Free

Part 8

ZISKA:    I woke up to the sound of mom and Amanda with Doctor Han singing a late happy birthday to me that afternoon. It wasn't that bad. I was able to forget about Evan for the moment but memories of him began flowing into me again. After that, we ate a little bit of cake and some fruits before everyone cleaned up and left. Only Amanda was left. She sat on my bed peeling an orange slowly and smiled.

AMANDA: To me, my older sister was everything. She was awesome! Even though she was in pain all the time, she was always smiling, was so free spirited, and felt like protection was always around her. Despite all this, she seemed down today. Her eyes were red as if she cried all day before we all came. She dazed out and didn't really pay attention to what everyone was saying. Even now, she was just staring at the wall and thinking hard.

 "You should be getting home, it's late." Ziska tells Amanda.

ZISKA: I felt sick and tired. I didn't want to deal with anyone. Amanda stared at me and nodded her head. 

  "See you tomorrow then! You should get your boyfriend Evan to visit you!" Amanda says with a wink, clearly not knowing what had happened on tv. 

**********

ASHLEY: I checked my phone over and over again, just to check if Evan had by chance called me or messaged me for some reason. I bit my nails and walked back and forth in my manager's room. 

   "So....how many times have I told you not to mess with his family?!" Her manager screams. He slams his rolled papers on his desk. "One hundred times I have told you that at least! What're you going to do now huh? Our ceo is almost at his limit with you! You know how many directors have been cut from our company because of you? "

   "So what? They can find better jobs." Ashley talks back.

  "No. We need them! WE NEED THEM!" He screams. "Ashley, we are the ones who need those directors not they needing us."

   "So what? We can always fine better directors." She snaps. Her phone rings as she runs over and brightens up.

  "EVAN!! I knew you were going to come around!" SHe says with a chuckle as her manager watches with wide eyes. "Explain to my manager that this is no problem baby. I'll put you on speaker. Also, I'll even bring my ceo!"

   The manager makes a call as the ceo comes in soon. They all sit in a circle as Evan begins.

   "Ashley, you haven't taken it down yet." Evan says. "There goes another director's connection with your company Mr. CEO."

   "I'm sorry Mr. Evan." The CEO begins. "We will put that photo down. I apologize on behalf of Ashley."

   "No I am not taking it down." Ashley says. 

  "Ashley, you're a pretty famous person right now right?" Evan says. "I wonder what would happen if an article about every bad thing you've done to your fans, people around you, and how you really are was released. On top of that, you being cut from every main leading role in any movie that comes your way, your cheating scandal with the old man last year for money, and so many more. Your future...or the photo. It's simple. Just take it down, never talk to me again, never cross me, and most of all...never ever mess with Ziska."

   ASHLEY: I felt shame pour over me as my ceo stared at me with disappointment and my manager. They both shook their heads and glared at me like I was disgusting...just like every man did. Those eyes. They were horrible! I grabbed my bag and stomped out of the place. That girl Ziska. It was all her fault. If she wasn't around Evan would come back to me....my ceo and manager would still love me and everything would be fine. Her...if only she was gone.......everyone would forget about her.