Chapter 15
“Robert,I already told you… I still don’t know,” I reminded my agent for what felt like the hundredth time that day.
I’d been working nonstop for the past three weeks since we began production. Add in the grueling hours of filming to promote my new perfume launching in the fall to the photo shoots for my next designer collaboration because I was the new face for their spring campaign, and now, he wanted to throw another job into the mix.
It was taxing. As much as I didn’t want to admit it to Robert, that was exhausting.
“Bailey, what’s keeping you in LA once we wrap this movie?”
Having to deal with him in my trailer during my lunch hour instead of taking a much-needed break from yet another meeting he wanted to have was wearing me down. Besides, I wanted to spend time with Aires after this movie was over, and I couldn’t do that if Robert threw me right back into another film.
“Oh, I don’t know… maybe I want to go on vacation or something?” I sarcastically stated the truth, knowing Robert was the main reason I hadn’t in years.
I brushed past him, walking over to the fridge to grab a bottle of water and some Tylenol. My head was already pounding from this exchange I didn’t want to have to begin with.
I hated fighting for more free time. My team always had a way of making me do what they wanted. I needed to speak up for myself, and I was starting to think that maybe I was too late to change that.
How do I change who I’ve been all of my career?
Robert wouldn’t drop the subject. Especially now that my career was on fire. From his point of view, it made sense for me to do everything I was asked to if they thought it would advance my career. My whole life seemed to be based on what-ifs.
If I got that role…
If I shot that cover…
If I did that interview…
If I wore this or that.
If I go here or there.
If I… if I… if I…
The endless number of ifs had no certainties attached to them whatsoever. No one understood what it was like to be me.
Not my father.
Not Robert.
Not even Aires.
Sometimes it felt as if I didn’t even know what it was like to be me. I’d been so many different people for so long, and I wasn’t referring to all the roles I’d played over the years.
“Oh, don’t give me that, Bailey! You never turn down a role we tell you is made for you. Nice try.”
It was true. He was right.
“Give me more credit than that. Look at you.” He gestured to me as I stood back in front of him. “You’re in your prime, and you’re not getting any younger. You need to strike while the iron is hot!”
“I know that. Don’t you think I know that? I think about it every second of every day, and it’s mainly from you guys constantly reminding me about it.”
I hated that we were arguing, seeing as though I couldn’t just tell him the truth about Aires and what he always meant to me. He wouldn’t understand. I barely understood. He’d tell me Aires wasn’t right for me. He’d dig into our history, and there was no way the press wouldn’t pick us apart.
My whole life would be turned upside down for a future I knew nothing about. A life we may not have together.
I couldn’t do that.
I worked too hard to get where I was, and I wasn’t ready to possibly ruin my career.
Robert sighed, getting frustrated with me. “Alright, I’ll play it your way. I’ll just move on to the next reasons you need to play this role.”
“Oh goody,” I mocked, smiling. “I can’t wait.”
“Bailey,” he coaxed in that fatherly tone I hated as well. “You want to disappoint your fans?”
I rolled my eyes, not backing down. If I did, I’d lose him.
Aires.
“Please don’t act like a child.”
I wasn’t a child.
I’d never been a child.
My life didn’t allow it.
“The events, parties, charities, socializing, and connections you’ll make from playing this next role would be unbelievable. Not to mention, the sponsorships. Do you need me to keep going?”
“Why does that matter?” I questioned, already knowing the answer.
Everything and anything in this industry counted. No matter how big or small, it all mattered. I just didn’t know what the right or wronganswer would be when it came to my future, and that scared me more than anything.
“Come on, Bailey. You know why. This entire business is based on who you know and what they can do for you. As queen bee of this industry, there is no reason for you not to take the throne with this next role. I’ll be damned if I let you mess up your career when we know what’s best for you.”
I reacted, blurting, “Last time I checked, your 10 percent clears every month.”
“And who gets you all that money? Those roles?! Those contracts? All the publicity and exposure? Me! Because last I checked, Bailey Pierce-McGraw, I was the one who made you the star that you are!”
Before the last word flew out of his mouth, the door to my trailer flew open, and the person I expected hauled ass over to Robert with that murderous glare I was all too familiar with.
I instantly gasped, yelling, “Aires, no!”
He didn’t hesitate to roughly grip the lapels of Robert’s suit jacket and get right in his face.
Gritting out through a clenched jaw, Aires warned, “Raise your voice to her one more time, and watch what I do to you.”
I was completely aware—Aires meant every last word.
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