“Listen, last night I wasn’t thinking straight, okay? I haven’t been myself the last couple of days and it’s making me see that I need to change my ways a little.”
“Are you high right now?”
Oh jeez.
“No, I’m not high. In fact, I haven’t touched a drop of drink or drugs in two days.”
I hear a small gasp on the line. “Did you nearly die two days ago or something? See a light at the end of the tunnel? Maybe even a red-horned little devil crooking his finger at you, perhaps?”
I have to laugh at that. Despite the seriousness of my situation, at least she has a sense of humor.
“I’m going to be honest. I don’t like the person I was, so I’m trying to change. Is that so bad?”
“Of course not. It’s actually commendable. I just hope you can keep it up.” She sighs. “I will speak with Lizzie and ask her to do a speech about last night on your behalf. In the meantime, remember you have Cosmopolitan visiting your house tomorrow afternoon to do a shoot. Also, remember that big-shot musician who they think is going to be the next Ed Sheeran wants you to be in his new music video. You said you wanted to think about it because unless it actually was Ed Sheeran, you weren’t interested? I personally think it’s a big mistake as Cash Montgomery is going to be huge in the music industry. You just watch.”
The whole time she’s talking, I’m glancing out of the window into the expanse of the clear blue skies, completely bewildered by it all. Words like “Cosmopolitan,” “music video,” and “next big star” are swimming around my head, making me feel dizzy.
“Kendra, are you there?”
“When’s he shooting this video?” That’s the sort of question I should ask, right?
There’s excitement in her voice when she responds. “I think he’s waiting on your response first. He’s really, really eager to have you in his video. You are—after all—the world’s most beautiful woman.”
A tightness surrounds my chest at that statement. She’s right. I have been voted the world’s most beautiful woman. I’m a fraud, though. From what I’m learning, I should be crowned the ugliest woman in the world. No matter how much beauty that’s in the eye, it can never take away the rotting soul on the inside. I have maggots already feasting their way into mine.
“What am I expected to do in this music video?”
“Wow, Kendra, your brain is really fried, isn’t it?” She chuckles, but I don’t find it funny. I don’t find any of this funny. “The song is about him falling in love with the girl next door. You move in, he spots you out of his window and instantly wants you. It’s just a mushy tale of a guy trying to woo a girl, that’s all. I can send you the script as soon as you agree. So, what do you say?”
“We’re here,” Craig says, stopping outside Alessandro’s.
I nod my head in Craig’s direction.
“Tell him I’ll do it.”
She shrieks in my ear so loudly that I have to pull the phone away. “Awesome, Kendra! You seriously won’t regret it.”
“Listen, I’ve got to go. I’m meeting Alyson.”
“Okay, but don’t forget your appointment tomorrow. Don’t eat too much today.”
She hangs up and I stare at my phone for a couple of seconds. Don’t eat too much? All I’ve had in twenty-four hours—that I know of—is one measly Danish pastry. It was a really nice Danish too.
I place my phone in my purse as Craig dutifully opens the door for me and lets me out. “I’ll be waiting for you when you finish, Ms. Banks.”
“Can you call me Kendra?”
My question apparently surprises him. “I can try. It will feel a little strange after three years of calling you Ms. Banks, though.”
I’m about to respond when I hear a message on my phone. I tell Craig goodbye, and head in fishing out my cell. It’s a message from a Walter Bridges. I recognize that name from somewhere, but can’t think where. When I open it, my eyes bulge in shock.
I’ve booked us a room at the Marriott, room 809. Meet me at 5. Don’t be late, my cherie. I will be waiting wearing only a smile.xx
“What the f—”
“Kendra!”
Feeling guilty, I quickly hide my phone back in my purse as if someone might look over my shoulder and read it. I glance around the restaurant looking for Alyson, even though I have no clue what she looks like. I probably should have looked her up on Facebook or something first. That’s if I even have Facebook. Pfft, what am I saying? Someone like me would always have Facebook. No doubt I have thousands of friends and followers too.