BEFORE SHE REMEMBERED

 36 HOURS BEFORE SHE REMEMBERED.

Some people say when life is just about to change, they get a tingly feeling, a sensation of foreboding of some kind. Mine came in form of a call I had been anticipating so much I started to chew on my nails again, a bad habit I had since dropped after my debut, my stylist scowled at me until I forced my hand out of my mouth.

 Gregory, my manager was known as a wizard when picking scripts, he knew what movies to find for me, he would not even bother if he thought in one way or the other the movie was going to flop, and he was always right. Even if I wanted a script so badly, if he says no, I would not do it.

 “I promised you only the best, and that is exactly what I am going to give you, the absolute best, nothing less.” he would say every time, and I would mouth the words along because I knew what came next.

 So when the rumors about a film with a strong female lead, saving herself and then the entire world, started to circulate, Gregory jumped on it, sniffing and searching for the script, he told me with absolute certainty that this movie would be the biggest movie of the century, and he wanted me to have it.

 “The movie would cement you permanently as the face of strong women in Hollywood, then only the best of scripts will come your way.”

 At first I was not as excited as he was, but the more he talked about it, pushed all my other projects aside, made sure I only did the most expensive of Ads lined up and waiting for me, I started to catch his excitement, and soon my entire team wanted it, we buzzed with nervous energy for days, even after he submitted my portfolio to the director, we straightened every time his phone rang, the group texts where I barely typed a word in, was always over flowing with messages every time we weren’t all together.

 And one day the call came. We were sharing a quick snack in my dressing room on the set of a make up ad, they laughed and spoke on things I had no idea about. They were the people I spent the most time with, but they were nothing more than co workers to me, they treated me cordially, and with too much respect, I had brought it up with Gregory during one of our vacation days, asking to spend some time together.

 “Who wants to spend their vacation days with their boss?”

I had shifted uncomfortably then, since I knew very little on how to make friends, I had assumed they were my friends.

“We can be more than that after this vacation.” I offer,

Gregory looked at me then, as if finally seeing a person, and not just the talent, but the businessman look never left his eyes, he was calculating, plotting to put some famous actor and I together, so I could feed off the rumors as they circulated, I didn’t want that so I asked him not to bother.

 Anyway, the call that day made everyone forget the fact that we were just co workers, Gregory had put the call on speaker, whilst the rest of us leaned toward the phone, ears strained and everything else silenced, nobody wanted to ruin the great moment.

 “Miss Rachel Greene has been selected by the Director himself to play Dorcas in the upcoming movie, I want to extend our congratulations, since I have always been a fan of Miss Greene myself.” The caller- most likely a plant Gregory had in the director’s office, tells us.

 The dressing room erupts into cheers, singing and merrymaking, everyone turned to me, someone picked me up, my hair stylist, Hank, his strong arms wrapped around my waist as he threw me up and down. Excitement sparked to life in my heart, they had congratulated on roles I have gotten before, but it was clear that this one was different.

 “Let us go out for drinks, my treat since our pay for this movie is going to be huge anyway.” Fiefie, my make up artist says with a wink. The room erupted into even more hearty cheers as they booked an entire bar.

 “I had my doubts about getting this role, thank you so much Gregory.”

He smiled at me, and for the first time, it was not a polite smile, he was showing real emotions after thirteen years of working together, he really believes in this movie.

 “I had no doubts, I promised you, I would make you a star.”

A smile curves my lips, a huge one as I remember him making that promise everyday after watching me in the theatre, back when this life was an extravagant dream.

 “I already am, I have the awards to prove it.”

“I want a star with your name on the Hollywood walk of fame.” he says this with a shining look of determination in his eyes.

 I blink back the tears, nobody had ever wanted something for me like this, my own parents did not even want me.

“We got a bar. Let us go!” Hank whooped.

Gregory gave me a pat on the back and a smile before walking away to meet with the Ad people, this would be the first time he would be cutting a shoot, but celebrating this was worth it.

 “So you and Greg are finally going to be together?” Fiefie sneaks up to me and asks, a huge grin on her face.

I frown a little, unsure how to navigate these waters, we haven’t had personal conversations up until this moment.

 “What? Are you going to deny it?” she asks before I could answer her first question,

“I am not sure I understand what you mean by that...” I start,

She chuckles,

 “Oh come on, no manager works this hard unless there is something other than his salary in it for him, and you two have known each other for how long, surely, there is something there.” She explains.

 I look over to Gregory, sure he was handsome, and fit too, his muscles tight in the right places, though I have never seen him work out, my team joked he bulked up from having to run after directors with my port folio.

 I have not thought about Greg in that way, I probably haven’t thought of any man in that way for the longest time now, I was as lonely as the word lonely, if you checked the dictionary for the meaning of the word, my photo is probably there.

“You think there is something between us?” I ask hesitantly,

She gave me a puzzled look,

 “That hot piece of meat is always hanging around you, and you have never wanted a piece?”

I force a nonchalant smile, but I was very worried, since she put it like that,

 “Yeah well, I act movies with very hot guys, I can’t want every piece.”

That bit was true, fans online usually gush about how lucky I was to be paired with the hottest guys in Hollywood, but I only ever saw them as co workers.

 “True, lucky you. But I think you and Greg are perfect. I mean, how else have you worked so well together, if I were you, I would make a move tonight, if it goes well, which I say it will, good for you, and if it does not, you can blame it on the alcohol.”

 I blink at the wisdom in her words, then I thank her, she winks at me and tells me it is her way of repaying me for getting this role before walking away.

Following Gregory with my eyes, I realize, the man was fine, and I have to get off my phone screen and be with a real man, someone who takes care of me, who wants something for me, more than I want it for myself. He has been so busy taking care of me, I should take care of him this one time.

 Operation making a move on Gregory is a go.