“I don’t want to talk to you about my girlfriend,” I say in a freezing voice, “I’ve decided to back out of the movie … the role is yours.”
His eyes light up and he cocks his head to one side.
“Wow. That girl sure works fast.”
I don’t know what he’s talking about, but I don’t like the sound of his voice.
“Sorry?” I frown confused.
“Aria … she convinced you much faster than I thought she would.” He’s smuck. I hate it when guys are so cocky. Should I tell him that it was my own decision? Nope. Let him think that he has the upper hand for now. He’s planning something and Aria is part of that plan. Or are they really in love? Is she using me? I think about our session on my desk earlier. Can she be that fake? That cruel?
“You see Blackburn … I won’t stop until I’ve taken everything from you … your family, your girlfriend, your career, your reputation …” his overconfident face is beaming pleasure and now I want to kill him even more than before. But this cocksure arrogance makes me a little itchy, ’cause I’m now sure he’s plotting something. Something bad. Let’s just hope he’s not another Darren or Harry.
Flip, why did I drag Aria into this shithole that’s my life. Maybe I should send her away … I can still pay for Leyla, but at least they won’t be involved in all this Brian crap. And maybe then these sudden feelings will also fade away … so I’ll be killing two birds with one stone. I stare at my desk and see Aria laying on it in my mind’s eye; her hair cascading down like a red waterfall. Sending her away is not going to be easy. Brian clears his throat and I disperse the images of Aria from my thoughts and look at him.
“Brian … why do you hate me so much?” I know our line of work is not easy, but he’s over the edge. And I don’t even know why.
“Because you stole everything from me,” he scorns hatefully. I … stole … everything … from him? Now I know for sure he’s crazy … how the hell did he put that together?
“How?” Maybe I can understand how his scrunched-up mind works. If that’s even possible.
“Remember your very first role … the one where you played the jock?” I nod. Wow … that was years ago … I think I was like 16 or something … it was your typical teen movie where I was the popular jerk that didn’t end up with the girl. But I did end up with my first nomination for an Oscar. Didn’t win it … but it boosted my career.
“Well, I also tried out to play that character … but ended up playing one of the subs.” Okay, I remember that our first meeting was on the set of that movie … and that Brian hated me even back then.
“But how’s that my fault?” I mean, it’s ridiculous … it’s not my fault he didn’t get the part.
“Cause you intimidated the director to give you the role …” I frown. What is he talking about? He must be crazier than I thought.
“What the fuck are you talking about? I was just a kid back then.” Maybe I didn’t hear right.
“I overheard your father threatening the director to cast his son … or else he’ll have Garcia’s gangs on his back. That role was supposed to be mine … you didn’t deserve it or the fame that came with it. But I learned something from that … to get to the top you have to play dirty,” his voice pitches a little higher.
“My dad? He threatened … wow,” I’m speechless. Could my father have done that? Is my whole career a lie? No … I’ve worked my ass off to get where I am today. It can’t all be a fabrication.
“You do know that I haven’t seen my father for about ten years, until he died a few months ago … ” I’m not sure why I’m trying to explain … I don’t owe Brian anything.
“Boo hoo hoo … it doesn’t change the fact what you did.”
“I didn’t do anything … I didn’t even know that. But even if my father forced the director to cast me … the Oscar nomination was all me … my acting.” That’s the truth … I know I’m a good actor. But I suppose I can understand why he’s bitter.
My father … flip … I wonder what else he did to help us? Not that my family needs any help … we’re luckily talented. Not to brag or anything. But that luck comes with a price a shadow that covers our lives.
“Who knows … maybe you’re father used money or his reputation to get you nominated too. It won’t even surprise me if he’s behind all of your success. Rich people always think they never have to follow the rules!” His voice is full of hatred.
“Okay, let’s make it right.” I pick up the phone and call Dean. He answers after a few rings in a groggy sleepy voice. I suppose I woke him up … it is like 2 in the morning after all. I put the phone on speaker so Brian can hear the conversation.
“What the fuck, Blackburn?” he sounds a little pissed.
“Sorry, Dean, but I need to talk to you about the movie part.”
“Oh, you heard. Congratulations boy, you got it!” I look at Brian and see the anger on his face.
“Really? Great. Now I want you to tell them that I can’t do it. Tell them that they should give the role to Brian Cruise.”
“What? Enrique, are you drunk or something?” Dean is now wide awake.
“No, I just don’t want the part.” The silence from my manager tells me that he’s probably too shocked to speak, so I continue.
“Dean, I need to ask you something. You remember my very first roll?” I don’t wait for him to answer, “Did my father threaten them to give the roll to me?” This time I wait for him to respond.
“Eh, yes … but I thought it was your uncle at that stage. Anyway, they decided to give it to you even before that … so it wasn’t necessary for him to do it. Where did you hear about it?” I feel bad and good at the same time. At least they didn’t pick me because of my father.
“Never mind. Thanks, Dean. I’ll talk to you later.” I end the call and look at Brian.
“I gave you a roll for a roll. We’re even now.” He gets up with a sinister face.
“I still want Aria,” he says darkly as he walks to the door, my eyes shooting daggers into his back as I watch him leave. The man is unstable … and that’s not good. Not for me and certainly not for Aria. I recline in my chair and stare at the ceiling. I wonder how far he would go … but my gut tells me I won’t like the answer. Fuck! I need to find a way to protect Aria and Leyla … but I’m not sure I can let them go.