Rosalie "The best actor of the year award goes to-" I held my breath and waited anxiously as they announced the winner of the award that I have wanted so much since I became an actor ten years ago. Every year since I started getting major roles, I worked hard and did my best to stand out among others, but every year there's always someone better than me. Someone more loved by the general public. However, this year, I was sure it would be me. Who else would win over me? My movie this year made the most noise, and my acting was wildly praised. "Lillian Cadmus." At the mention of the name that wasn't mine, I was stunned into silence. Not even by the fact that I didn't win, but by the fact that the person whose name they just called was a rookie actor. I clenched my hands into tight fists and willed myself not to show any emotion that would be used against me. I couldn't even force myself to clap along with everyone else as I watched Lillian go up the stage to collect the award that I knew very well was mine. How did this happen? I don't know what happened. I was so sure I would win. I even prepared a speech. The rest of the events went by in a blur. I wanted to hurry out of there, but if I left, I would be the topic of discussion tomorrow all over the internet. "What the fuck happened in there? How did Lillian win over you?" My manager asked when I finally made it back into my dressing room. I couldn't answer because I was too choked up to say anything without breaking down in tears. I worked too hard this year for someone who didn't even do as much to steal the spotlight that was supposed to be mine. The fact that she was even nominated for the grand prize was already something to side-eye, but I didn't think too much of it because I thought maybe not many great movies came out this year, so they were low on options to choose from. I was wrong. "This can't be real! Everyone is stunned. Everyone knows that you were supposed to win." My stylist let out in anger. Rather than say anything, I sat down and let them take off my makeup before going into the changing room. "Give me my car keys." I told my manager once I had changed. "No, you can't drive in your current state of mind. I will take you home." He argued. "I am not going home." I wasn't supposed to go home. Not after the award ceremony. I was supposed to go to the after-party organized by my agency for me. Only that my agency will still be celebrating but they won't be celebrating me. Yes, Lillian is also an actor in the same agency as me. She joined a year ago, and for some reason, they seem to favor her a lot which didn't matter before until they gave her my award. "Where are you going to?" There's only one place where I can find some peace and quiet right now. Since everyone will be at the after-party, no one will expect me to be there. "You don't need to know; I will text you tomorrow." I said and grabbed my keys from him. I ignored all their protest and got out of there. Thankfully, the media were too busy with the winner to care about me who passed by with a hoodie and heavy sunglasses even though it was late. I reached my car, which I had come in because I came directly from my boyfriend's house. My boyfriend, who also happens to be the CEO of my agency. We have been dating for five years now, and it has been fun, but lately, we have been having a hard time due to my busy schedule, and that's why I decided to spend the whole week with me because I had nothing but this award show scheduled. Once I was in my car, I dialed his number, but it went straight to voicemail. "Maybe he is busy." I told myself as I let the first drop of tears fall from my eyes. This loss hurt me so much because I worked so hard this year. Every other year I lost, it didn't hurt as much because the one who got it deserved it somehow. Not this year. Lillian didn't deserve to win! Her movie was a mess, and her acting was bad. The reviews were bad too, so I don't know how she could have won. I wiped my tears as I changed my direction. Rather than go to the agency as I intended. I drove to the beachside and cried my eyes out by the ocean. I got back in my car about three or four hours later and drove straight to my boyfriend's house, hoping to get some comfort from him. I knew something was wrong from the moment I got out of the elevator, but I chalked it down to the sadness I felt. Once I pushed the door of his apartment open, I froze when I heard voices coming from within. I didn't think he would be home already, and I certainly didn't expect to hear female laughter. "Maybe it's Anita." His sister usually comes over too, so it could have been her. I would have announced my presence, but for some reason, I didn't. I just walked slowly into the apartment and towards the bedroom that I had been spending the night in for the past week. I stopped dead when I heard the sound coming from in there. "Stop, Collins, you just had me; don't tell me you want me again." Those words filtered heavily into my ears, and I was still trying to process what I just heard when Collins spoke. "I can't get enough of you, Lily. You are so sweet, I want you again." I gasped breathlessly. I couldn't believe my ears, so I walked even closer. Her giggles filled the room. Giggles that soon turned to moans of pleasure. I walked quietly to the door and pushed it slightly open, hoping and praying for me to not see what I already knew I would see. Too bad my prayers weren't answered. I gasped loudly when I walked into the room, and that startled the couple to pull apart, and sure enough, Collins was in bed with Lily. Lily, as in Lillian, the rookie actor I just lost my well-deserved award to. "What the fuck are you doing back already?" Collins yelled at me while trying to get dressed, while Lillian stayed in bed covered with the duvet. She had a sly smile on her face, which made me realize she was happy I caught them. I knew what she wanted to see. I knew the kind of reaction she wanted, and I refused to give it to her. I turned around and started walking away, but Collins stopped me. "Rosa! Wait, I can expla-" I turned to him and laughed bitterly. "Can you? I would like to see you try?" I told him. "Darling, why do you need to explain to her? Just tell her the truth! You are tired of her, and you don't want her anymore." I didn't even look in Lillian's direction when she spoke. "Wait, you are right." I couldn't believe my ears when Collins agreed with her. "What you saw was right. I was fucking her. I have been fucking her for months now, and I am not going to stop, so you either accept it or leave it." I bit down hard on my bottom lip and did my best not to let my true emotions slip. Good thing I am a good actor, so I can fake it. "Okay." Collins looked shocked. "Okay? That's it? Are you not going to argue? You are not going to fight?" I just nodded. "Send my things over." I told him and walked out of the bedroom. I didn't expect Collins to follow me. "Rosalie, wait." I stopped and turned to him. "What do you want again?" I didn't raise my voice. "We are not over." Okay, that was a new low even for him. "What?" Even my voice showed how stunned I was by his words. "Just because I am fucking Lillian doesn't mean we are over. If we are over, that means your career will be over too." I couldn't continue listening to him. "We are over, Collins." I told him and started walking away. "If you walk out of here, you can also kiss goodbye to the agency resigning you." I stopped at his words and turned to him. "What?" I whispered as I fought hard to keep the tears away. "You heard me, Rosa. Leave now and kiss your acting career goodbye! We won't resign with you, and I will make sure no other agency signs you! You won't get any roles either!" I laughed bitterly at his threats. "Make sure you do all of that, okay?" I saw the shock in his eyes when I said that and turned away immediately. He didn't expect me to say that. I didn't stop walking even when he yelled after me, and I hoped the elevator would come fast and empty. The elevator did come fast, but it wasn't empty. I entered and didn't bother to acknowledge the person in the elevator. Thankfully, it closed before Collins could get closer. The ride down and the walk back to my car were barely processed by me. My eyes were blurry due to unshed tears. How did I manage to lose everything in one day? I was so happy earlier today, and now everything seemed to have been turned upside down. I was about to start my car when a hand stopped me. At first, I thought it was Collins and was about to curse at him when I saw it wasn't him. "My boss asked me to drive you home." I blinked at the stranger and sniffled back tears before I responded to him. "Who is your boss and why does he care how I get home?" I fired at him. he wasn't Collins' driver; that much I knew. "It's me. I am his boss." A deep, unfamiliar voice spoke. The face of the one the voice belonged to came into frame, and I was stunned by the aura he carried around him. He wasn't a stranger. Not that I have spoken to him a lot, but I have seen him at high-class parties and also modelled for his company some years back. Alexander Russell. The chairman of Russell Holdings.

Rosalie "I don't need your help, Alexander." He looked surprised that I knew his name, but he was quick to mask the surprise with a smirk. "I just want to make sure you get home safe. You don't look like you are in the right mind to drive." I willed myself not to get mad at him since he was only trying to help, even though I didn't ask for his help. "I am in the right frame of mind, Alexander. If I needed help driving home, I could have called my driver." I told her, and despite the disapproval in his eyes, I pushed his driver's hand away and forcefully closed my car door. As I drove away, I looked through my mirror and saw that he was standing and watching with both hands in his pocket. Did he look worried? For me? I wonder why. It's not like he is a fan of mine. The few times we spoke in passing in the past, he always sounded so hostile towards me, which gave me the impression that he hated me. That's part of the reason I didn't resign with his company after my brand ambassadorship contract ended. I had hundreds of other contracts lined up, so I was about to choose. I pushed the thought of Alexander Russell, Collins, Lillian, and the whole award shit out of my mind when I arrived home. I took a cold shower and went right to bed. "Who the fuck is calling me so early?" I let out in anger, and I reached for my phone, ready to end the call, but stopped when I saw it was my manager, who never calls me so early unless it was urgent. "If you are calling me for a schedule, please cancel as I am not in the mood to meet with anyone right now." I told him right after I took the call. "I wish I was calling you for a schedule, Rosa." I sat up immediately because he sounded stressed. "What's going on?" I asked him, hoping that no one saw me crying last night at the beach. "A video was posted." Fuck. Someone saw me. "Of me crying?" I asked even though I already knew that was it. "No." I blinked in confusion at his response. "If it's not of me crying, then what is it?" I asked, wondering what else could have been caught on camera. "Of you bullying actors less popular than you." I scoffed at his words. "Amos? Are you kidding me? bullying? Me?" The absurdity of what he just said made me laugh. "I am not joking. There are several videos of you talking down on Actors less popular than you, and the one making the most rounds is Lillian's video since she won the best actor award last night and someone uploaded a video of you not even standing up or clapping last night when she won." I got out of my bed. "I will call you back." I said and was about to hang up when he spoke again. "The agency already released a statement confirming the videos are real, and they are putting your exclusive contract on hold. Not just that, but brands are also cutting contact with you and wanting compassion since a lot of people are already boycotting stuff related to you." I couldn't even get a single moment to process everything that Amos was saying to me because they made absolutely no sense. "Are you done?" I let out. "I wish I was done, but there's more. Someone leaked your address, and reporters might be outside your house, so don't try to leave. The company is thinking of suing you for damages, and I was told to tell you that you are to return every official thing that was given by the company, including the house you are currently living in." I couldn't believe his words. "The house is mine!" I let out. It was a gift from Collins for our first anniversary, but it has nothing to do with the company. "The house was bought under the company's name. Also, you can't reach me anymore since I was instructed to call you and inform you about everything and never take your calls again." There's just no end to it. "Also, all your social accounts have been disabled, and the company plans to sue if you make any public claims that might further ruin the reputation of the company." I couldn't say anything. My phone fell from my shaking hand, and I collapsed to the ground. "Was this what he meant when he said I would regret it?" It didn't take so much to realize what's going on. Collins and Lillian. Those two were out to get me. I reached for my phone and ended the call without saying anything else to Amos. He wasn't my friend even though he had been my manager for two years now. My former manager, who quit to focus on being a full-time dad, was my only friend in the whole company, but I couldn't stop him from quitting. I searched the internet on my private account and found some of the videos. The others made no sense, but the one that didn't make sense the most was the one for Lillian. "Collins asked me to do this!" I let out. Collins literally begged me to help her practice for her movie, and I was literally acting. Even though I knew it wouldn't help my case since thousands of comments were already on her side and defending her, I still removed my account from private and commented on it. I saw the announcement the company made. I tried to log into my public account but couldn't access it. I tried to call industry friends I knew who had a lot of following so that they would lend their voice, but they either didn't pick up or straight told me that they couldn't help me. After so much effort, I gave up and lay on the ground. "This is the end." I whispered to myself as fresh tears fell from my eyes. Last night, I thought I lost it all when I lost the award and found out Collins had been cheating on me. Well, now I have truly lost it all. My reputation was gone. I stood up and went to get dressed. I have to see Collins. He can't just do this to me. When I got out of my apartment, I took another route because I knew the entrance would be filled with reporters. Thank god for the underground parking lot and my second car. I made it out of my house safely and headed straight to the agency. "We can't let you in here. We were told not to let you in." Those were the words the security guards at the agency told me. "I just want to speak to Collins." I let out. "He hasn't come to work yet, and we can't let you in.' I hated begging, so rather than beg, I decided to try Collins home, and sure enough, the bastard was still home. But Lillian was gone. "How could you do me like that, Collins?" I fired at him. "What did I do? Was I the one who told you to bully your co-actors?" I swallowed the lump that formed in my throat. "You know damn well that I didn't do anything like that! You were the one who asked me to practice with Lillian! You were the one who gave me that fucking script!" I yelled at him and almost charged towards him when he laughed lazily. "Too bad no one will believe that. The videos are viral, and everyone already hates you. You left enough evidence to make the claims believable. You were such a mean bitch that everyone bought the stories pretty fast." I realized that talking with him won't yield any positive result and will only give him something to laugh about. "The truth always comes out, Collins, and believe it or not, I will get through this, and I will show you." I told him. I don't know how I will do it yet, but I know this won't be the end of me. Collins laughed at me. "There's no getting out of this, Rosalie. There's no one on your side. The only way to undo all of this is to forget what you saw last night and continue our relationship." I couldn't believe him. "Is that why? So, because I ended things with you after I caught you cheating, you decided to ruin me?" The words sounded so unreal coming out of my mouth. "Your biggest mistake was thinking you can end things with me, Rosalie. I decide when we are over, and if you don't follow that, then I will ruin you and make sure you don't have anyone on your side. I have the power to do that." So, that's what it is. Power control. I turned around and walked out of his apartment without saying anything else to him. "You came back." I didn't expect to see Alexander in the elevator when I got in. I remembered last night and his offer. "I did; I had something to do here, but this is the last time I will be here." I told him I wiped off the tears that gathered in my eyes. "I saw the news." I didn't say anything when he said that. "I know you didn't do what they are accusing you of." He told me. "Thank you." For some reason, it felt reassuring hearing him say that he knew I didn't do it. It felt reassuring to have someone believe me. He didn't say anything else to me until the elevator reached the ground floor and I was about to get out. His words stopped me from getting off the elevator. "I can help you."

Rosalie "Huh?" I let out because that was the last thing I expected to hear him say. "I said that I can help you." I smiled bitterly. "Help me with what?" I asked him. Was he kidding me? Last I checked, the man was supposed to hate me, and now he was offering to help me. The last thing I want right now is to be helped by a man. A man just ruined my whole life even though what happened wasn't even my fault, and here comes one who acted as if he hated me before. I would be a fool to accept any help from him. "I can help you clear your name and give you back your career." He offered.  "Are you mocking me?" I questioned him. "No, I am being serious. If you want, we can go back to my apartment, and we will discuss it." I couldn't believe him. Go back with him. Of course, he lives at such a luxury apartment. Of course, he would offer to help since he has a lot of money. I know damn well the help won't be free. "I don't do sexual favors in exchange for help, so if you think this is your chance to get me to sleep with you in exchange for your help, then think again because it's not going to happen." I let out, and without waiting for his response, I walked away. I drove to my family's house. My reputation may be gone, but at least I have so much saved. My family manages my account, and with what I have saved, I can buy a house somewhere far from the city and start again. I hated that my career was taken. But I won't let them win. I won't let them ruin me completely. I rose from nothing to the top, and I can do it again. I just need time away. I just need to lay low for now. I pulled into my family's house and wasn't surprised that reporters were already at the front. I decided to face them head-on. "It's Rosalie!" I heard one person yell and waited for them to rush to me. "Rosalie, are the rumors true?" "Did you really bully your fellow actor?" "Is it true that you are jealous of Lillian?" "Did you steal her spotlight?" "Did the fact that she won last night make you mad?" The questions were asked at the same time. "I didn't do what I am being accused of! The videos are twisted to fight a stupid narrative, and the last thing I would ever be is jealous of that talentless bitch!" I yelled my answer out so that I would be heard over the noise and started walking away while they followed me, still asking questions that I didn't want to answer. "Why do you think she is untalented?" "Aren't you a little too harsh towards her?" "Do you know that you have been dropped from your upcoming movie?" I stopped at the third question. "Let them drop me; no one can do what I do for that movie. If they plan to replace me with that bitch, then they are going to watch the movie flop, and I would like to see it too because no one will be able to watch her bad acting. She can sleep her way into getting an award and all my projects, but she can't sleep her way into the heart of movie fans." I wasn't apologetic. Lillian set out to ruin my life, so why should I care about what I say to her? "Are you saying she slept her way to the top?" I smirked and shrugged my shoulders. I didn't answer any other question and walked through the gate, which was closed as soon as I got in. "Ramon, I need fifty million." I told my brother when I walked into the house. "Huh?" I took my seat and took off my shoes. "Where's mom and dad? Where's Rita?" I asked for my family. "What are you doing here?" I blinked in confusion at Ramon's question. "This is my house; what do you mean, what am I doing here?" This house was the first thing I bought once I started making money from acting. I bought it in my parents' name, but it's still my house. "Didn't you get my text?" In the sea of texts that I have gotten since the news broke out, I didn't see his. "No, what does the text say?" I asked him. "You shouldn't be here." I looked at my brother as if he had lost his mind. "Are you crazy? This is my house!" "No, it's not!" Was he out of his mind? "Ramon, I don't have time for your bullshit! Wire me fifty million." I told him. "There's no money!" I sat up and glared at him. "What do you mean there's no money? All the money I have made from acting and all my commercials are managed by you." I let out, hoping he was only playing a silly game with me. "There's no money, Rosalie! The account is empty, and this house has been sold." I stood up. "What do you mean by that?" "I am not done! Mom, Dad, and Rita already moved, and I will be leaving once the new owner arrives." Was I dreaming? "What are you talking about? What happened to all my money? Why would you sell my house?" I let out. "I can't explain to you, so just check the text I sent to you! The new owner is here, so I will go now." I walked with him out of the house while yelling at him to explain himself, but the bastard didn't respond. When the gate opened and a woman walked into the compound, I didn't know whether to laugh or yell. "You sold my house to Lillian?" I couldn't believe it. I watched in shock as my brother gave the keys to Lillian and, without looking back, he walked out of the house, ignoring all my yelling for me to stop. "You didn't even know that they put this house up for sale? When was the last time you came here?" Lillian mocked me. The last time I came here was over six months ago, but that doesn't mean they can sell my house. "Why would you buy my house?" I asked Lillian, who smirked. "It was up for sale, and I had the money. You should leave. I am about to lock it up. I have an important meeting with Twins Studio." I wasn't even surprised by what she said. Twins Studio owns the new movie I was cast for. Of course, they picked her as my replacement. "Good for you." I was hurting inside. I felt confused by everything going on, but I refused to let her see me break down. "The reporters told me what you said about me." I didn't stop walking even with her words. "You are only further proving the bullying allegations right! Get it, you are never making it back! Your career is gone, and Collins will never be yours." I stopped walking and turned to her. "You can keep Collins, and as for my career, enjoy being my replacement for as long as you can because I will be back and I will take back everything that rightfully belongs to me." My voice sounded firm and confident. I liked how it didn't betray any of the conflict I felt inside. The one that hurt the most was my family's betrayal. I refuse to believe everything that Ramon told me. I ignored Lillian's outburst and walked out of the house. I ignored the reporters and made it to my car. I checked through hundreds of texts and finally found the one Ramon had sent. "Bastard!" I let out when I read the whole text. The text made no sense. The follow-up text didn't make any sense either. Why would they share my hard-earned money between themselves as compensation for me ruining the family's reputation? "They are cutting ties with me?" I refuse to believe it, so I called my mom, my dad, and my younger sister. None of them picked my calls. I drove to Rita's apartment that I paid for and found out she moved out nearly a year ago, which is crazy because I still paid rent in full early this year. I drove to my brother's house, which I also pay for. They both said they don't like living with my parents, so I rented expensive apartments for them and paid yearly. He also moved out. I drove to both of their workplace and found out they quit. My mom's shopping mall said she sold it to someone else two months ago. I was about to drive to my dad's business place when I got a shocking text from my mom. "Stop trying to reach us. We are leaving the country and never coming back." That's the only thing the text said, and when I tried to call her again, the number was switched off. I couldn't even cry. I tried to start my car, but it refused to start. It took a few tries to realize there wasn't fuel. I got out and tried to look for a taxi, only to remember I don't have any money on me, so I just gave up and started trekking with no direction in mind. I had nowhere to go. I lost everything, and my family betrayed me. "Rosalie?" I stopped at the sound of my name and turned around wearily. Alexander Russell again. He seemed to be the one constant since yesterday. He got out of his car and came to me. "You again." I whispered tiredly. "Why are you trekking? Where is your car?" I laughed sadly at his question. "I drove around like crazy, and the fuel finished, so I left it somewhere." I explained. "Get in, I will take you home." I laughed at his words. "I don't have a home. Not anymore." It felt surreal, but it was the truth. In less than twenty-four hours, I lost everything, including my family. "Why won't you have a home?" Alexander asked me. "The house I live in belongs to the company, and I found out my family sold my home. So I am homeless, broke, and apparently a bully." I laughed bitterly after I said the words. "Come with me." I wanted to say no and push his hand away, but I couldn't, so I just let him lead me to his car. "Take us to the mansion." He told his driver, who started the car, while I did my best not to cry. "My offer is still open, and before you say it again, I don't want to sleep with you!" He told me, but I refused to believe him. "If not that, then what will be your gain for helping me?" I asked him and could have sworn that he smiled. "Your reputation might be in shambles right now, but you are a reputable actor, and I would like to invest in you. I know I will make a lot of money once we clear your name and put you back at the top like you are meant to be." He sounded so sure that I couldn't help but believe him. It's not like I had much of a choice. He was the only one willing to help me, and I would be a fool to say no to him.