Rise of the Billionaire actress

Deloise was overwhelmed with joy. She couldn’t stop smiling on her way back to the dorm room. She’d been congratulated by people she didn’t know and couldn’t wait to actually share it with someone.

She hoped Layla was home and stopped by a cafeteria to get some burgers and soft drinks. She was going to eat it as a celebratory meal for her first movie role.

After getting the meal, she committed to taking care of herself more in preparation for the filming. She wasn’t about to look funny in her first role in a movie and made a mental note to hit the gym as soon as possible.

One thing she loved about her body was the fact that it could fit Into almost anything. With the right conditioning that is. She was never one to complain about weight due to her fast metabolism.

She couldn’t go wrong with some facial and skin therapy and all she wanted was to look and feel good. She’d previously searched up some popular actors’ rituals in preparation for a new role and ever since then, itched to have a ritual of her own when she eventually ventured into the film industry.

Deloise attempted pushing the door to her room open but quickly realized it was locked. Which pretty much signaled her roommate wasn’t around. Knowing she would be alone almost put a damper on her mood but she shook it off and dug into her bag for a spare key.

In no time, she was inside and catapulted herself on the bed with a cheesy smile. Her heart was warm and she itched to share her joy with someone.

A light bulb went off in her head and she immediately reached out for her phone. This was a dream she had nursed with Anna throughout her life and it was only fitting she told her of the news.

Deloise immediately dialed Anna’s number, waiting anxiously with a smile to share the news. The line rang three times before it connected.

” Anna! You wouldn’t believe it! I got a female lead gig. It’s all finally happening, I’m so happy.” She said in one breath.

” Okay? So… ” came the voice of Anna, flat and unruffled.

” You don’t get it, I just got picked as the lead female for a huge production. I can’t even begin to explain how I feel. It’s been a week and my entire life has changed. It feels like a dream.”

The line was pin drop silent, Deloise checked to see if she ended the call but saw that the line was still connected.

” Hello? Are you there?”

” I don’t know what you want me to say, Deloise. What do you want?” Anna asked, sounding almost bored.

Deloise deflated like a balloon. How stupid had she been to think she was going to share her joy? They weren’t even talking for Christ’s sake!

” If that is all, then..” Anna spoke after a while of quietness from Deloise’s end. With that, three beeps were heard, signaling the end of the call, alongside the end of a long time friendship.

Deloise turned off her phone with a soured mood and a new found determination to draw happiness from herself and attain a level of emotional independence.

Meanwhile, in the Royal Arts community, news of Stella Davis losing a role to a newbie spreads like wildfire. The news left everyone thirsty to see the one who was able to snag a role from the industry’s princess.

******

Esther was in her home, tidying up her kitchen when the doorbell went off. She wasn’t expecting anyone and wondered who it was at the dead of the afternoon.

She quickly washed her hands and headed on out to see who it was. On getting to the door, she looked through the peephole and saw an unfamiliar face.

Without wasting any more time, she went on to open the door.

” Hello, how may I help you.” She said to the man, a delivery man.

” Good day ma’am. Delivery for Miss Esther.”

A bouquet of sunflowers was handed over to her alongside some paperwork which she signed. In a matter of seconds, the transaction was over and she was left thinking about the person behind the gesture.

She placed the flowers on her table with a suspicious look. It wasn’t a coincidence that after he showed up, the sunflowers followed. She tried to convince herself of the fact that it was a mistake but deep within her, she knew it couldn’t have been.

It wasn’t a mistake that her favorite flowers were suddenly delivered to her, in the same fashion he used to surprise her. The only thing missing from the assembly was the usual sweet note attached.

Esther unconsciously found herself searching for the note which was usually attached. With a turn of the basket, she immediately sighted a yellow envelope in the midst of the assembly.

Her heart picked up at the sight of it. If she wasn’t sure of the source before, she was clear on it. It was definitely from him. The locked memories from previous years poured into her mind frame, bringing back nostalgic feelings.

A part of her wanted to push the basket into the garbage without reading the content of the card, but another side of her was curious.

After a moment’s hesitation, she picked up the flowers and headed straight for the garbage. She couldn’t let herself fall into that sweet abyss. She managed to move on with her life after everything that happened.ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

She couldn’t let herself go back.

Esther disposed of the flowers, convincing herself that it was the best thing to do. At that moment, three successive knocks landed on her door. Esther turned around with eager steps and marched to her front door.

This time around, without looking through the peephole, she threw the door open and was met with a shock.

Daniel Greenwood stood on her patio with another sunflower and an almost teasing smile. She couldn’t escape him!

Esther made to close her door but the foot of Daniel hindered the door from being shut.

” Hear me out! I know you threw out the flowers, just please talk to me.” Daniel’s hand was by the edge of the door, holding firmly.

” I don’t have anything to say to you. Can you please leave and never come back?” Esther said with a pointed look, then finally came out of the house, shutting her door behind her.

” Just hear me out. Can we talk? Inside?” Daniel covered his head with his coat, he couldn’t afford his picture being taken at her home. It would only invite the public eye. Something he really wanted to do away with for the meantime.

” You must be dreaming. Leave now or I’ll invite the police. I’m sure your fancy famous self wouldn’t like that. ” She said with a serious tone. Her heartbeat was erratic and she hoped he didn’t notice how much effect he had on her.

” I will leave. But this isn’t over love. I’ll be back.”

Daniel spoke with a level of confidence that scared Esther. She didn’t need this right now. It was only a matter of time before Karen, Deloise and Anna returned back.

” Don’t you even dare. Back off.”

Upon seeing the look on her face, Daniel figured that it wasn’t his best day yet but was reluctant to go without achieving anything. Before he could stop himself, he blurted, ” Can I at least get your mobile?”

The question was met with a slam of the door. Esther entered her house and locked the doors. Hoping that he got the memo and stopped showing up on her doorstep.

Daniel stood motionless for some seconds after which he broke into a smile. His Queen was the same. He wondered what he was thinking when he came in such a conventional way.

The only way to gain the heart of his love was by creeping up on her. He was going to get in so subtle that she wouldn’t see it coming until the deed was done.

He went away with a smile and a new plan hatched in his mind. He was going to capture the heart of his queen. It was only a matter of time.

On entering his car, he placed a call to his employee, demanding to get the mobile number of his beloved. Within minutes, his phone pinged with a message including the number.