Taming the Wild Star

Her New Manager

“Okay everyone, let’s take a break now” Denver shouted, the videographer of today’s shoot.

I sigh in relief because my feet are already aching, thanks to these d*mn heels. My team immediately went to me for a retouch while Lexie brought me my favorite snack which is truffle crisps. I am eating while scanning on f*******: when a very familiar girl passes on my news feed. Aria? She’s married now? A faint smile plastered on Avarie’s lips as she reminisces the erstwhile memory with her, her other half whom she taught would defend her despite the circumstances yet turn a blind eye when she experiences a rough judgment.

“Come on everyone, let’s shoot the last part of the cf” the director shouted while Denver is still busy munching his burger. I laughed a little while looking at his annoyed expression as he put the last piece of the burger into his mouth making him look like a chipmunk.

My team quickly put the crown in my head as the last piece of accessory to complete my last look for a princess-like theme. I immediately went to the shooting ground which is full of different flowers and its soothing fragrance is just pure divine. I pose here and there, smile, fierce look, and everything, name it and I did it.

It almost took us an hour and a half to shoot the last advertisement due to the director's demand. After the wrap-up, I hissed in pain as the blisters on my feet started to bleed, d*mn I hate blood. Lexie immediately put some cooling ointment and cover it with a band-aid which somewhat helps a little. Lexie and I head back to the car while my team goes on with the van.

“Ms. Avarie at 8:00 PM, you have some party to attend and your dress is already prepared by the higher-ups” Lexie utter while reading her tab for my schedule.

I felt so tired but I managed to nod as a response. I just hope that the dress won’t be revealing.

“I’ll take a nap now, wake me up when we arrive at the company” I didn’t wait for her reply and just close my eyes immediately, what a tiring day.

Minutes later a shrug on my shoulder wake me, I woke up looking at the nervous expression of Lexie, what a scaredy-cat. “I am just following your order Ms. Avarie” she utters in a whisper-like voice. I laugh at her which somewhat surprises her. “Loosen up Lexie, I don’t bite” I jokingly said while getting off the car.

I headed off to my studio since my wardrobe is connected to it. Every staff I met greeted me with a genuine-looking smile but I knew better than that since they’re the same people who talk s**t behind my back, what a bunch of hypocrites.

I press the door with my thumb to scan for access and I am welcome with a rust satin mini bodycon dress place on my studio’s table. Like seriously? Can’t they just put it in the wardrobe? I just shake my head in disbelief. I look at the wall clock and realize that I only have 3 hours left to get ready. I am about to get ready when my phone rang. Director Wang? As I read the caller’s name, I suddenly feel a little nervous like there’s bad news coming.

“Hello?”

“Did Amara tell you already that she’s no longer your manager?” and the bomb has been planted.

“Huh, what do you mean by that? How? You can’t just change my manager without my consent!” I reply after a minute of dozing off on space and wasn’t able to digest the Directors' sudden news.

“Of course I have, I am your boss don’t forget that Avarie without me you’re nothing. Anyways, it seems that Amara tolerated all your whims which leads you to be involved in lots of scandals, and that somewhat affected the company’s reputation. The board of directors decided to hire a male manager to tame your willful attitude” his cold voice reminds me of someone.

“Don’t I have a say on everything? I won’t get involved in any dating scandal anymore just don’t change my manager, Amara needs a job to sustain her family’s need Director Wang, please have some consideration” I pleaded.

“This is a win-win situation Avarie, it’s for your own good as well and I can’t do anything about it now, the decision has been made. Rules are rules, get ready to meet him in the evening as he will be your handler for the event” last word from the Director as he ended the call.

This scenario is a déjà vu, people really do share the same evil characteristics. I immediately call Amara for further clarification and the feeling of betrayal shattered me. Why do people I trusted so much always betray me? Am I not worth it? It hurts to even come to the point where I got to question my worth. It took five rings before Amara answer my call.

“Hello! Amara, is it true that you’re no longer be handling me?” a tear falls on my face. I thought I already found someone I can consider as my family but they always disappoint me.

“I’m sorry Avarie my children need me more, Anaiz is sick and she needs me that’s why I approved the Director offer to help Anaiz in her medication in exchange for me retiring as your manager as he finds me not effective in handling you” painful reason of Amara hurts it more. I forgot that she has her priorities and I am just a job to accomplish for her.

“Uh, okay thanks for your explanation, hoping Anaiz to be well, bye”

I cried my eyes out as pain tried to suffocate me, this hurt more than a break-up. Partly, it is also my fault if only I behave well and avoid getting entangled with some actors Amara would have still here working for me.

A knock on the door leads me back to my senses, I have no time to mourn for a broken relationship, I have some work and priorities in line. I wipe off the last tears and open whoever is knocking on my door.

“Lexie?” I was surprised as I saw Lexie on my door bringing up the whole glam team.

“You’re still my assistant manager?” I asked out of confusion, I thought Lexie is included in the changing of manager but I guess she’s lucky.

“Yes, why? are you disappointed?” she smiles while asking curiously, I shake my head in return.

“Just surprised”

“Hey! Won’t you let us come in? You only have 1 hour left for the party and we still need to do a complete make-over” Ashton acclaimed, my gay friend who always does my make-up together with her other gay friends. I make way just enough for them to march inside my studio.

Half an hour had passed and they’re now doing my long hair into a French braid with some wavy strands left on each side of my face making me look classy elegant.

“Woah, as always, gorgeous, but today you look extra beautiful and hot at the same time” Ashton stated while looking proud at his team for making my looks possible this evening.

“Surely tomorrow, you’ll gonna be in the hot search again, either for your gorgeousness or for another scandal,” he said teasingly making everyone in the room laugh.

“I just hope it’s not the latter” I shrug after replying with his joke, I sigh knowing that paparazzi are everywhere and I have no place nor chance to escape or hide from them, they’re creepy as hell.

Another knock on the door have made us all silent for a moment, I commanded Lexie to open it which she obliquely does.

Lexie squealed after opening the door making us all look as to what’s in the door that made her freeze and to my surprise, it’s a gorgeous adonis standing in the door with cold eyes scanning the room as if he’s searching for someone and stopped after seeing me. His green eyes are so enticing and his luscious lips look so kissable, d*amn what am I even thinking. I get back to my senses and fix my composure as I raise my brow.

“Who are you?” I utter calmly

“Nikolai Bleu Stavros, your new manager Ms. Avarie” he said while bringing his hand for a shaking hand. I shrug my shoulder and didn’t accept his hand. No matter how handsome you are, I don’t like you. I’ll surely do everything to make you regret working in this company specifically as my manager. Hence, an evil plan came into my mind, let’s see how well the Board of Directors resolves it if I continue to create issues. I’ll make them realize that there’s no manager who can handle me well rather than Amara.

“Hey Stavros, you’re my manager, right? Now, tell Director Wang that I will no longer attend the party” I smirked but he remains to compose as if a robot being controlled, what a boring person.

“But Avarie, you’re already-----” Ashton was about to say something but I motion him to stop talking.

“Don’t worry, I’ve got another plan this evening” I smile mischievously.

“Lexie, let’s go” I get my pouch, ready to get off the studio as I planned to go bar-hopping today. After a tiring day, I need to do something fun, to release all this feeling I can no longer keep. However, before stepping off, a strong hand was able to capture my wrist making me stop for further motion.

“The Director's order is to accompany you to the party, other things unrelated should not be tolerated” Stavros stated in a cold and deep voice.

“You’re just my manager, you have no say about the things I wanted to do, get a life, and don’t act like some creepy bodyguard because that doesn’t suit you” I replied while trying my best to get rid of his hold.

He is to strong that it led me to do my last resort, I bit him and run off immediately. Good thing that my studio is located on the ground floor so it’s easy for me to get out of the building. I immediately enter the car which is parked just outside the front space of the company and maneuver it. This experience seems exciting, I just want to let them know that I’m not someone they can boss around, I’m the company’s money-maker how dare they treated me like this, I seriously don’t deserve this. I am in my wild thoughts when I notice a red car following me, that must be Stavros, I speed up the car and tries to lose him.

A few left and right turn and I was able to get rid of that car, I texted Lexie to meet me at Starlight Bar, one of the most well-known bar-chain in the country which is owned by one of my co-actress. After parking my car, I quickly enter the place and headed to the VIP room intended for celebrities only. I ordered 1 glass of tequila to suffice my thirst and rest a little. I called Rose, the owner of the bar, to inform her about my presence in her bar, however, she’s in Canada as we speak. I sigh knowing that I’ll be alone drinking with no one to burst out my displeasure of the company. I really hate self-pity as I find it not suitable for me but here I am pitying myself for having no one to lean on, no family, no friends, nothing. Some people think of me as a lucky star, having a perfect image in public, a perfect lifestyle, a perfect set of so-called friends in front of the camera but behind that perfection is a woman seeking for true love, care, and affection. It seems that people like to use me as they find me useful for now but discard me once I get useless. In this industry, I need to stay relevant to get recognized however this job is so exhausting that it drained me not only physically but emotionally and mentally as well.

After some sentimental moment, I ordered another 5 glasses of tequila. I want to get drunk today and forget some painful experiences that kept hunting me. I had been able to finish 3 glasses of tequila but my stomach started to churn and I’m beginning to feel dizzy, sh*t my alcohol tolerance is so bad.

I was about to take the 4th shot but the VIP room suddenly opens and there I saw the blurry version of a man who looks a little angry.

“Nikolai?”