Young And Beautiful

Chapter 13

I woke up early to make breakfast for Todd and I as we both had an early morning. I had a meeting with Stewart as he wanted to introduce me to my new and first manager. Stewart had said we had to act fast and get me on another project while the iron was still hot. Celia had been out for over six months now, and I had been doing interviews with Michael and Greta for promotion and exposure.

It was incredibly surreal when everyone listened to me speak. All the cameras turned to me to hear my thoughts and what I had to think and hear about my life. Stewart had told me not to mention Todd in the interviews, so they don't invade my privacy.

The  telephone in the rang and Todd went to answer it in the foyer, only to return a few seconds later with an annoyed look on his face.

"It's for Rosie Grant."

I ignored the mockery in his voice and rushed to the foyer. Todd had become so irritable in the last few months.

I cleared my throat before picking up the phone.

"Rosie Grant here."

"Hey baby it's Michael."

I was suddenly tougue tied. "Oh...hello...Michael."

He chuckled as if he knew his effect on me.

"There's an upcoming project with this big director, his name is Anthony Grey."

"He directed Sea of love," I gasped softly.

It was Todd's favorite film and the first film I had ever watched in theatres.

"Yes, he did. I really wanna do his next movie with you so I'll bring up your name in our next meeting."

"Oh thank you Michael. Thank you so much!"

"I take gratitude in the form of gestures. If you're really grateful, buy me lunch."

I bit my lip as I leaned against the wall. "Would that be okay? I don't want to step on Megan's toes."

"Oh Megan and I broke things off last week. Irreconcilable differences."

"Ohhh, I see. Then lunch it is. I'll let you know when."

When the phone call ended, I went back to Todd in the kitchen. He was sitting at the table, but got up as soon as I walked in.

"Where you going honey? Let me dish up for you."

"Lost my appetite."

He grabbed his briefcase. I gathered the courage to ask.

"Todd, what's the matter? You're constantly snapping at me these days. Is it my job? Is that the problem?"

Todd laughed. "That's not a job sweetheart. Show business is whore business. I never thought the sweet innocent girl I brought to Los Angeles would let herself be consumed by Hollywood and it's nonsense."

Tears welled up in my eyes.

"Todd, that's awfully cruel of you to say. I have talent, Todd. I can make a living out of this."

He took a deep breath. "Rose-Marie, if you're the girl I'm gonna go show my mother, this needs to stop. I already you show your tits on screen. I let it go far. I won't let you go any further. I'm not gonna let you become one of these cheap Hollywood whores. Look at the way you're dressed for crying out loud!"

I scoffed as I looked down at my short skirt. "Everyone wears this! I can swear on my father's grave I've seen your mother wear something shorter!"

"Well you are not my fucking mother! You wore skirts down to your damn ankles a few months ago! You go to parties now with that damned Greta! You don't read the fucking books no more, all you is sit in front of the telly! You're becoming one of them fucking airheads!"

"It's called growing up! I can't stay the exact same way I was when I was 19! I was just a child! And I see the real problem here, Todd. You just hate that I'm gonna start making my own money soon and I won't keep depending on you."

Todd took a deep breath. "I'm gonna let you ride this wave. You wanna be the man? I'll let you be the fucking man. Call me when you get back to your senses."

With that, Todd stormed out of the house. I burst into tears, knocking over the pan to the floor in a fit of rage.
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My meeting with Stewart was postponed to the following week, so I went for lunch with Michael instead. As I walked into the restaurant, he got up, a warm smile on his face.

Oh, he was so dreamy.

He kissed me on the cheek and pulled out a chair for me at our table-for-two. I blushed.

"You look beautiful," Michael complimented me as he sat down across me. "You always do."

"Thank you," I tucked my hair behind my ears.

Michael sat back. I could hear the whispers around us and I could feel the stares from the women. Of course. Michael was a well recognized actor.

"You seem down," Michael said. "Everything alright?"

"Yeah. No." I sighed. "My fiancé and I had a big fight this morning."

"Sounds rough. I have more bad news, unfortunately. So I met up with Anthony Grey's team this morning. I didn't even get to mention you. They already have a female lead in mind. Sorry for getting your hopes up."

I gave him a small smile. "It's alright. It was too good to be true anyways."

"Any new projects on your side?"

I shook my head. "Not yet. Stewart is trying to get something for me. I mean, producers are always calling but if its me and another actress, I always end uo not getting picked.“

"You will. In five years time, your name will be known everywhere; in every country. In every house. Everywhere. I just know it. There's something about you that just tells me you're gonna be a star."

Amd he was right. He was wrong about one thing though. It didn't take me five years.