Gasps went around the huddled group, a few of them placing their hands over their mouths. The dread was apparent in their eyes, and the judgments were hard to ignore. Regina played it perfectly, weaving the story with the right amount of suspense, waiting for them to ask leading questions before waltzing into it like a very slow choreographed dance. Her eyes shone in the heat of the moment, and her gait improved like one who had all the answers in her palms.
“She must have hit rock bottom,” the premium bitch from the TV series whispered, as if scared anyone would pick up the topic of their conversation. But that was mere hypocrisy as she had the most fan base out of everyone standing there, and she wouldn’t even wait to get back home before tweeting about it, and putting a post up on Instagram. George was hoping she would do something more perhaps, go on live and start a discussion about Rina Power. It would help the task he was about to embark on.
“Or maybe she’s just going back to what she’s good at,” Regina commented, shrugging like she had just spoken on a casual topic. “We saw the pictures, right? Regina looked like she knew what she was doing in them. She probably has a very high sexual need and fantasy, and I dare say featuring in X-rated movies has to be her home. Poor Finn. It has to be one of the many reasons he left. I can only imagine the shock that would have gone through him realizing the woman he married wasn’t what she claimed to be.”
“I’m happy he has Kayla with him now,” another whispered. “They are yet to make a public announcement but I saw them shopping together at Swarovski the other day. Finn was acting all protective and dominant while Kayla was totally in her feminine aura.” A wave of sweet sighs passed through the group, with longing in their eyes, and a tinge of jealousy.
“I wish I had half the things she has right now a family with the right name and connection, so much wealth than I know what to do with, top-tier roles in great movies, interviews, mentions, and now, she is going out with one of the most eligible bachelors since the divorce with Rina. And she’s so nice. That’s living the best life. It’s no wonder her skin is like glass.”
“She’s such a goddess,” the lady who had seen Kayla said. “But you didn’t hear of their relationship from me. If I hear a word outside about it, I will deny it hard.” It was understandable that no one wanted to do something Kayla wouldn’t like. Right now, she was the queen of Scottsdale Entertainment and one of the best actors in the country. Everyone wanted to be in her good books, which wasn’t a hard thing considering how Kayla was filled with kisses and smiles, albeit fake.
Regina rolled her eyes. “Like I have time for some idle gossip.” The irony was alarming. “Anyway, I’m off to the tennis court. I’ll catch up with you all later.”
She moved away from the group, and George gave it a few minutes before casually getting off the machine he had been working out on. He grabbed his bottle of water from the floor beside him and walked briskly in the direction of the court. Regina was carrying out little stretches at the side when he arrived, her visor already in place. He watched her for a while, angling his head as she grabbed her bag and retrieved a tube of sunscreen, smearing it all over her face.
“Fancy meeting you here, George,” she called out as he made a show of walking past her to the other side of the lawn. He turned on his heels, the feigned surprise so real that it couldn’t be seen through.
“Regina,” he greeted with a smile. “You play tennis?”
“Duh! Everyone who follows me on my socials knows that. You obviously don’t. But then again, I understand. You are still obsessed with Rina. How is she doing these days? Considering my offer? It is still on the table, you know?” She laughed derisively and shook her head. “That’s all she would ever be good for.”
“I know you don’t like Ms. Power,” George breathed, acting like he had so much weight on his shoulders. “And really, I understand you. I mean, who on earth can like her after everything she has done?”
Regina paused. “But you are her manager and close ally.”
“She thinks I am,” he muttered, then sighed. “It’s been hard playing that role for this long. Sometimes, I want to scream into her face that she’s not all she thinks she is, but then again, it’s Rina Power. She has an ego too big that nothing can break it down.”
“You don’t like her,” Regina said with surprise in her tone. She however looked damn pleased to hear that. “I have to admit. I have been wondering what it is about her exactly that made you sacrifice your career just to work for someone who can’t afford to pay you.”
“You didn’t make it any easier for me,” George chuckled. “You came on so hard that I did the one thing I could think of at the moment to show solidarity. I need to get back at her when she least expects.”
“Really?” Regina was having a party in her head. “Why? I mean, I know more than half the country detests her already, but you? I would never have seen that coming.”
“She’s a mean bitch.” George had to force those words through his throat. “Everyone used to think she was such an angel when she was still working with Scottsdale but I alone knew the extent of her bad nature. Rina Power did something bad to me. I was supposed to get a deal from an international agency, but she ruined it for me by sending them a false portfolio. They rejected my application within twenty-four hours.”
“Wow!” Now, that response was genuine.
“And I made a promise to get back at her, even if it is the last thing I do.”