You're To Blame

Sing For Me(2)

Chapter 6: Sing For Me (2)

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It took a while but I finally found out this young woman’s name is Estella…

“I’m listening…” Estella said while crossing her arms, she confirmed Syndra was alright as well and now we were outside the women’s bathroom, sitting on a bench in a more secluded part of the park talking.

“Here’s my business card. I’m from a talent agency.” I said introducing myself. “My name is Jeremiah.” I continued.

“So?” Estella gave me a completely disinterested look followed along by that one word that made me lose confidence completely in everything else I was about to say.

“I think you can become the next big thing on the screen, so please… come with me back to the agency and audition!” I continued with vigor in my tone. Selling it like It’s the next best thing since sliced bread.

“No, thank you.” Estella stood up from the bench and replied dismissively.

“Why not?!” I asked her while standing in her way.

“I’m not interested.” Estella gave such a simple reply then glanced back at Syndra. “Hey, kid!” She called out to her.

“Yes?” Hesitantly Syndra replied.

“You fine on your own now?” Estella asked.

Syndra nodded her head as she replied. “Yes… thank you for the help… I’m sorry for causing you trouble.” She slumped her shoulders apologetically.

“It’s fine, I had the time. Bye now.” Estella replied and tried to leave again but I followed after her desperately.

“Please my career may be depending on your slender shoulders.” I begged her while clinging to her left arm.

“Don’t talk about me like that! And let go of me you f*****g creep!” Estella raised her hand as if she was going to hit me but at that point it really didn’t matter to me if she hurt me or not. She was a talent I couldn’t let go of…

“I need you to come with me, it’s the only way my family won’t starve, I’ve been in the industry for 10 years, I don’t know how to do anything else besides this.” I explained to her in a single breath while still holding her arm tightly.

“So you can’t do anything else besides begging and whining to a total stranger? f**k off.” Estella finally managed to kick me off but I continued following her.

“Money! They will pay you a lot if you’re successful.” I said, it was a fact she could become wealthy if she does well.

“I don’t like making appearances.” Estella remarked carelessly. She only stopped to talk with me again because she noticed the eyes on us and maybe the crazed look in my eyes and the desperation seeping through the very fabric of my existence at that point.

“It’s easy though! You won’t even feel it’s a burden.” I tried to reassure her. “Being a celebrity isn’t that big of a deal you just have to show up every once in a while-” She cut me off mid sentence.

“That’s a load of bullshit if I ever heard any… I had a friend that wanted to be an actress, she worked her ass off and still she barely made any progress.” Estella surprisingly remarked.

I shook my head. “She most definitely doesn’t have your talent then! I’m sure you can make it, who’s your friend? You can take her with you and you can do it together!” I continued to encourage her, it was all I could do to convince her.

“Had… a friend. Not anymore.” Estella said while crossing her arms and looking at the side.

“Did she pass away, I’m very sorry…” I lowered my head.

“No, you dip s**t… we’re just not friends anymore, that’s it…” Estella shook her head angrily.

“Your friend… what’s her name?” Syndra asked as she finally caught up to us both.

“…..Jeanine Austin…” Estella said while looking at the side.

“Wait… isn’t she that newbie that got promoted fast to be in the girl group and then went solo!? She’s super famous!” Syndra remarked enthusiastically. While I… couldn’t really hide my embarrassment.

“Yeah… she is…” Estella didn’t look too happy.

“Tell me, do you like your friend still? Why did you two stop being friends.” I asked her with now a more serious tone than before.

Estella looked at me bewildered for a moment then finally replied in a low voice. “Because she let all that instant fame get to her head… she stopped being the good person she always was and… Why am I even talking to you two about this?”

“Please… tell us.” Syndra begged her and it seems like Estella has a soft spot for women because it didn’t take much more than that one ask to get her talking.

“She slept with my boyfriend, alright? I was hurt but even more than that I hated how unapologetic she was… as if now she was allowed to do whatever she wants because she’s famous…” Estella explained her tone changing significantly, you could tell she was very hurt… very hurt…

“Why don’t you get back at her then?” I suggested.

“What? Sleep with her boyfriend? No, thanks…” Estella instantly shot back, but that’s not what I meant at all.

“Not that, become more famous than her.” I told her. “Prove that you are better than her, and then that person that cheated you. The best way to get back at them is to climb higher than they will ever be…”

“As if that’s possible.” Estella remarked, I thought she might have been the snobbish type but now I realize that she simply has low self confidence. No wonder her abilities weren’t seen yet. She was like a hidden gem.

“It’s possible, trust me… because…” I wanted to admit it out loud but it was difficult.

“Because what?” Estella became impatient seeing my hesitation.

“I was the one that made Jeanine famous in the first place.” I finally told her.

“You… were her manager?” Estella asked, crossing her arms once more, the look on her face was different now.

I nodded. “She was my only talent for two years… and then she had her big break. She was a bit clumsy, kindhearted as mentioned, I didn’t see much talent but she had the drive and potential so she worked hard…”I told her everything from the start and she seemed to believe me now.

“Two years? There’s no way I’m spending that much time just to get back at someone, I’d rather just live my own life.” Estella continued looking for excuses out of this. I could tell though she was interested, even if it was just a little bit…

“One year. I’m sure I can make you into a bigger star than her in one year.” I promised her with confidence.

Just when I thought I’d finally gotten through to her… “……….no.” Estella shot me down once again.

“You can become someone incredible! Why back away from it, what do you have now that you’re so scared off?” I asked her, it was more or less taunting but I couldn’t stand it anymore. I can’t stand to see talent be wasted like this.

“Stop it, I don’t need to listen to your bullshit right now.” Estella shot back as she turned to walk away.

I spoke up. “Do it for revenge, or for yourself, or for someone else, I don’t care! But you have talent and wasting it away it the worst thing you can do to yourself.” I told her.

“Bye.” Was the last thing I heard from her lips as she walked far away even her back in the distance, was different than everyone else in the crowd. I could see it… her potential…