Chapter 3
I forced myself to push down the wave of nausea and rage and dialed Alex's number.
He glanced at the screen and held up a hand to quiet Sophie.
"Hey, Emma, what's up?" he answered. "Can't sleep? Missing me?"
His voice was soft and honeyed, his eyes practically smoldering with affection.
He reached out as he tucked a stray lock of hair behind Sophie's ear.
I stared at him with icy indifference.
My voice trembled with a mixture of pain and resolve.
"I... I'll do it. For you. I'll go... and talk to Mike."
I made myself sound like I had been through an agonizing decision, like I was sacrificing everything for love.
He shot to his feet, his face glowing with triumph.
But his voice was full of false emotion.
"Emma, you're so good to me. You even went as far as doing that for my sake. I honestly don't know how I'll ever repay you.
"I promise, after this, I'll work my ass off to become a superstar. I'll give you the life you deserve."
Indeed, he had been a superstar for years, yet he hadn't spared a single day to make my life better.
Why on earth did I think he would ever share his success or his resources with me?
"I'd do anything for you," I said.
I hung up before I could throw up.
Alex was so ecstatic that he grabbed Sophie, spun her around, and planted a dramatic kiss on her forehead.
I was the clown, a prop in their twisted little game.
After the laughter died down, Sophie turned serious. "Think about it, Alex. What if Emma hooks up with Mike? She might actually make it big, and then she'll be out of your league."
Alex shared the same concern. He turned to her and asked, "What do you have in mind?"
"Make her sign a contract with you. Bar her from working with Mike for three years. He's always surrounded by gorgeous women anyway. After three years, he won't even remember her name.
"Even if she wants to get close to him then, she won't have the chance."
Alex let out a hearty laugh.
He gave her nose a playful tap, looking utterly pleased with himself.
"You're the smart one."
When the next day came, I beat him to the punch and approached him before he could say a word.
"Alex, I'm waiting for you outside the extras' dorm."
"Okay!" he said and hung up quickly.
Half an hour later, he showed up, drenched in sweat.
"Just finished my morning run," he panted. "Have you been waiting long?"
I watched him, knowing full well he was just rushing over from his luxury villa.
He handed me breakfast, bacon on a toasted bagel, exactly how I like it.
I took it without a word and handed him a contract.
He took it casually, but as he read the clauses, his hand tightened, crinkling the paper.
He gaped at me in disbelief.
He murmured, "Emma, you..."
I explained, "I'm doing this because I want to. I want to prove to you that no one could ever take your place in my heart.
"The terms are clear. If I take a role in any of Mike's films in the next three years, I'll work for you for the rest of my life."
He was taken aback, but I could see the smug satisfaction in his eyes.
"Emma, are you sure about this?" he asked, feigning concern.
I said firmly, "I'm sure.
"Alex, we made a promise to each other. We were supposed to be each other's one and only."
I looked him straight in the eye.
"If the roles were reversed, you'd do the same for me, right?"
He wasn't expecting that. His smile froze.
"Of course."
I gave him a bright smile.
I said, "You'd better mean that.
"Because if I ever find out you've been lying to me, I'm gone."
He looked away with a flicker of guilt in his eyes.
And then, I heard his inner voice again.
[What's going on? Does she know something? Why is she saying all this weird stuff?]
[I'm probably just overthinking it. If Emma knew I was a superstar, she'd be all over me, trying to please me. She wouldn't be testing me like this.]
Please him?
I had no idea what gave him the impression that I would ever stoop to that.
After that day, I stopped answering his calls. My texts were short and to the point.
I started sending out my resume like a madwoman, going to every legitimate audition I could find.
I spent every waking moment honing my craft, practicing my lines.
I went from being the girl who revolved around her boyfriend to the dedicated, talented actress I was meant to be.