Rina brushed her long black hair and packed it into a ponytail. She dabbed the powder applicator on her face, trying to look as best as she could before leaving her apartment.
She smoothed the lines on her dress with her hand before walking away from the mirror and closing the door behind her.
She was set to get herself a deal in one of the industries again, re-write her past and rise in influence once again.
She had always fought for what she wanted from life and she wasn’t going to back down now.
Even though Zayn had proposed her marriage on his return, she didn’t want to accept the fact that he was her only ticket to influence and good-fame once again in the city.
She alighted from the cab and stood in front of a modern studio. Taking a deep breath, she walked into the studio. Ignoring the eyes of the onlookers, the whispers in hushed tones. She made her way for the producer’s office. George Stone had helped her get an appointment with him a day ago.
“Ms. Powers.” The producer, an average man with small moustache greeted. “It’s nice to see you.” He said, gesturing towards a chair directly opposite his table.
“Thank you.” Rina forced a smile and sat on the chair, her voice steady. “I want to get back into the industry.”
The producer scratched his head with a weary expression before drawing a deep breath “Ms. Powers..” he started but she cut him off immediately.
“I know the articles that are written about me and spread round the city on a daily basis, I know the scandals, the scornful gazes that people now throw at me but I am ready to change all that. I am ready to get back up, make a good name for myself like I once did,”
She paused and maintained eye contact with the producer, after a few seconds of silence in the room, she continued, her expression fierce and filled with determination.
“Give me the chance to bring back something new to the industry, something real.” She finished, her gaze slightly switching from fierce to plea.
The producer leaned back in his chair, tapping on his table with a pen in his hand. He had never worked with Rina in the past, but George Stone had told him that she was quite adamant. Initially, he hadn’t believed it given Rina’s calm demeanor, but now, listening to her, he couldn’t help agreeing with George.
Rina squeezed her palms under his table, praying for a favourable answer as he began to speak.
“I know you could, Ms. Powers, however in this business, perception plays a huge role and you know that.”
Rina felt a blow to her chest and a lump in her throat which she quickly swallowed “Perception changes, I can change their perception. All I need is a chance, one chance.” She said.
“I’m sorry, Ms. Powers, the industry is fragile, and it’s not as simple as you say it and right now… you are not exactly the image we are looking to project.” He said, trying to pick out his words carefully.
“I hope you understand, it is nothing personal and nothing short of business.” He finished and got to his feet, hinting dismissal.
“Thank you.” Rina could only say before scabbling out of his office.
The rejection bored a hole in her heart and the pain of the recent events surged through her once again.
As she walked out of his office, she could hear the whispers, the looks and the closed doors. She was no longer the ‘golden lady’ of Hollywood, and those served as a reminder.
Refusing to back down or give up so easily, Rina held her shoulders up high and proceeded to other producers she could think of, some of whom had been begging her to join their team and act in their film when her reputation was on par.
However, the rejection she met was a tough one to bear. Some were polite with their rejection and some were quite blunt with it, disregarding her feelings or the fact that she was human and rubbing it on her face.
She gritted her teeth and walked out from the last office that also rejected her.
Outside the office building, she felt her eyes begin to water and immediately reached inside her handbag, brought out a sun shade and wore it swiftly, letting it settle on the edge of her nose.
She had planned to venture out on her own and get a deal for herself as Zayn was away on his business trip. For some reason, she didn’t want to be indebted to him and thought his offer was rather advantageous.
It was too good to be true and she always had doubts when things were too good to be true.
However, it seemed like she was going nowhere with her deal hunting as no one wanted to listen to what she had to say and the few who listened rejected her outrightly.
Taking a stroll, she found herself in front of an old studio set.
The studio looked worn and tattered but it brought back memories of her early years in the industry.
It was the first studio she worked with and she could still remember everyone smiling at her and cheering her while she was on set. Everyone wanted to be close to her but she seemed like a disease now.
“Rina?” A voice called from behind.
The voice sounding somewhat familiar but she couldn’t figure it out but her lips opened ajar as she turned to meet the figure behind her.
“Max?” She called with surprise.
Max had been an old friend, they met at the old studio set and he had been a cameraman then but she lost touch with him since then.
“It’s really you Rina.” Max exclaimed as he closed the distance between them.
“What are you doing here?” She said, her hand swinging across the studio set.
“Just checking out old haunts. How have you been, Rina? I heard the news, it’s not fair what they’re doing to you.” Max said, his voice held some hints of pity.
“Hollywood is no place for fair play. It hurts a lot… I used to stand out before, everyone saw me and acknowledged me but now, no one sees me. I feel like I’m a ghost.” Rina admitted with her voice low.
“What if you have your own chance to rewrite your story? Tell your story in your own way?” Max asked with a thoughtful expression.
“What do you mean?” Rina asked with an arched brow.
“There is a new film I’m producing, what do you say about taking the female lead role? Show them what you’ve got in you, that inner voice that’s louder than all the scandals and articles about you.”
Rina gasped in surprise “You’d do that for me?” She had no idea that he had become a producer and the fact that he was willing to help. her gain her stance in the industry made her sober.
“I believe in your capacity Rina, what do you say about the audition this Saturday?” He asked and she couldn’t contain the excitement within her.
“Thank you Max, this means much.”
Max waved off her appreciation with a smile on his face.
“Now, can we leave this worn-out building? We have an audition to prepare for.” They walked out of the studio set and for once in a long time, Rina felt a glimmer of hope.