I Know What You Did Last Summer (The Yacht Mystery)

The Beggining

Hiraeth drove me away from the convenience store.

"Now that you're blowing up on a different social media platform, I guess you have to decide Maddy," she calmly said.

"What do you mean decide?" I asked out of curiosity.

"I'm sure not only the people at the convenience store are flooding in, but also the offers on your email. Do you seriously want to become an actress?" She sounded annoyed.

What Hiraeth said makes me think about what will happen. I mean, somehow it's exciting, but we all know the price we are paying once we have fame. HATE. I don't really have that strong emotions and mindset to ignore the harsh comments about me.

"If you're looking for an agency whom you would like to sign up with, I can help you with that."I looked at her.

"Why do you want to help me? I mean I can't return the favor", I plainly said.

"I saw the potential in you".

It was the first time that someone complimented me for my talent. I grew up watching different actors and actresses portraying someone and changed their personality into the role that was given to them. Acting is like a disorder. You have to put your heart in the character and act like her. Sometimes you could even adapt the character's attitude in real life. Well, that's something you shouldn't do.

"Are you gonna space out the whole day?" Hiraeth asked as we stopped in front of an apartment building.

"Is this your place?"

"Yeah. Wear this" she handed a mask to me. Now I feel like a real celebrity. I wore the mask and got out of her car. I followed Hiraeth and we went inside the elevator. Thankfully, she has a mask or people would definitely recognize me. We reached her apartment floor and she opened the door. To my surprise, as the door opened, I saw Lexi, Hiraeth's daughter with a babysitter.

"Hey honey" Hiraeth started to shower her daughter with kisses. She talked to her babysitter for a bit and I guessed she asked them to go out for a bit because we were going to discuss important stuff.

"So Maddy, I'm gonna tell you straight up. I will apply as your manager" she spit those words as if it wasn't a big deal.

"Are you crazy? You told me you were going to help me find an agency that I can sign with and now you're applying as my manager? Hiraeth, let me tell you honestly that I'm struggling with my own finances and I can't afford to pay you. And why would you choose me over those big shots that will surely hire you?" I almost freaked out.

"Listen carefully and don't get a head of yourself. I'm just trying to help you out. First I'll be your manager, then I'll help you get a contract from a good agency. Second, I would help you with anything as long as you do good in your work. The wage doesn't have to be right now, right after your shoot. Listen, I know we only met yesterday but I believed in you, Maddy. I know you could be a star that will outshine everyone in the industry. You're desperate and so am I. We're one in this battle, so take the chance now or you're gonna regret this opportunity for the rest of your life."

Yeah, Hiraeth's words stab me on my chest. If I didn't take advantage of what I am receiving right now, I might regret this later. I know Hiraeth's struggling financially too, trying to pay all the bills and to support her child.

"Since we're both in desperation, fine. You'll be my manager and I am your only artist."

I saw how Hiraeth's eyes glowed that moment. It's like she was stuck in the tunnel and the darkness finally came to an end because a ray of sunlight was finally showing up.Hiraeth, indeed, is very familiar with the industry because she had me sign those papers that serve as our "contract" and terms and conditions. She also told me about almost every requirement that we need to be able to get an agency that will sign a contract with us.

"Do you have any agency on your mind that you would like to belong with or do I have to give you the list?" She looked at me with raised eyebrows.

"Well uh I've always liked Behati's agency because I feel like you can get every benefit you wanted and they treat their artist right. Look how clean Behati's record is."

"Somehow you're right, but uh know Behati and we interact. She just got some attitude, but I'm sure you will outdo her."

So I stayed for dinner in Hiraeth's place and the never ending discussion about the contract for tomorrow. She's actually pretty good at her job and I kind of feel awkward towards her because I never had a manager before. I put Lexi to bed since Hiraeth was washing the dishes and decided to leave after she was done.

"Well, uh thank you for the ride and for the food. I guess I'll see you tomorrow?" I laughed awkwardly.

"Yeah sure I'll come and pick you up by 8. By the way, before you leave, here's some left overs we have. You can give this to your brothers" as she handed me the tupperware.

"Thanks Hiraeth gotta go. Thank you for this as well."

We bid goodbye as I walked through the elevator. Her apartment was just 3 blocks away from our house and since it was almost getting late, I ran on the way home.I opened the gate and went inside. When I opened the door, I saw Pedro playing video games on the TV and when he turned to look at me, he just ignored me. I know he was still mad about what I did to him this morning, but I didn't know he would sulk like that.I checked Ashton's room first to see if he was sleeping and I saw him peacefully lying on his bed. I put the food on the table and sat beside Pedro.

"Hey"

He didn't respond.

"Umm I just wanted to tell you that I'm sorry about what happened this morning and, uh, I'm going to sign a contract with an agency tomorrow. I mean, like, uh, you helped me organize my thoughts about it, so yeah, I was just telling you, since I think you deserve to know? If you feel hungry, there's food at the table given by my manager". I was about to get up when he spoke up.

"Just do whatever makes you happy and stop thinking about our sake. We can handle ourselves just fine." He said coldly. I sat back down and hugged him.

"I know I'm not obligated to raise you guys, but you're the only family that I have. You and Ashton are the reason why I have to achieve my dream, whatever it takes to support you two. I know we've been through a lot but better days are coming." I just heard him sobb while leaning on my shoulder.

Pedro does his part as Ashton's older brother when I'm not around. I remember during winter that he had to be absent from school because I was on a shoot and Ashton was really sick that time. Pedro is a smart kid.

I tapped his back and comforted him.

"Stop playing and fix your body clock. You need to stay healthy because your sister is climbing the ladder soon." I joked before leaving and going to bed. I stretched and kept the important papers that Hiraeth had given to me. Well, I guess tomorrow is a big day indeed, so I have to get a beauty rest.

Hiraeth's POV

"Please take good care of her again. Please, I will be back before 7 so make sure she, has her dinner by then, okay? Thank you!" I was in a rush because today is the day. I wore my boots and got the car keys and almost flew through the garage just to fetch my artist Maddy.

I get in the car and check all the requirements we needed. I wasn't really able to sleep last night from handling all her SNS to compiling her portfolio. Glad the Dreamer Network emailed her first, so I don't need to invest my blood sweat and tears. I stopped in front of a gray house with an old gate and got out of the car. I pressed the bell button outside the old gate a hundred times until a teen showed up looking very annoyed because his eyebrows were frowning.

"Uh Hi I am uh" he cut me off by opening the gate and leaving me standing. Well I guess he knows? And well maybe that's Maddy's brother, since they kinda look alike.Their house is like an only house in a forest because there are a lot of trees at the backyards. Their house is quite big and very clean.

I went inside and saw a plain white and gray as an interior.

"Please sit down. I'll try to wake her up. She usually wakes up at 10". My jaw dropped hearing those. Time check it's almost 6 am. I go to sleep at 1 doing all her stuff that's been needed wake up at 4. What a life Hiraeth. So he went into the room next to the kitchen and a few minutes later I heard some things falling and a groaning sound.

"Do you have to wake me up by putting a pillow on my face ? Are you trying to kill me or wake me up?" It was obviously Maddy's voice. I saw the guy walk out of the room while the sleepy Maddy kept on nagging him and froze when she saw me.

"How long have you been sitting there?"

"Just awhile ago" I replied while judging her whole character.

"Oh f**k" she ran back to her room, probably getting a shower, so I killed my time by reading her portfolio and bionote.

I felt a cold hands on my face that I surprisingly gripped too hard.

"A-a-awwww! Are you trying to break my bones before I can even sign the contract?" She rolled her eyes at me.

She's wearing a cardigan and baggy jeans with shoes that fit her cardigan. Maddy is Asian, so she has those two big round eyes, a round face, and a not-so pointed nose. Her skin is tanned even if she has been living here in the US for many years now.

She bid goodbyes to her brother before we finally went.

"So what am I supposed to do when we're there?" She innocently asked.

I chucked, she obviously never had a contract signing before. " When we arrive at the company a staff will guide us to the dressing room to transform you and you should take your calming pills if ever you have one. Behati will be there too, since she's also one of the shareholders of Dreamer Network, so you have to make sure that during the conference, avoid the questions that you think would ruin your image. And please do not do any weird behaviors, like scratching your skin or anything get it? The press will ask you tons of different questions but you don't have to worry about that because a coordinator will give you the sample copy beforehand." During the whole trip I informed her everything about the important things.

We arrived at the Dreamer's Network and as I've expected, she was brought to the dressing room. I sit on the sofa in the dressing room while the stylists are dressing her up. After the make-up artist did some magic on Maddy's face, the door opened and we saw a guy holding a boquet of tulips and behind him is the great Behati, of course.

"Hi Maddy, I am one of the shareholders of the board, Nate Johnson. I would like to congratulate you in advance to join our company." Behati, beside Nate, smiled at Maddy and they talked a little bit until the time of the press conference.

Maddy's POV

Final retouch before I show my face to the public. I was wearing a ribbon-like dress that embraced my figure and Prada boots.

"You got this. Stay calm and focus on the media questions, alright? I'll be standing near backstage so just stay calm, okay?" Now this is reality. My manager Hira, really held my hand tight as she walked along with me backstage.

"Since she's the moment for today's event, let us all welcome Ms. Maddy Ramsey" I go out and almost get blinded by the tons of flash while the major people who own the company and have a big role are waiting for me in a long table.

I walked there trying not to stumble , again. I smiled throughout the blinding flash from every single angle I was trying to look at. I was in between Nate and Behati and the rest, some of them who are familiar to me are sitting next to each other.

"Hi! So I am uh Maddy Ramsey and yes you're not mistaken, I am here sitting with each and everyone of you to have a contract signing with the top company who have tons of different artists in this industry." That serves as my introduction before the question and answers of different people inside this conference hall.

"Are you the waitress in Thong who catches the attention of people from the recent movie of Miss Behati?"

"It would be a shame if I would deny that, but yes, that's me."

"How do you feel that you'll be part of the company even though you only had a very short screen time in that movie?"

"Well uh first and foremost I wasn't really expecting that I'll reach this milestone because honestly my role was a stunt. And also I wanted to give credits to Miss Behati which is sitting right next to me right now for slapping me that hard because if it wasn't because of that slapped, I don't even think I will be here today."

The questions and interrogation keep on going until we finally come to the part where we sign the contract.

"I will now officially welcome Miss Maddy Ramsey as part of our Dreamer Network" and that simple sentence almost made me burst into tears. This is it. My dream is slowly becoming possible.

We took pictures and I received tons of boquets and it's just overwhelming because I never had these before. I was able to get to know the people who are part of the contract signing, like the main director, Sir Jacobs, their Strategy Planner, and some major brains of the company who make it grow every single day.

I know that this is only the beginning.