Chapter 5

Marina's POV

How stupid am I?! How fucking stupid am I?! My contract specifically states that if I reveal the status of my relationship to anyone and that means anyone I could be eligible for invalidating the contract and getting kicked on to the street. Camille was already technically a breach, but that wasn't my fault, not entirely anyway.

But Kendall! How did I lose self-control that quickly? How did I fall so fast for someone I knew so little? Kendall was not meant to throw a wrench into all of the plans supporting my future. Not that he was the one to blame. It was my stupid, emotional descion making that led me to tell him the truth. I was the one leading him on. I was the one kissing him. None of this was Kendall's fault. All he truly wanted was for me to be safe… and maybe have a nice date with me. However, I, being the dumbest of the two, decide to rashly and abruptly throughout both possibilities after several fatal mistakes. If this contract comes crumbling it will be my fault.

Luckily, Kendall has kept his word about not telling anyone what happened between us, including the date and both instances in the supply closet, as well as the status of my relationship with Reynaldo. I don't even think he's told James, Carlos, or Logan yet, which, considering how inseparable I've observed them being lately, shows a lot of strength in Kendall.

I haven't met Kendall's sister or mother yet, but I don't think he would've told them anyway. I've never felt the need to involve my sister or mother in my personal love life. If anything, their involvement has been part of my motivation to sign that contract in the first place.

Kendall and I haven't talked since that incident in the supply closet two days ago. I think I'm getting better at controlling myself around him. Not to mention, I have to go on a red carpet with Reynaldo later this week and his publicist has been prepping me on all of the details. Responses to questions, what I'm going to wear, everything. I feel like a show dog.

I've been complaining to Camille about it a lot recently considering she's the only person I can really talk to. She puts up with it, but I know she would much rather watch reruns of Degrassi than hear about my work drama. Talking with Kendall felt easier almost. As much as I hate to think it, he was the only one I could talk to about Reynaldo and not feel guilty. He made it easy to not like Reynaldo. To not care about him. To not worry about how saying my thoughts and feelings on him would get me in trouble. It was comforting to think that I had that space, however temporarily. It made me miss Kendall more.

Luckily, my saudade would soon be quenched, unknown to me at the time.

A little girl, maybe 10 or 11, approached me one afternoon at the pool. She had straight brown hair that reached the middle of her chest. Her smile looked slightly familiar, but that was probably just from seeing her around the Palmwoods.

"Hey, you must be Marina Rivera," she greeted, reaching out a hand.

"Um… yes, I am. What can I do for you?" I wondered, skeptically, taking the hand.

"Well, I'm a big fan of Reynaldo Vega-"

"I'm gonna stop you right there and tell you that I can't give out any personal information or items. And if you're one of those crazy fangirls who plans to kill me and take my place, I do have my security team on speed dial if that scenario were to arise," I explained.

"No, no, it's not like that. I was just hoping that you could autograph this piece of paper for me. I'm trying to prove to the other members of the Reynaldo Vega fanclub I'm a part of that I actually live in the same building as you," the girl said.

"What do you do in entertainment?" I asked.

"Oh...um… I'm a dancer," the girl responded.

"That's so cool. Oh, and sorry, I forgot to ask your name," I remembered, reaching and signing the notebook that the girl had held in front of me. She had a firm grip on the top of it, holding the paper down.

"It's Katie," Katie revealed.

"Well, it's nice to meet you, Katie," I said, handing back the pen that Katie had given to me.

"You too, Marina," she returned. "Well, I'll see you around." Katie hastily exited after that.

It was certainly not the weirdest fan experience ever, but not the most normal either. I'll make sure to keep an eye out for her, just in case she is planning some big heist. Reynaldo's publicist has trained me to be vigilant of everything and Katie just seemed suspicious to me.

The rest of the afternoon and evening went by fine. I went over to Camille's apartment again for the third time in a row and had supper with her and her father. Even after getting used to living on my own for almost three months, I still crave human companionship during meals. Harry, Camille's father, is very kind to invite me in most nights if I arrive. He likes to see Camille and me getting along. Apparently she didn't have many friends back in Connecticut where she used to live. She wasn't very social. I didn't have many friends in Massachusetts either, but for the completely opposite reasons.

Camille and I then retired to her bedroom where we painted each other's nails and sang along to Britney Spears songs. I would have to remove the nail polish once I returned home. It was bright pink and clashed with my skin tone. Therefore, wasn't glamorous enough for my public image. It was fun just to try it for a night, though. It's nice to be able to be a seventeen year old girl with Camille again.

I've been so focused on keeping my secret that I haven't actually allowed myself time to just be me. Except for this evening with Camille and those few moments with Kendall, but at this point I've accepted there would be no more moments with Kendall. I've accepted that I would be with Reynaldo and Reynaldo alone for the rest of time. How dreadful that would be.

However, that thought was completely wiped from my mind the next evening, as the sun was setting, when a familiar hand pulled me into the supply closet once more.