As they made their way to the dance floor, Odessa scanned the room taking in the eclectic mix of of people that's when her eyes caught a tall brooding figure sitting by the VIP section, his piercing eyes seemed to bore deep into her soul.
Odessa felt a shiver run down her spine, she quickly looked away and say Astrid already dancing with a guy, she decided to have fun too and started dancing. As the night grew deep Odessa found herself stealing glances at the stranger, his aura was so intriguing.
Odessa and Astrid decided to call it a night after dancing and drinking to their hearts content. As they made their way out of the bar Odessa found herself looking at the stranger once more that was when their eyes met, Odessa quickly looked away, even if it was just for a moment she saw something flicker in he stranger's eyes, although the VIP section where he was sitting at was dark she could still see it, maybe a hint of recognition or a spark of interest she didn't know
"What are you looking at" Astrid asked her
"Nothing, let's go" she said and they both left
Odessa had just come out of the bathroom when her phone on the nightstand buzzed, she looked at it just to see an unknown number, she answered it and then she heard a voice she never expected to hear in a million years
"Happy Birthday Odessa" she said her voice dripping with false warmth. Odessa emotions were in a turmoil, she wandered what her mother wanted that she decided to call her
"What do you want" Odessa went straight to the point skipping the small talk
Her mother's tone turned cold
"Is that how to speak to your mother
Odessa sighed inwardly, this conversation was going nowhere
" What's he real reason you called, because incase you don't know I have better things to do, so it's best you answer me right now before I cut this call" Odessa said in a cold tone
Her mother hesitated for a moment before speaking
"Odie, the media are asking questions, and your father's reputation is at stake so I want you to come home and put on a united front for the cameras" her mother said
"So that's what this is about, protecting dad's precious reputation, I knew it was too good to be true, what about Ondine" Odessa asked with pain laced in her voice
"Odie, you will do what's best for the family and that's all that matters and besides Ondine is not in the country" her mother said
Odessa felt a familiar resentment towards her mother, why did her mother always prioritize her Father's reputation over her happiness, she did she love her sister more than her, she has always been the unloved one in her family, well she can't blame anyone because of what happened years ago, even if she told them the truth now,no one would believe her, so it was better to just leave things the way they are.
"I'm not coming home, I have my own life to live" Odessa said her voice steady.
"I've got things to do so goodbye" Odessa added and cut the call. She breathed a sigh of relief and went to bed with painful thoughts of the past.
*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*
Odessa stepped into her drama class, still trying to shake off the lingering tension from her mom's call the previous day, she went over and took a sit.
As the substitute teacher droned on, Odessa's mind began to wander, her mom's constant calls were becoming a nuisance, she decided changing her number but hadn't got the chance to do so
After classes, Astrid caught up with Odessa
"Hey dessa, what's up" she said eyeing Odessa distracted expression. Odessa forced a laugh
"Nothing much, just some family issues" she said. Astrid narrowed her eyes at her but she didn't pry, if Odessa wasn't comfortable telling her what was going one she should just leave it and for that Odessa was grateful, she didn't want to involve Astrid in her family drama, they both went to the cafeteria and ate, Astrid went home because she was not having any more classes but Odessa had one more class
"Welcome class, I'm sure you all missed me" it was Professor Dylan, someone she didn't expect to see anytime soon. As the class was about to come to an end Professor Dylan called out to Odessa
"Odessa, I'd like to see you after class" he said.Odessa heart skipped a beat, what could Professor Dylan want. After classes she went to his office and knocked on the door, she heard him say "Come in" she entered and soon she was standing in front of Professor Dylan
"Take a sit" he said and Odessa took a sit
"Well I've got some incredible news for you, I went to New York and met with some representatives from a top agency, are you familiar with Paragon Entertainment" he asked
"Yes I am sir" I answered
"That's very good, they are looking for upcoming actresses and I recommended you" he said
"Seriously, please tell me you are not joking" I asked with tears brimming my eyes
"I'm dead serious Odessa" he said
"Thank you so much sir" I told him with gratitude in my voice
"You are welcome, but you will have to leave for new York in a week's time to meet up with them" he said
"That wouldn't be a problem sir" I told him
"Very well then" he said and I left his office
Odessa felt like she was floating on air, this was once in a lifetime opportunity, she couldn't wait to tell Astrid. She called Astrid but she couldn't get through to her so she figured she might be with her boyfriend, she went home extremely happy, she had just finished having her bath when her phone started ringing, it was her mom
"I really need to get a new sim" she told herself
Happy Christmas Everyone
Wishing you all a blessed day