#Chapter 52: Psychos and Serpents

AVA
The back and forth was beyond daunting. My new schedule that Sarah had sent to me over email was beyond insanity. I was happy that I had the weekends to breath.
To: Ava
Subject: The New Recording Schedule
Good morning Ava (and little starlet),
I wanted to make sure that this reached you. I know for the past few weeks it has been hectic and however I cannot guarantee that it will not get better. To be honest it is going to be chaos due to the delay in production.
So I took the liberty to send this email and attach a calendar link for your phone for the upcoming events and recording sessions that you will be attending.
Good news that all for your online lessons and courses are on hold until the production of this film is complete.
You can do this!
Love,
Sarah
I fought the urge not to roll my eyes at her nickname for my unborn child. Sarah believed that I had not a “bun in the oven” as the mortals like to say but a star in the cosmos. I tried to contain myself and succeed when I looked at the attachment and calendar links.
I almost screamed at this new itinerary. No human could manage this level of insomnia let alone my pregnant and already fatigued body.
I took a deep breath as I waved at the two figures that were waiting on me in the restaurant. I was happy that the production for my scenes had ended so quickly and I was able to take an early lunch.
“I still don’t understand why Sarah picks the fanciest places when we could just get a burger or streak somewhere else.” I thought as the hostess at the stand greeted me.
“Good evening,” she said and stopped when she saw me. “Ohmygoodness, its Ava! I—I am one of your biggest fans! I looked you in the Bayou of Desire series.”
I smiled as the young woman tried to regain her composure.
“It’s good to meet you too,” I paused to get better acquainted.
“Myllena.” She said.
“Myllena, its good to meet you and I am glad that you enjoyed the series.”
“Are you with the Novza party?” Myllena asked.
“I am not sure of the name; I believe its under the first name of Sarah.” I explained, but then we were interrupted by Sarah herself gesturing to the table.
“She is apart of the Novax party. Its a friend of mine.” Sarah gleamed. I could not be happier to see her. Since my schedule had been packed she had been assigned a few new talents from Moon Entertainment so we hardly saw one another.
I gave Myllena a quick waved and followed my friend to the table occupied by someone I had never met before.
I slid in the seat and was surprise to see another woman sitting in front of me. She had to be a little taller than me in this seating position or she was wearing heels. Her caramel skin was lightly dusted with natural plum lip matte and a hint of mascara but other than that her face was bare.
She wore a sheer black long sleeve shirt with a tank top underneath. Her natural curly hair was gathered in a bun with a few hairs falling out of place. Even for a human she was the embodiment of gorgeous. She could have been a sister to the Moon Goddess.
“Ah, this must be the fabulous Ava that Sarah keeps telling me about,” the woman said extending her hand out. We quickly shook hands as I looked over at Sarah. I could see a blush form over her face.
“Funny, Sarah has said nothing about a model best friend,” I said poking fun at my manager.
“Its alright she likes to keep me hidden in her basement until there is a gala or photoshoot.” The woman joked back.
“Actually Ava, Amanda is a fashion model. I wanted the two of you to meet because you two are close to me, but I also had a hidden agenda.” Sarah said.
Amanda opened her drink menu and gave me a playful side eye. “Oh here we go.”
“I wanted Amanda to join Moon Entertainment after her contract is up with the agency she is with. Amanda it expires in less than two months and I believe you will be spectacular at Moon Entertainment Studios.”
Sarah took a sip of her water. I had sen her work her magic on many deals and businesses when it came to my auditions and shoots but to see her work a friend was something out of a movie.
Amanda let out a sigh. “Sarah, I love you but I don’t think I can be an actress. I am a runway and fashion model. The entertainment business is not for yours truly.” Amanda said ordering a stiff drink from the waiter.
As I order a sparkling water I decided to step in,“actually Mr. Connery is the CEO of the company and his business is more than just acting. Moon Entertainment is all forms of the entertainment business from modeling to acting. He is even considering expanding some actors that want to behind the scenes to voiceover work.”
Amanda looked at me and then over to Sarah. She shrugged and told us that she would think about it. Sarah was overjoyed just to hear that from her best friend. I was happy that I met someone outside to clicks nad hatred of the industry.
Amanda would make a great addition if Sarach could convince her.
“Speaking of new additions, that reminds me Ava you will be happy to hear that Sissy had turned in her credentials fro the studio. She is officially not an employee at the studio anymore.”
It was like letting out a breath I had been holding in. After Sissy’s and my altercation I could not help but stay further away from her. She had created a lot of problems that if not stom0ped out would only get worse and teh problem was since Sissy had Elijah’s ear, it would be harder for him to believe me.
“She sounds like an issue that I do not want around me,” Amanda said as she took a sip of her glass.
“YOu have no idea,” I said.
The luncheon with Amanda and Sarah was cozy and just the break that I needed however I could not shake the feeling that someone may have been watching us.
TWO DAYS LATER
I was ecstatic. I had been a long time since I was able to look through my fan mail and after meeting a fan as sweet and kind as Myllena; I decided to dive into the mountains of mail that Sarah had sent over from my P.O. Box.
Each bundle was wrapped, tied with string, and labeled by the dates it was received. I started with the old piles and worked my way up. There were only a few packages that were filled with unexpired foods from different places, momentos and one even had a return envelop and address wanting a blank card with my lipstick covered kiss.
I trid not to read too much into some of the overzealous letters however one caught my eye as the bundles started to thin out.
The envelop was a bright blue color that had no return or forwarding address all it read was: To the ST*R that Has It ALL. That sentence all brought chills to my bare skin, but despite my fears I need to open it. I grabbed the letter opener and glided it across the creases. Out fell a bunch of sparkles and confetti that were only the color red.
Someone had too much time on their hands to separate the color. I thought trying to see the humor, but my thoughts halted were I read the card.
It was a personal card with the letters cut out and blocked from newspapers and magazines. All of them I recognize from tabloids and articles about my career.
The letters made out the sentence:
WisHinG Y0u wEll, Ava! I hop3 U EnD ^p liKe ThE fAlliNg staR U weRe DestInEd 2 BE.
But that was not what terrified me, no what made me scared for my life was the picture that had fallen out of the envelop. I picked it up off the floor and regretted not throwing the letter and its entirety in the trash. There is a picture of a knife and a blood red cake carved out saying;
Hoping you get the Birthday you deserve.
I quickly run to the bathroom holding both my stomach and my mouth. I dropped to the floor in front of the toilet and empty the contents of my stomach. I was glad that I had put my hair in a high bun before I started answering letters.
This leads me to believe that some was indeed stalking me but there was no way I could mention this to Elijah. He would probably think that its a prank or and obsessed fan.
But for some reason I force myself to keep the card and the picture.
I put the card in my kitchen drawer. When I get the nerve I am going to show Elijah and pray to the Moon Goddess that he does not think this is a cry out for attention.
It never dawned on me because I ignored it but the card or at least the person that sent me the card knew my birthday or atleast the date that Elijah put on my acting records.