Chapter Three
AND the countdown to ten o' clock that night began in Victoriana's head. At ten, filming would cease and her week-long holiday would finally commence. Whoopee!
Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one…Freedom!
"Okay, that's a wrap." announced the director, making his address before everyone left the set. "We've managed to make it halfway through this project by interval and I'm pleased. I must say you all have been working well and your efforts are quite visible in the film. It's shaping up rather excellently and I hope it will continue when we resume filming. Thank you, and see you all bright and early on Saturday the 25th." There was a little applause, mostly for the interval and not Tim's mini speech.
Victoriana disappeared into her dressing room to change, happily. She was glad the break she had been anticipating for weeks had arrived. A smile developed as she thought, no scripts, no stunts, no Tim Giles, no work. That meant proper hours of sleep, rousing late out of bed in the morning, long lazy lunches and more time spent with the few people she loved.
Which was exactly what she was about to do. After throwing on a lilac Versace sweater and Belle Gray jeans, she removed her movie make-up, brushed a little Kiehl's lip balm on her already rosy lips and ran a comb through her lengthy hair. She collected her belongings from around the room and made her way to the Audi. She paused briefly to chat with a bunch of crew members before leaving the set. The group had plans to party hard that night and invited her along, but she declined due to having plans of her own. When she told them she'd be playing guitar at a friend's, they laughed and said they'd have a drink and dance for her. Victoriana didn't mind spending the evening with Oscar, doing one of the things she loved the most. He was one of her best friends and guitar, believe it or not, was one of her favourite pastimes, so naturally she was sure to enjoy it.
"Have fun Ana!" they called as she hopped into the driver's seat and started the car. "Yeah, same to you guys." she replied, pulling off onto the road.
After making a quick stop at home to grab her guitar, Victoriana drove to Oscar's on the other side of town. He lived in a nice apartment paid for by his parents and his occasional gigs. On arriving, Victoriana rang the doorbell in a childish repeated manner and he answered, flustered. "V! Hey, you made it! Come on in." Stepping inside the flat, she noticed two other visitors lounging on Oscar's metallic blue sofa set. "Khandi! Seth! What are you guys doing here?" she cried, delighted to see them. "We came to see you, duh…" Khandi said, beckoning her to have a seat. "Ozzie told us you were coming over, so we decided to drop by in order to catch up." Seth put in. "Gee, you make it sound like I haven't been around for months." Victoriana remarked, making herself comfortable on the sofa. "Technically, that's true," Khandi said. "It takes nearly a whole year to make this movie you're working on. And I can count the number of times we've seen you for the last couple months on two hands!" she held them up to emphasize the point.
"Ten times?" Seth raised an eyebrow. "Seems like a lot."
"Actually…" Khandi let four fingers fall. "I've only seen her six times to be exact. Including today." Victoriana gave a helpless shrug. "What can I say? I know my schedule sucks."
"Well," Oscar piped up, taking her guitar case from across her lap and withdrawing the instrument. "You can start making up for all that lost time by agreeing to come to my first ever Halloween Rockstar Bash on the thirty first." Khandi burst out laughing. "Aren't you a little old for that kinda thing?"
"Yeah Oz, and Halloween Rockstar Bash? Who says 'bash' these days?" Victoriana asked, with a comical look. "Dude, you're twenty years old!" Seth added. "What's next? Trick-or-treating?" he chuckled.
Oscar smiled his familiar good natured smile. "Nah, it's just an idea for my latest gig. I thought I'd use the Halloween thing to draw a bigger crowd."
"Good plan." said Seth. Khandi nodded. "So what's the party gonna be like?"
"Don't worry guys, there won't be any jack-o-lanterns, bobbing apples or tombstones. It's basically a normal bash-" Victoriana cleared her throat. "PARTY, it's basically a normal PARTY, with an exception of the dress code." Oscar continued. "Lemme guess, costumes?" Khandi said. He nodded. "I'm there!"
Seth snickered. "Who're you gonna go as? Madonna?" Khandi shrugged. "Maybe." Seth shook his head." You know I was kidding right?"
"Or, how about Paris Hilton? And ooh, Vikki, you could go as Nicky since I'm blond and you're brunette! What do ya think?"
Victoriana wrinkled her nose. "There's no way I'm gonna dress up as one of the Hiltons. Remember, I'm trying to get AWAY from all that? I'm sick of glitz and glamour." Khandi said she was only pulling Seth's leg with the Hilton idea for his Madonna comment. He blinked at her. "And this time I thought you were serious."
"I knew she was joking. I mean, the Hiltons? C'mon, I'd rather go as Nicole." Victoriana rolled her eyes. "Ha, truly. But really, I have no idea what to wear to a costume Halloween party now. What could I wear that would be funny, yet not completely ridiculous?" Khandi inquired, looking at a total loss. "I'll think of something," said Victoriana. "At least by the time I get back. So Oz, what kinda song have you put together?"
"I'm-"
"Whoa, hold up," Khandi interrupted. "You said, by the time you get back. Get back from where?" Victoriana glanced at Oscar. "Didn't tell them?"
"Gosh, sorry-I thought you'd do it yourself." he replied sheepishly. "Okay, what's going on, the two of you sound like you're planning to elope or something!"
"Ha! In your dreams! They aren't even dating!" Seth laughed out loud. Oscar frowned. "I think she was merely joking again." he said in a weirdly stiff voice. "Yeesh, I was kidding too-lighten up man!" Seth told him, draping an arm on the back of the sofa. Oscar just grunted and grabbed his own guitar. "Oookay…so what's the news V? I'm dying to know." Khandi demanded quickly.
"I'm spending my week off in Belize. Great, huh?" she announced, ignoring the strange look on Oscar's face. Khandi's mouth dropped. "What? Wow, that's awesome, but you're gonna disappear on us again? To a Caribbean island???"
"I am not disappearing, I'm simply going away for a while on a much needed vacation. I presently have knots in my shoulders from all those stunts. So what's wrong with that?"
"Nothing at all. It's just, we all know you deserve time away from it all, but not from your friends, V. We've barely seen you lately and this week you have off would've been perfect to spend some time with us. Can you even remember the last time we all just hung out? You miss all the fun." Khandi said to her.
"Yeah, do you?" Seth added, his face serious with concern. "I don't even know what's going on with you these days."
Victoriana sighed deeply. "Guys, you know me. I'm the same, my life is the same and nothing's new. My job is also the same old hassle it's always been and that's the reason I'm never around. You know I'd like nothing more than to spend time with you all. And as I've said before, I don't intend on things being this way forever."
"We know that too, but when V? When are you finally gonna throw in the towel on acting?" Khandi asked seemingly hypothetically, thrusting her arms in the air. "I don't know, but soon. I just can't quit the business without some kind of plan for my future. What will I have to fall back on? Certainly not my folks' money! And how will I deal with their reactions, especially if I'm left with no career?" Victoriana queried back. "V, you're right, you do need a plan, but we're your friends. We can help you cross those bridges when they come. Firstly, you've got to make the final decision to stop. Publicly and officially announce your early retirement from acting. Then, I'm telling you, everything will fall into place." Khandi answered sincerely.
"Well I need time to think. That's one of the reasons why I accepted the offer from my parents to go to Belize. Over there on that island, miles away from Beverly Hills and my life here in California, I may be able to think a lot clearer and see things I probably can't see now, in a different light with the whole new atmosphere, you know? That way, I can analyze my situation and hopefully come to a decent conclusion."
Khandi gave it up. "Well, alright. Make sure you think about it while you're there and not just studying those cute cabana boys or fruity drinks." she teased lightly. "Oh, sure." Victoriana once again rolled her eyes. "Oh you'd better keep those hazel balls steady and have your mind settled on giving up the big screen for good, when you get back." Khandi chided. Victoriana smiled wryly. "Lovely, right now yo
're doing a perfect imitation of my mother." she said, hoisting her guitar onto her knee. "Oh no! Your mother tries to manipulate you into doing whatever she wants. I'm trying to get you to accomplish something that YOU'VE wanted to do for years! And this isn't manipulation. It's good advice."
"Yes. Thanks." Victoriana said with a small smile. "And another thing," Khandi went on. "What happened to all the spunk you had when we last talked about this? You know, all that enthusiasm for quitting acting, going back to university and getting a real job that you actually enjoy? Oh and the best part. FINALLY telling your parents how you truly feel. Where did all that go?"
Victoriana leaned forward, elbows on knees, guitar between, her hair falling over her shoulders. "It's not gone exactly…it's just that I'm trying to focus on being relaxed. This movie is one of the most physically demanding films I've ever done and it's getting to me." she explained. "V! I don't believe it. It's your mother! SHE'S getting to you. Again!" Khandi cried.
"I don't see how," Victoriana replied defensively. "All I want is a single week of peace. Is that too much to ask?"
Khandi shook her blond head. "No it isn't, but think about it for a minute. Just as you were ready and all fired up to speak out and make a difference in your life, your parents, MOTHER'S idea no doubt, come out of nowhere with this vacation, with no notice, making you put your thoughts and actions aside for the good of relaxation! Why, if that isn't perfect manipulation, I don't know what is!"
Victoriana shrugged, indifferently. "I didn't think of it that way. I mean, it seemed like a pretty thoughtful thing to do. And coming from my mother, well that was nice for a change." she said. "And how could she possibly know what I had in mind? She couldn't have any idea of my planned expose on my feelings. There's no way."
"Your mother's not stupid V. Manipulative as hell, but not stupid. Where do you thing she gets the gall to be manipulative in the first place? She may not be aware that you're about to put a sock in your acting career and stand up for yourself at last, but that doesn't mean she hasn't noticed a change in you since YOU KNOW WHAT transpired with YOU KNOW WHO. She's bound to keep you on your toes because of that."
Heat rose in Victoriana's chest as memories concerning the bad experience she went through two years aback which Khandi just mentioned, came flooding back.
She was only sixteen when it all began. And of course, it involved a guy. In her case, Demetrio Marlowe. He was a flaxen haired, handsome as hell nineteen year old actor who was in his prime of fame then, particularly with the female population. Victoriana ran into him at one of those award shows her mother had dragged her to and was introduced by Viola herself, the world's worst match-maker. At the time, it didn't matter. They were heavily attracted to each other and it didn't take very long for them to become the next 'it' couple of tween Hollywood.
And yes, Victoriana had fallen in love with him. Demetrio was everything to her; friend, boyfriend- everything but lover. It was the only thing they disagreed on.
See, Victoriana was still innocent at heart, and despite the cliché, she wanted to wait until marriage before taking the ultimate step in a relationship, with any man. She endlessly explained her beliefs to him, saying that she felt lovemaking was a special, very intimate and meaningful act that should be experienced by only man and wife. (She may have been somewhat of a silly air-head in those days, but she at least had some morals, values and a bit of self-respect.)
Unfortunately, Demetrio did not see things that way and thought she was talking a lot of blabber-blabber, expecting her to change her mind somewhere along the line. However, he was the man of the moment and as he didn't care for such things and two years chalked up, he decided to do something drastic. It was time. On her eighteenth birthday, he proposed. He saw no problem with marrying her since they were bound to have sex under those terms and marriage would simply be almost too good for publicity in his career.
Being madly in love with him, Victoriana made it very easy for Demetrio to have his way and immediately accepted his proposal. Her mother of course had a part to play in the whole fiasco, as she had approved of the boy and his family after considering his flourishing career. Eagerly, she planned the wedding in a hush-hush manner, from the engagement party down to the reception, wanting it to be the most extravagant surprise ever.
Well, it was extravagant and surprising. The engagement party, at least. You see, the wedding itself never actually took place.
Here's why.
Demetrio thought that once engaged, Victoriana would change her mind on their sleeping arrangements, if you will, but he was sadly mistaken. She informed him firmly that nothing would happen between them before their wedding night. He argued, claiming she was being unreasonable and frankly childish. They had an ugly dispute which left Victoriana crying and unhappy and Demetrio defiant and furious.
He had a bachelor party scheduled that very night and attended with a raging, rebellious spirit which led him to having one too many drinks and a following wild, drunken, unfaithful evening with an ex-girlfriend who had shown up to the party 'to see him off to the land of commitment' as she quite delicately put it afterward.
When Demetrio sobered up, he called; full of regret, swearing her to secrecy and telling her to forget it ever happened. Apparently the bimbo thought he was simply panicking and in the process, repressing some deeply buried feelings, so she took it upon herself to be present at the grand engagement party, where she made a pathetically dramatic entrance, stopping the proceedings with an emotion filled speech or monologue (which she later professed in tears, would've gone off a lot better if she had possibly waited for the wedding and the part where the priest asks the thing about forever holding one's peace…), spilling the events of the bachelor party and a burning desire of love for the groom-to-be, which she insisted was mutually felt.
This of course caused a huge scene in the presence of Demetrio, his poor fiancée, family, invited and non-invited guests (such as herself) and the paparazzi.
Victoriana was shell-shocked.
She could not believe the love of her life had betrayed her. Demetrio certainly, tried to save his ass by claiming the intruder was a dirty, jealous liar whom he had never seen before, but it was a foolish move as the paparazzi were more than obliged to remind him and everyone else of his former relationship with the young woman in question.
From that moment on, everything changed. She changed. The scales fell from her eyes then and she saw just who her fiancé really was.
A philanderer. A fabricator. A wolf in sheep's clothing. She felt like he had ripped her heart in two and crushed the halves with the heel of his Calvin Klein shoes. Or perhaps, a steam roller.
The fact was, she wasn't the same bubble-headed, naive rich girl she'd always been. The heartbreak administered by Demetrio brought her to her senses, in a way. Everything seemed different. It was like she'd been as blind as a bat and someone suddenly stepped forward and offered her a pair of D&G specs that allowed her to see into the depths of peoples souls.
Well only the people she knew personally. And the first person who fell under this new scrutiny was Demetrio. Gone was the lovely, blond pretty boy she had once loved. A slimy scumbag who couldn't be trusted had taken his place and she hated him. Her hate was so overwhelming, she bordered on the line of loathing ALL men.
It took a very long time for her to get over Demetrio. She stayed away from parties, gala events, and shrunk away from all suitors. What really helped her recovery was the meeting of the three friends who sat around her at present. They were the ones who took the time to get to know the real Victoriana under the fallen celeb exterior. They were the ones who made her see her life through new eyes. They helped her heal.
She knew the heartache was over when she no longer felt the hate and realized that she had a future ahead, even if she didn't have the foggiest as to what exactly it entailed.
At the moment, she felt the same way, unsure of what precisely her future held, but with an idea of what she wanted it to be.
Her anger faded as the memories died away. "So you're saying that my mother invited me to Belize, all the way in the Caribbean, simply to keep my mind off of its subconscious rebellion based on the fact that she's majorly responsible for my failed and soured relationship with Dumbmetrio, because she should have acted like a real mother by protecting me instead of giving her blessing to a scumbag with a lot of cash and lineage?" she said, returning to the conversation. Khandi nodded. "Yeah, that's right. And I think it's a recurring act of hers; keeping you nice and busy with project after project so you have no time to stop and think about what you're actually doing. By this method of manipulation, she has you busy not contemplating that you dislike it all plus, she's got ya doing exactly what she sees you doing for the rest of your life. Acting."
A sinking feeling sprouted in the pit of Victoriana's stomach. It became increasingly clear that once again, she'd been had by her forever cunning mother.
"Oh yeah and think about this too V. By having you so busy with your films, she knows you'll have no time for your friends." Seth said. "And you know how much she luuuurvvvves you spending time with us." Oscar added sarcastically.
Victoriana sighed again. "Look guys, whether or not your theories are right, I'm still going to Belize. I need it."
"That's absolutely fine V. As long as you are very aware of your mama's intentions." Khandi reminded as if she needed to hear it once more. "Well, now I am thanks to you all. Now, how about hearing that song?" she said, turning her attention to the guitar and hopefully away from the discussion. Oscar on queue, jabbed his thumb towards the amp in a corner. "Some serious hard core, punk rock ladies and gentlemen!"
She grinned. "Cool, my specialty! Let's get it started!"
Oscar amped up their guitars and they rocked out into the music.