Chapter 2
“Damn it!” Nico snapped, slamming the lid of her company-issued laptop closed violently. Ten hours of in-depth web searches, three batches of vegan tacos and an endless amount of coffee later and she still had nothing. No tips on Karolina’s location or any leads on where she spent the last year. Nico needed a break, or she’d be job hunting in a few days.
Karolina Dean wasn’t like every other celebrity their age, she wasn’t out partying, getting drunk or doing all the drugs she could get her hands on. She stopped and smiled for photo’s with her fans, she helped out at charity events all over the country. She was different, the press used to adore her and vice versa. Until suddenly she vanished. Cut herself off from the world, took down her social media accounts, failed to turn up for previously scheduled recording sessions. Poof, gone. And nobody knew why, or where she went. That was the million dollar question on everyone’s mind, and Nico was determined to figure it out or die trying.
Throwing her reading glasses onto the table, Nico pushed herself out of the uncomfortable desk chair she had treated herself to when she landed her job at The Review. She needed to clear her head, to try and find another way into Karolina’s life. She thought about contacting her Agent, but from what little notes she received from Crystal, she knew that would be a waste of time. A mind that usually held millions of ideas and solutions was suddenly turning up empty.
“Looks who’s finally left her office.” Nico jumped slightly as the soft yet masculine voice reached her ears. She had no idea what time of day it was, and had hoped that she’d have the apartment to herself so she could think more clearly, but unfortunately, her on again off again boyfriend/roommate had other ideas. “Want me to make dinner? I’ve been dying to try out some of my Mom’s recipes for ya.” Alex smiled over eagerly. Nico used to find that charming, how much he’d bend over backward just to get her attention, but now it just seemed to get on her nerves.
“Pass.”
“Alright…so, I take it this one is a biggie?” He tried to make pleasant conversation as Nico swiftly made her way around the kitchen, grabbing the biggest wine glass they owned and a bottle of wine that Alex swiped from his parents.
“It could be.” Nico sighed as she poured every last drop from the overpriced bottle into her glass. “If I can find her that is.” She muttered into the clear-ish liquid, before taking a generous gulp.
“Missing person?”
“Something like that…David wants me to get a Dean exclusive.” The small woman snorted into her glass, enjoying the aromatic wine dancing through her senses. This was just what she needed after her failure of a day, and truthfully if Alex wasn’t sat at the breakfast bar, she would have downed the glass already without a second thought.
“Dean? As in Karolina Dean? As in-”
“America's Sweetheart, Princess of Pop. Karolina Dean…yep, that’s the one.” Nico interrupted his ramblings with a small smirk, she knew that Alex was a fan of Karolina’s and had actually been looking forward to rubbing her interview in his face.
“Nice one Nic! This is the kind of story you’ve been hoping for!” Alex stood and opened his arms wide as he neared the small woman, who quickly ducked under them and rushed to the safe side of the kitchen. He knew that she hated things like, anything remotely emotional and she was out. It had been the main conflict within their limited relationship, well relationships. Nico liked Alex, she really liked him and she knew that Alex adored her wholeheartedly, but she just couldn’t bring herself to fully commit to him. Every time she thought she was ready, she was wrong and it only ended up hurting them both all over again.
“I know, and I’ll be overfilled with whatever emotion this is…” Nico gestured towards Alex’s goofy grin with a look of pure disgust, prompting a small chuckle to escape from his mouth in response. “Whenever I actually manage to score an interview…which I have to do by Friday if I want to keep my job.”
“Now I see your problemo…I don't want to sound like an idiot, but have you tried calling her management?” Alex offered up what he thought was an ingenious solution, making Nico question his high IQ.
“No, that thought never even crossed my mind. Whatever would I do without you, Alex?”
“Sarcasm aside. What are you gonna do?” He rolled his eyes, ignoring the daggers Nico was shooting his way.
“I have no idea. She’s not like every other celebrity, I can’t just stalk the high in nightclubs in hopes that I’ll find her.” She shrugged as she swirled the last few drops of wine around the large glass.
“It’s not a bad plan…Chase is always saying how the real entrance is through the back where the press isn’t allowed.” Alex thought out loud as he thought back on the many stories his best friend had told him back when he lived in the apartment with him and Nico. Chase had worked his way from bartending to being the manager at some of the most exclusive clubs in the city, and now he was even in the midst of opening his own club…that was it. It was like a light bulb had suddenly jumped to life in Alex’s mind. “His new nightclub!”
“What are you mumbling about?”
“Chase’s new club! It’s opening tonight, if she’s gonna be anywhere in the city I’d put money on it being there like everyone else in this town.” He answered excitedly, his eyes bulging out of his head as he waited for Nico’s reaction.
“That’s actually not a bad idea. Can Chase get us in?” Nico smiled softly, thankful for Alex and his usually annoying need to creep into her life.
“His two favorite people? Damn straight son.” Alex raised his fist, hoping for a fist bump in response.
“Yeah, don’t say that…like ever.” She snorted and walked right back his outstretched arm. This could be the break she needed, she had all the information, all that was missing was the Princess herself…and a killer outfit of course.
***
Karolina hated boardrooms. Most of her worst moments were spent in boardrooms, surrounded by brainless men in overpriced suits. All with an opinion on how she should act and sing, what clothes she could or couldn’t wear…and who she couldn’t love. Her whole life has been controlled by others, from her childhood, till now. He manager calls and she comes running, seeing what he had to moan about this time. She didn’t miss this part while she was away, she enjoyed the silence that came with no manager nagging at her. But she couldn’t stay away forever. She missed the thrill of performing, the smiles on her fan’s faces, making a difference with her music. She missed it all, and she knew that in order to have it, she’d have to bite her tongue and play nice. She’d wear whatever she was told, smile at the right moments and hide who she really is. That was the only way after all.
“And how are we today? Busy, busy, busy I hope!” Mark wasn’t the worst of the bunch, but he still got on Karolina’s nerves 24/7. He was the guy her team sent in when they wanted her to change something, be it a song or outfit, Mark was the man.
“I was. Until you called me in that is.” Karolina smiled sweetly, her expression not matching her tone one bit. She had important work that needed to be done before rehearsals could begin and this meeting was severally cutting into her limited time. Mark let out a soft sigh in response and took a seat across from Karolina and her trusty assistant and life-long best friend Gertrude – Gert – Yorkes. Gert had been by Karolina’s side throughout most of her life. The two met at age five and became best friends instantly, she was the only person Karolina could fully be herself around. There was never any need to hide or put on a fake smile when Gert was around, and Karolina needed that more than her team of PR robots.
“We need to talk about your meeting with the Los Angles Review.” The over-enthusiastic man started, not letting his forced smile falter as he spoke. He hadn’t been looking forward to this conversation, knowing how his client suddenly felt about the press, Mark knew that this one was going to be a hard one to tackle.
“No, we don’t. I said when I came back, that I was done with the press.”
“I got a quote from management and handed it to the reporter personally,” Gert spoke up, sparing a side glance towards the blonde beside her.
“You’ve been gone for over a year, people want to hear from you.”
“And they will. On my own terms, through my social media.” Karolina shot back, her glare intense and somewhat scary. “After what happened…” She choked up slightly as the memories of the last year came flooding back. Every article, blog post, and rumor video plagued her mind. The headlines danced behind her eyes, the fake news that the press concocted. If only they really knew why she had spent all that time way, or how raw and emotionally unstable she felt every second of every day.
“Just sleep on it, that’s all I ask.” Mark smiled sympathetically as he saw the look of pure misery begin to creep onto Karolina’s face.
“No promises.” She coughed silently, as her hand met Gert’s under the table. “Now, I do believe I’ve got a tour to plan for.”
“Of course Miss Dean. It’s been a pleasure, like always.” Mark quickly excused himself, knowing that might have gone a bit far this time. The company had just gotten their star back, and he knew that if they didn’t tread carefully they’d lose her again, and possibly for good this time.
“You okay?” Gert’s voice was soft and caring, as she wrapped her spare arm around her best friend.
“I thought this was going to be easy…coming back, putting up with them again.” Karolina’s voice cracked slightly as her grip on Gert’s hand tightened. “I am insane for thinking I can do this again?”
“Oh sweetie, you’re one of the most talented people I know. Everyone can see that.” The purple-haired woman chuckled softly, as she wiped away a stray tear that began to roll down Karolina’s cheek. “You know what you need?”
“A crate of wine and Netflix?”
“Maybe tomorrow.” Gert giggled, glad to see her best friend smiling ever so slightly again. “Remember that guy I said I was talking to.” Karolina rolled her eyes in response, prompting her friend to continue. “Well, his new nightclub is opening tonight and I promised that I’d go and check it out.”
“No thanks. A nightclub opening is like painting a press target on my back.” Karolina pushed herself off of Gert’s shoulder and walked over to the horizontal mirror that ran the full length of the boardroom. The makeup she threw on did nothing to hide the bags under her eyes, but she was used to looking like death warmed up, not sleeping properly for over a year would do that to a person.
“I can get you in and out the back,” Gert suggested, catching Karolina’s attention slightly. “Come on K! You need to let your hair down, and I’d really like for you to meet Chase.”
“Fine…” She moaned as she slugged her way back to Gert, whose face was plastered in the biggest smile Karolina had ever seen. “I’ll commit to a few drinks, that’s all.”
“That’s all I ask of you, my friend!” Gert jumped with joy and pulled the unexpecting blonde into her arms for a near bone-crushing hug. “Now, time to get sexy.” She winked, as Karolina threw her head back in annoyance. She could already tell that it was going to be a long ass night.