Rise of the Billionaire actress

Deloise stood nervously in the kitchen, rigorously turning the batter for the first and last cake she was baking within the college walls

How did she know? Because she finally decided to leave. No going back now.

Ever since she had the conversation with her mother, she was convinced of exactly what it is she must do. Her mother made her stance clear as regards the matters of her happiness and she truly believed this was the right choice – It had to be.

Deloise felt certain that her decision would prove to be her best decision yet. This time, she wasn’t letting anyone discourage or stop her. Not her mother, not her friends, and definitely not herself.

She made peace with the fact that she must pursue her dreams. Even if it meant doing so alone. After preparing the cake, she made dinner. She’d previously asked the girls to come around this evening for what she referred to as a surprise dinner.

Anna was skeptical when she asked for space to prepare the said surprise dinner but she managed to convince and compel her out of their accommodation.

Perfectly satisfied with the meal’s turnout, Deloise took it to the living room to cool off, while she set up for dinner. After that, she quickly sent a text to the group chat inviting the girls over.

Twenty minutes later, the front door was pushed open and the voices of Amanda and Anna filled the air.

” Ouu, now that’s what we’re talking about, what’s that delicacy? ” Amanda moaned, sniffing the air with her eyes closed.

” Don’t act like a dog, foodie. It’s just food. Good food, but still food.” Anna retorted with a playful eye roll, and took a seat.

” I have no time for you- Hey! ” Amanda yelled as she watched Anna pick up and eat a cupcake.” No fair! dinner hasn’t even begun yet and here you are already getting a head start. ” she chastised, looking around, ” where’s our chef at though?” She asked, and picked up a cupcake for herself.

” I see you’re both enjoying yourselves,” Deloise stated, eyebrows raised, and the girls took in her presence.

” She started it! ” The duo chorused, with mouth-fulls, pointing accusatory fingers at the other.

” Whatever, let’s eat,” Deloise said, and settled down. ” I better get to it, seeing you guys already got a head start.” She muttered and they burst out to a fit of laughter.Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g

They all ate happily, chatting as they went at it and relaxing without stress. While the dinner drew to an end, Deloise grew into a nervous mess. She fought the urge to be cowardly about her decision, to take the easy route out.

She couldn’t bring herself to say what it was, the way it is.

Anna observed something fishy but made no move to point it out. Amanda on the other hand was pretty much engulfed in their chat. Having had enough, Anna finally spoke up,

” What is it?” She asked, looking at Deloise who at the time felt exposed by the question. Amanda finally noticed the situation,

” Hehehe, what are you talking about?” Deloise said with a nervous laugh.

” I am not an outsider, if I say something’s wrong, then something is definitely wrong,” Anna said pointedly, calling her out.

” I didn’t notice anything though,” Amanda added her two cents, still quite confused.

” I don’t- ” Ann spoke sternly but was interrupted by Deloise.

” Fine. I do have something to say.” She began, ” I was going to speak up anyways.” She mumbled and cleared up her throat.

Her palm suddenly became sweaty and her throat dried. She swallowed under the intense gazes of her friends, seeking the confidence to say what she had to say.

” Okay, I think you need some water…” Amanda trailed, and handed over a bottle of water.

” Thanks,” Deloise said in a small voice, then took a sip. Anna who had been watching the exchange had a lot of theories as to why she acted in such a manner.

Deloise’ internal conflict was obvious but she couldn’t figure out its cause. A bulb suddenly went on in her head and it suddenly started to add up.

” I hope it isn’t what I think it is,” Anna stated in disbelief, and her eyes widened. ” I thought we closed that chapter, Dee! what are you thinking?” Anna asked, shaking the form of Deloise.

” You don’t know what you’re saying,” Deloise mumbled, knowing her friend was onto her, and disheartened by her reaction.

” Can someone please tell me what crazy things are happening right now? I thought we were having fun.” Amanda felt lost.

” I thought so too. So tell us, what is it that you want to do exactly?” Anna said, standing with her hands akimbo.

Deloise’s brain ran a thousand miles per second, her patience thinned as the seconds flew by. Unable to hold it anymore, she stood up, feeling aggravated as she aired her opinion.

” Yes! I want to do it!” She yelled, ” I’ve always wanted to do it. Hell, I’m doing it!” She affirmed, unashamedly.” I’ve had enough of everyone trying to control my life! Enough of bending to the will of everyone sans myself! And I’m done with sacrificing my dreams for others! ” She spoke hysterically, maddening the more she spoke. ” You once said I needed a real shot at it, and guess what, that real shot opened up. You expect me to just let it slip by?” She asked in disbelief. ” I refuse to miss this opportunity, Ann. I’m going through that door,” she said resolutely. ” I have decided.”

The atmosphere was tense after her episode. Both girls faced the other, each refusing to back down. Amanda felt stuck in the middle, she supported Deloise’ decision but didn’t know if it was the right time to air her opinion.

Anna wore a wicked glint, ” You’ve made up your mind, huh? And what does your mother have to say about it?” She asked and Deloise froze. ” Oh my, you haven’t told her to have you?” she spoke snidely. ” Yeah, I thought so.”

” That’s not something you should use for petty remarks, Ann.” Amanda gritted, unhappy with the way things were headed.

” Shut up!” she replied, not sparing her a glance.

” You know what?” Deloise began, with an odd calmness. ” I’m not trying to do this with you so let’s make this easy.” She declared, ” It’s either you support me or you don’t, whichever way I’m leaving at dawn tomorrow,” Deloise informed, with a stoic look.

What was supposed to be a send forth, was now a royal screw up. A barely contained wave of surprise hit the girls at Deloise’s declaration.

” Whatever your decision is, you’re not at liberty to talk to your mom or mine about this. Keep it to yourself and we’ll be fine.” Deloise gritted, understanding the message passed by her friend’s silence.

” Do whatever you want, but do not insert yourself into the affairs of me and my family. ” Deloise warned, her face expressionless.

” Wow.” Anna breathed, shaking her head. ” You want to go on with this? Without even getting consent from your mom? I thought we were past this?” Anna asked, sounding almost hurt.

Deloise’ expression was locked, barely giving anything of her emotions.

” Fine. I won’t. I don’t need to be here anyway.” Anna said, brimming with anger. ” Do what you want, I don’t care. have a nice life.” She said coldly and left the room.

Amanda knew not to poke at the matter, it was bad enough as it is. ” So… tomorrow, huh?” she asked lightly, raising a perfectly sculpted eyebrow.

” Yeah… ” Deloise replied, forcing a smile onto her face.

” How are you going about it though?”

” I kinda replied to the mail and confirmed that the spot was still quite available. With some back and forth, I was sent a flight ticket to New York City.” She explained.

” Congratulations darling, I’ll miss your fine self,” Amanda said genuinely, excited.

” I’ll miss you too,” Deloise replied with a smile and they hugged. In seconds, they both broke up beaming.

” Let’s get packing! ” Amanda called out, ready to help.

Deloise smiled at her enthusiasm and took a not-so-discreet glance at the shut door across, belonging to Anna.

” She’ll come around, just give her the night. By tomorrow y’all will be besties again.” Amanda assured, and Deloise replied with a nod.

The duo went into her room, quietly packed up and soon enough, they were asleep, ready to take on the world the next day.