NOVEL NEXT Chapter 419: Am I Hallucinating
Seated beneath the grand gazebo in the middle of the sprawling Anderson garden and enjoying a cup of refreshing herbal tea, Amelia listened to her cousin's beautiful tale with jaw-dropping expression.
"Who else in the family is aware of this?" Amelia inquired, eyes brimming with euphoria.
"No one except for you. I wanted it to be a surprise to everyone after I've gotten the female lead role." Sarah sipped slowly from her mug, smiling at her cousin's animated expression. "I wouldn't want to raise their hopes high and have it crushed in case the lead role is given to Deborah"
"You are so getting that lead role, sweetie. That scheming clown is no match for you. From all you've just told me, it's obvious that she is threatened by you. And people like her, who try to sabotage others' efforts, don't go far in life. So, believe in yourself and aim for only the top."
"Thank you, cousin."
"I can't wait to see you and Henry starring together in movies. Imagine the big billboard picture featuring the Salvine's most favourite couple, Henry Gordon and Sarah Hunt Gordon." Amelia dramatized animatedly and Sarah burst into laughter.
"That will be a dream come true!" Sarah whispered.
"Right...but..." Amelia's expression turned all serious. "...I'm a bit worried about this Deborah lady. I have a strong feeling that she's the one behind the changing room incident, based on everything you said about her."
"Exactly my thought. Even Annabelle feels the same way." Sarah let out a sigh. "It's shocking to think that anyone would stoop so low just for a movie role."
"You'll be amazed at what people would do just to bring you down." Amelia scoffed. "Nevertheless we can't take this lightly. If she could plan such a malicious trick on you but failed, God knows what else she's scheming against you tomorrow. Experience has taught me to always be prepared for the unknown."
Sarah felt her chest tighten at her cousin's words.
"Henry is already investigating the whole incident. But I've pleaded with him that no matter what the result turns out to be. I want both of us to fight on that stage for the role. I don't want her to be disqualified and the role given to me on a free platter of gold. I want to earn it without any interference."
"I understand your position, my love. But one thing I would not condone is someone bullying my baby." Amelia's tone was sharp and fierce. "That desperado has just made the biggest mistake of her life by playing dirty. She will have to answer to me. Wait until I inform Blaze of what you just told me."
Sarah almost choked on her tea at Amelia's words."Please don't do that, cousin."
"Why? Don't you want justice?"
"I do.... But not with your husband involved."
Sarah dropped her mug on the table, before taking Amelia's warm hands into hers.
"I don't mean to be so blunt but you know how extreme Blaze is. He doesn't forgive. And I am afraid that if any member of my family interferes before the final presentation, then people will think I didn't merit that role. They will think I got it out of favour."
"Fine... Then I'll have to wait till after your final presentation and selection before I teach that little brat a lesson that she would never forget, and..." Amelia cut Sarah off before she could start pleading. "...this is not debatable."
Sarah let out a suppressed sigh. "Okay."
"So am I invited to watch your performance tomorrow?"
"You'll come around?" Sarah chimed excitedly like a bell.
"I wouldn't want to miss it for the world." Amelia's eye sparkled.
"What about baby Noel? Who's going to take care of him in your absence?"
"His grandma of course. Moreover, I won't be spending the entire day at the studio. I just want to be there when they crown you with the female lead role for the movie."
"Aww! Thank you." Sarah leaned closer and embraced Amelia.
"Am I also invited to watch you rehearse this night?" Amelia whispered teasingly and Sarah almost passed out from embarrassment.
Just then, Annabelle joined them in the garden, carrying baby Noel in her arms while Maria followed closely behind with a maid carrying a tray of delicious homemade treats.
"Are you aware that your husband has been trying to get in touch with you for the past hour?" Maria approached her daughter-in-law, extending her mobile phone towards her.
"Oops! I must have forgotten the phone inside the baby nursery." Amelia collected the phone with thanks.
"Sure... You see your cousin and then forget about everyone including the little general." Maria rolled her eyes at Sarah, who was already beside Annabelle, playing with Noel.
"You can't blame me, Mom. I've missed her." Amelia stepped away from them to call her husband on the phone.
The call connected on the first ring and and Blaze's deep and refreshingly sexy voice rapped in her ears.
"I've been trying to reach you, baby."
"Mom told me. I'm sorry. I was with Sarah in the garden."
"Oh...nice. I can't talk for long right now, but I need you to keep Sarah within the mansion until Henry comes to pick her up."
Amelia frowned, already suspecting something from the tension in her husband's voice.
"Is something wrong?"
"I'll tell you everything when I get home. But just make sure she doesn't leave."
Amelia turned briefly to look are her cousin, a glint of worry flashing in her eyes.
"Okay."
"I'll see you soon. Love you."
"Love you too."
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As promised, Henry picked Sarah and Annabelle up later in the evening. He managed to keep the tension and anger from his voice as he acted like everything was fine until he dropped Annabelle off at her parents' house.
On their way to his penthouse suite, he informed Sarah of his findings concerning the changing room incident while leaving out the attempted kidnapping incident.
"I think Deborah has gone too far with this unprovoked malicious attack."
"You think." Henry's hand tightened on the steering wheel. "If it were up to me, she would be disqualified and seriously dealt with for messing with my woman."
"But you're not going to do anything until after tomorrow's final presentation and nomination, right?" Sarah stared at him pleadingly, stroking his clenched fist.
Henry exhaled, sparing her a subtle sideways glance. "Sure, baby. Anything that makes you happy." Then his face turned serious as he focused on the road once more. "But after tomorrow's presentation, I will make sure she regrets ever messing with you."
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Deborah spent the entire evening trying to contact Gary to find out what had become of Sarah. But for some weird reason, his number was no longer reachable.
Brushing aside her worries, she prepared for the next day's performance with a renewed purpose, while daydreaming of all the endless possibilities of becoming a highly recognised celebrity with the likes of legends like Henry Gordon.
The following day came quicker than anticipated leaving her panting for breath as she hastily prepared for the final audition.
It was already 7:30 AM. by the time she arrived at the Mega studio, clad in a killer slim-fitted, spicy and sexy white sheath dress.
As she strutted confidently towards the audition room, she caught a lot of heads turning and eyes ogling at her or so she thought.
The last person she was expecting to see was her supposedly silenced rival.
But there she was, looking so breathtaking and already seated like a goddess on her throne.
Deborah froze by the door, her eyes widening in horror.
"Am I hallucinating?"