Selene~
My shift ended without any other complications. Chad and I kept things professional, well as professional as it could get after what had happened last time. He was staying for the late night shift till nine and then he would come over to my place later and do… stuffs.
I didn't wait around, the moment the door shut behind me and I stepped out of that coffee shop, I felt lighter. Sure, I was tired and vaguely annoyed at everything but I still felt lighter. I should've gone straight home but the thought of sitting in that sad room, scrolling through my phone to see if everyone had actually forgotten about me felt like a punishment. So I went to a bar instead.
I never actually liked drinking or eating out, it increased the risk of getting recognized and I didn't want that.
I never went anywhere without my face mask, it was my identity now because I knew without it, I was vulnerable, exposed, easily recognizable.
A scandal. Two were involved, one came out unscathed, and the other… ruined.
As I stared at his face on a billboard, promoting, yet another movie, my stomach churned and I felt sick. Not like I could avoid his face, it was everywhere. Popular actor, dreamy eyes and a perfect personality. I used to believe those eyes.
Maybe I should just go home.
The bar was dim, it was located in the corner of the city, exactly like I preferred. Low lights, quiet music, little to no screens. It was perfect, I had been frequenting here for a long while now. The bartender knew not to ask questions, the regulars minded their business and no one really cared who you were.
That was the best part.
I picked the booth at the far end, it was safe, and familiar. I ordered a drink I knew I wouldn't even finish and brought out my phone because I wanted to do something with my hands. I glanced around and like before, everyone was just doing their own thing.
My drink was brought and without thinking, I took off my face mask to take a sip.
"Holy shit," a voice said loudly and I froze.
I didn't look in his direction, I didn't have to. Three years, I had been frequenting this bar and in those three years, I had peace for about two years, at some point, people didn't really seem to care that I frequented this place.
"Guys," the man continued, he was obviously drunk. "Tell me I'm not crazy. That's Selene Grey."
His friends who had been trying to calm him after his first word, looked in my direction.
"Dude, no way…"
"That's her. I swear. That's her." The man said.
I pulled my mask back up and got out of my chair to exit the bar but it was too late.
A crowd approached, blocking me, while flashing their phone cameras in my face.
"Say something." One of them said as he lifted his phone to my face.
"Leave me alone." I tried to push through the crowd but someone grabbed my arm and sat me down on a chair.
"Come on, don't be like that." Another said.
"Yeah, you used to love the camera, didn't you? Always moaning for it."
They all erupted into laughter. Not all of them were harassing me, a few of them were just minding their business, sipping their drinks, but they did not feel obligated to help me either.
One of them took off my mask. "What's the point of hiding now?"
"Let me go!" I snapped as I tried to yank my arm free but the person who was holding me back did not budge.
One of them turned the camera to his face. "How about it, babe? I'm quite good looking. Wanna give me a chance?"
"Do me when you're done with him." Another added.
"Then me." And another.
And another.
"Cut it out."
The voice wasn't loud but it managed to shut everyone up. They all froze and the guy who was holding me loosened his grip on me. I took that as an opportunity and set myself free, running in the direction of the exit without once looking back.
I didn't see who had spoken but I was glad for him. No one tried to stop me as I bolted past them and I didn't stop. I ran through the streets and didn't stop until I got to a secluded alley.
My back hit the cold wall and I let myself slide down. My mask was gone, my fingers were trembling as I pressed it against my face.
Always moaning for it.
I squeezed my eyes shut.
There was a time I used to be envied, loved, adored. Now, I was looked down upon by anyone that recognized me, like I was dirt. It was a scandal that never quite died. It did not create the same buzz as it used to but every now and then, my name was brought up on social media and people would drag me.
It had been three years, I was over it by now. I was…
The world stopped being kind to me the day that tape leaked. And no matter how much time passed, I was still her. There had been moments over the years when I thought that maybe I could claw my way back into something normal, when I convinced myself that time would heal, that people would forget, that I was more than what they saw in that fifteen minutes of grainy footage.
But they never let me forget.
Even now, all it took was a small slip up for them to tear into me, harassing me like it would make them feel better about their own lives when all I was doing was trying to live, trying to survive.
I wiped the back of my hand across my face. I had promised myself long ago that I wouldn't cry because of this. I was stronger than that.
My phone buzzed quietly in my pockets, I didn't check it.
Someone had probably posted a video already. My name would be trending again.
I made my way home, avoiding all public spaces the best way that I could. Lucky for me, no one else paid me any attention and I managed to get to my house without any more drama.
"Where were you?" A voice said the moment I closed the door behind me. It was Chad.
"You're breaking and entering now?" I asked as I kicked off my shoes and leaned against the door. "I gave you that key for emergencies and emergencies only."
He frowned.
"You didn't answer your phone."
That was what that buzzing sound was.
"You look like hell," he added and moved towards me. "What happened?"
"Chad, leave." I said as I moved past him onto my bed.
He followed me to the edge of my tiny bed. Of course he did.
"I don't need a babysitter," I mumbled into the pillow.
"I know. You still down for tonight?" He asked as he caressed my back.
He's touching me, I'm being disgusting once again. Cameras, where are the cameras?
I turned my head, just enough to see him.
"Come on, we had plans."
"Chad, get out."
He didn't move at first but then I heard him mumble some curse words before leaving. And just like that, I was alone again. Alone with my thoughts.
I slowly took out my phone to see what new names they had to call me on social media when I saw a message from an unknown number.
It wasn't a number I recognized, I considered ignoring it, it could've been one of those trolls who managed to get my number to harass me.
Against my better judgement, I opened the text.
There was no name or profile picture. Just a text that read:
"Hello, Selene Grey. I am Joe Morales from Lumina Productions. We're interested in discussing a potential role for you in our upcoming project, She who lives. Could you please let us know when you're available to talk? We'd love to share more details about the project and see if it aligns with your interests. Looking forward to hearing from you."
I stared at the message for a long time, my first instinct was to laugh.
Lumina productions? Me? Did they get the wrong person? But my name was right there.
I didn't believe it. I couldn't.
Why would they want to work with me? And on such a big project? I knew what happened to the woman who was supposed to act for that movie, it created such a buzz in the last week.
Her death was… sad.
Even though I didn't make it to her funeral. She used to be my friend, not anymore.
I sat up and read the text again, just to confirm that I was not seeing things. It was still there, and my name was still there.
"Joe Morales." I whispered the name, it didn't jog a memory. I dropped my phone beside me and collapsed into the bed, staring at the peeling paint on the ceiling.
A role, in a production.
It was a second chance, one that I shouldn't let slip away.