Chapter 8
Melissa drops her head to the script, noticing Olivia's name in bold print as the director. She huffs, crossing her arms across her chest, tapping her foot under the table. Her eyes pierce through Olivia with hate. Olivia smirks and gives a cocky wink. Knowing that she is the new love interest in the show, Melissa reads her part with bliss. Annoyed, Fitz speedily reads through his parts. Once the table read is complete, Olivia curses under her breath, inserting the loose papers inside her white binder. Fitz talks briefly to Abby while watching Olivia's demeanor. She gives a warm smile to Rhonda before standing to leave the room. He ends his conversation with Abby and walks to her, snaking his arm across her lower back, whispering, "We need to talk,"
He jets down the hallway, exiting the studio toward the trailers. Olivia is almost jogging trying to keep up with his long strides. They reach her trailer first. His hand pushes the door open with force, it slams against the back wall, creating a loud thud. Olivia jumps from the sound. "Fitzgerald?" She quips.
He bangs his hand on the small counter, "fuck that shit! Rhonda can kill me off. I don't give a damn. There is no way I am doing any scenes with Melissa."
Olivia sits on the couch, keeping her eyes on his body language. It's stiff almost unrecognizable. His face and ears are turning beet red by the second. She quietly slips off her sneakers, stretching out her toes.
He's pacing and rummaging his hand through his sandy brown curls. She chuckles softly as one curl forms a small 's' at his forehead.
"Why the fuck is Rhonda introducing a new love interest for Ben?" He booms.
She stands, rubbing her hand over his back before grabbing two water bottles from the black mini fridge. She takes a few sips and speaks in a soft tone, "she claims it's a journey for Stella."
"Journey my ass. She wants high ratings and thinks changing the fucking dynamics from the movie will give her what she wants." He quips.
Olivia sighs, "The show is doing really good, Fitz. I don't think she's doing it for the ratings."
He pushes off the counter, moving rapidly to the door, "Whose side are you on? You know what…Fuck this…I'm going to Rhonda's office!"
"Fitz, you can't! It will jeopardize your role on the show. Think about your career." She states, jumping from the couch.
"Olivia, I'm thinking about what is right." He huffs, trying to move past her.
Olivia places her palms steadily on his chest, tired of the ranting, "Maybe you should tell me what this is really about, Fitz. Why are you so against acting with Melissa again?"
"I don't believe in the storyline, Liv. It's being forced because of Rhonda's agenda. For whatever reason, she doesn't like us together." He states, kissing the top of her forehead.
Her hands flow down his chest, locking around the lower part of his back, "I find that hard to believe, Fitz. Rhonda? Why would she try to interfere with our relationship?"
He sighs, "I don't know, Liv. I just have this feeling. Have you noticed the way she looks at us when I do the simplest thing, like kiss you?"
"No, I haven't noticed." She plops down on the couch, "maybe it was a mistake for us to work together. The movie was filmed in a short period of time, but this…this is a huge commitment and…"
He kneels in front of her, cupping her cheeks, interrupting her, "Working with you is not a mistake." He presses his lips lightly against hers, waiting until she parts hers, allowing him entrance. Their tongues duel, soft moans release in the air. Olivia breaks the kiss, whispering, "I love you."
"Love you more." He states, standing and pulling her flush against his body. "I need to prepare for my next scene, but I have some time before I head to the sound stage. You should stop by my trailer." He winks, drops his lips to her forehead, lingering them there before he exits her trailer.
X
Fitz paces in his trailer, glancing over the script, reciting his lines word by word. He wants to vomit in his mouth from the script. It's sickening and he doesn't believe any of the words on the paper. He sighs and takes a sip from the glass filled with scotch. He normally doesn't drink before a scene, but he needs something to push through the thought of kissing Melissa again. During the play, Melissa pursued him hard. She would leave little notes in his dressing room after rehearsals. There were times she came out of character and called out his name during the make-believe sex scene on stage. The nightly dinners were supposed to be platonic but Melissa took his gesture the wrong way. When Olivia showed up the night of his opening, he knew Melissa was upset. Her abrupt departure from the play took him by surprise but he figured he would never have to work with her again.
He hears light tapping on the door and swings it open, assuming it's Olivia.
His jaw drops at the sight of Melissa. "What do you want?" He asks.
She moves higher on the top step, inhaling his scent, "invite me in."
He steps out of the way, allowing her inside the trailer. He needs to make it clear to her that he won't tolerate any nonsense during the taping of the show.
Melissa taps her fingers along the counter, "It's good to see you, Fitzgerald."
"What do you want?" He repeats, keeping his distance from her.
"I don't bite, Fitz. We used to work together for goodness sake. Why are you treating me like this? Is it because of your girlfriend?" She smirks.
"I'm in a relationship, Melissa. Whatever you think will happen between us…won't." He states.
"I could've had you, Fitz. You were this close to fucking me. I saw it in your eyes." She states, pinching two fingers together in his face. "I auditioned for this part and got it. I left the play, so you could have your precious Olivia. I'm not giving this show up for you or for her."
He takes two steps back, feeling the wall against his back. "You're delusional. We were never close to doing anything, Melissa. Get out!"
Melissa laughs, "That's what you think, Fitzgerald. I have my ways."
"Get out!" Fitz booms.
Olivia glances across at Fitz's trailer and sees Melissa leaving. She barges over to her, pointing her finger, "Why were you in Fitz's trailer?"
Melissa chuckles, "Well, hello to you, Olivia."
"Fuck the small talk, Melissa. What were you doing in Fitz's trailer?" Olivia asks.
Melissa smirks, "Wouldn't you like to know. I needed advice on our upcoming kissing scene. You know the one where his tongue is supposed to be halfway down my throat. You have the notes from Rhonda…correct?"
"Don't fuck with me, Melissa. This is your warning." Olivia groans.
Melissa laughs eerily, moving closer to Olivia's face, "I won't go away so easily this time, Olivia."
Olivia huffs as Melissa turns on her heels, walking away.
X
"Action!" Olivia calls out on the sound stage.
She watches the scene between Fitz and Melissa. He's uncomfortable and it's showing. Melissa acts appropriately and portrays the character's emotions. Olivia flips through the script in her white binder, inching closer to the small tv screen. She shifts uncomfortably in the black director's chair, knowing the kissing scene is next. Fitz offers a simple peck to Melissa's lips. She glances back down at the script and reads the notes from Rhonda, "A deep longing kiss between two lovers."
"Cut!" She yells, walking up to Fitz. "What happened to the original kiss?"
"I spoke to Rhonda and set some ground rules about my acting preferences. One, kisses will be closed mouth and nothing with tongue. Two, sex scenes will be fully clothed and short…if any, three, there will be no shirtless scenes, four the touching will be minimal and five, if you cross that line Melissa you're fired." Fitz smirks.
Melissa places her hand on her hips, "You're being unprofessional, Fitz. How am I supposed to act with all of those stipulations?"
"Take it or leave it." He groans, walking away.
"This is your fault." Melissa quips, pointing to Olivia.
"Let's run the scene again." Olivia sighs, ignoring Melissa. "Action!"
Fitz repeats the same actions from before. A simple peck on the lips.
Olivia yells, "Cut! Let's take a break."
Fitz strolls to Olivia, gently massages her shoulders, kissing the sensitive spot on her neck. She looks up at him, "Fitz, this is going to backfire on you. Rhonda…"
He cuts her off, "I…don't…care!"
Melissa groans, watching their public display of affection. She pounds her feet heavily across the stage. Abby cuts off her movements and pushes her inside one of the empty offices.
"What the hell?" Melissa snarls, tripping inside the room.
"What's your end game blondie?" Abby demands.
Melissa laughs, "Damn, can Olivia fight her own battles?" She pushes her finger in front of Abby's face "My end game is Fitzgerald Grant in my bed."
Abby swats her finger out of her face, "here's the thing Melissa. You don't want to mess with Nathaniel's baby girl. He…will…destroy…you."
"Is that a threat, Red?" Melissa asks.
Abby laughs, "Olivia let you off easy the first time. Take heed to what I'm saying, leave Olivia and Fitz alone."
"I'm not scared of Nathaniel or Olivia. I'm not budging on Fitz. I've wanted him for a long time and I almost had him exactly where I wanted him. But Olivia showed up with her magical powers between her legs and poof he was like putty in her hands. I'm going to get a taste of Fitzgerald Grant, Abby, mark my words." She snickers.
"Wow! You're a real bitch, Melissa." Abby states.
"I've been called worse. Don't get caught in the crossfire." Melissa states, placing her hand on the door knob.
"Oh, I won't." Abby sneers as Melissa walks out of the room. "You're one crazy bitch Melissa, but I'm even crazier." Abby states pulling her phone from her purse, stopping the recording on the phone.
X
Nathaniel ruffles through several papers on his desk, sipping his morning coffee. A hard knock comes on the door. "Come in." He states, placing his mug on the desk.
"Sir, this just came for you." Huck states, holding up a brown envelope.
"What is it?" Nathaniel inquires.
"It's a recording from Abby." Huck answers.
"I knew she would come in handy. Did you listen to it?" Nathaniel asks.
"I did and you need to hear it." Huck responds.
Nathaniel places the USB inside his computer and presses play. He sighs, slamming down his laptop screen, "Get me everything you can find on this Melissa chick."
"I'm one step ahead of you, boss." Huck states, tossing a black folder on his desk. "She was in the play with Fitzgerald. Read the last line."
Nathaniel arches his eyebrow. "Are you fucking serious, Huck? They're sisters?"
"The apple doesn't fall far from the tree." Huck answers. "I can make her disappear, boss."
"Who's producing the show she's on?" Nathaniel asks.
"Rhonda, sir." Huck responds.
The eerie sound of bones cracking, echo throughout the office as Nathaniel stretches his neck and fingers. "Bring the car around. I need to deal with Rhonda first."
Nathaniel exits the vehicle after arriving at Sunset Tower Studio. He stands at the back of the sound stage with one leg propped up on the wall, watching Olivia direct a scene. She's a natural and he smiles at her confidence. It reminds him a lot of himself when he first started out as a director. He pushes off the wall when she yells 'cut'.
"Hello sweetheart." He states, walking toward her.
Olivia snaps her neck around and smiles, "Dad." She opens her arms for a hug. "What are you doing here?"
"I was in the neighborhood." Nathaniel answers.
She chuckles, "Your office is across town."
"I came to see an old friend," he answers.
"Who? Rhonda?" Olivia questions.
"Yes. Do you know where I can find her?"
"In the conference room." Olivia answers.
"How are things with you and Fitzgerald?"
"They're good. I'm not sure if working together was the best idea, but other than that things are fine."
"Is there tension because of the show?" Nathaniel asks.
"Rhonda changed the narrative of the story and Fitz isn't handling it well." Olivia answers.
Nathaniel nods, "I'll fix it."
"Dad, it's not a big deal." Olivia responds.
"It's a big deal to me." He states with a slight pat to her back.
Olivia quickly changes the subject, knowing her father will spring into action shut the entire production down. "Where's mom?"
"Having a spa day with friends." He answers.
"Must be nice." Olivia chuckles with a small smile.
Nathaniel leans down and kisses Olivia on the cheek. "Dinner tonight. The four of us."
"I would like that." Olivia answers.
"Ok. See you around, kiddo." Nathaniel states, walking off the stage.
He finds Rhonda standing in front of a white board, briskly writing on it with different colored markers. She doesn't notice him until he clears his throat. She rolls her eyes, capping the blue marker in her hand. "Nathaniel."
"Rhonda." He states with a soft tone.
She leans her palm on the oak table, steadying herself, "What do I owe this visit, Nathaniel?"
"In the neighborhood. I wanted to visit an old friend." Nathanial answers.
"Bullshit. What do you want?" Rhonda quips.
He moves closer to her, leaving a small space between them, "I see you're up to your old tricks."
"What are you talking about?" She asks, taking two steps back, needing space. She loses all of her defenses when she is close to him.
He leans against the table, and crosses his arms over his chest, "Melissa."
"You're here to discuss Melissa? She's a damn good actress." Rhonda responds.
He chuckles, "She's mediocre at best and you know it. She's here for a reason."
Rhonda ignores him, uncaps the marker and walks back to the whiteboard with her back to him. "Don't tell me how to run my show."
He steps in front of the board, blocking her from writing, "She's here to build a wedge between Olivia and Fitz. You're not slick Ronnie."
Rhonda caps the marker again and nudges it in his chest, "You don't get to call me that…not anymore."
He shrugs, shifting away from her.
She lowers her eyes to the floor, "You left me for her, Nate."
"Rhonda that was a long time ago. Is this payback? Are you intentionally trying to hurt Olivia?" Nathaniel responds.
Rhonda lifts her head, eyes piercing through him, "I got your attention."
Nathaniel chuckles, "I will burn this so-called empire of yours down. Don't fuck with me."
"How is she? Your wife? Is she everything you ever wanted?" Rhonda asks through gritted teeth.
Nathaniel inches closer to her, anger suffusing his face, "Don't ask about Vivian. Keep her name out of your mouth. I want Melissa gone."
"No…can…do…Nate. I have an entire storyline written about her character. You don't get to come in here and call the shots. My name is on the door."
"My money started this company or did you forget." Nathaniel groans.
"Fuck off." Rhonda states, tossing the marker across the room.
"Get rid of her, Rhonda. Three episodes and I want her gone." Nathaniel demands.
She plays with the hem on the bottom of her shirt, "It still hurts you know…the way you left me."
"She was pregnant. What did you want me to do?" He answers.
"I wanted you to stop fucking her and be true to me." Rhonda yells.
Nathaniel sighs, "Ronnie we've been over. I've apologized more than once. You have to move on. Look, I want Melissa gone. If I see her on my screen more than the three times I suggested, I will send Huck your way."
Rhonda takes a deep breath, "Don't send Huck. I'll fix it."
"You're on your way to greatness Rhonda. Don't fuck it up." Nate states, wrapping his fingers around the door handle, staring at Rhonda.
Rhonda glances at him, her heart skips a beat, "We were so good together, Nate."
"Get a dog Ronnie. Your loneliness is showing." Nate states, opening the door.
Rhonda screams as she pushes the black leather rolling chair across the room.
"Nathaniel Pope. It's a pleasure." Melissa states, extending her hand as he walks out the conference room.
"Melissa, right?" Nathaniel questions.
Melissa blushes with a grin, "Oh…wow…yes. I must be doing something right if one of the biggest producers recognizes me."
Nathaniel taps Melissa on the shoulder, "It would be wise for you to stay away from my daughter and Fitzgerald."
Melissa places her hand over her mouth, "Oh Mr. Pope, I have no idea what you're talking about. It was nice meeting you, though." She swings the conference room door open, huffing. "What is he doing here?"
"Melissa." Rhonda states, wiping her eyes.
"He got to you." Melissa shakes her head in frustration.
"We have history, Melissa. Our original plan isn't going to work. I can have you on the show for three episodes…that's it." Rhonda states, gathering up her things. "I'll put you on one of my other shows."
Melissa stands in front of her, blocking her from leaving, "I don't want to be on another show, Rhonda. You need to stick to the deal. I'm here to get Fitzgerald back and I can't do it in three episodes."
"Figure it out, Melissa. I'm done being part of your game. I only agreed to help you so I could get some attention from Nate. I realize now, it's not worth it. He has a guy, Melissa. You can't play with Huck." She says, pulling the binder close to her chest.
"Fuck Huck and you. I'll do your measly 3 episodes and then I'll figure out my own plan. Fucking loser." Melissa states, storming out of the conference room.
X
Melissa arrives at her apartment after 16 hours of working on the episode. Exhausted from the day, she shuffles over to the freezer, opening it with a sigh. She picks out a frozen meal and throws it in the microwave, slamming the door shut. She is still reeling from the events earlier in the day. She opens the refrigerator and grabs a beer, rustling in the drawer for the bottle opener. She flips the top off the bottle and guzzles some of the liquid down. She pulls out her phone and sees she has several missed calls from her sister. She doesn't feel like listening to one of her lectures, but she knows if she doesn't call her back, she will keep calling her. She huffs, pressing on her name, listening as the phone rings in her ear.
"I've been calling you all day Melissa. Where were you?" Her sister asks.
"At work." Melissa answers, abruptly.
"How was work?" Her sister asks.
"What do you want Yvette? I have shit to do." Melissa answers, sipping more of her beer.
"I was just checking on you." Yvette states.
"No, you weren't. You wanted to make sure I wasn't plotting anything against Olivia and Fitz. Melissa responds.
"Melissa, you promised you would stop. You know what happened to Michael. Nathaniel will kill you." Yvette grits through her teeth.
"I'm not scared of Nathaniel. You got what you wanted Yvette. Now let me get mine." Melissa states.
"I've told you countless times, Michael was a mistake. He ruined my life." Yvette yells through the phone.
"Shut up. No one is going to stop me. I have to go." Melissa states, hanging up the phone.
The microwave beeps reminding her the food is ready. She sucks her teeth and walks inside the bathroom. She opens the medicine cabinet and fumbles with several pill bottles before picking up one bottle, returning back to the kitchen. She tosses the pills on the counter, banging them with the beer bottle until they are crushed into small pieces. She places the white powder inside a Ziploc bag and drops it in her purse. "I have to do shit myself. Here's to us, Fitzgerald Grant." She chuckles, lifting the beer in the air.