rumour Everett might return to Empire Nights as Dane?”

            “It would be an enormous improvement. Gena makes him look bad in every scene with her crappy acting. He outshines her every time. I stopped watching Grandview Manor.”

            “Yeah, there was real chemistry on Empire Nights when Dane and Bella were together.” The girl fanned herself with her hand, and her friends nodded their agreement.

            The stage manager called for quiet. He provided the audience with instructions on how the event would unfold.