Madeline woke up at nine, exhausted after crying herself to sleep. She checked the kitchen and saw a dirty bowl on the sink, a sign that Nathan had already left for school.
So she washed the dishes and cleaned up her house before taking a bath, preparing for another interview after lunch.
This had become a new daily activity for her. She would dip herself in the bathtub, thinking about all the mistakes she made that led to her acting like a skank on TV.
Then, once she had enough of lamenting, she would face reality and start working again.
Madeline drove to the studio earlier than most people, even the staff. She would stay inside her backstage room, refusing even the makeup artist, and did a long dolling-up session all by herself. Lastly, she wore her skimpy dress and heels to complete the look.
She would wait until a staff member knocked on the door and said, "Madeline Rose, please get ready in five minutes."
"Coming!" Madeline shouted back. She stood up, practicing her expression and poses in front of the mirror, and grinned;
"Madeline Rose is here, ready to make a headline."
**
As usual, the Host started with a few jokes, followed by a boring introduction of the guest, and then it was time for Madeline Rose to come up to the stage.
She strutted her way in, swaying her hips, enticing the men around as if she was truly the seductive siren they couldn't afford.
She hugged the Host perfunctorily and started another interview.
She had gotten used to this after attending more than six talk shows, but this one was unique to one gimmick.
"And now, something that everyone has been waiting for. It's time to read the fan post!" Larry, the Host, pressed a fake button, and the screen behind them made a roulette animation until it stopped, showing a post from a 'fan' about her.
It could be a compliment, jokes, or even insults, and Madeline simply had to accept that 99% of the fan posts she would get were insults.
Once the roulette stopped, Larry commented, "Wow, I… did not expect that. Can you read it for us, Madeline?"
"Hihi, certainly, Larry," Madeline giggled and read the comment with the same slap-worthy grin;
"Madeline Rose is a skank with no talent. I bet she's selling herself to the Director to get the main role in that Last Spring movie."
Larry shook his head. "That's so mean. What do you think, Madeline? Do you want to say something to that person?"
Madeline looked at the camera. She paused for a moment, thinking of a good reply.
If she could be honest, she was scouted to play in that movie because her casting video was fantastic, and combined with her popularity back then, it was a guaranteed success.
Her stellar acting was also proof that she was born to be a star.
Unfortunately, none of those matters now. What they wanted to hear was not Madeline Rose defending herself.
They wanted to hear Madeline Rose doubling it down, making it seem like all the rumors were true.
Thus, she smirked and said, "You are right. I'm not a good actress, so I slept with someone to get that role. But not the Director, of course. I slept with someone in a higher position, so the Director can't kick me out."
She didn't want the Director to be pulled into this mess. After all, the Director was kind to her, so she would blame this fictional man.
Her comment shocked Larry and the audience. Larry expected Madeline to defend herself or even insult the poster back.
But she actually admitted it!
"W—Wow, Madeline, I didn't expect you to admit it," Larry wiped his sweaty forehead, wondering if inviting this woman was a bad idea.
"Do you expect me to refute it?" Madeline chuckled. "That movie was five years ago. I don't mind telling some fun story from that time, you know~."
Larry already imagined all the comments he would get for inviting this snake. But the show must go on, so he forced a smile and pressed the button again, "Moving on, let's see the next post!"
The roulette spun again and stopped for a post that should have been safer.
Larry looked at Madeline and asked, "Would you mind?"
"Not at all," Madeline replied and read the post;
"Do you think Madeline Rose has another man now? I mean, let's face it. She is pretty and horny as heck! Maybe she's actually dating at least five men right now. Haha. What. A. Skank!"
Again, Madeline chuckled, reading the post. She kept that easy going nature as she read it.
"So, what do you say, Madeline?" Larry asked. He felt less pressure now because this question wasn't risky at all.
After all, Madeline could simply say that she was single and ready to mingle, and then they could conclude this supposedly fun session turned nightmarish.
But Madeline was ready to make a new headline again and replied, "Would it kill me if I said I have a boyfriend right now?"
Larry's eyes widened, "Y—You do? Is he in Hollywood as well?"
"Can't talk about the details, but he is a very popular A-list celebrity. You'd be surprised how much he tolerates and dotes on me. He even told me I can sleep with other men before settle down. That's why I love him," Madeline winked to entice the audience even more. "Maybe we'll announce our relationship in public someday."