I entered into room 110, clutching a now sleeping Rose closer against my chest, with Faith shutting the door behind me. I looked around the room to see only a long, rectangle table stretching across the back. There were at least ten chairs lined up along the table, however only one was occupied. There was an X on the floor in front of the table where I knew, from earlier auditions, that was where people stood to recite their lines to the director. The man behind the table rose to his feet and walked around the table, a polite smile unfolding across his face.

'Buffy! What a pleasure to meet you,' he greeted, holding out his hand.

The man wore a simple blue sweater, rolled up to his elbows, and a pair of black pants. Glasses were perched on the end of his nose, looking like they were about to slip off at any moment. The man was slightly aged; his hair was slightly grey and a few wrinkles were set in his face. However, he looked in good health and was smiling like a twelve year old on Christmas day. The first thing I recognized was the thick British accent he spoke in.

'My name is Rupert Giles; I am the director of 'Midnight'.'

'Nice to meet you,' I smiled, shaking his hand with my free one.

His blue eyes fell upon the sleeping Rose. A smile stretched across his face. 'This is your child?'

I nodded. 'This is Rose.'

I heard Faith cough behind me. I rolled my eyes, knowing she wanted to be introduced.

'And this is my manager – Faith,' I added, pointing to Faith.

Faith grinned proudly. 'Nice to finally meet you!'

'You too, Miss Lehane. I believe it was you who I spoke on the phone with?' questioned Giles.

'Yep,' said Faith.

We stood in silence for a few moments. Rose's soft moans were the only noise that penetrated the silence. Finally Giles took his glasses off, wiped them on his shirt, before placing them back on the brink of his nose. He ushered us towards his desk. Faith and I followed.

'These are the lines I need to you to recite, Buffy,' said Giles, passing me a few pieces of paper.

I nodded. Turning to Faith, who had already happily took a seat behind the table, I leant over and lay Rose in her arms, trying my hardest not to wake her up. Her eyes fluttered open for a moment, staring around the room with big, confused eyes, before they finally closed again, her breathing slowing down to a soft pace.

I took a spot on the X and quickly scanned the papers.

'I will do the lines of Edmund,' announced Giles, ruffling a piece of paper.

I nodded.

'How old are you?' I asked in determination.

'Seventeen,' answered Giles.

I looked up. 'How long have you been seventeen?'

'A few centuries, but who's counting?'

I quickly scanned down the page, finding my next line.

'You know I love you, right?' he said.

'How can I be sure?' I whispered, letting the tone of heart-break settle into my voice.

'You just need to trust me,' replied Giles.

Before I could move onto the next set of lines, Rose awoke with a burst of tears. I quickly rushed over to her, slightly amused by Faith's startled face, and swept her up in my arms. I began to rock her softly, humming softly in her ear.

'I'm sorry,' I apologised to Giles.

However, he was still smiling, watching Rose and I in interest.

'I think I've seen enough anyway,' Giles said.

I felt slightly disappointed in myself, wishing there was something I could do to at least give me some faith that I could secure the role, however I knew hardly anything about the movie, and therefore I couldn't think of a single thing that would impress Giles enough to persuade him to give me the part. Forcing myself not to look miserable – which was odd as I was rarely ever emotional about not receiving a part – I continued to attend to my daughter.

'Tell me, Miss Summers, how busy your filming schedule is for the next six months?' questioned Giles, x-raying me over the top of his glasses.

If I was being honest, I had absolutely no clue. I hadn't received any roles recently, though who knew what the future held? I turned to Faith, who had a hint of a smile dancing on her determined face, and gave her a questioning look.

'Erm, Buffy's filming schedule doesn't even exist. She's currently free until next year,' answered Faith.

I suddenly remembered a deal I had struck with a television script writer a few weeks ago. I had promised to star on his high rated television show called So Random as a recurring guest star for the new and improved third series. Even though I had forgotten about this deal, it seemed that Faith had not. I was grateful for my agent. Who knew where I would be without her.

'So many actresses have come through that door and stood where you have just read your lines. Sadly to say, they were nothing that I was looking for. If you accept, I would love for you to be Midnight's Belinda!' Giles grinned from ear to ear.

Wow.

I had totally not been expecting to actually land the role! I thought the moment after Rose had burst into tears that my chances were slim. A small squeal escaped my lips as I hurriedly accepted the offer. Giles laughed at my enthusiasm. He began to discuss the film scheduling and contracts with Faith, who seemed pretty proud to be my agent for once, and gave her his number so they would be able to sort everything out.

I didn't know why but Midnight had me drawn to it like a magnet. I knew that if I hadn't secured the role I would have been highly disappointed, even though I had gone through a few rejections in my acting career, and I couldn't place my finger on what had me so interested in this movie.

I guess only time would tell.

After thanking Giles repeatedly until he all but threw me out of the room, I made my way to the reception with a slight spring in my step now. Faith was finding it difficult to keep up with me.

When I stepped out of the door and into the reception, I immediately walked over to the receptionists' desk. The women who had been seated there earlier when we had arrived was still in her seat, twirling around on her chair slightly as her eyes lingered on the screen of her cell phone. As soon as she noticed me walking towards her, she jumped out of her seat, straightened down her skirt, and gave me a timid smile.

'Mrs Summers, what can I do for you?' she asked kindly.

'Have you got a piece of paper and a pen?' I said.

Quicker than a strike of lightening, she disappeared beneath the desk, rummaging around what sounded like a very full box of equipment. Faith cocked her eyebrow at me as I passed a sleeping Rose into her arms. The receptionist appeared seconds later, paper and pen in hand. She speedily passed them to me and returned to her seat.

As I bent over the paper with the pen in my hand, I sneaked a glance at the receptionists' nametag.

To Jill,

It was nice to meet you!

My best wishes for the future!

Lots of love,

Buffy Summers.

X

I placed the pen down on the polished wooden desk and slid the piece of paper over to Jill.

I took a few steps back and collected my daughter from the arms of my agent, before returning my gaze back on the women before me. Her eyes widened like two saucepans as a large smile, that looked too wide for her petite face, spread from cheek to cheek, reminding me faintly of the Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland.

'Thank you,' she sniffed, wiping a few gathered tears from the corner of her eyes. 'Thank you so much.'

Smiling once more at her, I turned on my heel and made my way towards the door.

'It must suck to be surrounded by all these celebrities and never get the chance to ask for an autograph, even when you're their biggest fan. I'm not one of those stuck up bitches, Faith – my fans mean something to me,' I said affectionately.

'I know, B, I know,' smiled Faith, giving me a pat on the shoulder, 'because if you were a stuck up bitch, I would have to kick the crap out of you!'

I snorted.

With my attention now focused on what was waiting outside for us, I squared my shoulders, plastered a smile on my face, and hugged Rose closer to my body without squeezing the life out of her. Spike and Riley were stood on either side of the entrance, their whole bodies tense, as the battlefield of cameras began to flash drastically.

As Faith took her position in front of me, sort of becoming a shield to separate me and the paparazzi, I lifted up Rose's hood to cover up her face slightly.

The door swung open.

And the silence was shattered into a thousand of tiny pieces.

'Hey Mrs Summers, how are you?'

'Is it true that you're considering plastic surgery?'

'Are you shooting a new movie?'

'How is the little one?'

Spike and Riley helpfully made a path down the centre of the crowd, giving me a direct view of the black SUV that was awaiting me. I heard Rose moan quietly as she buried her face into my neck. Quickening my pace, Faith was opening the car door for me in no time. Finally, we all tumbled into the car and slammed the door shut, each of us sighing in relief as the shouts were muffled slightly.

'Where to, Buff?' asked Xander as he drove the car out of the paparazzo's prying eyes and cameras.

'How about the Hell Mouth? You know, to celebrate that B scored a part in the film!' Faith replied happily.

The Hell Mouth was a cosy restaurant that we regularly took comfort in after long, draining days. Every single person at the restaurant knew what food and drinks we liked to be served, we were even on a first name basis with the workers! The best bit, especially for me and Oliver, was that the staff was completely unfazed by our fame and treated us as normal human beings. The manager of the restaurant respected our privacy and locked up the building whenever we arrived, allowing no one to ruin the peacefulness that the place brought us.

'Yeah, sure, let me just ring Oliver and Willow and Oz to see if they want to join us,' I said.

Shifting Rose's position on my leg, I pulled out my cell and hit one on speed dial.

After about ten rings later, my husband finally picked up.

'Hey babe, you alright?'

'Yeah, I'm awesome! Guess who just scored a role in the new Midnight film?' I asked gleefully.

'Erm, Megan Fox?'

'Oh, thanks honey!'

'I'm just playing with ya! Hey, that's great news love. I'm so happy for you.'

'Yeah, Giles was –'

'Rupert Giles?' Oliver interrupted with eagerness.

'Erm, yeah, how did you know?' I questioned.

'He is like the most amazing British director to ever walk this earth! I'm a huge fan.'

'After so many years of marriage, you'd think I would know that,' I laughed.

I heard his answering laughter.

'Hey, listen do you think you can get off work early and come to the Hell Mouth to celebrate?'

'Erm, I'll see what I can do babe. Anyway, I better get off – we're about to shoot. I love you. And tell my baby girl I love her as well.'

'Alright, love you too.'

I hung up.

Seven minutes later, and one quick phone call to Willow and her husband, we parked in the deserted car park outside the Hell Mouth. Rose was now fully awake, back to her usual perky self as she always was when the cameras were absent, and was having fun swinging on my arm as we made our way to the restaurant. Faith was eager to get inside and have a nice alcoholic beverage – "we are celebrating after all!" – Whilst the three guys just wanted to cram their starving mouths with food until their stomachs were fit to burst.

'Well if it isn't my favourite customers!' greeted a smiling Wesley, who owned the restaurant.

Flanked on either side were two of his waitresses: Glory and Harmony. The two blondes each took their turn to greet us before accompanying us to our usual table towards the back. Adam, one of the waiters, was prepared for us as he dragged over a high chair for Rose. I thanked him, watching as his cheeks turned into a deep mess of scarlet red.

'The usual meals?' asked Harmony.

'Yeah, including Willow and Oz's meals as well please,' I answered.

'And can I have a bottle of Vodka as well? Thanks!' grinned Faith, rubbing her hands together in satisfaction.

'Oh, and can Rose have macaroni cheese instead of her usual, please?' I said.

'Sure,' smiled Harmony, jotting everything down. 'Your orders shall be hear shortly!'

We all thanked her one more time before diving into a conversation about the new film I would be starring in.

It had been an hour since we had arrived. Willow and Oz had joined our company almost ten minutes after we had taken our seats, each of them staring at their plates of food as though they had never been fed before in their lives, but not before they congratulated me on winning my new role in Midnight. As I had been focusing more on Rose the past few months, Willow had been unable to work her magic on me – instead she had been helping in the make-up department for some new Indie film that was being released early next year. She told me how glad she was that she was now able to go back to working for me again. Oz, on the other hand, hoped that this year he wouldn't have to clear up so many ridiculous rumours.

Oz was my representative or "rep" as he preferred calling himself. Whenever a new and totally false rumour would spring up in magazines, he was the one to completely shut it down. Oz had been a godsend over the years, helping me clear every single untrue rumour that was ever said about me. Most of them were rather bizarre, especially the one about Oz and I having an affair behind my husbands back, however others gave us a right good laugh when we needed one.

As Spike tried to entertain Rose, I found that Oliver had still not arrived.

I excused myself politely before pushing back my chair and walking towards the bathroom, my handbag clutched in my hand. I pushed open the door and slid inside. My hands immediately found the cell phone in my bag. I pulled it out and flipped it open, repeating my earlier action by hitting one on speed dial.

It rang and rang and rang.

And no one answered.

I closed my phone, biting down forcefully on my lip. This wasn't the first time Oliver had ignored my calls. Once again, I pressed one on speed dial.

Once again… nothing.

I continued this pattern until a very angry voice answered.

'What Buffy?! I am in the middle of a scene for crying out loud!' Oliver answered furiously.

'I was just wondering why you're not here, don't get lippy with me!' I retorted, my hands curling up into fists.

'Well, what do you want?' he questioned, his voice calming.

'Why aren't you here?' I sighed, running my fingers through my hair. 'I thought you were going to finish early.'

'I can't, babe, I'm sorry. Listen, I have a scene – I will see you at home.'

And with that he hung up.

I shut my phone and tightened my hand around it.

Leaning back against the door, I allowed my eyes to shut and a soft sigh to escape my lips.

To outsiders, those who weren't famous, the lifestyle I led was everything they dreamt of. Being a celebrity, walking the red carpet, having so much money was what people craved. And they would do anything to reach that dream. Yet for those who were part of that world, it was hell. Pure, realistic hell. It didn't matter if you were earning far more than most people or if you had the fancy mansion, you were still living life as a human being and you still dealt with the same emotions and experiences as everyone else did. Being famous didn't stop you from being completely alone. It didn't prevent feeling abandoned.

It made life much more difficult.

My life was so hectic. Everywhere in the world people had an insight to my life – some insights wrong, some right. I was watched like a hawk twenty four seven, having pictures snapped of my every movement and put onto websites or in newspapers. My baby girl was unable to live a normal life. She would always be in the spotlight for merely being my daughter and one day she could hate me for it. She would be talked about, slammed by the media, and photographed everywhere – and, unlike me, she never had a choice. My husband was so busy with his roles and his career; he could hardly find time for his family. Even when I had succeeded, he wasn't there to support me. And sometimes even the strongest of people needed supporting.

This was the actual reality of my life.

My life that wasn't as glamorous as portrayed to be.

HEY! AN UPDATE – I KNOW! SHOCKER! But I want to start writing this story again, I like it. Yeah, Buffy wouldn't have got the part that quick or easily – lets just say that Giles saw some pretty horrifying acting!

Angel should be introduced next chapter if people review. How about that for bribery? ;)

Nar, I'm only playing with you. He will be introduced next chapter hopefully.

Review please!

Your writer always,

Beth x