WALK ME DOWN THE AISLE

* Chapter Nineteen *

I felt a sudden surge of nerve-wracking sensation, but I fought strongly to conceal it, especially under the watchful eyes of my boss and David. Despite the anger simmering between us, David couldn't bear to leave my side, not wanting me to bear the shame of my actions alone. And his help was something I was eternally grateful for.

We arrived at the main office where the actors were presently gathered, awaiting my presence as the "esteemed" author of the screenplay they'll put to life, my heart was almost crushed when I caught a glimpse of Scott engrossed in laughter with the other actors in the room. I couldn't help but peek through the slightly ajar door, hoping against hope that he hadn't yet looked over the script. The sight only heightened my shock and disappointment. It seemed that my boss and David shared the same sentiments, their expressions mirroring the weight of the moment. All I longed for was to retreat and go home, to lock myself away in isolation out of mortification.

"Would you like to go home? I'll just inform Mr. Belmont that you're not feeling well," Mitch offered.

"No, boss, I'm okay. I need to confront this matter; after all, I'm the one who made the mistake," I confessed, my voice choked with emotion. "Danni, please listen to us. These people are the top choices that Mr. Belmont has selected, and if Scott catches you here, it could cause problems for the production; you understand that, right?" Mitch insisted.

"Well, I'll explain it to them," I reasoned.

"Stop trying to explain yourself. Just, for now, listen to our advice," David cut in.

"Well, it's great to see you all supporting me when I'm right in the middle of this mess now," I expressed sarcastically to David.

Despite my nervousness, I mustered the courage to face everyone. It will be a humiliating circumstance for Mr. Belmont as well as for the respected actors present in the room. I silently prayed as the three of us entered the conference room, and Mr. Belmont welcomed us.

"Excuse me, ladies and gentlemen? I want you to meet Daniella Dee, the author of both the book and the screenplay that you'll be portraying soon in our upcoming film."/declared Mr. Belmont, prompting applause from the room.

But upon spotting me, Scott's eyes broadened in shock. "Danni?" It was the first time he had ever addressed me by my name in front of others, but his tone carried a sense of confusion. He lingered for a while, perusing the first half of the script, before angrily slamming it down on the table. He then stormed out of the room, leaving the rest of the cast dumbfounded.

Fellow actors exchanged perplexed glances as they attempted to decipher his cryptic exit. Sensing that I should come after him, I quickly trailed after Scott, with David silently affirming my decision with a nod.

"Scott! Please, wait for me!" I called out desperately, my voice echoing through the empty hallway as I ran towards him.

"Why, Danni? Why did you have to lie to me? What other secrets are you hiding? I trusted you, of all people," Scott said, his back turned to me as tears welled up in his eyes. "Scott, I'm so sorry. Please, just give me a chance to explain," I pleaded, my voice trembling with remorse.

"Explain? Fine, then tell me why you felt the need to deceive me, to write everything we went through as if it were fiction. And to top it all off, you turned it into a book!" Scott's anger burned in his voice, but I summoned the bravery to tell him why. "I never meant to involve you in the story, Scott. But I couldn't help it. I couldn't erase you from my thoughts because you were there for me when no one else was. You helped me pick up the pieces of my life, and you became my strength, my inspiration." I struggled to find the right words, my voice filled with a mix of regret and vulnerability.

"Inspiration? You disregarded the secrets I trusted you with. I thought you were someone I could rely on, but now it seems like you only care about my fame and the money you'll be earning using my name. You're the one who's trying to dim that light, and it would have been better if someone else did it, but unfortunately, it's you, the person I've begun to love for the longest time," Scott argued, his frustration nearly causing him to punch the wall.

"I'm sorry, Scott. I truly am sorry," I begged desperately.

"No, Danni. Your apology won't be enough unless you can undo what you've done. And thanks for helping break my heart all over again," Scott said bitterly as he stepped into the elevator.

Unable to convince Scott to stay, I returned to the room, where everyone awaited an explanation from me. Regardless, I found out that both David and our boss had already taken it upon themselves to explain certain details, leaving out the crucial information connecting Scott's relationship with the story we were about to create.