Madeline glanced at the clock on the bed side table, it was few minutes to midnight. She hadn't been asleep for long. In the dark room, only the small light on the little table was lit up. She turned her head to the side, it was empty and cold. Zachary had not come to bed or maybe he had a separate bedroom. She let out a sigh as she lay back on the bed her mind replaying the dream she just had.
Few minutes later she still couldn't sleep, her mind was definitely working overtime. She picked up her phone to browse when she saw a message from Serena. The CEO would like to see you tomorrow. It was short and precise. She smiled at the thought of her weird assistant and in no time she drifted off to sleep.
The next day, Madeline woke up early and packed up to go to the company. Upon arrival she was greeted with a few smiles from staffs and artists which was quite unusual given her previous reputation, she offered a slight smile and headed upstairs.
She knocked once and pushed the door open. Her eyes drifting around. "Sit down and don't touch anything, and where is Roco". Jake asked without sparing her a second glance. Madeline shrugged and sat down.
"I have gotten a variety show for you. Sign it". Jake took out a contract and placed it on the table. He handed the pen to her, not giving her any room to choose.
Madeline didn't take the pen but replied "I still have a few movies this year to complete. It's too tiring to go for a variety show. I am not interested, give it to someone else."
Jake's tone was a little unhappy hearing that "what movie, your last movie had been suspended, possibly cancelled and no one is interested in working with you for now after the stunt you pulled at the press conference".
He pushed the contract back to her "Go through it and sign". Madeline pressed the space between her eyebrows and picked up the contract. The show was called 'Let's survive together'. It basically consisted of nine celebrity guests who would go to a village; they would be given a box containing their exit card and they would have to find three keys to open the box to get there card to leave the village.
Seeing her interested, Jake struck while the iron was hot. " This kind of variety show is the best way to fix your image, gain traffic and generally increase your popularity in a short term. It's a new variety show but the director has worn different awards on his other works and most artists who star in his works ends up gaining popularity comparable to a top celebrity".
Madeline lifted her eyes from the paper and fixed it on Jake. " Why are you so adamant on a variety show and don't give me an excuse about fixing my image. Directors worked with me when I was in the gutter so now it shouldn't be that bad"
Jake let out a sigh "I want you to give something to someone in the village where you are filming"
"What" she asked immediately, "and why can't you go yourself".
"I… can't. Don't ask any questions. It's just food and money not something bad."
"Ok.. I will participate in this show. Help me arrange it. Madeline finally relented.
Jake took a deep breath before continuing "someone from the company will go with you. You don't need to do too much on this show just don't make your image worse."
Madeline nodded before going back to the paper in her hands.
"Where did you go last time" Jake asked suddenly.
"Zachary picked me up" she answered without lifting her face. "From the window?" Jake retorted with a raised eyebrow.
…Yep. Madeline answered shamelessly.
On the other side of the city. Someone sneaked into a hotel. Her face and body all covered. She quickly climbed up and entered a room. A man sat at the corner smiling at her.
She removed her disguise and it was Kaya, Madeline's stepsister.
The man stood up and walked towards her his hands grabbing her waist. She flinched at his rough hands "oh baby" he whispered and Kaya almost passed out because of his bad breath.
She wondered how a giant in the entertainment world had such poor hygiene.
Her thoughts were pulled back when his lips touched her neck. She almost shrieked then remembered her mother's words and held it in. Wood led her to the bed but she stopped him. "Pre.. President I want a guaranteed spot in the variety show. You can't go back on your word."
President Wood smiled "Don't worry, I am the chief investor, if you make me happy today, you are going to have a guaranteed spot".
Kaya suppressed her nausea and nodded closing her eyes and wishing this would be over sooner.
Madeline left the building and decided to go have breakfast. She had left early today and didn't eat anything partially because she didn't want to see Vera. She spotted a little food stall, and walked to a table. " Hello"
The little waiter blushed on seeing her."He..hello".
Madeline smiled "A bowl of noodles please". The waiter nodded hurriedly before leading her to a table to sit.
After the meal, Madeline glanced up and people had gathered already, some taking pictures. She spotted a group of girls looking at her with bright eyes, their faces red so she gave them a little wave. Shrieks erupted as more people took pictures. She called the driver and asked to bring the car around. She got into the car, blew a kiss to her little fans and left.
On the way home, she saw a sneaky figure looking left and right but the car passed quickly. She was sure it was Kaya but what was she doing and why was she all dressed up. She looked at the time and it was still pretty early so she decided to go visit Zachary at work but her phone rang right that moment. It was a text from Serena.
"Maddy I just picked up your meds, do I drop it at the office or at your house?"
She called her immediately. She wanted to know what the meds were for.