Ch. 19 An Offer to Die For
The rug is soft against my butt. The couch is lumpy and sags in the middle—something I had vowed to fix but haven't gotten around to. I lean against it, stretching my legs, wine glass warm in my hand.
The wine bottle sits half empty and the movie is running in the background. I take a sip and try to concentrate on the screen in front of me but my mind drifts to the contract Marcus left.
Again.
I glance at the wall clock and sigh. 3:30 am.
I'm on the last movie for the night, but all the movies are jumbled up in my head.
The more I think about it, the faster my pulse pounds and the more I want to punch somebody at the unfairness of it all.
It's an unbearable risk wrapped up in an opportunity I would kill for.
Should I take it? Can I?
I have about eighteen more hours to decide.
I power off the TV and get up, put my glass in the sink and start clearing the living room.
When I left for London, I had no dream beyond surviving—somehow.
When I was discovered and signed by HC Studios, I felt wanted for the first time in my life. I played all sorts of random parts, waiting, grinding, until I finally got my big break.
Somewhere along the way, getting recognised for my skills—for portraying a character well—started to really mean something.
My life may not have been the easiest, but I was able to live different lives while facing the camera.
Acting isn't my dream, but I worked hard to make something of myself. To grow beyond the limits of my circumstances.
Getting something I worked so hard for taken away like that?
It hurts.
And Marcus dangling the fix in front of me only to make me leave if he can... I don't know what to think about it.
My heart stutters at the thought of losing Legend and Ella.
It also thuds in my chest each time I think of the opportunity presented to me.
I exhale deeply as I finally head towards my bedroom, fingers twitching and mind swirling.
Celeste Shaw was never afraid to face life head on—until it cost her everything.
—------------------
The revolving doors of Ingram Tech remind me of a vortex, waiting to suck me in. Standing at this vortex makes my throat go dry, and I wonder for the third time in twelve minutes, if maybe, I should just beg Legend for my old job back.
I swallow the lump in my throat, and inhale deeply, trying to settle my hammering pulse.
The sun reflects off the glass facade of the building, burning my eyes and causing tears to spring.
I take one hesitating step after the next until I'm walking through.
I'm here—against all logic, I did it. I took the job.
I straighten my back and walk as confidently as I can towards the reception.
"Hi, I'm Celeste Shaw, I'm starting here today." I smile at the employee but she returns my gaze impassively.
"Department?" Her voice is dry, like she does this a hundred times a day.
"I was told I'm a consultant?"
Her lips twist and she drops a badge on the counter.
"Sign here, and here. Don't lose it." I nod and sign for the receipt, grabbing my ID and heading towards the turnstiles.
That wasn't the most auspicious start.
It can only get better from here.
—----------------------------
"Is that Celeste Shaw? In the flesh?"
My head snaps up at the familiar voice, though I can't quite place it. A man who looks to be my age walks towards me, a broad grin on his face—one that doesn't reach his eyes.
Wait—Is that Nolan? Nolan Grande?
"Nolan, Hi." I try to keep my smile professional, although my shoulders droop a little.
"I'm surprised you remember me. What with all the trouble you've been causing here and abroad..."
His smile widens, and my stomach twists.
Nolan was one of my most active haters in school after prom. What luck is this that this is the first person I run into on my first day at work?
"No trouble. Just here to do my job." My words come out firm—maybe slightly challenging.
His smile drops, and eyes go colder if that's possible.
"I know the likes of you—can't do much yourself so you seek to pull your betters down to your level.
"Stay in your lane, Shaw. And I don't want a whiff of trouble. Do yourself a favor and stay away from the Marketing Team."
He turns around and walks away before I can even finish processing what he just said.
"All okay?" I whirl around to find Kyle standing behind me.
"I—yeah. Hi." My eyes slide from Kyle to look behind him and around us, but Marcus isn't here. A lick of disappointment flickers through me.
He smirks in a knowing way, and I quickly turn my attention to him. I clear my throat.
"So... what's the plan here?"
"The plan is to introduce you to the design team so that you can start testing the prototype. In the month since you agreed to Marcus's proposal, we've had a chance to create a very basic model in the first round of ideations."
He walks towards what looks like lab doors as he gives me the 'low-down' on what is expected from me.
He taps his badge against the door, and it clicks open.
"We've tightened security since Richard Ingram. We're here. I'll let the design team take over. If you need anything, feel free to find me. I'm on the thirtieth floor. Right next to the Boss's cabin—which is empty today because he's out for a meeting."
Kyle winks at me and leaves, leaving the whole design team to scrutinize me while heat burns in my cheeks.
Finally, a man I assume is in-charge steps forward. He doesn't look too old, but his hair is balding and he has stern eyes hidden behind rimless frames that are heavy with judgement.
"Miss Shaw? I was informed of your impending arrival. I understand you are to 'consult' with us regarding the prototype we're working on."
There is no warmth in his voice. I nod.
"Let's establish some ground rules. You are only to touch the device if specifically called on to handle it. It's a delicate piece of equipment that we cannot afford to damage.
"We'll require you to act out certain scenes while we shoot with the device. Next, you will review the extrapolated scene and check if it fits the narrative you're trying to portray.
"Depending on your feedback, we'll tweak the code if necessary before moving to the next part.
"I heard you're a BAFTA winning actress. Good on you. But I don't allow for any hijinks while we're working.
"You will refrain from causing trouble. Am I understood?"
I just barely resist the urge to salute the man.
"Right. I'm Dr. Harper. You may begin."
I gape at him in disbelief, as he turns away without introducing any of the other team members.
Someone who looks like he might be an assistant steps forward to take me further inside and to my actual work.
I grimace as I follow him in. A headache is already forming.
This looks like it's going to be long—and lonely. Sigh.
—------------------------
"Are you going to keep staring at your screen?" Harper's sharp voice cuts through the fugue.
"I know you don't have much to do... It's not like you would understand what we were doing if you tried, but maybe you should try to make yourself useful—get to know the processes involved."
I sigh and move towards the other side of the room where he can't spot me as easily.
It's been a long day. I glance at my phone—discreetly.
Harper has made no bones about how much he feels my presence is unneeded and unwanted.
If I have to hear one more iteration of 'you're unnecessary', I'm going to snap.
5:15 pm.
Some of the engineers are still working. Am I expected to work late on my first day?
I glance towards the door leading out and quietly leave. I wait by the elevators, wondering where I can go.
I just need a moment to recalibrate before I get back to work again.
—---------------------
I tap my pen against the table again, and Keith looks seriously annoyed. I get it—but I can't seem to stop.
I glance at my phone again. 4:45 pm.
The day officially ends at 5:30 pm at Ingram Tech.
I glance around at the warm wooden walls broken up with glass panels—inviting. The Catharsis-Genesis office is pretty much the same as I remember it. It has some very fond memories.
"Is something amusing you? Do you have somewhere else to be?"
Contrition has me straightening as Keith stares daggers at me. It was scheduled to be a full day meeting with Keith and Garett but I barely remember what we discussed.
Garett looks between me and Keith. "Let's do this another day."
I can't quite muster enough shame to disagree. "Yeah, let's do that. Sorry, but I have to head back to Ingram Tech. I'll catch you later."
I start gathering my things and try to avoid Keith's massive stink eye but he's not so easily ignored.
"You can't keep dodging us forever. Everybody's meeting at mine on Sunday and you WILL be there. And you will have an explanation ready for that ridiculous clause in Celeste's contract or Ella'll have your head."
I have the grace to look abashed as I nod.
"Now you may leave."
Like a student hearing the end-of-day bell, I rush out and head to headquarters.
I barely make it. Kyle is already waiting in my cabin.
"Keith is really bugged. What did you do?"
I roll my eyes. "Nothing. Report?"
"Nolan is extremely ticked off about working with Celeste. You need to talk him down. He can't go around bullying new hires."
I nod. He's been frustrated ever since he was informed of Celeste's hiring. I need to talk to him—soon.
"Harper is still mad at how you rushed them with the prototype. He feels Celeste is getting special treatment and is quite resentful. Can't do much about that unless work suffers, but you should know."
I nod.
"Well, that's about it. Rest was pretty routine. I've emailed you all the highlights."
My eyes drift to the glass walls and the office beyond.
Kyle smirks in his irritating way. "She hasn't left yet—if that's what you're wondering."
Damn Kyle.
—---------------------
I pace my cabin as I try to calm myself.
I stare at the coffee cup on my desk—empty. I grimace.
Kyle keeps dumping away my coffee when I'm not looking. 5:15 pm.
I need a minute to calm myself. What the hell am I rushing around for?
I haven't forgotten Keith's warning.
I exit my cabin and take the elevator to the top floor before running up the stairs and going to the roof.
It's been my secret place since Daniel's days.
I push the door open and walk to my spot in the corner, beyond the utilities.
The evening wind is crisp, and I can see the whole city laid out in front of me.
I inhale deeply, and some of the tension bleeds out.
"Oh."
The soft voice has me turning around. This is the first time there's someone except me here.
There she is. Radiant in the evening sun—her brown hair shining nearly copper.
"I didn't know someone else was here." Her voice is uncertain. She looks nervous. Her hands are clasped in front of her, and her shoulders are tense.
"First day, and we're already slacking?" I smile to take some of the sting away.
She huffs. "I'm not slacking. It's almost the end of the day, and I just needed a minute."
I wave her over. She looks hesitant. I turn back to the city—if she wants to, she can join me.
Eventually, she comes to stand beside me by the railing.
We stand in silence for a few minutes before I decide to break it. "Tough day?"
I glance at her while she looks outward. She bites her lower lip, clearly unwilling to complain.
This is the Celeste I knew. Refusing to complain, refusing to back down. Always strong.
"My first day here, Daniel had me shadowing his old assistant, a tough man in his sixties—real old school. He was so furious being saddled with me, he made me do thirty coffee runs that day. I counted. I was sweating so profusely by the end, that my clothes clung to me."
"So what did you do?"
I smile at the memory. "I looked up his personal information. Then I told him, if he made me do any unnecessary coffee runs, I would empty his bank account and tell his wife about his mistress.
"I was bluffing, of course—but he was terrified. Complained to Daniel. When Daniel found out about the coffee runs, he pushed back too. Made sure I wasn't running useless errands."
She looks at me, eyes wide and eyebrows raised. I roll my eyes.
"What? I paid for it. He made me deal with Haley Ingram exclusively."
She chokes on her laughter. My smile widens.
Her shoulders ease back, and she breathes deeply.
"You'll find your place here, Celeste, or you'll make one. See you around."
I turn towards the exit, leaving a speechless Celeste behind.