Chapter 1 Fan Girl

Chapter 1

Lila POV

“Lila, smile at the camera.”

“Yes, you are so gorgeous.”

“We love you Lila!”

Chants from the crowd broadened my smile. It was the 21st film festival award and the cameras haven’t left my side since I stepped out of my limo with my best friend and also my manager, Rena.

“You are definitely the nation’s princess,” she whispered as we walked toward the event hall. Cameras clicked lights worth blinding flashed non-stop until we were out of sight.

“God, being famous is nerve-breaking. You are one big superstar, Lila,” Rena praised and I chuckled. Being in front of cameras was nothing to me, since I had started my acting career at the age of six. Everything had to be perfect, my smile, body, character and most importantly my face.

However, not everything was so perfect; I have a dark side no one knows about and hope to keep it hidden for the rest of my life. As we approached the main hall, fans screamed at the top of their lungs. I waved at them and made my way to the seat number on my invitation card.

Table 123

I glanced down at my card and looked at the area where a dark haired man with a charming sat.

No fu*cking way.

“That’s Adrian Cole!” Rena squealed my mind.

Adrian Cole, Hollywood’s biggest billionaire producer. Someone should pinch me right now. I think I am in a dream.

Rena and I made our way to the table where Adrian sat. He looked more handsome in person than in photos.

“Good day, sir,” I smiled, locking eyes with him. Something coursed through my body as his eyes roamed over my body.

“Hello, Lila,” he said my name and I gasped in surprise. He knew my name!

“I apologize for the startle. I tend to remember extraordinary actresses with good talents. You are popular, you know.” He chuckled calmly in a way that made belly flutter with butterflies.

“I feel honored to be recognized by you sir,” I responded, trying my best not to break out like Rena who was already swooning over him.

“Please have a seat.” He stood up and pulled out a chair for me.

Out of the many producers in the entertainment industry, Mr. Cole’s works are masterpieces I admire. I hope to work with him someday, but that’s a dream I have to work ten times hard for.

After what seemed like an eternity, the awards started. Different categories were called out and their respective winners. When it came to the category I was nominated for, my heart began to pound hard in my ears. I stared hard at the big screen, hands clasped as I muttered a little prayer.

“The award for best actress for this year goes to…” the long pause set me on edge. Nails tap anxiously against my thighs. For a second I felt my surroundings blur into darkness.

You will never make it.

Shiver runs down my spine as the words I hated the most echoed in my ears in a ghostly reminder.

My heart pounded against my chest so loud I could hear it in my ears. The moment the presenter opened the card, tears blurred my vision as my name formed in his mouth.

“Miss Lila Monroe, best actress of the year.”

I stumbled up to my feet, tears streaming down my eyes as I made my way to the stage with my dress in my head.

“Congratulations,” the presenter said, handing the golden globe to me.

“Thank you.” I stood before the mic, my hand on my chest as I faced the crowd.

“I am so speechless right now. I never expected this, this is a dream come through for me. I feel so honored for your support and the chance of holding this beautiful award. Thank you to my fans, manager Rena, Starlight and…” I stared directly at the camera. “I made it,” I declared to the one who said I wouldn’t make it.

The crowd goes wild with applause as I leave the stage. “Congratulations, cupcake.” Rena chimed as she held my hand and helped me down the stairs.

Together we strode to our table receiving hugs and congratulations from fellow actors and actresses. I looked forward to one person, but by the time we got to the table, Mr. Cole had left.

Secretly, I roamed my eyes through the hall hoping to catch a glimpse of him.

Ok, so what if I have a little crush on him? I admire his works and I have a thing for men with big veiny hands. I know you are probably wondering how I know, well I am a fangirl of his. Not like a stalker but a fangirl who regulates an Instagram fan group for him.

Yes, I am a certified fangirl and I hope to work with him in one of his movies.

And also a part we both agreed to keep hidden. Our own personal secret.

After receiving endless congratulations and offers from producers, directors etc., I finally got a chance to escape from the crowd of fake smiles and genuine compliments.

Fu*ck me if I say I like socializing with my fellow actors. They never have something nice to say about you except to pretend to be friends with successful talents. Once inside my limo, safe from the fans and paparazzi, I took out my phone and took a selfie of me and my award.

We made it. Congratulations to me, heart, heart, heart. I caption and post on my Instagram page.

Minutes later, Rena hopped into the limo, panting breathlessly like she had run a marathon.

“What’s up?” I asked as she shut the door and ordered our driver to start the car.

“Lila, I need you to be honest with me,” she said with a wary voice. I raised a brow at her, confused that she was requesting my honesty.

“Did you ever go out with Jayden Fletcher?”

“What? Ew, no.” I scowled in disgust. Jayden Fletcher is the last person I would want to associate with. A rapist and woman abuser, hell no, his name alone should send shivers down a person’s spine.

“Thank God, ugh, who the hell spreads such false rumors? I am going to fu*cking sue them all,” Rena growled as she typed fast on her phone.

I checked my phone and tons of comments had already filled my post, bad ones.

‘She is so shameless. I knew right from the start she wasn’t a good person.’

‘I hate her.’

‘Psycho bitch, she is such a whore.’

‘Someone should take that award from her, Tina Cruz deserves it.’

‘Tina should be the best actress of the year.’

‘I heard Lila is into drugs.’

The hate comments kept pouring in. My hands trembled as tears rimmed my eyes, air suddenly became hard for me to breathe. My lungs tightened, my heart pounding with insufferable pain.

“Lila, I need you to breathe.” It was only when Rena held my hand that I realized I was having a panic attack.

This isn’t about me breathing. I have faced a lot of criticisms but being associated and compared to my rival is the worst of them all.

I fu*cking worked my ass off shooting late night film scenes, traveled to different locations for a shoot, missed the important things in my life and when I finally get the award I worked for, a huge scandal like this breaks out.

“Drive to the hospital.” Rena’s voice fades as I draft into darkness.

The sound of a slowly beeping monitor, cool mentholated air and antiseptic hit my nose as I regained consciousness. I roamed my eyes around the room; no one was in the ward except me.

How long have I been out?

My phone buzzed on the table beside the bed, startling me with the process. I reached out and saw tons of messages and missed calls from my mom. My fingers tremble as I open her text and read it.

I hope you die one day. You will never be me.

I swallowed; pain strained my chest as I read more of her hateful text. Another message popped in and the sender was anonymous.

Clicking on it, an image loaded and my phone fell out of my hand, shock hitting me like a sledgehammer.

Please no, how? How did this person find out my secret?

With a shaky hand, I pick up my phone and the racy image of me in cuffs and leather strainers stare back at me.

Another text came

in, “Meet me at Yum Cafe or your secret will be out, 10pm tonight.”