****
Angela had done everything she was supposed to do to get her break in the film industry. She’d managed to land a dependable agent, and she’d built up a composite as well as her resume of acting classes plus all those plays during high school and college. She’d always wanted to do this; it had been either acting or modeling. But since her love for the stage had been far more attractive, she’d focused on being the best actor she could be.
Angela had tried to avoid going the predictable route such as focusing on finding roles in soap operas or poorly made horror movies.That feature film had looked like a way to open doors for her. But ever since she’d committed the blunder of dating her producer she’d needed to step back and recoup.
Megan, her agent had done a great job of securing Angela as many interviews for parts as she could. Aside from the one episode of getting Angela involved with Shane Davis, everything had been going along fine.
But that was in the past now. How long had it been again? Two months? She’d numbed herself to the agony of watching the days crawl by after that last, unforgettable night. She still woke up in the middle of the night, bathed in sweat and her panties soaked in memory of Shane’s indefatigable passion. The rush…the mesmeric high he gave her with each passing orgasm. As for those, she’d long lost count how many she’d received at his hands, his lips – and at the end of his cock.
How she’d managed to walk away she’d never cease to wonder. He’d said he only wanted, needed one night so she knew what was coming in the morning. She’d fled while he was still sleeping. The one thing she couldn’t bear was him telling her goodbye before sending her on her merry way.
She’d thrown herself into work to survive. Though she wasn’t the superstar celeb actress she’d dreamed she’d be at this stage she couldn’t help but count her blessings. She still had friends in the business who never got anything more than a walk-through in the background of local commercials. She was lucky to never have had to go through that.
To keep herself busy, Angela had done as much networking as she could squeeze in. Only last week she’d attended an actor’s guild event where she’d met Kirk Stone who was well known for going all over the country scouting for major studios based out west. He had a couple of auditions lined up there in LA, where Angela had moved for the next few months.
He suggested that her agent call him to fix her up for the auditions. “There’ll be a full production set with video equipment and a handful of other actors alongside so that we can do a few screen tests. I think you’ll be perfect for the part.”
His green eyes had raked over her with more than mild appreciation. Angela had felt surprised to note the interest in his demeanor. He was very good looking, with only slightly receding wavy blond hair tied back in a ponytail.
She didn’t know what to say when he invited her out to dinner with him sometime that week.
“It’ll give us more time to discuss the upcoming role and everything entailed in getting it. From where I’m standing right now, I can say your chances of landing the part are all but foolproof.”
Yes, but at what price, Angela wondered shrewdly, recognizing the game for what it was. “My agent will love to call you. I just finished auditioning for a crime series so I’m happy for more opportunities. And as for the dinner…I’ll let you know soon.”
But Angela knew her answer would be ‘no’. Kirk was very good looking and influential, but she didn’t roll like that. She’d vowed from the start not to sleep her way into anything. If she wanted to take a man to bed it would be on her terms and not with an incentive attached.
Angela was used to the pressure from men in the industry: even from other actors. Especially those traditional Hollywood types; tall, handsome. Promising to get her that one step ahead. Angela wasn’t about that life.
Angela had a lot in her history she already wasn’t proud of. She didn’t want to add any more to it. As she turned away from Kirk’s good-natured yet disappointed smile, she walked away with a polite nod and smile of her own. With her drink in hand she eased herself into the crowd of guests, once again feeling the dreariness that crept up to her in times she least expected. Even with a roomful of people, she still felt gloomy and alone. She didn’t want to think of him. Wonder what he was doing. Who he was with now. Definitely someone more suited to his social circles and standing. Yeah. She wished him luck with that.
Actually, no, she didn’t. She wished him the best in life because he deserved it. She hoped he found someone who loved him, really hard. And who would stand up for him and fight for what she knew in her heart was a future that was theirs. All the things Angela had not had the courage to do…
****
Angela sighed and took a quick gulp from the glass of wine she held. Why was it that when she was meant to be at her happiest, thoughts of Shane crept up in her mind? Tonight, all her closest friends and colleagues were gathered to celebrate her, all thanks to her newly acquired lead role in the highly anticipated crime series which would start filming over the next few months.
She’d been shocked and overwhelmed to be picked in the end. She didn’t know how it happened. The people at the studio and the TV company told her they’d been impressed by her past roles in the one small feature film and on stage. She was exactly what they were looking for in the character, they said. After they'd seen her at the auditions they hardly bothered to look at anyone else. It was sealed when they watched the tapes again and they’d wasted no time in giving her a callback.
Now that she’d been signed on, she couldn’t wait for production to begin. She already had the script and the rehearsal schedule. Understandably, she was still walking on a cloud.
But just when she least expected it, she’d think about Shane and the smile would falter on her lips. Her heart would thump with an agony that made her feel breathless. Oh God. She couldn’t take this. If she went on this way, she knew she’d break down one day, and give in to tears of pain and regret at the fact that the one thing able to complete her happiness was gone forever.
I don’t want you to fall in love with me. In the end we’ll both go our merry way.
Those were one of the first things he ever told her. And that was the one part of the bargain she hadn’t been able to keep her side of…
“Great party, Angela.”
There was a trace of humor in that deep, familiar voice that had Angela spinning round.
“Kirk!”
He held his arms out for an embrace. Angela hesitated for a moment before stiltedly walking into a hug that seemed drawn on too long. Smiling politely, she drew back.
He waved his arms about expressively. “You didn’t think I’ll let your big day go without helping you celebrate?” He smiled warmly down at her, looking with appreciation at her body encased in a beautifully styled gown. “You look fabulous.”
Angela was surprised and touched to hear the sincere note in his voice. “Thank you, Kirk. That means a whole lot.”
“Will you dance with me, Ms. Neil?”
Angela’s lips couldn’t keep from smiling. Nodding in assent, she put her hand in his and followed him to a clearing in the crowded dance floor of the club hired for the occasion as she internally decided to make a better effort at enjoying her own party.