Chapter 29 Alexander #2
Paul stands up and heads to the table by the fridge, grabbing himself an apple and taking a bite.
“I spoke to the label earlier,” Paul says.
“Stolen Moments the live version is now at number one on both Spotify and Apple, and they want to fast-track the studio version. They plan to drop it in an hour, along with a premiere on KIIS. They also want us to shoot a music video at the end of this week, to capitalize on the momentum.”
He smiles toward me, igniting a burning fire inside my stomach.
“You mean, take advantage of the pain we’ve inflicted on both Rita and Christopher,” I say. My grip tightens on the wooden arms of the chair.
“Rita wasn’t well, Alex. And as for Christopher, well everything will be sorted after today’s interview. Don’t forget he’s been financially taken care of too.” There’s now a stoic look etched across Paul’s face.
Two days ago, I was looking forward to taking a well-deserved break from being out on the road for the last ten months.
Actually, come to think of it, I’ve been working nonstop for the better part of the last eighteen.
But now it seems like my workload has increased, not decreased.
There’s no break in sight between now and Christmas.
“The money’s been wired through,” Lucy says, looking up from her phone toward Paul.
“See, Christopher’s been taken care of.” He points at Lucy while looking at me in the mirror.
A knot forms in my stomach, just as a knock comes from the door.
Rob opens it to a man dressed in black standing outside.
“We’ll be ready for Alexander on set in five minutes,” he says.
“Great. Thank you.” Rob nods and closes the door.
Connie gets up and grabs a Diet Coke from the fridge.
“Right.” She turns to face me, pulling open the tab and taking a sip. “Let’s go over everything one last time before we head out.”
I roll my eyes, and catch the smirk on Erica’s face in the mirror.
“What’s the name of the film?”
“Disposed,” I say, bluntly.
“What’s the film about.”
“It’s a psychological thriller set in New Mexico at the turn of the century, where a guy seeks revenge on a town that destroyed his family.” My voice is so monotone, it’s flatlining.
I feel like I’m a child in school, being made to recite times tables back to the teacher.
“I hope you’re not planning to answer these questions as flatly as you’re answering them now,” Paul interjects.
“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t realize the cameras were rolling.”
“Now, now boys.” Connie looks back and forth between us as I let out a sigh. “Let’s just focus on getting this done, shall we?”
I let out another deep breath as Paul returns his attention to his phone and Connie continues questioning me.
“What drew you to this role?”
“I always wanted to be an actor when I was growing up, but I ended up pursuing a career in music instead. Then a few months ago, I got approached to do a film, and when I read the script, I fell in love with it.”
The irony is I still haven’t read the script, I’d acquired the rights to the book, and I didn’t grow up wanting to be an actor. That came when I was older.
Connie leans back on the table, setting the Diet Coke down to take her glasses off and look at me, as if that makes her able to understand me better.
“Now, Roberto has been briefed not to ask you any direct questions about your sexuality, and if there is any hint we’re heading in that direction, I will jump in. However, we do need to address the footage that leaked and shut down the rumors.” She reaches for another piece of paper.
I still haven’t seen how bad things are. Paul is still holding my phone prisoner.
I want to see what’s been written, to defend myself against what is being said. But I know that will only make things worse and feed the trolls.
“I appreciate that you’ve turned down the offer to have us contract someone to assume the role of your girlfriend for the next year or two.
With that in mind, we will continue with the narrative that the person in the video was a movement coach, hired by the production company to prepare you for the role, before we pivot to cover one of the key points we want to get across: How excited you are to begin shooting the film this summer and your gratitude to the fans for making Stolen Moments the number one song in the world. ”
I shake my head. Not in disapproval, but at how good she is at all of this.
She frames it all in a way that helps protect me and promote me, all in the same breath. Yet I can’t help but feel wrong about what I am doing.
I’m lying to the world about who I am.
Lying about what happened with Christopher.
All to protect my image.
It’s an image I barely recognize when I stare at myself in the mirror.
Another knock sounds at the door, and Rob heads back over to it.
“Ready guys?” he asks, as he opens the door.
“Yep,” I say, reluctantly lifting myself up.
“Great to see you, buddy. How was Europe?” Roberto asks, hugging me.
His Hollywood smile momentarily blinds me when I step back. The audio guy fits the microphone on my T-shirt, sliding the cable underneath and plugging it into the pack before handing it to me to slide into the back pocket of my jeans.
“Eventful,” I say, eyebrows arched, already regretting being here.
I sit down and make myself comfortable. It’s not too dissimilar to what I would expect a therapy office to look like.
A box of tissues and a water sit on the table beside me.
There’s a matching cream armchair opposite of me for Roberto.
A green screen wraps around the set behind us, which they’ll no doubt superimpose some form of comfy room onto.
Erica steps on set to make last-minute touch-ups to my hair, and she pulls a sponge out of her bag to dab at my forehead. Paul, Connie, Rob, and Laurie stand by the TV monitor behind the cameras.
Erica pulls the sponge away and leans in.
“My car’s out back if you want to make a dash for it,” she whispers into my ear.
She pulls back and looks at me, her eyes narrowing.
I pause for two beats to consider it, before ruling it out. It will only make things worse. Get spun out into an even bigger story.
I’m in this now.
I’m committed.
I just have to get on with it.
“I’m good, thank you.”
Erica nods and leaves me on set.
“We ready?” the producer shouts from behind the camera.
Roberto looks up from the cue cards in his lap and nods.
My mind starts racing and I start to question everything.
Am I ready?
Do I really want to do this?
What if it’s all a big mistake?
How long can I keep this lie up for?
What happens if something else comes up down the road?
What if this is finally my chance to tell the truth, no matter what the consequences are?
My leg twitches and I glance at the exit sign Dramatic Exit, above the door to my right.
“And we’re recording in three, two…”