Scandal

Written for https://reinventionsreena.wordpress.com/2024/07/25/reenas-xploration-challenge-340/

A gilded cage, studded with diamonds, and the bars made of gold, and she remained a prisoner of her own success. She put an end to reading the tabloids because they searched for the latest scandal.

Sarah’s relationship stayed happy until the headline suggesting an affair with a co-star. Now suspicion sulked in the shadows. If she happened to be shooting, he refused to believe delays caused their problems.

‘It is here, in black and white, those weekends you told me of your rehearsals, and you were with him. Weren’t you?’

She cupped his face and stared into his blue eyes. ‘He’s a jerk, and I wouldn’t go near him with a ten food pole. I love you, but if you cannot trust me … All I know is, we cannot live like this.’

‘Quit being an actress, all those headlines. You must be tired of them too?’

‘Yes, and no. It is not the job I hate. As a kid, being in films, something I always wanted. Not just in front of the camera, but as a director.’

With a slam of the door, he rushed out of the room.

She looked at the printed word, its creative lying, screaming out a warning.

What was happening? She rifled through the top drawer, trying to find her mobile to call him. Perhaps they should stay at their holiday cottage. The cameras ceased rolling in a few days. Slipping into obscurity, away from the glare of the spotlight, a welcome change from arguing.

A receipt, stuffed at the rear, caught her attention.

The Hilton, with a hefty price tag, and shared champagne, and meals out for two.

Her stomach turned into lead, and she fell on the chair. He expected her to relinquish her ambition so his spread. They both deserved to suffer through it side by side.

Did she wish to confront him?

No …’

She retrieved her phone, thinking of her next move.

The newspaper would print her suspicions, but she didn’t want them involved. When he deemed to return, they would sit down and talk.

The one thing she understood for sure; he should not have the right to enforce to stop her dream before it began. Underneath, another sheet, with an unknown caller.

‘The Mail, Richard Wilson speaking. Hello? Is anyone there?’

Should she ruin his career? Whatever happened, their marriage was their business. ‘Sorry, wrong number,’ she said.

Anger solved nothing, and today, she would leave him.

They couldn’t get past the shadow of him seeing her, but at least she could keep it secret.