CHAPTER 15

Daniel walked into the office of his long-time friend Elvis and was enveloped into a bro hug.

" Is this you, man?" Elvis said, eyeing him from top to bottom.

" One and only. " He replied with an equal smile.

" Acting did you good, remember those times you were in rickety jeans, now you're some hot shot." Elvis said, and elbowed his friend.

" Oh please," Daniel waved his hand, then took a seat. Elvis sat across from him.

" Tell me, how's your search going? any breakthrough so far? " He asked and got a pointed look from Daniel. " I think you should give up on her, get another lady and settle the fuck down, you aren't getting any younger." He spat, unfazed by his gaze.

" I need a drink." Daniel demanded, ignoring his friends' opinions.

" A hangout is long overdue at this point." He stood up, " might as well hear what you have to say over a drink."

" Lead the way." Daniel got up and straightened his fit. Together, they exited the building.

Elvis drove to a nearby hotel using one of his luxury vehicles. They were at the city's central, which held a lot of cool hangout spots. It didn't take long before they were settled in a five star hotel, ordering lunch.

" Didn't know you had such taste. A huge turn from the boy you used to be." Daniel didn't miss an opportunity to get at him. It was their routine. Always been.

" Far from it." He explained, " it's just too much a hassle to bring you to the good old places with your fans littered around."

Their order finally arrived and they dug in. Both realized how hungry they were after the meal. " What exactly are your plans?" Elvis asked over a drink, " why leave the hot lifestyle of a successful actor to work behind the scenes?"

" Didn't know you were a fan." He smirked, " I bet you're dying to get a picture." Elvis couldn't suppress his eye roll.

" I'm dying to find out why you aren't married at forty, man." He dissed, " look at you, successful, famous and good looking. I can't wrap my head around what's hindering you from getting your arms full with a wife and kids."

" Of course, you found a way to get back to this topic," Daniel muttered, refusing to speak any more on the matter.

" I can't let you waste away. I know the security and peace of marriage. I want that for you too." He preached, " listen, you aren't a pretty boy anymore. You need to take this seriously."

" Since you won't let this go, I'll be honest with you." Elvis listened in rapt attention. " I came back to give back. To help raise stars greater than myself, to put people who don't have the opportunity I had on the map. Pursuing my dreams cost me everything, including the love of my life, and I'm here to take that back."

" I get that." Elvis stated, " You had a whirlwind romance with someone but at this point, you must move on. The chick that's got you pining is probably underneath her husband as we speak. How's that fair to you? I can't believe you're still holding onto this shit, I thought we were past this."

" I'm done with this topic." Daniel gulped the content of his glass.

" It's been eighteen years!" Elvis hit the table, " surely, you know it's been eighteen years since you saw her. This is crazy."

" I said enough! I am done with his topic." He reiterated, at the brim of his tolerance.

" Okay, fine." Elvis surrendered, " but one last question. Do you have any leads on her? Maybe on how to find her? I'm trying to help here." He defended.

Daniel gauged him for a moment, " I've set eyes on her." Elvis was baffled.

" And? Did you speak to her? When was that?"

" I saw her today at the station. Didn't speak to her and I have no idea where she is right now. All I know is she either left the city or is in the city." Daniel swirled the content of his cup, " I feel like I'm losing my mind thinking if I saw her."

" Just great.."

By the look on his friend's face, Elvis knew he had his work cut out.

*****

College of Law.

Deloise and Anna couldn't hide their amazement as they walked through the college gates. The school was filled with people tugging luggages in various directions. An organized chaos.

" Where do we go?" Deloise asked, after a while.

" Admin silly, we need to get our schedules, accommodations, and stuff." Ann said, looking around.

After hopelessly touring the compound, the duo ran out of strength.

" It's about time we asked questions." Deloise walked towards a set of people, had a brief exchange and they pointed out a building.

Anna rolled her eyes at Deloise' antics and together, they went on their way. Casually bumping into the guy they met at the station. Things were about to get interesting.

*****

Royal Arts Academy.

" You both would make a great on-screen couple. " Flora - Stella's roommate, gushed after hearing about her prospective project.

Stella felt great at her approval, " I know right, we just need his approval." Her voice held her unhappiness at Aaron's indecisiveness.

" Don't be grumpy about it, all you need to do is work your magic on him and he'll do your bidding," Flora advised,

Stella wasn't happy at the development of events, Aaron hadn't responded in regards to the project and she felt anxious. She didn't want some unknown person snagging the role.

After all, no one could match their level of artistry, and the role was tailor-made for them!

" How do I get him interested in this casting? " She thought, wrecking her head for Answers. On looking up, she sights Flora smiling sheepishly, and looking at her phone. " What are you looking at?"

" Nothing." Flora said with a sing-song voice, apparently in a good mood.

She raised her eyebrows, " is that tony?" She asked, carefully observing her roommate. Flora broke into a smile.

" N-no. "

Stella rolled her eyes, " and the Atlantic ocean emptied into my bathtub." Sarcasm dripped from her tone.

" He just posted some gym pics." She gushed, " He's so fine, and he doesn't even try!"

" Ask him out already." Stella said with a wave, " at this point, it's pathetic not to."

Inasmuch Tony was a playboy, Stella couldn't fathom why she relegated to pining over him, without taking a shot. Flora was an impressive girl, one of the reasons Stella felt the need to keep her close.

With her strong background in the industry, and her gullible nature, Stella found it fitting to keep her, and use her when the matter arises. Her family was stinking rich and in this industry, having connections and sponsors were crucial.

A light bulb went off Stella's head, " let me help you." She spoke out of the blue, and Flora did a double take.

" What?"

" Let me help you with getting Tony." She reiterated, this time, with a crooked smile.

" Y-you can do that? How?"

" Just trust me." A cynic smile broke on her face and Flora felt confused, " I just need one thing."

" Anything."

" Remember how we found out your dad sponsored the other production?" She mused, " I want you to work your magic. I need to know the one behind this project, if Aaron would be convinced, I need to prove it won't be a flop. Can you do that?" Stella meant business.

" O-of course, a-anything." Flora replied, " I'll get to it."

" Then we have a deal."