Rise of the Billionaire actress

THREE YEARS LATER.

A lady with fair skin and long wavy hair stepped out of the Airplane with black shades on. The nostalgic feel of the country hit her in the face with memories she’s rather left unsaid.

Dragging along her luggage, she walked out of the airport, checking the time for her designated driver. She might have to call a cab if they took any longer. She held that thought and like magic, a Mercedes appeared in front of her.

The car revved and its windows rolled down, revealing a smiling and barely aged Doris who unlocked the door. “I can’t believe my eyes. Is that really you?” She gasped and got out of the car.

“Doris Gates. You haven’t aged a day.” Deloise remarked with an equal smile on her face. “You look way too good on that ride.”

“Hard work pays off, get into the car.” she said as she stored her luggage in the boots, “We have a lot to talk about.”

“It’s good that I’m not in a hurry.” Doris got into the car and they sped off the road. As she drove, they conversed about anything and everything.

“Three years did you good,” Deloise tutted, “I’m almost jealous with how beautiful you look.”

Doris threw her head back in laughter, “Stop pulling my legs, have you looked at yourself? I barely recognised you.”

“But you did.” She pushed back, “Three years and there’s so much change… good change.” She remarked as they pushed past the familiar streets of New-York.

Finally, they arrived at a secure estate, and drove into the neighborhood. The serenity of the posh vicinity, alongside the tastefully built mansions spoke volumes of the wealth ridden neighborhood.

“Welcome to my humble abode.” Doris said as they walked into what was easily a luxury home.

She looked around, marble floors, firm pillars, dazzling lights and interior decor. Yeah, it definitely costs a fortune.

“You forgot to mention that you own a mansion.” She spoke so calmly it was almost funny, “This place easily beats any hotel I could have lodged in.”

“I’m humbled you think so highly of my place,” Doris led her upstairs, they got to a door and she stopped. “This is your room. Freshen up and you’ll have lunch shortly. I have a little business to get to, I presume you can help yourself till I’m back?”

“Sure,” she said, stepping into her room, “Thank you very much, Doris.”

“Don’t mention. Make yourself comfortable, rest if you need to. I’ll be back before you know it.”

With that Doris left the house, not before ordering her lunch. Doris ran her own managerial firm, after the event from the last three years, things got ugly and she left Evolve. After a month of cluelessness, a blast of courage hit her in solitude and she started her managerial firm.

Things got off to a rocky start as no one wanted to place their careers in the hands of a start up firm with a record like hers. Believe it or not, nothing spoke louder than results. Something she lacked at the time.

Refusing to give up, Doris resolved to seek out newbies with potential. With her nose for talent, she hit the road – in search of what she termed to be the next movie star. Her first signee was a lady who had the dreams, talent, but not enough commitment to put in the work.

She didn’t relent. Bit by bit, she was able to put her on the map and the rest was history. Now, she has a stable company and a decent amount of actors/actresses they manage.

Don Talentscouldn’t rival Evolve Management, but it was hers.

Doris bled her heart, body and soul into the company, giving the artists under her nothing short of the best guidance and support towards their set goals. They could boast of B-listers at the moment, and it was only up from here. They had high prospects.

After lunch, Deloise sat in front of her room window with an envelope in hand. Few months ago, she reached out to Doris, and in a few sentences, declared her interest in returning back to the entertainment sphere.

It took three years fighting the desires that only grew as the days passed. She wanted to be on set, she ached to get back on the cameras. She thought that with the experiences she had, it was enough to permanently put her off acting, but in a weird way, it only drew her closer.

The addictive lifestyle of an actress, embodying diverse personalities without looking crazy. The thrill of seeing herself on screen, yet seeing a totally different person- it didn’t take long before she resolved to return.

Knowing Doris started a managerial company was a push in the right direction. It was a safety net that promised help whenever she was ready, one that came with reminders during every call.

Even after she decided to go back to acting, she couldn’t muster the courage to return. She remembered how she constantly put off her return until something came in the mail – An invite to an awards show. Surprisingly, she got nominated for one of the categories and was required to attend.

That was the final push, the last sign before she made the call informing Doris of her return to the country. While she prepared for her return, she received contract papers from Don Talents, offering to manage her once she returned.

She didn’t skip a beat as she signed the deal.

Today, she planned to hand over the papers to her new and improved manager. She took a quick glance at the clock, it was half past six. Doris apparently pulled late nights at work. She was still on that thought when she heard the gates open.

Deloise hopped out her room, happy to be getting some company. Loud voices screaming her name made her steps to stilt. What was going on?

“Deloise! I know you are in there! Come on out and explain why I was the last to know you are in town!”

Amanda?

“Shut up, it’s been three years, try to be a little less dramatic than usual.” Anna reprimanded as they made their way up.

Of course Doris invited them over! Every thought of surprising them at their respective homes/workplaces was thrown out the window.

“There she is!” Amanda said, pointing at her.

“Anna, Amanda! Surprise?” Deloise gestured with a weird smile plastered on her face.

This one was on Doris.

“I see you’ve met each other,” Doris spoke by the railing.

“Loise!” They chorused and in a jiffy, Deloise was sent tumbling over.

“Okay… Maybe you need to tune down the excitement.” Doris said in a worried tone, “I’d hate for my latest actress to be wounded on her first day in the city.”

“You’re really here to stay?! I thought she was joking!” Anna said with a grin, “This is great news!”

“Am I?” Deloise was finally stable on her feet, “I didn’t know I was supposed to-” She let off a smile after getting their undivided attention, “Just kidding. Of course I’m here to stay!” She announced and the girls squealed.

Deloise saw a relieved look pass through Doris’ face. She hadn’t informed her on her final decision about resuming work. She expected it to be the first question since her return but she didn’t speak of it, either she was waiting for the right time or she was waiting for her.

Her mind leaned on the latter.

A ding came from the door, and Amanda squealed. “Dinner’s here!”

Anna and Amanda headed the same way they came, leaving Doris and Deloise.

“Welcome on board.” Doris finally spoke, holding back a smile.

“Feels good to be home.” Deloise replied, walking down the stairs, “I hope you will take it easy on me, I’m a bit rusty.”

“You couldn’t be rusty even if you tried.” She remarked, then smiled, “I have just the right gig to break you in.”

Together, they headed into the dinning room and met Anna and Amanda setting up for dinner.

“How was your stay in France?” Anna resumed the conversation as they got to eating, “You look so…”

“Content.” Amanda supplied, and she smiled. If only they knew.

“I’m glad it appears that way.” She took a bite of her meal. “Tell me, how has it been over here? What have I missed?”

They looked between themselves, Amanda finally spoke up, “It depends. A lot has happened.”

“Enlighten me,”

“You’re up to date with our lives so.. I’ll presume you are referring to the entertainment sphere of things.”

“What makes you think I haven’t gotten up to date on that?” They gave her the look and she broke, “Okay, maybe I don’t know too much.”Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

“And for good reasons.” Anna supplied,

“Can we get to the point where we start talking?” She asked with a huff,

“Aaron got engaged.”

“Amanda!” Anna reprimanded, throwing her a dirty look.

“What?” She said, feigning ignorance, “It had to be said.”

“Is that supposed to be news?” Deloise asked, “I thought I’d have to address this later,” She asked, “I am here to start a new life. I have no interest in re-digging old and forgotten wells of the past.” she looked between them, “In that respect, I’ll be joining Doris Management to get my groove back, that’s the only part of my past that would be receiving attention.”

“Damn straight.” Amanda commented, pouring out a glass of wine, “Let’s drink to that.”

They laughed and continued chatting on much lighter terms. The girls left afterwards and they retired to bed. Just while she prepared to call it a night, Doris popped into her room.

“I hope you had a wonderful day in,” She said, “Because tomorrow, you have an audition to ace.”

“What?”

“Good night, Deloise.”