Phina’s tears rolled down her cheeks as she stood in the kitchen, staring at her phone after she had listened to the audio, which just stopped playing.
"Baby,” her boyfriend, Max, who was also the founder of the industry she was signed into, called as he approached the stove and found their dinner was burned.
“Hey, what are you thinking about?” He scolded, and she glared at him. This was the man she had come to America for. She decided to sign under his industry because she wanted to be close to him and also believed in him, but after the audio she just listened to, she began to wonder if he really loved her.
“Are you having an affair with my best friend?" Phina questioned, and his eyes widened in shock. “What are you asking me, baby? I will never.”
“I used to think that too,” countless tears kept rolling down her cheeks. She replayed the audio that was sent to her by an unknown contact.
The audio started with Max’s voice.
“She really deserves it,” her manager, Mr. White, said.
“Why aren't you trying to understand me? They plan to award Phina the best supporting character because of the role she played in the movie King of flames right?” Max asked, and Mr. White agreed.
“Phina is part of my industry, so giving her award to Jose won’t cause any problems; Jose is still from the industry,” he explained.
“Are you doing this because she refused to act in a movie naked?” Mr. White asked in a sad tone.
“Phina is too proud, and besides, Jose deserves that award. She was a supporting character in that movie as well; now get out,” Max scolded, and tears rolled down Phina’s cheeks as the audio ended.
This wasn't the first time her award was being pushed to someone else in the industry because Max said so.
Tomorrow they will be announcing the awards for the best actors in America, and she really had high hopes because of the positive reviews she got for her character, so how could her boyfriend ask that they give the award to her best friend instead?
“Phina, this isn't what you think,” Max stuttered as he tried to explain. He couldn't deny that was his voice because that would be a stupid lie.
“I am doing this for you; if you keep receiving awards as the supporting character, then producers will never want to choose you as the lead character,” he explained, and she snorted.
“I am not that stupid, Max. When I came to America, there were a lot of industries willing to hire me, but I chosed to work under you, and all you did was suppress my success. I am done,” she hurried to the sitting room as he followed her.
“Hey, be calm… you are going to rest and tomorrow attend the event and receive praises from everyone. And we will talk later,” Max said.
Phina shook her head in denial. “If you really do love me, then let me get what I deserve tomorrow, or else we are really done” then she picked her jacket and car keys and hurried out of his apartment.
All through the ride, she kept wondering why he wanted the award to be given to Jose instead of her. Was it because Jose joined the industry first?
Because it didn't make sense, they can't possibly be having an affair right? She shook the thought away. That always just happened in movies written by mean writers because her best friend will never have an affair with her boyfriend.
Phina walked into her apartment and scrolled online. The hot topic was about the event of tomorrow. People online kept saying she was going to win the award for best supporting character.
Not to brag, but her character was well portrayed, so how could Jose, the jealous friend at the beginning of the movie, win the supporting character?
*
The next day, Phina’s stylist and manager arrived. The event was this morning, and they had to arrive early.
“Mr. White, do you think I deserve the award for the best supporting character?” She asked her manager, who had a nervous look.
“Well, that’s for the judges to decide,” he replied, and he left quickly because he didn't want to blurt out more than he should have .
Phina stared at her reflection in the mirror; her blonde hair was curled as strands fell on her face, and then light makeup was applied to her already beautiful face. She had this soft, captivating beauty that caused heads to turn.
Any man who sees her has this urge to protect her like she was an egg.
“You look stunning,” her stylist complimented, and she smiled and placed her hands by the side.
“I am okay, we can leave then,” she said, anxious and at the same time nervous about the event. Every time her gaze moves to the photos of her and Max on the wall, she suddenly feels relieved because it reminds her of how much he loves her.
They walked to the car outside, which drove out of her apartment, and she received a call from her mom.
“Yes, mother?”
“We are already glued to the TV; today is your day. All my friends said you will definitely get an award tonight,” her mom said excitedly. She had boasted at the club with her friends that her daughter was going to be an award-winning actress tonight.
“Mother, you should wish me luck then.”
After they talked for a while, she hung up and rubbed her palms nervously.
“We are here." Mr. White pulled the door open as Phina stepped down the car; the focus wasn't much on her as the famous actress Jasmine had just arrived.
As usual, she didn't walk on the red carpet and passed through the door meant for workers, which led her to the hall, which was beautifully decorated with assigned seats.
No one really paid attention to her; after all, she was one of the least famous people present at this event, so her manager helped find her assigned seat, which was far at the back.
“Miss, this way,” they both said, walking to her seat, and she sat there quietly while the others interacted with each other.
Her friend, Jose, walked past her with her team as they went to the second row. “Why is she in front and I am behind?” she thought, but it wasn't a big deal; maybe they followed some certain protocol.
The event didn't have many activities as they went directly to announcing the awards, and as always, Jasmine won the best female lead; she was such an inspiration for the others.
“The award for best supporting character actress in America is in the movie King of Flames,” the host said, causing more tension. Phina closed her eyes tightly. Today was the night she gained her recognition, the day everyone would start taking her career seriously.
“Jose Will,” the host added, and Phina’s eyes widened in shock. She stood up and gathered others’s attention. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she watched Jose walk to the stage happily.
