“I have been thinking about your offer back at your little porn studio,” Rina started casually, tossing the words in the air like no one could pick them and twist them the way they wanted to. Regina’s eyes darted in panic to the tables around, ascertaining if anyone had heard Rina.
“Keep your voice down,” she whispered harshly.
“I don’t recall you doing that when I came for the interview the other day, so mind the way you talk to me, and don’t tell me what to do. This is my turf and you play by my rules.”
“You have forgotten that I don’t have to sit here listening to you,” Regina shot back. “Unlike you who is in crazy debt and needs a job urgently, I have a name and reputation. People love me, and wouldn’t believe a word of what you say. So, Rina Power, I advise that you think carefully about choosing your prey before going on your next hunt.”
“Then you will not be crossed when I send the recording out on Instagram, right?”
Regina was already beginning to stand up again, but the force of those words sent her back to her seat. “What recording?” she asked, regarding Rina with suspicion. “You are bluffing.”
“Maybe I am,” Rina shrugged. “But next time you call an actor in for an interview, ensure your receptionist pats them down properly so they don’t take their phones with them into the conference room. I know how big your production house is on confidentiality and secrecy. Do you know the kind of scandal that could happen if anyone found out what you do by the side?”
“What are you trying to say?” Her voice shook.
“Come on Regina. I know you are gullible enough to believe George, but you aren’t actually that stupid. Unless, of course, you want me to play it out here. I will be delighted to do that.”
“You are just bluffing,” she maintained, shaking her head. “Your phone was taken away from you. I’m sure of it.”
“Are you?”
“I’m going home.”
Rina reached for her phone and searched for the recording, putting the volume at the highest before hitting the play button. She had worked on the recording to focus only on the part when Regina got into the building, so when it played, her voice was loud, unmistakable, and taunting. She reached for the phone in the blink of an eye, but Rina was faster, swiping the phone right under her thumb.
“Not so fast, spider girl,” Rina mocked. “And even if you take this one, do you really think I would waltz in here without making a million copies of that recording? I’m really not as stupid as you are.”
“You still don’t have a point.” Regina tried to sound confident, even though the strength in her voice was wavering. “People easily doctor things these days. I can get my PR personnel to use that story against you. Don’t go fighting me, Rina because you will only end up getting hurt.”
A smug look appeared on Rina’s face as she took a piece of her corn. “I thought you might say that,” she muttered. “It is why I left the voices of your employees as well as that of George. He is willing to corroborate my story at any time. But there wouldn’t even be a need to because all I need is to present the interview materials, job application, details about your company, and this recording to Scottsdale Entertainment. That would be the end of your career.”
“Rina…”
“And don’t forget that you’ve been evading tax payments with the setting up of your production house. That’s a crime around here, just in case you have forgotten. I will do the honors of reporting you to the cops myself. I think the prison uniform will look great on you. You have been able to pull off any style handed over to you. It’s one of your many talents.”
The resolve in her eyes broke in one second, as the reality came crashing around Regina. She saw her whole career flash before her eyes, and her legs felt weak underneath her. She held on to the edge of the table to stabilize herself while Rina munched on without a care in the world. She was past caring for someone who would put a dagger inside her if given the chance.
“Rina, I know you are angry, but I was not the one who did this to you.” Regina’s voice has suddenly become meek. She scooted to the edge of her seat and leaned halfway to the center of the table. “I didn’t have a hand in Scottsdale Entertainment blacklisting you.”
“So?”
“Don’t take your vengeance on me.”
“Vengeance?” Rina choked out a laugh. “Is that what we are calling this?”
“What do you want, Rina? I can give you anything money, a job just let me go this once.”
“You should have let me be when I was already down there, but you kept poking me. I got a job with an agency, and you ruined that for me. Yet, you want me to turn around and have mercy? I am not that nice, Regina. You said so yourself. You were of the opinion that I was always a stuck-up bitch. Maybe this is who I am. Deal with the image you created.”
Regina shook her head at once, tears pooling in the corner of her eyes. “You are not a stuck-up bitch, I promise. I was just carried away by all the rumors and the fact that…”
“Don’t add lying to the list of your offenses,” Rina drawled, her plate empty. She leaned back into the chair and looked at Regina. “You never liked me, but I was fine with it. It’s normal to make enemies in the industry. I like to think of it as a healthy competition. But what I will not tolerate is you going around, telling people things about me that aren’t true. The painting from the exhibition that was a scene from a movie and we both know it. So, why? Why did you do that to me?”