The Pretty Sister

Getting Back in the Game

Chapter 17

“Hi Raymond,” she said with a fake smile. She tightened her grip on her clutch. She couldn’t believe she ran into this director again.  Fiona kept walking hoping to get rid of the man as she made her rounds through the party, but he just kept up. 

He waited until she was closer before he slipped his hand on her back. She could feel the heat from his hand on her bare back which made her begin to regret her choice. It felt disgusting and sweaty. Then, she remembered Brick’s reaction. A small smile slipped on her face. 

Unfortunately, Raymond thought the smile was for him.

“I am so glad to see you too. Did you see the script I sent?” Seeing how he was not one of her top choices, any of the other scripts could be his. They all had the image that he saw her as written on them. 

“I have so many scripts these days. You know how Hollywood is to unavailable stars,” she gave a short laugh as she smiled back. She may hate his guts, but she still needed to keep up her reputation. She may be known as a sex symbol, but she was also known as a pleasure to work with. That is what kept the jobs coming. 

“I sent in the Lex script. The superhero one. It will be a little different, but I think it will be perfect for you. I even started working on the costume design with one of my men. Trust me. You will look wonderful.” That made sense. Grier loved action movies. The more explosions, the better. 

“Thanks, but I am trying to keep my options open during my break.”

“Honey, I know exactly what you mean. Break, right?” He winked suggestively. Obviously, he didn’t. 

“Call me anytime. You know my number.” As a parting gesture, he patted her back and headed off. Probably to find some young starlet to chat up. 

She almost let out a sigh. Only a few years ago, that young starlet was her. She was that young girl who was so excited that such a well-known director even deign to talk to her that she would take any scrap role he gave her.  She was not going to feel sorry for herself. Goodness, she was heading into her thirties not her eighties. She still had plenty of years left. So what she was no longer in the party all night long stage? So what her priorities were looking more to settling down? She was growing up. 

“Let’s go, boys. I have to mingle.”

Sure enough, Fiona fluttered from group to group, person to person with topics such as the latest vacation spot or the newest industry news. She carried conversations with some of the most powerful people in the entertainment industry flawlessly. Everyone was amazed when she came to talk to them and disappointed when she left.  

“Fiona love, you have to tell me what you are doing right now? You can’t possibly be taking a break,” said the hottest British singer-songwriter. 

“Well, it’s true,” she said with a sly smile. It only served to make the other people of the group even more curious. 

“How about some clue? You are going to that resort in Rio that I heard so much about lately. Right? Come on, you can tell me,” said the wife of one of the heads of a major television network. She looked slyly over her glass of champagne. 

“I don’t know. I have a few options. Look out for them,” she said as she gave a little smirk that said I have a secret, but I won’t tell. It never hurt to keep people guessing.  

“Well, I have gotta see the guest of honor. Later then.” She gave a quick wave before heading off to find Melissa Valmont.  

She spotted the shock of gray hair through red that signified Melissa by the patio door. Before she could make her way over, she was stopped by a tap on the shoulder. She twirled around as she saw another fashion designer.