‘You too,’ said Violetta to both of them.
‘Get out, I have work to do,’ laughed Grace.
And they all laughed as they went their separate ways.
Grace walked into her office and shut the door. Picking up her cell phone, she pressed redial.
‘Frank? I did it!’ she exclaimed.
*
Violetta went back to her office. It was hive of activity and the TV crew was waiting for her.
‘How did it go?’ asked Lesley with the cameras rolling.
‘Great.’ Violetta sat at her desk. ‘Everyone is very excited and we have a great new direction for Pajaro. Just stay tuned.’ She winked at the camera and turned her attention to her computer.
Lesley signalled to the camera to stop rolling. ‘Violetta, can I be honest with you?’
Violetta looked up. ‘Sure.’
‘This is boring TV. You going to work, you sitting at your computer.’
Violetta shrugged. ‘This is my life now. It is boring to some and stressful to me. I am trying to manage a new job, a mother in hospital and the fact that everywhere I turn you guys are there.’
Lesley smiled. ‘I get it, but I don’t think that Adam will.’
‘Too bad. Now, you can either film me answering emails or you can go and shoot someone else. I am sure Maisie or CeCe are having a wax right now and would be more than happy to accommodate you.’
Violetta saw the cameraman trying not to laugh and she turned back to the screen.
Lesley shook her head. ‘I don’t want to be the enemy here but you did sign up for this show,’ she said, frustrated.
‘I know I did, but then things changed and I can’t get out of it,’ Violetta said honestly. She liked Lesley, she was just doing her job. It was just her boss Adam who was the prick. ‘I am trying to save my family’s business, help my mother who is still in a coma, and try to get some form of a life that doesn’t require me to hold a champagne glass for the rest of my days. If that is boring to you then so be it,’ she added passionately.
Lesley was silent, thinking. ‘OK, then that’s what we shoot.’
‘What?’ asked Violetta.
‘Your life. Maisie and CeCe and Sabrina are living the life of the socialites that people expect but why can’t you show audiences another side?’ Lesley was thinking aloud. ‘I’m sure that people don’t expect you to be like you are and I think people should see the real Violetta. You are interesting and you are trying to change, I see that. Maybe show people that your life is just as tough as anyone else’s, just with more money.’
Violetta laughed. ‘Money just gives you more choices, it doesn’t wake up your mother from a deep coma or bring back your father who has fled the country, or find you real love.’
‘Then that’s what I want to show! Keep it real,’ Lesley said excitedly.
‘Well, you show what you want. I’m just going to keep it real, as you say, and if I get kicked off the show then good,’ she said, leaning back in her chair.
Lesley laughed. ‘OK, give me a few hours and I’ll be back. I want to work out exactly how I am going to do this.’
Violetta waved her away with her hand. She went online and logged into the dating site. Fourteen emails, it told her. As she scrolled down she saw nothing she recognised, and then her heart skipped a beat. An email from Jeff. She opened it and her mouth felt dry.
Dear Violet,
I feel like I am in a romantic comedy, or a drama. I’m not sure. I think of you all the time. You have undone me.
Jeff
Violetta felt a smile form as she typed.
