Like a Star, page 11
Tamarah got chills.
Matt was laughing like a maniac.
When he turned around and walked her way, he looked like his normal conceited self.
“Send someone to clean this place and throw everything in the garbage, I want everything new. Let’s go,” said Matt, leaving the place behind. But then he walked on something and heard the sound of a breaking glass. It was a picture frame. Matt’s face turned human for the first time, and Tamarah believed she saw vulnerability in him.
The star bent down to see the picture. For a moment, he forgot he wasn’t alone. He held the broken frame in his hands, and after a few seconds, he lost the gleam of his eyes and let go of the picture. This time breaking the frame completely. He walked away to the sound of broken glass.
Tamarah did what he said and all the traces of Summer were gone, everything except the picture that moved this star. One with two kids and a baby wolf.
Present day
Matt had enjoyed his welcome party. Most of the Milky Way stars had already acknowledged him, and that fact made him proud. Milky Way was the biggest entertainment conglomerate in the whole world. It was the first in America, and their owners, the Warner Family, were the founders of the star system.
It was a house full of Suns and Moons, where the current Moon—Shonny Faith, the greatest artist he knew—was currently working. She wasn’t at his party last night, but he couldn’t wait to properly meet her. James Warner had welcomed him with open arms and making the King happy meant power and profit in this world. His daughter Hazel Warner seemed to be a big fan of his. Perfect, thought Matt.
Now if only he could compose something for his next album. He hadn’t been able to write since that day with Summer in Central Park. He hadn’t asked about her since he saw her charming message, but he knew he couldn’t leave without confronting her, it was too distracting. Anyhow, there was no way he would ever go looking for her. No. He needed an excuse. A rational motive to explain why he wanted to see her. At least he knew now what had been bothering him before.
You see, he was mad at Summer because she wasn’t grateful to him. She dared to be mad at him when all he did was move forward with his dream and try to pay her back. He acknowledged her in any case, and she had refused him. How dare she? She should feel lucky he even recognized her help.
He was relaxing in the infinity pool of his penthouse when he got the call he had been waiting for all these weeks. It was his mother.
Finally!
“Hi Mom,” he said anxiously. Oh, this was the perfect scenario. She was going berserk on him because he wasn’t with Summer. How his mother knew that Summer wasn’t with him, he didn’t ask. But it was clear to him that Summer wasn’t the one who told Martha about their separation. His mom wouldn’t tell him how she knew, but she had already given him the perfect excuse to go and see her. “Thanks, Mom! I’ll go talk to her.”
Matt hung up. He didn’t even listen to his mom’s congratulatory words about his tour. He was only picturing that moment. That perfect moment when Summer would see him and run into his arms. He smirked. This time he asked Clark himself; he didn’t want Tamarah knowing about his little plan and, besides, she was very busy revising his schedule. He was going to twenty-five countries. Clark told him Summer liked to go to the park but lately she hadn’t been going. He told him that he would call him if he saw Summer leaving the house, for Matt was planning to be there when she came back.
ACT 14
Summer was living a dream. Frank Hills and his personal secretary Lionel were sitting in Mr. Brown’s living room and they were going to eat her home cooking. Lionel was holding a beautiful flower bouquet. It was her first time meeting him, but somehow Lionel’s eyes told her he already knew her.
When Mr. Brown opened the door, he greeted Frank like an old friend. Once you let the Devil enter your house, he didn’t wait to make himself feel at home. Summer rushed to the supermarket to grab the few ingredients she needed, leaving the grown-ups talking about her bright future.
The house was smaller than Lionel expected from a former detective as famous as Lenin Brown. He wondered why he retired in the first place. He seemed quite healthy. Lionel was impressed with the vintage store, and he made a note to come and buy some of his tapes and vinyls. The man’s taste in film and music was exquisite. The only problem was for him to find some free time.
“Cheers!” said Frank when Lenin filled his glass with wine. “Because everything is going according to your plan.”
“I just put the pieces on the board, they have yet to move on their own,” said Mr. Brown.
“Oh, but till now they were moving your way.” Frank smirked. “From now, I hope,” he said, looking straight into the detective’s eyes, “I’m toasting for them to move my way.”
“I’m pretty sure I will like your way,” said Lenin.
“Oh, you will. Rest assured. I brought all of this from Summer’s benefactor. He is quite thrilled, you see. He picked up all these things himself, and those flowers,” he pointed at Lionel who was holding the bouquet, “he cultivated them in his personal garden.” Frank was a man who could always handle his alcohol, but with Mr. Brown he looked a little wasted. Maybe because he was one of the few men he trusted. Lionel knew he was lying, of course. There was no way Joe Starlex would have personally picked up all that for Summer. He surely paid for them, though. But using his precious time to go shopping for someone else? No way. Knowing him, he would be locked up in his private theater, trying to get into character for his next movie.
But the flowers, well. These flowers were undoubtedly from his garden.
Lenin and Frank kept acting like old buddies. Laughing and remembering stuff Lionel didn’t dare to ask about, even though curiosity was killing him. And then when Lenin least expected it, Frank struck.
“So, Lenin,” he grinned cunningly, “what do you know about Summer’s parents?” He stared at him in such a way that Mr. Brown couldn’t run from his question. Frank knew the detective in him wouldn’t have welcomed Summer into his life if he hadn’t done intense research on her first.
Frank always knew when to strike. His instincts had been skillfully sharpened with experience over the years. He wasn’t called the Devil of Starland for nothing, in a world where James Warner II was known as the King.
“That is a plate you would rather have served at a future time, my friend, believe me,” Lenin said wisely. He knew Frank very well. His curiosity was demanding answers, but he found pleasure in learning valuable information at the right time. And if Lenin said there would be a better moment than now, Frank would consider it.
But Lionel knew better. He had already been tasked with getting Summer’s parents’ permission. You see, when an artist was going to sign with Constellations Studios, the close family members had to sign a confidentiality agreement. The Company needed to know the past and life of all artists inside. And Summer was expected to be part of Constellations very soon.
Lionel had recently returned from a trip to Colorado, where he’d met Summer’s guardians and learned the fact that this girl was parentless. It would be easy for him to dig into her past even more and learn the names of her progenitors, but Frank told him to wait. He got the Carters to sign the documents. Before diving into Summer’s privacy, Frank wanted to talk to Lenin.
“You better not disappoint me when the time comes,” Frank answered, pouring another cup of wine.
“Believe me. You are going to cry. I almost did. Ah, the world and its mysterious ways,” he sighed.
Just when Lionel was going to ask again, Summer opened the door. She was holding many bags and Lionel went immediately to help her, but she didn’t let him. She put the bags inside the kitchen and came back to greet them again in a very polite way. Frank told her she could relax around him. Mr. Brown introduced Summer to Lionel. He was more nervous than he had anticipated. It was the first time he’d seen her that close, and she was more beautiful than he remembered. The funny thing about Lionel was that his brain and heart were in a constant battle, always arguing about every decision he made. But for Summer’s beauty they agreed, and it was shown in his face. Something that Frank didn’t miss. Oh, how he would tease him later.
Summer’s smile was warm and pretty, but her eyes were hiding a suffering Lionel could relate to. You see, he was also parentless. And now that it was clear to him that he has a crush on her, he only wanted to know more about her.
Frank showed Summer everything her sponsor sent her. Here you have to use your imagination. This was the first time Summer felt supported by someone who believed in her. How can you describe such a hopeful feeling? It goes beyond thankfulness.
She smiled at them, and they were touched by the sincerity in her eyes.
Summer looked through all the books in the box. They were about acting (all different kinds of methods), some were about dancing and singing, and there was a list of movies she should watch. She looked like a little girl getting all excited on Christmas morning.
She was holding the Constellations’ guide which held all the information about the conglomerate. Lionel’s face was among the executives. He wasn’t an executive though, he was the president’s secretary, also known as his right-hand man. Summer praised him, but he wasn’t really listening, he was looking at her. And he had totally forgotten he was holding her bouquet. Frank slapped his back to wake him up. He had been telling Summer about her benefactor.
“I thought it would be better if you don’t meet him yet. Actually, I was thinking the best time for you to meet would be when you officially become a star,” Frank was saying.
“Oh, but I want to thank him so badly. He bought all this for me, he is even going to pay for my studies.” Summer was new to all this—usually she was the one working hard for someone else’s benefit and not the other way around.
“You have a fan among the stars, Summer. And he is one of the best. That man saw your audition and believed in your potential.” Frank wasn’t really lying. Joe did indeed see her audition and he was touched at the end.
“Still,” Summer said, “I would like to thank him for all this.”
Frank elbowed Lionel and pushed him toward Summer. He gave her the bouquet, his heart racing more than it should. She looked at the flowers in awe.
“They are Agapanthus Neverland,” said Lionel.
These flowers would very soon be a source of strength for Summer Lee Taylor. But right now, all she was thinking was Neverland. Those lilies were the most precious gift her mysterious benefactor gave her tonight. Within the bouquet, there was a simple note: “I’ll be cheering for you!” and at the bottom there was a phone number. Summer looked at Frank with pleading eyes.
“Yes, that is his personal number. You can text him and ask for any advice you need. This benefactor idea is more like a mentorship than anything else,” said Frank, but Summer was lost in the Agapanthus Neverland.
“I’ll go and make dinner very fast!” said Summer suddenly.
Frank said yes, of course, it was too fun to refuse. Lenin was talking about how good Summer’s food was when she served them her special spaguetti a la bolognesa. Lenin wasn’t lying.
It was delicious.
The School of Technical and Performing Arts would start in one week, and Summer thought nothing could ruin her happiness. Until the next day, when she found the object of her contempt standing in front of her house.
Hell froze when she saw him, for she had killed him several times in her mind.
And for Matt, time stopped when he saw her.
What happened to her long wavy hair? Was this girl supposed to be his Summer? The girl in front of him was pretty good looking, he noted. She was wearing natural makeup that made her long eyelashes even longer and her thick lips even more desirable. Her hair was short and straight, and she had blonde highlights instead of curls.
“What on earth happened to you?” he asked.
“What the hell are you doing here?” she replied.
Summer opened her door and pushed him away before closing the door in his face, but he jammed his foot in between and the door couldn’t close. He looked at her with victorious eyes and Summer smashed the door several times, harder and harder, hurting his foot again and again until he couldn’t hold it. But he endured the pain and held the door with his hands. Summer was stronger than he remembered. But now that he was thinking about it, he had never fought with her before. She had always been beside him, never on the other side of the door.
“Okay! That’s enough!” He held the door with all his strength.
“Get out, I have nothing to say to you,” she yelled.
Matt was looking very suspicious, wearing a hooded jacket and sunglasses when it was already dark. He could very well pass as a thief. The fact that Summer recognized him so fast was only because she knew him better than anyone.
“Can you tell me what’s wrong with you?” He pushed the door. “Summer!” He took off his dark glasses and glared at her with his seaweed-eyes.
Summer looked at him defiantly, holding his strong gaze with her unwavering brown eyes, burning with a fire that almost made him step back. Who was this girl? And then, in the turmoil of her gaze, he found his childhood friend. It startled him. Had she always been this strong and determined?
“Why are you refusing my help?” he said through gritted teeth.
“I don’t need it.” She kept pushing the door.
“Then why are you mad!” He held the door.
“Because you are a narcissist, a selfish jerk…!” She continued fighting with him, trying to close the door.
“I am giving you money! Summer! Oh my god! Woman!” he raised his voice.
“And I don’t want it!” She did the same. Then she let go of the door and put her hands down. Matt partially opened it to see her better. She was looking ladylike, so much like a girl that some idiots would have assumed she was fragile. She wasn’t. She was beautiful and strong. That, he was conscious of.
“Get out before I call the cops,” she threatened.
“You wouldn’t dare.” The uneasiness inside him was growing.
“Try me,” she replied bluntly. And he believed her capable.
He pictured tomorrow’s news headlines in his mind. Not good. “I’m going on tour very soon…” he said. If this had been two months ago Summer would have shouted with joy and complimented him nonstop. But this girl didn’t care. Her silence was getting on his nerves, her piercing eyes burning him to the core. His faithful fan was gone now.
Farewell, Summer, he thought. For the girl in front of him had bared her fangs at him. And for some mysterious reason, he liked it. There was no way Matt Carter would ask for forgiveness. In his twisted mind he was the offended one. But the pretty girl was asking for a fight, and hell yeah, she would get the fight of her life. He would show no mercy now. No one, absolutely no one, insulted Matt Carter.
“So, you hate me now, Summer.” He smirked with that full-of-himself-grin she hated so much. “Well, what a deep emotion.” He smirked again with self-satisfaction. “I didn’t know I was that special to you.”
“You are not,” she quickly replied.
“Oh, yes I am.” He grinned, looking down on her. In Summer’s eyes, he seemed bigger than he was. “I always have been, and I always will be.” He laughed. “Hate me then, Summer Lee Taylor. Hate me to the point of breaking down.” He stepped closer to the door, leaning his face to hers. “I want to see you succumb. Loathe me, despise me, and think of me even more. I am a star you’ll never reach…”
But he couldn’t finish the sentence. Summer closed the door on his face so fast he didn’t have time to stop it. But he was already satisfied. Summer had never been mad at Matt before, but if her feelings for him were this strong then he didn’t mind. He was still on her mind and that was good enough for him. Matt chuckled. He could live with this outcome. It was fine. Summer was still in his hands.
On the other side of the door, Summer’s heart was beating insanely as she tried to regain her composure. A woman’s heart is too complex to explain. Even if she knew the reason for her anger, she couldn’t put it into words. But there was no time for tears and laments, she would never go back to who she was. The time for living for someone else was over.
Now it was the beginning of a new era. A star she’ll never reach, he had said. Summer smirked.
Prepare yourself, Matt, she thought. She was just getting started.
PART III
Rising Star
ACT 15
How long had it been since the excitement of something new prevented her from falling asleep? The emotions contained inside her didn’t allow her to close her eyes. No, if she did, she would see herself on the stage again. And that image sent electricity running through her whole body. She was looking forward to tomorrow. She was actually looking forward to something in her life!
She gave up on sleeping and grabbed her phone.
For the past few days, after the disaster of Matt’s sudden and totally unwelcome visit, she had been locked inside Mr. Brown’s home theater room. A wondrous place where he guarded his precious collection of Starland’s classical jewels of the past. She’s watched approximately fifty movies in seven days, and she had learned many things just by watching them. She had a newfound admiration for Frank Hills now that she had seen his acting. All his characters were so awesomely portrayed that he made her forget she was sitting on a sofa, transporting her to the other side of the screen.
Oh, she was even more in love with acting than before. Now she had found many heroes and heroines to inspire her journey. And among them, none shone brighter than Stella Clarke—the legendary first Moon.
