"By the way, who gave you the stupid idea to become an actress?" Tony said snidely.
"What? Am I not beautiful? Why do you think I can't be an actress?"
"He he he… actresses need to act. As for you…" Tony gave a derisive sneer.
"Hey, I can act!"
"Whatever, if you are that delusional, I don't see how I can persuade you. From what I heard, entering the circle isn't that easy," Tony cautioned.
"I know. But I have the perfect answer to that question."
"Oh?"
"You remember Barney?"
"That guy who used to be your childhood buddy. Doesn't he look down on you with his nose high up in the air?"
"Hey, he is not that bad. He just doesn't like the stuff we get ourselves involved with," Natasha defended Barney.
"If you say so," Tony said not even bothering to look at her.
"Anyways, he is working as an agent in the AMC. Yeah, that AMC. Actor Management Company, one of the top brokerage companies. He told me to give him a call when I come to Los Angeles."
"Did you inform him that you are coming?"
"Already did. And he told me to call him after reaching Los Angeles. He is very busy with stuff these days. I am thinking of getting through his line and finding some opportunities."
"Does he know that you have such a thought?"
"Nope. He thinks I am coming for a visit. Poor bastard doesn't know that I am planning to use him," Nat snickered.
"Ah, there is the little devil I know. Good to know that you haven't completely changed."
Natasha shrugged without any shame.
"Anyways, I have enough money in the bank for a year or two. I can slowly try to find some opportunity. Even playing soy sauce is better than what I had earlier," Natasha said looking at Tony.
"Let's see how it goes. If that guy doesn't hire you, there are always other brokers in Los Angeles. We can try slowly."
Tony nodded agreeing.
"Hey, how about you become my manager after I make it big? Nah, a manager needs to know stuff about finance and everything. I think you are suitable to be my bodyguard or driver. Which one do you like?"
"Dear Nat, you haven't even started acting. Don't dream too ahead," Tony snorted.
"Hmmmph, you are going to regret not accepting my offer one day. I am going to be a big star. Just you wait and see…"
"Alright… alright… big star, why don't you switch on the radio? A road trip without music is so boring," Tony said not taking her declaration seriously.
Natasha shot him a glare and switched on the radio.
*****
"I should have known better than to trust you," Natasha complained looking completely pissed off.
"Hey, it isn't my fault. Who knew you were going to travel such a long distance?" Tony's voice came from where he was tinkering with the engine of the car they were traveling in.
"Couldn't you have arranged anything else apart from this junk?" Natasha retorted angrily.
Tony poked his head out of the hood and gave her an insulting look. Seeing that face made Natasha completely mad. But, before she could say anything, Tony flipped her off and went back to tinkering with the engine.
Natasha looked at the spot Tony's face had been present for a short moment, before snorting and turning her head away. She knew deep down in her heart that Tony wasn't at fault for the car breaking down. But she couldn't help but resent the fact that it was taking such a long time to reach Los Angeles.
Tony slammed the hood back down and got into the car again. He didn't bother to explain to Natasha what the trouble was. Natasha knew that even if he explained she wouldn't understand much. So, she simply prayed to God that they wouldn't be left stranded in the middle of nowhere.
The car jerked a bit when the engine started running. There was an uncomfortable noise coming from the car itself. Natasha eyed the car a little suspiciously. But, Tony didn't seem to be bothered with the sound. He shifted gears and slowly accelerated. Natasha held her breath for a few moments until the car started running again and let out a sigh of relief.
"It will do till we reach Los Angeles. But, I don't think it will last long after that," Tony grunted shifting gears yet again. "We can't increase the speed much either. It wouldn't hold on."
"Are you sure we can reach Los Angeles in this?" Natasha asked eyeing the front distrustfully.
Tony didn't fault her for her behavior. It was hard to. After all, that irritating sound had only increased with the car's speed. He simply turned on the radio to drown out the noise and kept driving.
"So, what's the plan after we reach Los Angeles?" Tony shifted the topic shamelessly.
Natasha shot him a stinkeye but still replied.
"Find a place to rent first. We are going to stay in Los Angeles for the foreseeable future. So, it is better to rent. Hotels will be costly. Clean up and get in touch with Barney," Natasha said nodding her head.
"Then, I will find a motel to put up. I don't think I will be welcome in the places you want to rent," Tony said mockingly.
Natasha bit her lips knowing it was the truth. Even though she and Tony got along really well and have a sibling-like relationship, she knew that wasn't the case with most people.
Whites and blacks rarely mingled. While the animosity between them may not be much in big cities like Los Angeles, the tolerance level of the society hasn't gone up for them to rent a room together. Most places would refuse to be rented out just because Tony was with her.
"You don't need to worry," Tony said seeing her frown. "I will be alright. I can also look around the hood and see how things are done here."
"Tony, you don't need to do that stuff here. This is our chance at a new life," Natasha said softly.
"I know, but a nigger like me can't be away from the hood for long. Even if I don't get into the business, I would like to know the pulse of the place. If I am not careful, I won't even know how I died," Tony said sighing.
"How about you help me? I will even pay you."
"Bah! Nat, we have had this talk a lot. I am not mooching off you."
"It isn't mooching if I pay for your work," Natasha said stubbornly.
Tony shot her a glare.
"First find a job, Nat," Tony said sternly. "One-third of the paycheck you earned is already gone. I didn't think you would go crazy in Vegas like that. You have a serious gambling problem, I am telling you…"
Natasha's ears reddened hearing Tony's words. She didn't think she would let go that much in Vegas. Initially, she was the one who was mocking Tony for wanting to spend money in Vegas.
But, when they arrived, it was the complete opposite. Tony had to literally drag her out of the casinos so that she wouldn't spend all her money. She didn't know what came over her.
Strippers and alcohol were well and good. Even Tony indulged a bit in them. The problem began when they stepped foot in gambling halls. She just couldn't stop herself once she got going.
"Shut up! It is not my fault that all those casinos are a group of cheaters. I am telling you, they cheated me out of my money!" Natasha said indignantly.
"Yeah, right. Who was the one who kept betting even after losing several times?"
"I am telling you, they are a bunch of cheaters. They let me win initially. After I started playing with more money, they never let me win at all," Natasha complained.
"He he… that is how the game is played you silly bitch. Wouldn't you have left immediately if you lost money at the beginning," Tony sneered at her causing Natasha to flush in embarrassment.
"Ugh! Just drive, you moron."
Natasha slammed her head on the dashboard in mortification. She knew that Tony would never let her live this down. Regardless, she was happy that he was sober enough to drag her out of the gambling halls physically.
"When you rent the place, your money will shrink a lot. Paying me to work for you when you don't even have a proper job will only burn out your pockets soon. So, forget about it. I will drop by your place every week to see how things are with you," Tony said shaking his head.
"When did you become so money conscious? You sound all mature and responsible when you speak like this," Natasha said shooting him a disbelieving look. "I have never seen you talk like this with Jeff."
"You are my little sister, bitch," Tony retorted hotly. "And Jeff was my homie. What is his is mine as well. It is the same the other way around as well. But, you are different. You are my little sister. That means I take care of you. Not the other way around."
Natasha didn't reply. Both Jeff and Tony were always like this. Even when they were struggling on the street, they both took care of her. Not to mention now. While it pained her to see Tony struggle in life just because he didn't want to take her money, she understood where he came from. So, she could only respect his decision.
"Fine," Natasha huffed. "But, if you are in trouble. You better inform me, Tony. I don't want to lose you as well."
"All right," Tony smirked without saying anything else.
Natasha smiled contently and watched the scenery fly by as their car neared Los Angeles.
*****
A/N: Check out my other stories and let me know your thoughts...
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