Starlet's Web (The Starlet Series, #1) (19 page)

Franz didn't say anything. Manuel noticed the silence and continued, “I just want to clear up the misunderstanding that's getting out of hand from the last couple times I've been around when you've gotten Marie ready. I like you. I don't care that you're gay. I don't judge you. My beliefs are my own. It's my business, just like your choices are your business. You have to understand. I've learned tolerance of people's beliefs. My dad's an atheist and my mom changes all the time between some yoga ashram to some meditative Buddhist perspective based on how her body feels. My grandpa's Jewish and grandma's Catholic. I'm pro-life. Marie's pro-choice. But it all works. I'm not judging. I'm not Mr. Holier-than-thou.”

Franz eyed Manuel, “Apology accepted, but the sooner you deal with the fact that your girlfriend has the best figure in Hollywood, the better. She's a star and has an obligation to look larger than life. It's my job to maintain her image so that she looks extraordinary in public.”

Manuel acknowledged him, “I know. I just wish it could be different. I wish she could just go as herself with me. I wish she could wear more respectful clothing, leave more to the imagination.”

I interrupted, “I'm me, Manuel. I have a mask on, but I'm me.”

Manuel flickered his eyes at me and smiled. “I know. I just wanted you guys to know that's what bugs me.”

“You should know that I've been telling Marie that I like Evan better. But that's cool you apologized to me,” Franz grinned. “I guess it won't kill me if you walk with me when we get out of the car.”

Franz focused on Beth, “You're absolutely gorgeous. What makes your skin glow?”

“I wash and moisturize with Cetaphil. I'm wearing lipstick and mascara.”

“I just have to know. What undergarments are you wearing?”

Without being embarrassed, Beth answered with no emotion in her voice, “The bra is built into the dress. I'm wearing seamless boy shorts. You're in a position of power as a stylist and should make a point to abolish the thong, be a trend setter so women wouldn't think they should have to wear butt floss.”

He begged, “Can I be your modeling agent?”

She answered coldly, “No thank you. I don't want to model and be an agent's slave.”

Franz didn't understand, “But darling, you'll be a swimsuit model when you swim for Poland in the Olympics. Your sponsors will own you. Your scholarship will own you, too. Just model and get the cash so you can pay your tuition at the school you want to attend.”

Beth glared at Franz. She did not want to be exploited as an Olympian as her mother and I were as actors. Martin met with Beth and her parents when she received her first endorsement contract for swimming for Poland in the Olympics. They'd own her for four years and she'd get $300,000, but end up with $90,000 cash in the bank. She rejected the offer.

Manuel and Mitch glanced at each other apprehensively. Franz looked down. 

I said, “Beth, you really do look pretty. I just wanted you to know that I love the clothes you always wear to school. I personally just wear the clothes Franz buys me, but I'd like to buy some clothes for myself that you wear. Where do you shop?”

Beth snickered and scowled. “Target, mostly. When I splurge, like this dress, I go to a sporting goods store. It was on sale. When my mom goes to an industry event to promote her TV show, she gets her dress from a second-hand store on Wilshire Blvd, probably something worn once by your mom. You forget that ninety-nine percent of actors in the business scrape by financially.” She glanced at Manuel, surely thinking I was a complete fake, and pursed her lips.
“I think my look is pretty simple, Marie. What do you like about it?”

I honestly
explained, “I love to run. I like that you wear running tights and running shoes all the time and wear a sundress over it. I assume that's so you can ride your bike everywhere and to work. It looks pretty but also comfortable. I also like the pants and shirts you wear, the hiking girl look.” I smiled at her. “Do you mind if I copy your signature look?”

Beth said, “Please don't bullshit me, Marie.”

“I'm not. I like you, respect you. It's real.”

She looked at Manuel and asked him something with her eyes. He nodded his head.

“Marie, I'm sorry I said you were a fake. I can't stand Kate. She's a bitch. I hated that Manny dated her.” She took a big breath. “I was also mad at you. I thought you were playing Manny and Mitch.”

She squeezed Mitch's hand and continued, “My boyfriend was completely enamored with you and I felt kind of second rate when he asked me to prom after you accepted and then rejected him. The press had you dating Evan at the time, and it seemed real, so I thought you were a two-timer. Those times we double dated with you and Evan last summer, I thought you were an idiot not to like him more. He  seemed completely into you. And then there was Manny. It was so obvious that he was in love with you. Since power-hungry, selfish Kate was your best friend, I thought you were manipulative, a tease. I was shocked when the guys explained that you have insecurities. I didn't think about that.”

“Thanks for explaining, Beth.” I shook my head. “I thought telling Manuel that I loved him would make him run for the door. All of Kate's recordings had Manuel explaining to her how he only loved me as a sister and that he couldn't possibly date his sister, that it'd be gross.”

I scanned Mitch. “I thought you understood when I cancelled prom?”

Mitch answered, “I did understand. That's when I realized Manny loved you. There's no way I was going to steal my best buddy's girl. We talked and I got the okay to ask Beth. I thought Manny had a claim on her, not on you.”

Beth added, “Yeah, I'm Manny's second choice, too. Honestly, Marie, you've had the easiest life, ever. Everyone loves you. My mom gets paid nothing for being an actress after you factor in her expenses. You're just rolling in success. It must be nice.”

I gulped and held those beautiful blue eyes of hers with my intense ones. “Yeah, it's really nice to be alone all the time, suffer from severe stage fright, starve so I'm not criticized or sued for looking fat, have the responsibility for the success of a business, and be an exploited brand. I'd rather be able to say “no” to a modeling contract, swim, and run free. I don't feel sorry for myself—it is what it is—but you're the one who has it easy.”

Beth backpedaled, “Oh, Marie, I'm sorry.”

Mitch added, “I'm sorry, too. I know it's been so hard for you. You're incredible, Marie.” Then he addressed Beth, “You're not my second choice. You're amazing. I love you.”

“But you asked her first. Manny's been in love with her forever, and Evan dated me only because she dissed him.”

I interrupted, “When did you date Evan?”

At that moment, Beth's friendships with the men I loved threatened me. Jealousy inflamed my insecurity.

She peeked at me innocently, “Does that bother you, Marie?”

“Yes!” I admitted. “I love him. And, he was dating me. You were dating Mitch.”

She responded, “Oh please. You have nothing to worry about. I'm invisible to every guy when Marie Michael is around.”

Manuel interrupted, “This is getting out of hand. They don't want to hurt you. Can we drop this?”

I observed Manuel and Mitch. Franz seemed as surprised as I was but the guys knew.

I demanded, “I want to know when you dated Evan.”

Manuel sighed. “Come on girls. Marie, you and Evan could never see each other with your schedules. Nothing happened with Evan and Beth. He was uncomfortable dating someone in high school. Beth got back together with Mitch.”

Aware that there was much more I didn't know about their little love triangle, I was on the verge of tears and scared of losing control of my fragile emotions.

Manuel hugged me and raised my chin so I saw his unquestionable sincerity. He kissed me.

“You girls would be great friends if you got over your jealousy of each other. Please try. Please don't be like Kate.”

I relaxed after Manuel kissed me and melted me with his rich coffee colored eyes. Confident that he loved me, I looked around the limo and breathed, “Such the soap opera.”

 

When we got to the premiere, I posed for pictures and did some grueling interviews. I waved to Evan when I saw him but didn't interrupt his interviews or autograph signing. We were working. I was endorsing his film and helping him build credibility. I saw that Manuel watched me the whole time and smiled at him often. My last interview turned emotional when I admitted that Evan dumping me hurt a ton and that finding out that he dated another girl while we were dating sucked. The statement was true, the feelings were real, and my eyes watered. I shared too much. Sage saved me and escorted me to the lobby.

“I love that you're here with me.” I smiled and hugged Manuel in the lobby. I didn't want to separate from him but we had to keep our distance. He smiled back.

“I love you so much, too, and am in shock that you're my girlfriend. Ya know that you're really hot, right? So don't take this wrong, but you need to gain weight. You're really tiny.”

“What?! I'm insulted. You don't think I'm pretty?” I complained.

“Marie, you're skin and bones with great boobs. You've become really thin since Christmas. Please gain some weight.”

“Well, your timing sucks. I'm wiped out from forgiving Evan for all the gossip sites.”

Evan was behind us and shook Manuel's hand while I was recovering from the shock of Manuel telling me that I was too thin.

“Thanks for dressing up, Manny,” Evan joked. “So you two are finally a couple! It's about time.” He laughed again and pulled me into a hug and we kissed a Hollywood hello. “I bowed out when I realized that I had no chance last summer. When Marie told me she loved you in December I knew it was all over.”

Manuel gave me a very appreciative, loving smile. “You told him you loved me?”

I smiled back. “Of course; I always try to tell the truth.” I hugged Evan again. “Evan, Manuel just told me that he thought I was skin and bones. I'm hurt.”

“Well, gorgeous, you're too thin and should gain weight.” He teased, “You must have missed me desperately. Everything okay?”

I stared at them in disbelief. I always heard about how impossibly beautiful I was, never that I wasn't. “The costuming for
Constantine's Muse
was just so snug and heavy. I exercised constantly so I wouldn't be so lonely. I guess I overdid it. I'll put on some weight.” I changed the subject. “Evan, when did you date Beth?”

Evan held my hand and exhaled. “Last fall. I'm not a cheater but I was in town and saw her a few times when you were busy—as friends. She's fantastic, but I felt stupid dating someone in high school—and you, my dear, are no high school senior. I'm sorry I didn't tell you, but you know how I feel about you. You don't feel the same about me, and she's so special.”

I shook my head and lowered my voice, not caring if Manuel could hear, “But I do love you, Evan. You said it didn't matter if we didn't make love. You lied.” He didn't respond immediately, and I added, “And she was dating Mitch.”

Manuel interrupted, “Not really, it's complicated.”

Evan took my hand. “I'm sorry. I didn't lie. I knew you loved Manny more.”

“But he was dating Kate!” I lowered my voice again. “I feel betrayed but we'll talk about it later.” I switched the subject. “So are you ready for millions of people to watch you for two hours?”

“Yep, I can't control anything. I'm just glad to be able to work. I feel so lucky to be an actor.” He shrugged his shoulders. The project must have been awful to film.

“Do you? I'm so sick of it!”

“Yeah, I love it. It's a dream come true. I love the challenge, being part of cool projects. I enjoy the people I meet. They're fascinating, many are geniuses. Sure it's a business, but an intriguing, interconnected one.” He put his hand on my cheek. “We survived our break-up and everything turned out great for you. It hurt at first but now I'm happy.”

Manuel asked,“You like the parties, too?”

“Sure. I don't have to participate. You know my philosophy is ‘everything in moderation, except for moderation.' It helps me stay professional and let those who participate in the excess weed themselves out of the business so I can build my brand and get awesome roles.”

I said, “Like Byron. Poor guy won't last long.”

“Good, because he's beat me on the hotness factor,” Evan laughed. “Thanks for coming, guys. We
will
talk about Beth later, Marie.” He asked Manuel, “So she's still dating Mitch?”

“Yeah.” Manuel explained, “Sorry dude, but they love each other. I promise I'll call next time they break-up.” Manuel shook Evan's hand again.