PROLOGUE
Bella Spencer's Point of View
I stood frozen outside the door. My brain can still not process everything that my eyes are witnessing. This isn't true, I told myself repeatedly. Everything was on the floor, from the furniture to our brand-new appliances, it was broken and scattered all over the place like there had been a massive tornado that had occurred inside our residence.
My eyes were welling up with tears as I saw them. My dear beloved parents were on the marble floor, swimming in their blood, both unclothed. I was sobbing all over their cold dead bodies, hugging them tightly. I still cannot deal with this scenario. "Why would someone do something like this?" I screamed. Sadness, anger, disappointment, Ugh! Words just cannot simply describe these emotions that are swirling inside of me.
As much as I wanted to know the reason behind this murder, I wanted to find and kill the person who did this evil scheme! I do not care if I will wind up in prison, for what that animal did to my family was brutal! I started cursing out loud and then yelled for help. All of a sudden, in the middle of my tantrum, I remembered something that left a shiver running down my spine; everyone who lived on this condominium floor went on their summer vacations, and we were the only family left. We were the only ones left here because of... me.
If it weren't for me, they wouldn't be dead.
I was fueled with fury, my body trembled as I stood up. I had to do what I had to do. I ran outside to the nearest clubhouse to ask for help. The first thing I saw as I arrived there was a man around the age of thirty, in charge of the reception area. I immediately shouted for help when he caught my gaze. He quickly dialed the telephone and called security's attention.
I was glad to see security guards running in my direction, my heart skipped a beat when they called my name.
"Sofia Maverick..." says one of the security guards while he looks at me intently. I quickly nodded, waiting for his immediate response.
"You will be put there by the proper authorities for interrogation." This is all wrong. Why would they interrogate me? My body stiffened, my heart pounding uncontrollably.
I looked at them with fear, "W-what are they going to interrogate them for?" I queried, I swallowed the lump that was starting to form in my throat. "I- I cannot do that, I cannot kill! They are like the most precious things that I have possessed in my entire existence," I declared. The security guards just shot each other glances and handcuffed me. "T-this is outrageous! I-I've changed! Believe me, I did a long time ago!"
"Save your excuses for the proper authorities, Maverick." They dragged me outside the clubhouse and shoved me into a police car.
As I was inside, I recklessly started to squirm and let out curses, "You little hooligan! Why not try to shut your little mouth, will you?" A police officer with an orotund voice exclaimed.
"Because all of this is a mistake!" I retorted at them, wheezing. "Plus, you never really knew what happened back there, you are accusing an innocent teenager of a crime that she didn't do!" I cried. They all started laughing.
"Oh innocent, right? That's what all guilty people say. And if I were you, I wouldn't play the role of an innocent teenager. You'd just get yourself into big trouble again if you continue this game of yours." He sneered.
My heart was full of envy, these animals don't know what they are doing, "You all don't have the right to accuse me!" I screamed.
They let out a jeer of laughter. "Honey, we have dealt with scenarios worse than this! Is that the best excuse you can come up with? Please, we all know everything about your past and if you try to bury your past," The police officer that was sitting beside me caressed my shoulder and chuckled, "It would come rising back up."
I was shaking, my heart rapidly beating, I wasn't thinking straight. I glared at the laughing police officer sitting beside me and spat in his face.
He was shocked, he slapped me hard in the face and shot me a murderous smile. I spat on him again, and he squished my cheeks with his two big hands and whispered, "You little brat! You haven't changed a bit! And you never will!"
"Oh, and if I did?" I screamed with all my might and spat on him again.
He chortled and wiped the saliva off of his face, "Then, prove me wrong, Maverick."
"And cut! That's a wrap, people!" A loud feminine voice echoed. Everyone inside the studio started cheering. I was instantly released from the handcuffs they put on me earlier and as soon as my hands were free I started to wiggle them. Geez, pins, and needles.
After a while, I saw a beautiful woman approaching me. She had an ample figure, smooth ebony skin, sparkling dark green eyes, a well-chiseled nose, and Afro hair, and she topped it with an approving smile, shooting in my direction. "Congratulations! Great job you did there, my darling Bella! I always knew you had something in you since the very first time we met." I blushed at the compliment she gave me, it kept on repeating in my head like a broken record. I gave her a warm smile.
"Thank you so much for the trust you have given me Direct. Connie, it's been such an honor to work with you and your crew." I replied, remembering the first time I and Director Connie met. It still flatters me.
"And it's been an honor working with you too! See, it's been three successful years of your career; seven blockbuster movies, a TV show, and now this! I will look forward to the future with more projects for you darling. I am proud of your dedication to acting." The ardent tone in her voice just made me blush harder.
"Direct. Connie, you are so blissful. My heart flutters with your sincerity," I replied.
"It is appreciated." She was about to say something when one of the scriptwriters called for her attention. She excused herself.
I went into my dressing room to relax and review my script. The scenes for this episode are hard. As I was done reviewing, I set it aside and lay on the couch, plugged in my headset, and listened to my tunes.
Honestly, shooting for a series wasn't the first thing I had put into mind this summer. Me and my best friend, Contessa Leslie, were planning to get a job for the summer. The kind of job wherein you aren't treated like a celebrity. The kind where you can be yourself without sticking to scripts and being in front of cameras throughout the whole day.
Just have a normal summer vacation like the rest of my normal friends.
But since here I am—an actress by chance, I have nothing to do but embrace the blessing given to me. Not that I'm complaining— being an actress is fun! Going to different places, meeting new people, and having supporters; but aside from all the glory gained from being a famous artist, you will also be dealing with big responsibilities. There are a lot of Dos and Don'ts when it comes to the entertainment industry.
At first, it was very hard for me because wherever I went people were crowding me, the paparazzi taking photos of every single move I made, being the news' content, and having bodyguards. Life becomes abnormal when you're famous, your freedom is limited. You have eyes trained on every single move you make, and you need to keep your image clean, or in other words, your life is under control by the media. (Not literally, but it turns out like that.)
And as time passed by, I somehow got used to this abnormal life. Diet, shooting, exercising, award shows—
A tap on my shoulder caused me to fall from the couch, my heart galloped as I contacted the floor, startling and disturbing me from my thoughts.
I looked up at the person who caused it. "Darling, I am so sorry to frighten you like that." Director Connie, with a cheeky smile. She helped me sit back down on the couch with her. Her eyes twinkled as she fixed her gaze on the script I left on the table,
"I guess you already finished reviewing your script, right?" She queried.
I nodded. "Yes, I did. But I decided to take a quick rest because the scene I did earlier dried up my energy." I reasoned.
"Well, actually, you can just leave it right there. Because me and Miss Richie talked earlier that you, my dear, would have the whole summer off camera." I was nonplussed by her announcement, and I wasn't even sure if I heard it right.
"I'm sorry, Direct. But, can you please repeat your announcement? I want to make sure I heard it right." I bit my lower lip, refusing to form an amused smile.
She playfully rolled her eyes and folded her arms, "Let me rephrase it then..." She cleared her throat. "I said that you have the rest of your summer, free. Because the team hasn't prepared the script for the next season, and we will be working on it. And besides, I want you to take a break, you did so much, darling." I stared at her with widened eyes, I jumped up and pulled her in for a hug, rocking both of us back and forth.
"Thank you so much! This means a lot to me." I cheered.
I heard her mutter, "Anytime darling."
After a few seconds, we both separated from the hug. "And I advise you to make the most of it out of this summer. Go wild, make history, have fun, and be free." She says, winking at me.
I gave her a half-shrug. "I would love to do all of those but, is it really necessary to go wild if the press knew about it? They might write false accusations about my freedom and happiness."
She gave me a reassuring smile. "There's nothing to worry about, darling. I will take full responsibility if the media releases fake articles about you and try to ruin your image. Don't stress much about the press, live your life to the fullest. Just enjoy this break, I mean it." Joy filled my heart just imagining spending the whole summer vacation with my friends and my family.
"Thank you so much, Director Connie. I won't let you down." I hugged her again, a tight one this time. Connie and I exchanged our farewells and headed our separate ways.
I stood outside waiting for my driver. I contacted him after packing up my things. While I was in the middle of waiting, an idea suddenly popped into my head. I pulled out my phone and contacted Contessa. Just after two rings, she immediately answered.
"Contessa, contact everyone from our classes, and let's celebrate at six. I'll text you the details later. But for now, I still need to get home, get a rest, and get ready. Because this will be the night that my summer vacation begins." Without waiting for my best friend's response, I quickly ended the call and boarded the car that was waiting in front of me.
I sighed as I was comfortable in the back seat with my bags and neck pillow. The driver turned on the radio, playing a country classical song, and started driving. I told the driver to take it nicely and slow so that the drive back to our neighborhood would take a little longer. I want to start this break with a long nap trip.
Summer here I come.
