Chapter 25 Solana
I replayed her question over in my head once more before smiling.
"We just jumped right on in there, huh."
Simone chuckled and glanced out at the crowd, who laughed right along with her.
I cupped my hands in my lap and released a breath.
"Honestly, that I wanted to live. We see it too many times where celebrities lose their lives to some of the very things I've experienced. I was not going to allow myself to become another one of those stories," I answered confidently.
Simone moved to the next card in her hand and nodded.
"You're absolutely right. Certain levels of stardom can really bring out the darkness, especially when you're known as a sex symbol. Do you think that played a part in some of what you experienced?" she asked.
I reached forward for the cup in front of me and took a sip of water before responding.
"I can see where that assumption would come from. I used to tell myself it came with the territory, until some of my peers told me otherwise."
"Right, because girl, I do not have any of that going on over here. And I do not want it." Simone turned directly toward the camera on that last part.
I laughed and shook my head.
"Now, to the good stuff. During your hiatus, word has it that you found yourself a man, and that he's actually here with you today."
I laughed softly. Simone was going off script a little, but I had no problem talking about that man. Not even a little.
"I would say so. It wasn't part of any plan, but things happen the way they're supposed to, and I'm glad they did."
Simone nodded with a smile.
"When you look back at that version of yourself, the one the world knew, what comes to mind first?"
"Lost." I paused for just a moment. "When I first came into this industry, I was a young girl whose start in life wasn't the easiest. I kind of fell into this world and made things work until I couldn't anymore.
I am proud of what I built, especially when most people would have crumbled behind the things I went through.
But I'm more proud of who I am today. I get to be who I choose to be. "
Simone leaned across the small table between us and gave my hand a squeeze with a soft smile.
"That's what I love to hear. Life is too short to live for anyone other than yourself." She sat back and tilted her head. "Now what is this I hear about you living the small town life and even baking?"
I laughed and glanced out at the audience.
The moment I looked over, Duke was standing beside the cameraman with a smirk, holding the bag of Skittles he had shown me in the car.
He winked at me, and I felt my cheeks go warm instantly.
I never thought I would see the day when watching a man eat Skittles would do something to me like that. He absolutely knew what he was doing.
I turned back to Simone.
"Yes, the best town. The way everyone there took me in like I had always been part of their community, it's like something out of a Hallmark movie. I love it. And the baking I get from my mom. I've just finally put it to good use."
Simone lifted a brow and followed the trail my eyes had taken, then smiled wide.
"I see why it's more than just the town that kept you away. You did good, honey."
I knew my cheeks were red. Simone reached out to high-five me, which I returned with a shake of my head.
I could only imagine how much Duke's arrogant self was enjoying every second of this from across the room.
I didn't know when he had slipped out of the dressing room, but I knew he wouldn't have been able to stay in there with Henderson for too long.
"Girl, don't pump that man's head up too much. I still have to go home with him after this," I joked.
Simone waved for the cameraman to pan over to Duke, who gave a single nod before the camera swung back to us.
"We don't want to leave y'all out. But back to you." She leaned forward. "There has been a lot of conversation about your return. Scripts, meetings, new opportunities. Are you stepping back into acting?"
I paused for a moment. I already knew my answer and there wasn't much to think through, but this was exactly what I had come here for.
"I want to say this first. Thank you to every fan who has invested in everything I've put out. For giving me the chance to entertain you and your families." I paused and let that sit.
I looked out at the audience. It was like they already knew what I was about to say but needed to hear the words out loud.
As my eyes moved across the crowd, I caught Henderson charging in from the back.
His face was beet red and he was doing a sharp slicing motion beneath his chin, telling me to slow down.
But he was not in charge of me or my life. I had heard enough from him, and it was time he heard that directly from me.
My eyes drifted over to Duke, whose arms were crossed against his chest, a quiet smile on his face. He mouthed two words.
You got it.
With that, every bit of the confidence I needed came rushing back. I returned my attention to Simone, who was waiting patiently.
"I'm sorry. It's an emotional decision, but it is absolutely the right one. I will not be returning in any way, shape, or form. This is my last interview, and I'm glad it's with you, Simone. I have always admired your integrity and the way you treat every person who sits across from you."
Simone placed both hands over her heart with a smile.
I continued. "I have built a life for myself outside of this place that I would choose in every single lifetime.
My time here was what it was, but my story from here on out will be about the family I create and the legacy I'm able to leave behind.
Like my girl Shante said, I got a man, honey. I'm happy where I am."
The crowd rose to their feet. Applause filled the studio and I could hear people cheering as I looked back at Simone, who was on her feet clapping right along with them.
A few tears slipped down my cheeks and someone rushed over with tissues.
They were happy tears. I had finally gotten to walk away on my own terms, the way I always deserved to.
I stood and Simone pulled me into a hug. She held on a little longer than expected and whispered close to my ear.
"I think I need to come visit this town that pulled you away from all of this. Maybe there's room for me too."
She pulled back with a nod.
"I'll make sure you get those details after the show," I told her.
Simone held my hand and asked one last question.
"What do you think you've learned on this journey of finding the woman standing before us today?"
I smiled and stood still for just a moment.
"I think I'm finally learning that being seen and being known aren't the same thing."
"Amen. That's a word. You heard it here first, people. This is the farewell episode for Ms. Solana Amore. I wish you all the good things in life and in your new chapter."
She hugged me once more as I waved out at the audience and the cameraman was cued to cut to commercial. The moment the red light went dark, I exhaled.
Simone turned back to me. "I'm serious about that information.
I think we all need a getaway." She glanced briefly toward the back of the studio.
"I can already see you're about to get an earful from your manager over there.
I knew something was off with the questions he cleared.
I went off script on a feeling. I hope I didn't push you to share anything you weren't ready to. "
I waved her off with a smile.
"Girl, I'm not giving that man any more of my attention. He isn't my manager anymore after today. Even before all of this, we had fulfilled everything within our contracts. And I wouldn't have said a single thing out there if I didn't want to."
Simone smiled and nodded, then looked past me toward Duke, who I already knew was giving me a look that said it was time to go. A moment later he strolled over, his eyes settling on me first.
I wrapped my arms around his waist and turned to face her.
"Simone, this is Duke. Duke, Simone."
Duke reached out and shook her hand with a genuine smile.
"It's nice to meet the man who managed to snatch up one of our favorite actresses."
He nodded, then looked back down at me.
I turned to Simone. "Thank you again for having me. I'm going to get out of your hair and go listen to Henderson have a fit about something he never had any control over. You enjoy your day."
Simone waved as Duke and I followed the production assistant back to the dressing room to wait for the car to be pulled around. The moment we stepped inside, Henderson was already pacing.
Duke leaned against the door as I walked over to grab a bottle of water.
"Do you realize what you've done?" Henderson asked.
I smiled and nodded. "I was out there, Henderson. I know exactly what I did. And I'd like to know why you told these people I was planning to do more projects when we have never once discussed that. That's why you didn't want me looking at that packet."
Henderson stopped pacing and turned toward me with a scowl. Before he could open his mouth, Duke pushed off the door and dropped his hands to his sides.
"Before you say something that's going to get your head knocked off, fix your tone and think about it."
I crossed my arms and shifted my weight to one hip. I was not going to have to say a single word. Because he heard exactly what my man said.
Henderson exhaled sharply and looked away for a moment, pulling himself together the way Duke had suggested.
"All I'm saying is that you built this career from nothing and you're at the height of it. I understand wanting to feel safer, but you literally just announced to the world that you're quitting Hollywood." His voice rose on the last word, and Duke's brow lifted slowly.
Henderson caught it immediately and took a step back.
"I didn't mean to raise my voice. I just don't understand it," he said, deflated.