บท 16: Replaced

On the other hand, Esmeralda had a hard day. One of the shows she acted in premiered tonight and she had to attend the after-party. Her contract with her company had to end in a few months but the company was suddenly making too many problems for her.

The company replaced her with a newbie in two movies that she was supposed to star in. She fought with the artist manager for her resources given to other artists but to no avail.

She was thinking of getting a vacation for sure but it didn't mean that she would like to be replaced by no one.

The company was forcing her into a corner. As one of the top artists in the company, she brought a lot of money to her company. It was not a secret that she had been thinking of not extending her contract with the company and this was the reason why her company was forcing her. Either she signed the contract or her resources would be given to other artists.

It wasn't the movies that she was replaced in, but advertisements and as brand ambassadors too.

"Don't do anything stupid, "Amber said in her ear as she walked beside Esmeralda.

Esmeralda was dazzling in a short off-shoulder flowy black dress that she had matched with her black heels. As she entered the resort, she waved at the media with a smile on her face, not letting them know about the rage in her heart.

She tried to grab the champagne from the waiter as soon as she entered the party scene but Amber took the drink from her heart and handed her the sparkling grape juice.

"Don't think I forgot the stunt you pulled a month ago, "Amber gave her a stern look.

"It was Kierra's fault, "Esmeralda said in a small voice.

"Kierra didn't force you to sleep with a guy, "Amber scolded her. "I have been trying to remove all the evidence of your one-night stand that put you in this situation. Paparazzi snapped a picture of you with that guy lip locked in a bar."

"I was in a disguise. No one recognized me, "Esmeralda said while pulling her eyes.

"You were not wearing a wig and there are only some people who know you have natural red hair, "Amber said in a stern voice. "The pictures reached management and ever since that day, you have been facing many problems."

Esmeralda had no idea what trouble she had caused for herself. One of the reasons why her resources were snatched was the pictures that reached management where she was seen lip locked with a man. Oliver was a mean son of bitch.

"That motherf*cker!" Esmeralda cursed her ex under her breath. If she could, she would beat this man to death!

"That's Mr Ezra, he is looking for an actress for his new OTT programme, "Amber said as she subtly pointed in one direction. "I have been in conversation with him and his team. Although they didn't make it clear if they want you, they haven't said no either."

"Amber, can you not take any project until the contract with Oliver's company ends?" Esmeralda said. "Let me lay low for a while."

"If that's what you want, "Amber said with a smile.

"Miss Fox?"

Someone called Esmeralda and she began getting busy with the crowd of people talking to her. She wasn't called the life of the party for no reason.

Although she was known for negative roles in the film industry, her popularity was way higher than any actress that only played the role of the first female lead.

"Miss Fox, how are you doing?" The producer of the movie she was replaced in asked with a smile.

"I'm doing good, " Esmeralda smiled. "I wonder how Mr Smith is doing?"

Her eyes fell on the girl half his age that was hanging on his arm like arm candy and she ignored her.

"Miss Fox, did you recognise me?" The Rookie smiled provokingly. To be one to replace Esmeralda Fox…it was a big deal. She was too proud of herself.

"Oh, we have met before?" Esmeralda blinked her eyes innocently.

"Aren't you in the same management?" Mr Smith asked. "Last I heard Ava Mayer and Esmeralda Fox are signed by the same management company."

Esmeralda let out a laugh. "Oh, is it Junior Ava? I didn't recognise you. You look completely different from last night. Your lips look beautiful in the wine shade. This is certainly your colour as it makes your lips plumper."

A dark look cast on Ava's face but didn't say anything. She knew that Esmeralda innocently pointed at the lip fillers that she had been getting.

"Ah, someone is calling me, " Esmeralda said, waving at them. "Have a great nice Mr Smith and Miss Mayer. I wish you all the best for your new movie. May you break box-office records."

Mr Smith didn't know if the woman cursed her movie or gave her support.

_____

A/N: Since I gave Mr Steel blue eyes blue eyes, I gave her green eyes and red hair. I don't even know why!