Christinellia

Chapter 1 - Best Actress

Chapter 1 – Best Actress

(Cornelia)

With her gorgeous golden locks swaying elegantly under the spotlight, she grabbed everyone’s attention.  A violet Versace dress embedded with Swarovski crystals accentuated the breathtaking shape of her perfect body.  

A slight touch of make-up on her cheek, a perfect blend of redness on her lips, a set of pearls on her neck and ears, and perfect trimmed nails with seductive red nail-polish, Cornelia Casingham has captured the adoration of everyone at the Kodak theatre as she received her first nomination and win as ‘Best Actress’ at the Oscar’s.  Added with that sweet deceiving smile, people cheered loudly.

The sweet narration continued to run around my head.

Standing in front of the podium as I received the golden trophy signifying my success as an actress, I filled myself with humbleness and gratitude. I stood in awe in front of millions that watch my achievement. 

The thought of disbelief continued to flutter for ten more seconds as I gathered the strength to complete a sensible sentence. 

I spoke. “Wow!” I exclaimed with great shock.  “Thank You!  Thank you very much!”  I showed my gratitude the sincerest sounding way I can.  “I can’t believe this.  I really can’t.”

My sound of disbelief continued to fill up the first part of my speech. The second part comprises the comparison between my talent and the other nominees for that category. I praised these other actresses, made a funny self-depreciating remark, and gave a small shrill of excitement. The last part of my speech showed my gratitude towards the people I owe them to.  “Oh my God!  Before I forget, let me thank some people of course. These people made me who I am today. I want to thank James Hamilton, my manager, producer, and fiancée who introduced me to show business. Yes, you heard me right, I’m getting married. I thank the director, Michael Billy, for whom I’ve learned a lot. Thanks for the staff and crew who made the movie a remarkable one. To my best friend, Elizabeth Bruckheimer, thank you for giving me the support and encouragement. And lastly, saving the best one for last, to God who showered me with blessings for this year. Thank you everyone. And I cannot emphasize that enough.”

I walked down the stage as the hosts proceeded with the show. But to me, it has ended. As I walk with that sweet smile and modest march, knowing that I have won one of the coveted awards of the night, I’ve reached totality.  Nothing could ruin the most special day of my life.  And I mean nothing.  People gave me glances as I pass by them and I share the same. Some greeted me with fervor and I returned the favor.  It was a long walk towards the table I share with my co-workers but it was nothing because the feeling that I have at that moment cannot be define by words.

“Congratulations Nelia. If I haven’t known you better, I would’ve believed the entire act you pulled on stage. Especially the speech.  Brava!  That was very convincing,” El commented with a soft clapping of her hands. 

“Oh, El!  You know me so well,” I responded.  “I did win an award for pretending to be somebody else.  It took them a while but I’m happy that they’re acknowledging it now.”

“Well, I agree to that,” Michael Billy, a thirty-eight year old guy with short hair and beard commented with the least enthusiasm for me. He was nominated for Best Director only to lose to James Cameron. He has been nominated more than three times yet he has not received the acknowledgment I received tonight.  “Do you know what’s funny?  That one when you said you’ve learned many things from me. Now that’s funny. You seldom follow what I tell you. When you disagree, you disagree!  But I respected it now.”

“I still think you deserve to win,” I comforted which is easy for me since I’ve already won. Knowing me, he just glanced and looked away. I wasn’t the easiest one to work with but I know I wasn’t the hardest.  I have been described as a she-devil in many blind items and that was always the case since I know how to play people. I have learned tricks that help me understand how to act in different situations. I can be nice when I need to. I can be brutal when necessary.

“So we’re doing you’re victory party later then,” El said excitedly.  “But I’m going to be late. I have dinner plans with my family from Kentucky. To be honest, I didn’t expect you would win.”

“That was very harsh. If I hadn’t won, I would’ve denounced you as my best friend.”

“Good thing that you did. Seriously, I couldn’t be happier for you.”

“Go enjoy your time with your family.  But be sure to come by later. I want to talk to you about this reporter who thought I was pregnant because of my engagement.”

“You should call them. Your family. I know you want to. I know they’ll be happy to hear from you,” she suggested. 

The relationship between me and my family hasn’t been the best or even close to anything good.  From the moment I took my independence at sixteen, trying to chase that dream of becoming a glamorous star, they have completely made me feel abandoned. They were so against the idea of me becoming an actress that they made me an ultimatum; it’s either my dream or my family.  Seriously, I did not want to choose. But due to the heat of the moment, I chose the one I wanted.  Since then, it has not been easy.  Not my parents nor my older sisters wanted to do anything with me. Only Catherine, my younger sister had the decency to contact me and share news from back home.  But it has been a while since she called. 

“I’ve apologized a lot of times.  It should not always be me, right?”

Elizabeth only smiled. She knows everything about my life, my struggles, and my romance.  At that moment, she knew that smiling was the only thing that would comfort me.  “One day, everything will be fine!”

“I hope so.”

Then at that exact moment, Catherine called. I wondered what took her so long. Maybe she’s calling to congratulate me after seeing my achievement on TV. I answered it. 

“Hey Catherine,” I sounded genuinely happy.  “What’s up?  It’s been a long time. Are you calling to congratulate me?”  I was going ahead of myself.

I wasn’t sure but on the other side, it was either static or she was sobbing. I began to be curious.  “Catherine?  Are you there?”

“Ne-nelia,” with a heavy breathing and soft sobbing, Catherine made me feel a churn in my stomach.  For some reasons, I started feeling queasy.  “Something has happened to dad!”

“What do you mean?”

Before my rebellion and drive to independence, I was my dad’s little angel. I was his favorite. My sisters’ would look at me differently because of the attention I’m getting. We went on to some father-daughter dances, sometimes go fishing in Lima Lake, go hiking, and other father-daughter bonding. But when he made me choose, we got into a violent argument and I felt disowned. We have never spoken since.  “Catherine?  Tell me what happened?”

“Daddy had a massive stroke yesterday,” she said, her crying more prominent and dark.  “Daddy’s dead.  Are you going to come home?”

I thought nothing could ruin my night. Then this happened.