Life was perfect for Renee.
She nailed another audition for a movie role and was going to start shooting soon. She was also in talks in hosting a lifestyle-type of program on one of the entertainment channels, interviewing celebrities about their favorite hangouts and relaxation spots.
Soon, the world was going to know her name and have it permanently memorized.
More red carpets. More designer gowns. She would no longer be infamous but famous. Her celebrity best friends would be the likes of Gwyneth Paltrow, Beyonce, and even Taylor Swift. She was going to the woman everyone would emulate.
She only had Dean and Bonita Applebum to thank.
She sat down at the Animal restaurant and tried to swallow the rising bile in her throat. The restaurant was known for its eclectic menu of various animal parts and Renee struggled in vain to find a vegetarian option. She wondered what type of person Bonita was to specifically request that restaurant.
It didn't matter. Bonita was going to sign over everything to Renee and she would be a very distant memory and tightly-kept secret. With the dollar amount Bonita was going to receive, Renee would just simply write-off the restaurant extravaganza as a business expense.
Oh my God…she does not need any more food. Renee's eyes narrowed to the portly woman at the front door. Renee was a fitness junkie who never skipped a workout and couldn't imagine being that heavy-set. Despite the woman's appearance, she wore heels and carried a brightly colored handbag that complemented her simple attire of jeans and a flowy dress shirt.
The woman waltzed straight to Renee and brightly smiled. "Renee? Hi!" She held out her hand. "I'm Bonita Applebum."
Renee quickly swallowed her true thoughts. The frumpy woman was going to be her saving grace. "Hello!"
Sarah sat down across from Renee and motioned to the waiter for water. "How are you doing?"
Renee eyeballed Bonita's face. It was professionally done with rich makeup covering her eyelids, cheeks, and lips. Her teeth were perfect. Her brown eyes sparkled. She smelled like jasmine, vanilla, and peonies. Her brown hair shined and flowed against her shoulders. She wore brilliant frames. Despite how frumpy she looked, she was a beautiful woman. "I'm doing well. How are you?"
"I'm doing great," Sarah glanced over the menu. The restaurant offered such delicacies like foie gras, fried rabbit legs, and pig ear. She decided to go for the poutine with the oxtail gravy. "I hope you weren't waiting for very long. Parking was a bit of an insanity."
Renee had been waiting for 20 minutes but it no longer mattered. "No, not at all."
"Good," Sarah ordered when the waiter stopped by. She dug into her purse, pulled out several drawings, and slid them over to Renee. "For you to look over."
Renee greedily picked up the drawings and studied them. In rich colors like gold, deep brown, bright green, and pink, Bonita drew a variety of women in different poses. While Renee appreciated the drawings, she was specifically looking for a particular set. "Any more drawings of Dean?"
"Sorry," Sarah shrugged, "that was a one-time thing."
"Oh?" Renee asked. "I thought you two were a couple?"
"Dean? Please! He couldn't hang with me," Sarah shook her head as she continued with the lie, "he wanted a relationship and shit and I just don't do relationships."
Renee choked on her wine. Dean? In a relationship with…with…her? Surely, the woman was jesting. She knew Dean fucked anything that was breathing and had two legs but he probably had some better taste in Ms. Rotund sitting across from her. "Excuse me. I think it went down the wrong pipe."
"You know that's what I said when I swallowed," Sarah smiled.
Renee had to check herself to stop from visibly shuddering in front of Bonita. She could not believe for a second that her…that woman…and Dean… "Let's talk business," she quickly changed the subject. "As you know I want to take credit for these drawings but I still want you to draw them. I'm giving you free publicity as I do so."
"So what's in it for me?"
"Up front," Renee pulled out her wallet, "five hundred dollars cash."
"No," Sarah bargained, "five hundred dollars barely covers supplies and we're not even mentioning time here."
"Okay," Renee agreed, "how about one thousand?"
"How about five?" Sarah argued. "Five thousand up front and you'll get the drawings, the social media accounts, and plus a few more. In exchange, I drink a big glass of STFU and disappear into oblivion."
It was a steep price and while Renee wasn't starving, she certainly felt the pressure. "And this will guarantee your silence? I don't need you coming out and selling your story. It'll be a breach of contract."
"You have my word, Blondie." Sarah agreed. "What do you say?"
"Give me a couple of days and you'll have your money. I need my attorney to draw up a contract and you to look over." Renee stood up and grabbed the drawings. "Thank you for these."
Sarah didn't give the drawings to Renee but it didn't matter. They weren't Sydney's. She went online and picked out some random ones, making sure the artist names were pretty visible. She knew Renee wouldn't care or notice. "No problem. Talk to you in a couple of days."
"Bye, Bonita!" Renee waved and left the restaurant.
"What a silly little woman," Sarah chuckled. She took off the frames and smiled at them. They were a pretty penny and Sarah knew she was going have to eat Cup O' Noodles for a while to recoup but it was worth it. She would've done anything for her best friend.
Besides, how many other women did she know own a pair of spy eyeglasses?