Role
The following morning, she sat down for breakfast, her mind filled with determination. Slipping into a floral white dress, she couldn't help but feel the sharp contrast it posed to the somber occasion ahead. White, a symbol of purity, now took on new meaning. Today marked the beginning of her transformation, a rebirth of sorts. For herself and the memory of her tragically lost child, she vowed to reclaim her life and find solace once more.
She put on a white sun hat and slipped into a pair of white stilettos. Gave herself a once over in front of the mirror, then picked a designer bag she hadn’t used in a long while. She took a cab to the city hall.
On getting there, Finn and his lawyer were yet to arrive. She glanced at her wrist watch. It was almost Ten PM. She picked up her phone and dialed the lawyer’s number. On the second ring, the call was connected.
“Hello, Mr. Attorney!”
“Ms Powers, hello! My client is still having breakfast, could you wait a moment, we’ll be there soon.”
Rina frowned and said coldly, “Mr Attorney, I have an appointment for the next hour, could you not delay me further?”
“Of course, Ms. Powers. We’ll be there soon. Be rest assured, the divorce will happen today.”
As he said that, Rina felt a pang in her heart, but she pushed it away and muttered into the phone, “Mmm!” Then she hung up.
She waited a couple minutes more, and when they still didn’t show up, she put on her sunglasses, ready to leave, but at that moment, her eyes were drawn to a tall figure heading her way. She couldn’t help notice the fitted navy blue suit which complimented his masculine body underneath and out of his chest pocket, the corner of a wine handkerchief could be seen peering subtly.
On glancing down, Rina could see a pair of perfectly straight endless legs leading to a pair of neatly polished black leather shoes which glistened in the sun.
This man… he had such domineering aura, like an ancient king who had time traveled.
Especially as he advanced closer, although he was wearing dark sun shades, his perfectly chiseled face and thin sexy lips were enough to drive any woman mad.
Rina recognized this man. He was Zayn Graham back when she was still the queen of the entertainment industry; they had met once, at a dinner ball.
Is he also here for divorce, or he’s getting married?
“Sir, Miss Smith has not arrived on time… she's five minutes late!” the assistant behind him reported.
“Ring the Smith family and tell them not to bother, the wedding is canceled.” the man said coldly.
“But, the chairman said that you must get married today, no matter what. Even if you were to marry a divorcee, he wouldn’t care.” the assistant replied carefully.
“Randomly pick a lady from any of the socialite families then… I’ll give you half an hour.” the man said, he seemed a bit out of it.
Oh, so he was faced with a similar challenge! Both their partners were running late.
Zayn Graham had so much power. He could easily choose any woman he wanted and as an eligible bachelor, love should never come as a priority. From their conversation earlier, he was only getting married because of family pressure.
A marriage of such nature… she could only wish him well. She turned to leave, but just then, a familiar car drove in. The attorney climbed down together with Finn's assistant who proceeded to open the backseat for the latter. He wasn’t wearing sunshields or wearing any disguise. What, was he trying to draw attention? Let the world know they were registering their divorce?
Rina didn’t want any unnecessary attention, so she walked in first.
Behind her, Finn was stunned to see her dressed so glamorously. Weren’t they getting divorced? Why was she dressed like it was a happy occasion for her?
As soon as the divorce procedures were done, Rina left first. She had appointments to catch up with. Finn had already wasted too much of her time with his delay.
Inside a luxury car parked in front of the city hall, Zayn Graham ordered his assistant. “Follow Ms Powers, and report to me everything she does.”
Rina took a taxi and went straight to the first location. Hearing she was going to a hotel, the driver gave her a disgusted look. Wasn’t she the celebrity trending for cheating on her husband? Yet she was going to meet another man. If she had no respect for her body as a woman, couldn't she at least have a sense of shame?
The man was disgusted, but he still carried her. Whoever and whatever she was had nothing to do with him. As long as she wasn't his daughter. He was out to work so to take care of his family. Getting paid was all that mattered to him.
Rina noticed the driver's judgemental looks, but said nothing. She just gently bowed her head and stayed calm until they arrived the hotel.
She removed her sun hat, wrapped her head with a scarf, then put the hat back on. Then she paid the driver and got out.
Once she had gotten farther from the car, the driver couldn't help but curse at her. He even went as far as disinfecting the seat she had sat on and the places her hands had touched.
"Such disgusting woman!" He cursed. People like her didn't deserve to live.
**********
Despite her efforts, Rina faced rejection after rejection.
"There's no way we can cast you, with your scandal and your divorce circulating everywhere on the internet, casting you would cause a huge damage to my film, I can't risk that ..." the last producer said, not mincing words, or bothering to sound polite as he turned her down.
"We need the best faces in our movies, and you're not one of them..."
Rina bowed her head, absorbing those brutal words of rejection. Her breathing was becoming heavier, and her heartbeat was quickening, but she maintained a calm facade.
This was the movie industry, and she couldn't afford to seem desperate, else, she was going to be taken advantage of.
"I'm ready to take whatever role you have. I don't mind what it is... even an extra would do..."
She said.
She didn't mind whatever role she got. She just needed to start somewhere. With her current status, she already knew no one would easily cast her.
It was about to be her third rejection for the day. She couldn't believe she had been in so much hurry only to face three brutal rejections. It was a terrible position to be in, on the brink of mental devastation, but she had expected it.
Just five years ago, Rina Powers had been a name on everyone's lips. She was considered the most talented woman in the entertainment industry. She had over a million gigs, both movies and ambassadorial gigs chased her on each side.
Now, she begged to cast as an extra in an unpopular tv series. Who would have thought.
"You know my acting skills and prowess. I'd give this movie my very best, if you cast me. Rina Powers as an extra in your movie would put it on the radar." At least, she still had her name, and it was still very popular, even until now.
The director, a gruff looking man with a protruding stomach fell silent, then suddenly broke into a smile, resembling a shark that had smelled fresh blood in the water.
"Alright..." he finally agreed. For over a decade, he had been in the entertainment industry and had seen too many beauties, but none in the entertainment industry could compare to Rina's.
Rina Powers was everything any man could desire; sexy, curvy, beautiful, smart and talented. In the past, she had seemed unreachable. Directors like himself could never get her to star in their movies, but now, she was right in his reach, and he could finally fulfill one of his greatest fantasies.
"Thank—"
"But then, you'll have to perform a few duties to speed up the process" he said, sizing her up with lust filled eyes. He flicked his tongue atop his lower lip in a disgusting movement. "You know the drill."