Shattered

Chapter One

Today was the day I was headed to Wilmington, North Carolina, back to my hometown where I was born and raised. Where I grew up and ended up falling in love with my best friend and I couldn't dread it any more than I did right now. There was a reason I moved away and never looked back, but now I was forced to return because of work.

I worked for a talent scout company out of New York City and this Spring I was the lucky one drawn for the trip. Each Spring scouts venture to various area's that hold casting calls for small roles and extra's within TV shows and movies. This year one of the places the company signed up to scout was Wilmington, NC where a lot of TV shows and movies have filmed for the southern backdrop feel for the setting and apparently no matter the amount I wished, hoped, and prayed I wouldn't be the one chosen for this scout, I was.

I pleaded for someone else to be sent in my place.

"Cassie, I don't see the big deal. So, you head home for a visit? I'm sure your family would love for you to come to them for a visit, for once."

That was Ruby. Ruby Patrick, CEO of Patrick Talent Scouts. I first met Ruby two years ago when I arrived in the big city looking lost, confused, and completely terrified. She found me sitting alone at a corner table in what would become my favorite coffee shoppe. She approached and stated the obvious.

"You're not from around here."

When I shot her a look of feigned ignorance, her bright red lipstick covered lips curled into an amused smile as she laughed. She sat down across from me, she asked me what my story was and she shared hers. By the end of the two-hour conversation, I was hired as a talent scout and had a place to stay until I got on my feet.

She completely disregarded how uncomfortable and how much I dreaded the thought of going back home. She knew why.

"Look, all I'm saying is, give it a chance. You have to go anyway, may as well make the best of it."

"You have the ability to change this, Red." I pleaded as my brows pulled together and my lips curved down into a frown exaggerating a pout.

Ruby looked amused, as always. "Tough love, Cassia. Now go home and get packed, your plane leaves in four hours."

Tipping my Uber driver, I turned around and faced the tall skyscraper where my apartment across from Ruby's is located. Grumbling to myself the entire way through the lobby, past the front desk, and up the elevator, I was pulled out of my cloud of anger when the elevator jerked to a stop on the 12th floor.

Letting myself into my apartment, I tossed my coat and purse over the white leather couch, and kicked off my heels next to the door. Padding my way barefoot down the wood panel flooring and into the kitchen, I grabbed the wine from the counter and poured a much larger glass than usual, sitting at the white granite marbled kitchen island. The white granite matched the countertops on either side of the sink and stove. The stove and refrigerator were both stainless steel which made the dark oak flooring seem chocolatey somehow.

I took my cell phone out and scrolled through Wilmington's Facebook page as I sipped on the wine and read through the posts asking for Extra's to show up on the boardwalk tomorrow. Scrolling through my contacts, my thumb hovered over my sister's name but I closed the contacts with a deep sigh and set the phone on the counter. Downing the rest of my wine, I placed the glass next to my phone and spun myself to the right towards my bedroom. Entering my bedroom, you're immediately hit with white fluffy carpet that your toes sink into with every step taken. A dark oak sleigh bed frame donned with bright white bedding and pillows. The dressers matched the frame in dark oak with a large oval mirror hanging on the wall above the dresser, framed in dark oak.

Pulling the blinds away from the floor to ceiling windows, the room instantly lit up with the afternoon's bright sunlight. Walking over to the other side of the room where a wall of mirrors slides open to reveal a closet, I grabbed a business dress suit, a pair of dress pants, a light blue silk blouse, and my suitcase from the back and tossed it all on top of my bed. Back in the closet, I reached up above my head and grabbed two different types of heels and tossed them on the bed.

Moving to my dresser I made sure to pack the necessary undergarments such as bra's, panties, leggings, and tank tops. In the bathroom, I flipped on the lights over the sink to brighten up the white walled, white tiled, and white counter top bathroom. Grabbing my toiletries, tooth brush, tooth paste, shampoo, makeup, face wash, and makeup remover, I found myself back at my bed folding everything neatly and packing the suitcase meticulously. Seeing that I had an hour before I had to be at the airport, I grabbed a pair of black leggings, a tank top, and a long white shirt that would hang off my shoulder and headed for the shower.

Two and a half hours later I am just getting through airport security and making my way to the terminal. Finding a seat near the window, I pulled my suitcase in between my legs and made myself comfortable, pulled out my phone and scrolled through social media while I waited the remaining 45 minutes for my flight. Scrolling through the Wilmington Facebook page once more I stumbled upon a congratulatory post for upcoming weddings. Curious, I opened it and found a list of couples to be married. Second on the list was Rhett Austin, to be wed in two weeks.

Feeling a piece of me die on the inside, I swallowed back the lump in my throat as I fought back the tears threatening to fall. Opening my messenger app, I sent Ruby a text.

Me: It's still not too late to send someone else, please!

A few minutes later a reply finally came through.

Ruby: No can do, I've sent everyone else to other sites. You'll do fine! It'll do you some good to be back home again.

Me: He's getting married.

The announcement for my flight rang out above my head before there was time to wait for a reply. Sighing in defeat, I rose to my feet, took hold of my suitcase and slowly walked towards the terminal with my shoulders slumped forward.

Sitting in a window seat with no one else in my row, I was able to stare out over the clouds in silence. They were bright white, fluffy, almost cotton candy-like. My mind wandered back to Rhett. Maybe it wouldn't be too bad being back in town, he's getting married in two weeks, surely, he'll be too busy with the wedding to chance running into him. With that last thought, I sat back and watched the clouds below us as the plane seemed to just hover above them.

Two hours later I'm thanking a driver and stepping out of his Uber car. Smiling as the smell of salt in the warm summer-like air hit me, I turned towards the only hotel building near this area.

"Good afternoon, are we booking a room for the entire weekend?" The receptionist behind the desk greeted me. Her smile was large, toothy, and friendly donned with bright red lips. Her eyes made me think of coffee, caramel brown; her hair long and bleached to a honey blonde.

"Yes, please. If I need to extend the stay, I'll just come in before check out on Sunday." I slid my credit card and I.D. across the counter and waited as she added my information and ran my credit card. A ping on my phone told me the transaction had gone through so, I waited for my room key.

She glanced at me for a second, studying my face. She looked between my I.D. and me as if she was trying to place who I was.

"Is there a problem with my card?" I asked uncomfortable with the situation.

"You're a talent scout, aren't you?"

Sighing with amusement, I smiled and nodded my head. "Let's just keep that between the two of us, ok?" I smiled.

Her eyes widened, "Well, why aren't you staying at the other hotel with the actual actors?"

"I'd like to fly under the radar."

Nodding in agreement, she returned my smile as she handed me my cards. As I made my way towards the elevator, I noticed her reach for the phone out of the corner of my eye. I shook my head and thought, so much for staying discreet.