❤️Gabriela's POV
I always wondered how I became an actor. It still feels unusual to me. Maybe it's because I know how to cry without actually feeling anything. Maybe it's because my mom forced me to do theatre arts as a kid, I don't know. However, at least I can thank my mom for giving me a chance to have a job that I love. But I couldn't give her the satisfaction of knowing she did something right so "Gabriela" never actually became an actor. Ha. It's funny how she just adores Kia Rogers. If only she knew. I don't ever plan on telling my parents who I really am. They would try to take advantage of me and my money. Now that I am where I'm at I don't need any parental figure, or stalker getting in my way of living my wonderful life.
❤️Cole's POV
The minute she walked on the set all eyes were on her. Kia just has that kind of effect on everyone. And yet she wonders why she has people out to get her. Or whoever else. I take a mental note on who approached her, what they said, and how they acted. Every single person was a suspect to me. The last person to talk to Kia was Vivian Norway. I don't particularly like her. She's always been one of those celebrities who'll do anything to get to the top. Wait. The top. Christ, it might be her. I wait until she said her goodbyes and walk up to her as she sits down on her chair. I hope she realizes that she's the only actor here that has one. She has one from every movie or shows she's ever done. I already know that's at least 15 chairs. She must have them all stuffed in a closet or something. It's quite sad.
"I know it was you," I whisper in her left ear.
"Huh? Oh hi, Cole sweetheart be a dear and get me my drink from the mini-fridge in the lounge for me?"
I roll my eyes and walk into the lounge to grab what she asked for. As soon as I come back with it I place it on the table next to her and stand in between the drink and her.
"You haven't answered my claim, Vivian."
"What claim doll?"
"I know it was you."
"Whatever did I do?" she questions, giving me the fakest blank stare I've ever seen.
"You know exactly what you did last week Friday."
"Oh, you mean the cut rope that ended up on fire? Darling how could you think such a thing. I didn't do it. I'll admit I've done some nasty things in my time but I would never cause this much harm. And why would I want to ruin a perfectly good movie that could get my fame to the top? It doesn't make sense."
"See now, I know your lying, no one even knows that the rope was cut."
"Well, I do have eyes and ears you know. I'm pretty sure I overheard someone saying that the rope was cut. Curiosity got the best of me and I went to see if it was true. You do know how much I adore to be in one of those spy movies, why not have a little fun and play detective?"
I look at her suspiciously.
"Well then, do you have any idea who it was?"
"I have no idea, maybe it was just an accident."
"How do you accidentally cut a rope, Vivian?"
"Why are you asking me? It's not like I know anything about cutting ropes." she chuckles.
"You sure about that? Remember Red and Black Stars? Three years ago?"
"I- okay maybe I do but that bitch deserved it."
"She deserved to fall and break her legs?! Really?"
"What? that was my career on the line, she wasn't even a good actress. If I haven't done that I would still be doing small commercials and going nowhere."
"You realize that you could've killed her right? You literally have a charge on your file."
"She would've been fine, it wasn't that high. And no I don't, daddy already took care of it for me. Now if you'll excuse me, my drink your blocking is getting warm and I have to a scene to go in a few so I'd really like it if you'd stop questioning me. I'm a victim here. We all are. We all could've gotten hurt."
I gave her an I'm not done with you stare and let her be. For now. She knows how to play dirty. Two can play at that game. Why did my dad decide to put her in this movie, I'll never know. I look around for Kia but she was nowhere in sight. Figuring that she might be in her dressing room, I walk over and knocked on the door. There was a bit of silence. I sigh and turn to leave. I stop and turn back when I hear the door open behind me.
"Sorry I was distracted for a sec. Come in" she says almost in a whisper.
"You okay?" I ask.
"Yeah, I'm fine just thinking about real-world stuff."
"What kinds of stuff?"
"You ask too many questions you know that?"
"Better to ask and know than be in the dark."
"Hm, anyways what do you want."
"Can't I just talk to a friend?"
"Since when were we friends?"
"I saved your life, we are now considered friends to me."
"Interesting way to make friends."
"Interesting's my middle name."
"Oh, shut up. you're a mess."
"I'm a mess? Wow. I see how it is."
She rolls her eyes and tries to fight the smile off her face.
"Oh before I forget, I think you might be right about someone out to get me. I went out for coffee with my friend and after I got this piece of paper from this guy who was just a paid messenger. The note read "You think you're all that but you really aren't. You. Are. Nothing."
"Damn. I knew it." I mumble.
"I mean why would someone be out to get me? I didn't do anything wrong to anyone. You guys know how much I believe in karma." she whines drastically as she leans back against a wall. That's when I finally took notice of what she was wearing. A silk robe in her favorite color. Pastel pink. I could tell that she wore nothing under it as I could see the sheer lace of her bra peeking out from under it. It was very tempting which made my mind go crazy and I felt blood rush into my cheeks. I quickly cough and turn away to stare at some unusual vase in the corner.
"Yeah, I know, but who knows what their reason is, maybe they just hate you simply for being so perfect."
"You think I'm perfect?" she asked as she leans closer to me. Any closer and she'd have felt the embarrassing bulge below. Good thing she hasn't noticed. I just need to leave this room before I do something I'll regret.
"Never mind that what I'm saying is your life might look perfect to other people. You're a celebrity for God's sake."
"I guess you're right."
"I'm always right."
"Cocky much?"
I chuckle. Oh if only she knew.
"Yeah yeah how funny. You'd better hurry up and get ready before--"
"There you are Kia, we've been looking for you, we're almost about to start. Cole, what are you doing? Your dad needs you real quick." states Neil.
"Shit! Sorry I was distracted and Cole came in and we were talking and-"
"It's all good just be ready in 5."
"Cool thanks, I'll see you later Cole?" she questions.
"Yeah sure," I say as I walk out.
As I close the door behind me, Neil wraps an arm around my neck and ruffles my hair as he laughs.
"My man! I can see why she was distracted with that hard-on."
"Oh shut the fuck up. She didn't see it."
"Ha, nothin to be embarrassed about, y'all looked pretty chummy in there to me."
"Yeah whatever it was nothing."
"Dude that wasn't nothing, you've had a crush on her since forever," he whispers.
"Didn't you say my dad called me?" I say trying to avoid the topic of Kia.
"Yeah, he did he's by the place where the cord caught on fire."
"Cool, thanks," I say and jog over to him.
"Hey, Dad, what's up?"
"Hey son, quick question, Neil filled me in on the rope incident. He said that you think it was cut and now that I'm looking at it, I think it was too."
"Yeah, I'm trying to find out who did it and why."
"Good, and I want to know as soon as possible. I don't want another accident or whatever this was."
"Yes sir, I'm on it."
"Anyways, have you talked to Gabriela by any chance?"
"Uh, no not really, why?"
"Just asking, you know my black and white gala is tonight and she seems like a great woman, I know you don't wanna hear me say this all the time but I'm getting old and your old dad wants to see some grandbabies before he dies."
"Come on dad, don't be that way, You know no one has caught my eye yet, I still have time and you still have time."
"Yeah, okay, but seriously think about it, she's a nice woman."
"Fine, I'll try if it makes you happy but just know that if she says no I'm done."
"Thank you, that gives me peace of mind."
"Okay then, I better head back and you have a movie to direct."
With that, I walk away and park myself away from everyone but just close enough to get a view of Kia.
❤️Gabriela's POV
Today wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I actually had a nice talk with Cole despite the stalking, and everyone seemed to care for my well-being after the fire. I walk out of my dressing room with a soda in hand and my bag in the other and make my way towards the exit. Right now I wanted to be in my bed with a bunch of sketches. I was thinking about the new designs in my head all day. Before I could make it to the door I bump into someone hard.
"Are you okay? I'm so sorry I was lost in thought and I didn't see you there." I say as I look up. I froze. It was Vivian, my coworker. And she was wearing a cream boxy coat.