Chapter 16
1152words
I nervously glance around the studio and through the sea of people scurrying around, hoping I don’t see any hint of Rhonda. She almost cost me my chance with Tiffany. Plus, if Tiffany sees her first, I’m afraid to see what my co-star will do. Last night, she nearly exploded when I told her who Rhonda really was. I had to confirm over and over again I didn’t take Rhonda up on her multiple offers, nor would I in the future. Ultimately, my tender touches are what calmed my beautiful girlfriend down.
I breathe a small sigh of relief when I don’t see Rhonda. Maybe she won’t be here today.
“TREVOR!!”
My heart jumps into my throat.
I spin around to see one of the middle-aged staff members waving at me. “TREVOR! THE DIRECTOR WANTS TO SEE YOU IN HIS OFFICE!”
I have rejoiced too soon.
I nod and wave back before I trudge my way to the director’s office. The entire time, I silently pray he doesn’t want to talk to me about Rhonda.
I stop in front of his door and take a deep breath. My eyes stare at the smooth wood surface with ‘Director’ written across it, while still praying this isn’t about Rhonda.
After I had calmed Tiffany down last night, we talked about Rhonda and what to do. Tiffany understands Rhonda can ruin our drama if she wants to throw a fit. Unfortunately, we haven’t had a chance to devise a plan to counter anything the crazy witch might do.
Not wanting to prolong it any longer, I gather all my courage and knock on the door. The director calls out, “Come in.”
I take another deep breath and walk inside. To my relief, Rhonda isn’t there, but I know I’m not out of the woods yet.
He motions for me to sit down in front of his desk, and I nod. I quietly take my seat, and he asks, “Do you know why I’ve called you here?”
I shake my head. “No.”
The corner of his mouth curls down into a frown while his eyes question whether I’m telling the truth. He stares at me for a moment before he leans back in his chair and takes a deep breath.
My heart hammers against my chest. What is he going to say?
“I’ve had a phone call from the owner of the studio.”
No. My stomach sinks and hits the floor while my foot bounces.
He shakes his head. “I don’t know what happened with you and Rhonda yesterday. I don’t like getting involved in these things. Personally, I find it appalling for what she is doing. We have work to do, and she thinks she can waltz in here with no regard to us and disrupt our schedule.”
“Unfortunately, I must care now. She has called the owner and is telling him to pause your filming for a bit, so the two of you can get some things handled. Do you have things to handle with her?”
His disgust clouds his eyes as I roll my hand into a fist. What did she say to everyone?
I shake my head. “No. I kept telling her I’m getting paid to work, and that was what I’m going to do.”
He runs his hand through his hair and bobs his head up and down. A few gray hairs stick up on either side of his head while several of his dark brown strands clump upright on top. When he looks across the desk at me, I can see sympathy and frustration in his eyes.
I’ve underestimated Rhonda.
He sighs. “You shouldn’t have said that. She is telling the owner you need time off, so her and you can discuss things.”
He leans his head back onto the chair and closes his eyes.
A mix of panic and fear wash over me. How could she do something like this to me?
I swallow down the lump in my throat and choke out, “What did you say?”
This may be the turning point for both my career and my relationship with Tiffany. I can only hope he stuck up for me and the drama.
“I didn’t know what to tell the owner. It is like walking on thin ice. One wrong move and I can go under and take everyone with me.”
He opens his eyes and stares at me.
I silently plead with him to tell me he said he wouldn’t accommodate the owner’s request.
He silently pleads back. I’m not exactly sure for what though.
“I somehow have managed to convince the owner to allow me to continue to film as scheduled, but he wants you to take so time towards the end of filming for Rhonda. He said it would mean a lot to him if you would spend time with her. He didn’t say it had to be right away.” He pauses for a moment. “I’m sorry.”
His apology hits me like a sledgehammer. He wants me to give in to her.
Silence falls around us as I stare at him, wishing he hadn’t told the owner that.
I can’t believe this is happening to me when I finally have something I want.
My head throbs as his words repeat in my head. A sick feeling in the pit of my stomach forms, while dread creeps across me.
My voice cracks as I ask, “I don’t want to be her boy toy. I know what her interest means.”
He frowns and gives me another sympathetic look, but doesn’t offer me any solutions.
What am I going to do now?
Suddenly, I get an idea and timidly ask, “What if I have a partner? Do you think she will leave me alone if she knows I’m already in a committed relationship?”
He raises an eyebrow and slowly shakes his head. “I don’t know. Maybe. Do you have someone in mind, or are you seeing someone I don’t know about?”
The amusement in his voice suggests he might know, but I shrug my shoulders. “I’m just asking, trying to figure out the best approach to shut her down. You know I don’t do stuff like this.”
“Yeah. I know. That is why I feel so sorry for you. I’m hoping you were going to tell me something else, though.” He pauses for a minute and sits up straight in his chair. With a serious look, he adds, “I won’t tell anyone. Your secret will be safe with me.”
Secret? Safe with him? What is he talking about?
I stare back at him. My mouth opens and closes a few times, but I don’t know what to say.
An uneasiness lingers in the air.
After a few more moments under the pressure of his anxious look, I slowly nod. I’m not sure what I’m agreeing to, but maybe it will help me in the long run.
