#Chapter 10 - Apologize

I was out of breath. I had given it all I could. Honestly I could not have asked for a better performance.

I still could not believe that everything played out so well. I did not stutter. I did not forget my words.

My performance ended exactly like my rehearsals--absolutely perfect !Lydia had a few doubts when I brought my ideas to her, but I was so excited during my rehearsals I could not keep my thoughts bottled in.

I looked up to see Lydia. She was all smiles and holding up her thumbs up to only I could see. She truly believed in my inspiration and my alterations.

During rehearsal I felt a connection to one of the scripts that Lydia had given me. Even thought I did not study it like the other girls I knew the entire movie word for word.

I felt a connection to the character as well as the role she played. With that in my I added to the part and modified it as if was my own. It was not easy. But the results showed that it was beyond worth it.
I stood there trying not to shift and show my nervousness. I had not been this nervous when I was a little girl. But the joy and innocent was truly different from the emotion that flowed through me now.

I was waiting for the results from the judges. As the called out the result I was flabbergasted. I could not believe the results.

I would hate for senone to wake me up if I was dreaming. I could not handle that amount of cruelty. But I wanted someone to pinch me to make sure this was reality.

First place.

Tide! Can you believe it? I did it!"

I mentally yelled and screamed at my wolf. She was just as excited as I was. She was running and jumping around in my head.

If I was not use to her excitement I could swear my ears were bleeding. She howled in my mind. I was overwhelmed with joy and my wolf's was riding my high--my overstimulated excitement.

And I could not blame her. If we were in the were realm I would have ran out of the studio, stripped down and run. I would have let Tide out and let her run til she passed out.

But there was something missing. Or someone? Where was Elijah?

“Where's that damn manger?” Tide growled. “Doesn't that bastard owe us an apology?” I could hear her laugh in my mind.

That's right where was that man? Elijah had looked down on me. I looked around for him but found that he was nowhere to be found.

“There is no way he was going to renege on his promise.” I whispered to myself.

“That bastard had better not try to weasel out of the deal!” Tide snarled at the thought of him bailing on his promise.

“Maybe he decided that he was not going to honor his part of the deal. Maybe he ran away.” I began to speculate.

“Did you forget? Ava, you have a notary. Kitten, you have witnesses.” I shuddered at that nickname that he had given me.

True, that was the purpose of my notarization. However, maybe those people are all his friends, and they collectively pretend to have amnesia..."

“Bull!” Tide cut me off. “Then there is no way...” Tide said.

The announcer came out next to me. "Let's congratulate the first place winner of this competition - Miss Ava.” There was a roar of applause and shouting in congratulations of my performance.

Tide roared inside my mind along with the crowd. She would not hide her pride for this accomplishment. The announcer continued with his speech.

“She is really the dark horse of this competition. Her medal will be presented by the chairman of Moon Entertainment, the investor behind this competition. What a big honor!"

The applause never lost the pitch. It crescendo and then faltered when the announcer held his hands up to gather everyone's attention.

"Let's welcome Mr. Elijah!" With that announcement I stood there stunned. How could I not be.
I thought the bastard was an agent! No wonder! It all made sense now.

And like that he appeared on the opposite side of the stage and walked out to greet the announcer and myself. He looked at me and began to address the audience.

"Thank you so much for that introduction! And thank you, Miss Ava for a unique and stunning performance. I think she's a future star in the making." He said smirking.

I was so nervous that I could feel myself breaking out in cold sweats.

"Oh no. I actually offended the boss. I'm screwed."

“Now before the performance and competition; I had a private bet with Miss Ava.” Elijah slowly said. My eyes began to widen.

What was he going to say? He continued on, “At the time, I mocked her for being just another pretty face, a vase if you will, but she said she wanted to prove to me that she was a real actress.
She said, if she did, I would apologize to her."

Was I holding my breath? I was having trouble breathing.

"Now, I want to formally apologize to her and in front of you all to bare witness, Miss Ava, are you willing to accept my apology and sign a contract with my entertainment company? We will formally train you and strive for more benefits for you and a name that can be recorded in film history role."

Elijah had apologized and much more. I felt my eyes begin to water. I covered my mouth trying not to sob like a child.

Oh my goddess.

I was on the verge of bursting into tears. I was never affirmed so strongly. This had been my dream. I could feel the tears flow down my face.

Elijah handed the microphone to me. I had to gripe it tight enough to make sure I would not drop it.

“Thank you. Thank you all. Thank you for all the recognition. Thank you Mr. Elijah.”
I could feel myself choking up, but I had to get through this. It should not be like this. I felt like something was not---I felt that I just couldn't…

"But I won't sign the contract." I handed the mic over to the announcer. I turned around and walked off away. I left the stage.

In leaving the stage I left a few crystal clear tears in my departure.