Chapter 4 Going crazy

She hiccuped, causing her mascara to fall in an untidy trail down her face. She took some time to stop crying and calm down, and throughout that time, Nicholas watched helplessly, his heart unconsciously aching for the woman.

However, he was unable to comprehend the reason behind his intense reaction.

He had never looked at her again, much less tied himself to her for life, until tonight. With those glossy, bambi-like eyes that mirrored her pure heart, he was unable to understand what she was doing and worried about what she might do to him in the future.

Unbeknownst to him, Nicholas became frustrated with this feeling and instructed David to return to the office and cease following Clara for the day.

He had had enough.

• • •

As Clara's manager, Talia Shaw applied the last touches to her cosmetics, she was furious with her boss's cool-headed appearance.

"Does Mr. Mallion want you to do this scheme for Stella again? Why does he always jeopardize you to save face for her? Did he forget that without your mentoring she wouldn't even survive in this industry?"

Clara responded, almost deterring her powerful words, "Stop it, Talia."

The woman became even more agitated as a result.

The manager began pacing the length of the room while running a hand through her short, afro hair.

She would have looked like a damn tomato with the rage on her face if her skin tone had been a shade lighter than the chocolate complexion she inherited as an African-American.

With a disgusted expression, she said, "Are you taking his side?"

This place was going to blow the roof off, according to her manager.

Both Clara and Stella were actors contracted to Starz Entertainment, however, Clara's manager was made fun of alongside her due to her decision to withdraw at the height of her fame.

However, Talia remained at Clara's side throughout it all, for which she would always be thankful. Clara had to reimburse the woman for all the years she had invested in her, referring to her manager's sacrifice and reprimand for her errors.

Clara was aware that Talia would have publicly voiced her dissatisfaction with her unfair treatment while playing Stella.

"I'm not taking his side, Talia. I'm not stupid," she reassured.

At that moment, her manager became interested and asked, "So what exactly are you doing? Because it sounds like that to me."

"You of all people should know I'm not the impulsive type."

"What do you mean?"

"We're going to have to take our time when dealing with this issue. I'm gonna make sure Jake never has the guts to ask me to do something like this again...better yet, that he doesn't have the liberty to."

She was speaking now.

Talia pleaded, "Tell me how I can help."

She would stop at nothing to help her.

After all, they had the same objective: to hold that idiot Jake accountable for his constant abuse of her.

"It didn't take me long to realize how much is at stake for Stella this evening. Why would she be so desperate to convince the media that she's attending this show despite the news of her illness?"

The question lingered in the air, and Talia said nothing.

"It's because she doesn't want it to impact her eligibility for the upcoming Best Actors & Actresses of the Year Awards."

"Are you serious?"

Clara nodded and said, "Visit Stella tomorrow for me. Jake claims she was admitted to the hospital. I will send you the details about which one it is." This was the favor she was waiting for.

"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"

She smiled modestly.

Talia's gaze expanded.

The manager made an enthusiastic guess: "You want me to get evidence that she was still at the hospital during the show and reveal it to the public!"

But she was taken aback when the actress shook her head.

"No, I found out something even better. Stella's pregnant...and the child is... Jake's. Hold onto that piece of information for later. As of right now, I need you to prepare a statement that says Jake has used me multiple times to substitute for Stella during her public appearances. You're still friends with Reporter Smith, right? Ask him to do you a little favor with this."

The manager was utterly perplexed.

Jake had cheated on her boss, that piece of shit?

What a jerk he is!

Talia didn't want to be that friend who said, "I told you so!" but she wanted to tell Clara that she had told her repeatedly that she was much out of his league.

Clara would already feel awful, and that would simply make it worse.

Talia now realized that Clara's attitude had abruptly changed, particularly given the hateful way she yelled Jake's name.

What a blatantly infidelity-prone relationship!

Furthermore, they dared to exploit Clara, often on multiple occasions.

Consider how foolish they must have believed her to be.

Clara, poor thing.

All she did was give her heart to love, and now she got this in exchange.

It was an unfair life.

"Don't worry Clara. You know that I've got your back. I'll make sure they regret the day they ever hurt you."

Clara only nodded appreciatively.

These two could not possibly play her like this and escape with it!

Before it could happen, Hell would have to ice over.

Clara arrived at the packed event venue, fully disguised in a baseball cap and an oversized hoodie.

Jake arranged for her to meet the makeup artist. In addition to becoming Stella's personal assistant, this woman also trained her dog.

Louise was a cunning person who enjoyed deceiving others with her baked goods and fake smile.

Given her careful nature and Louise's reasonable level of civility, Clara, of course, never confronted her about it. Although she was no longer well-known, the Raymond family was nevertheless not despised.

"Was there a lot of traffic? You took a while to arrive," she said politely. "Let's hurry and get your makeup done. The show's about to start and we're already behind time."

As she was led down the corridor, Clara inquired casually, "Is the showcase today important?"

The assistant said dismissively, "It's not that big of a deal. Just do what you always do."

Indeed, Clara thought.

It was a jewelry presentation for the well-known French company Janel.

Stella was scheduled to become the newest ambassador for Janel. Jake had the wonderful idea to let Clara play dress up again, but she would have squandered her opportunity of doing so by not showing up tonight due to her alleged illness.

A summary of today's concert and how it was one of the most important occasions to end the year had already been delivered to Clara.

Louise, Stella's assistant, had lied to her on purpose.

"Jake has already arranged your makeup. Your act is wearing this piece of jewelry at the grand finale. It is the main item you'll be highlighting today. You don't have to do anything. Please, don't do anything. Just stand on that stage and look pretty while showing it off." The assistant clarified as she pointed to the jewelry that was on stage.

Then she gave the makeup artist instructions to begin creating Clara's disguise.

The victim in question harbored resentment.

Did Jake truly believe that by hiding her, no one would be able to identify her?

His next guess was on the horizon.

Clara sat there, stunned by the results of her cosmetics application, as Stella's helper gazed at her.

She was breathtaking.

She was rendered speechless by Clara, who was dressed in a long, black dress that highlighted her contours. A lovely silver mask enveloped her face, creating an air of mystery. She wore her brown hair, highlighted at Jake's suggestion, in a sleek ponytail pulled back from her face.

Louise's jealous gaze was fixed on her.

This woman was quite beautiful.

It's no surprise that she always made Stella feel threatened.

Clara would have won the contract simply by wearing the jewelry around her neck and looking like this!

The jewelry that hung delicately around Clara's neck caught her attention. Something unique was the night's main attraction. It was covered with colored stones and jewels and coiled like a snake. Perched atop her luscious breasts, it teased and gleamed against her immaculate, tanned skin.

Clara Raymond was unique, as much as Louise loathed to accept it.

Whether she was a washed-out actress or not, she was more beautiful than the most well-known celebs to date.

Unfortunately, the mask was going to cover it up.

Clara got up and walked away.

She was going to give the unfaithful couple a once-in-a-lifetime surprise, even though what she had in mind was somewhat harsh.

"I'm ready." She declared.

Louise gave a nod.

After the assistant located a staff member to guide them in the designated route, Clara trailed Louise to the area beneath the stage, where she would be hoisted into the center. With the necklace fastened to her, she sat down on the silver chair and posed elegantly.

The director appeared out of nowhere and exclaimed, "That's great, Stella! Keep it just like that!"

They were getting ready to raise Stella-no, Clara-higher.

The models had already had their time, and the show was in full swing.

When the announcer called out Stella's name, the audience erupted in cheers.

Clara kept her cool by chanting to herself.

It wouldn't help her to get furious right now.

She wouldn't be able to enjoy her rage until she finished this.

Louise looked directly into Clara's hazel eyes and whispered, "I'll leave it to you, Stella."

Behind the disguise, the girl was obedient.

Missing the malicious glitter in Clara's eyes, the assistant departed swiftly upon receiving her consent, which she saw as a mute affirmation.

The night's most anticipated performance grinned slyly to herself.

Now let's get the show started.