Starlight

by Alexandra Richland

  Mr. Mertz removed some papers from his desk drawer. “Come now, dear girl, I have the document right here. All you have to do is sign your name and the ten thousand dollars will be yours. Don’t make the wrong decision. You have a very promising career ahead of you.” He placed a pen atop of the marriage contract and slid the document across the desk.

  Beth realized that Nathan’s advice had been wrong. The bottom line was she was on probation, and if she rejected her boss’s offer, her career, which she truly enjoyed, would end. At the same time, she couldn’t fathom marrying Will.

  After thinking it over carefully, she decided to sign her name to the contract now and enlist Nathan to help her get out of marrying Will later. It was her only option.

  Will’s pen scratched across the paper as he signed his name without hesitation. He slid the document over to Beth and she picked the pen up from the desk. It felt cold in her shaking hand. She wondered how Aidan got away with making so many demands from the studio, meanwhile, she was forced into marrying someone she didn’t even like. The fact that she would disappoint her mother and father if she couldn’t get out of the contract made matters worse.

  With a heavy heart and hand, Beth signed her name on the line at the bottom of the document. She didn’t even bother reading the terms and conditions because it didn’t matter. She was in trouble. She just hoped Nathan could save her somehow.

  Mr. Mertz reached across the desk and retrieved the contract. “That will be all for today.”

  Beth removed a handkerchief from her purse and dabbed her teary eyes. The doors to the office flung open.

  “Luther!”

  Beth turned around. A red-faced Saul Stern stood in the doorway, holding a briefcase and patting his forehead with his tie.

  “I am here to represent Miss Elizabeth Sutton at this meeting,” he said, struggling to catch his breath.

  “Nice to see you again, Saul, but I’m afraid there is nothing left for you to do here.” Mr. Mertz’s grin was large and smug. “The document has been signed by both parties––in ink––and the meeting is over.”

  Mr. Stern didn’t budge. “I don’t think so, Luther. I’m Miss Sutton’s agent, and it is my job to look over all documents before she signs her name to anything, as you well know. Mr. Everett chose not to have his agent present. Beth, on the other hand, wasn’t aware she had the option.”

  “Well, Saul, I didn’t know Miss Sutton had official representation, but in the future, I assure you I will notify you of any meetings we have scheduled,” Mr. Mertz replied. “As for this current matter––as I said––there is nothing you can do for her now.”

  Mr. Stern marched across the office and joined Mr. Mertz behind the desk, placing his briefcase on the floor. Removing his fedora, he looked down at the signed papers.

  “Is this the document?” he asked, placing his hat under his arm.

  Before Mr. Mertz could answer, Mr. Stern picked up the contract from the desk and pulled his glasses out of the breast pocket of his suit jacket. He skimmed over the document.

  Mr. Mertz leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms in front of him. “As you can see, Saul, the document is legally binding.”

  Beth bowed her head. If only Mr. Stern had arrived earlier.

  “Ah-ha!” Mr. Stern slapped the contract back down onto the desk, beaming. “This document is not legally binding!”

  Mr. Mertz chuckled. “Nonsense. My secretary typed it up as per my specific instructions and I looked it over myself to ensure she didn’t miss anything. There are absolutely no loopholes. Moreover, Mr. Everett and Miss Sutton signed their names in my presence.”

  Mr. Stern smile didn’t waver as he tucked his glasses back into his pocket. “You are correct, Luther. Elizabeth Sutton did sign this document. Unfortunately for you, that is not her real name.”

  Beth’s face lit up as she realized her mistake. After signing Elizabeth Sutton on all of the Sparkling Meadow items this morning, she automatically signed that name to the marriage contract, too.

  “Luther, as you are well aware, any legal documents must be signed by the client using his or her legal name,” Mr. Stern continued. “Any other name is inadmissible.”

  Mr. Mertz’s expression darkened. “Well, then, Saul, I will have Ethel type up another copy immediately and Miss Sutton can sign her proper name.”

  Beth’s eyes darted to Mr. Stern.

  “As Miss Sutton’s agent, I must advise her against signing this document,” he said. “A marriage between William Everett and herself is simply not in her best interests at this time, and her studio contract does not permit you to force her into such a union.”

  Contempt narrowed Mr. Mertz’s eyes. “This is my studio and I say the merger will be quite profitable.”

  “Yes, but for whom, Luther?” Mr. Stern huffed. “Certainly not my client.”

  A few tense moments passed.

  Mr. Mertz sneered. “Fine.”

  Will leaped up from his seat. “But, sir!”

  Mr. Mertz slammed his fist down onto his desk. “Silence!”

  Will sat back down and cowered in his chair.

  Mr. Mertz focused on Beth. “I strongly oppose your decision, Miss Sutton.”

  She remained quiet so she wouldn’t say the wrong thing.

  “Just because you aren’t signing this contract doesn’t mean you get off completely,” he continued. “Following the completion of Sparkling Meadow, you will act in another motion picture with Mr. Everett, do you understand?”

  As Will glared at her, Beth nodded, well aware Mr. Mertz was still in charge of her film assignments.

  Mr. Stern walked around to the front of the desk. “Miss Sutton, let’s go.”

  Beth picked up her purse and stood from her chair. Mr. Stern escorted her out of the office and Will trailed behind them, muttering about losing out on the money.

  As they entered the reception room, she turned to Will, choosing to overlook his cruel expression. “I hope you don’t hold this against me. Long term, it really is for the best.”

  Without responding, Will shuffled toward the elevator. Beth hung back, deciding to take the next one. She didn’t want to be confined with him in such a small space after denying him what he considered marital bliss.

  The meeting had opened her eyes to several things. First, she was a fool to fall for Mr. Mertz’s pressure tactics regarding matters he had no business discussing with her. Furthermore, she now knew to inform Mr. Stern of any future meetings between her and Mr. Mertz so he could advise her on the best action to take.

  Beth looked to Mr. Stern. “Thank you. If it wasn’t for your help, I would be Mrs. William Everett.”

  He chuckled. “Yes, well, I was relieved when I came across that gaffe in the document. Otherwise, it would’ve been very difficult to refute the agreement.”

  “How did you know I had a meeting with Mr. Mertz today?”

  “I was out of my office when Nathan called. Upon my return, my secretary handed me a message from him, informing me of Luther’s plan. He instructed that if I received the note in time I was to attend the meeting immediately.”

  “Well, I’m very glad you showed up.”

  Mr. Stern placed his fedora on his head. “I’m happy to be of service, Miss Sutton. Now, why don’t you come by my office tomorrow and we can make this business relationship official?”

  Beth agreed to meet him after work the following day. As they walked to the elevator, she heard a commotion coming from Nathan’s office. The door opened and several people, including Nathan, piled out. He didn’t notice her.

  Beth recognized the small boy in the group as Richard Rooney, the successful child actor. She assumed the distraught-looking woman with her arm wrapped around him was his mother.

  Beth had heard that Richard was playing Aidan’s brother in Spike Rollins.

  Her face paled as she recalled their encounter in the commissary.

  “Is everything all right?” Mr. Stern asked.

 
“Yes, I’m fine.” Beth kept her eyes on Nathan and his company as they walked toward Mr. Mertz’s office, talking in heated whispers. She jumped when the elevator bell went off and the doors opened. As she stepped inside, one of the men in the group, whom she didn’t recognize, said, “Aidan Evans.”

  For the duration of her journey to main floor, she wondered if their meeting had anything to do with Aidan’s troubled appearance in the commissary.

  As she walked out into the parking lot, Mr. Stern asked her if she wanted a ride to somewhere on the lot. She politely declined. When he got into his car and drove away, her first thought was to return to the commissary, even though she doubted Aidan was still there.

  “Beth. Oh, Beth!”

  Beth looked around. Connie poked her head out of the back window of a limousine stopped nearby.

  “I have to talk to you.” Connie gestured for her to come over.

  Beth walked toward the car.

  Connie opened the door and slid down the seat, making room for her. “Have I got news for you!”

  Beth sat down and shut the door. “What is it?”

  Connie clasped her hands to her chest. “Aidan Evans.”

  Beth’s face grew warm at the mention of his name.

  “Apparently, he tried to kill Richard Rooney!”

  Beth’s mouth dropped open. “What? That can’t be true!”

  “Oh, but it is!” Connie’s blue eyes twinkled. “He went completely crazy on set today. He jumped that poor, defenseless boy and tried to strangle him!”

  “That’s preposterous!” Beth sputtered.

  Connie shook her head. “The cast and crew witnessed the entire thing. Luckily, the director and a security guard tackled him to the ground before he could end little Richard’s life. Even so, Aidan ended up punching his way free and escaping.” She shuddered. “Gosh, Beth, it frightens me to know he’s on the loose right now, somewhere in L.A.”

  “No, it can’t be.” Beth was in a daze. The tortured young man she saw in the commissary didn’t have the look of a crazed killer. Connie was clearly mistaken.

  “I heard that Richard was outperforming Aidan in the scene. Since Aidan thinks he’s better than all contract stars, he got angry and took it out on the poor boy.” Connie scoffed. “And to think I sat next to him in the commissary on Monday!”

  “Where did you hear this information?” Beth asked.

  “One of the Spike Rollins crewmembers told a prop guy on the set of my movie, who then told the cameraman, who told the costume guy, who told my makeup lady, who then told me. Then I, of course, told the director––oh, and Ann Blyth, Guy Madison, and …”

  Beth tuned Connie out. If she knew studio employees as well as she thought she did, then the story was exaggerated each time it was shared. There was no telling what the truth was now. All she knew for certain was that Nathan wasn’t afraid of Aidan in the commissary and she wasn’t, either.

  As Beth recalled her meeting with Mr. Mertz, she realized her almost-engagement to Will paled in comparison to Aidan’s situation. Even if it wasn’t as bad as Connie said it was, he was still troubled by something and she refused to give up on him.

  Connie offered to drive Beth home since they were both done for the day. Beth accepted so she could hear more about the incident. She wanted to see how much damage had already been done.

  As expected, Connie shared nothing of consequence, only more ridiculous hearsay. She also picked apart everything Aidan did in the commissary on Monday, trying to build up evidence that she saw something like this coming a mile away. Beth didn’t have the energy to argue. If she wanted the truth, she would have to ask Nathan later. She didn’t want to call him at work, especially if he was doing damage control for Aidan.

  Upon exiting the limousine, she thanked Connie for the ride and walked up to her apartment. Unfortunately, Olivia wasn’t home yet, so there was no one to whom she could vent her frustrations and concerns. She could only wait for her friend’s return.

  For the rest of the day, Beth tried to keep busy, but Aidan was never far from her mind. Finally, just after seven o’clock, the front door opened. She was delighted when Nathan followed Olivia into the apartment. Perhaps now she would get some proper answers.

  The couple paused in the foyer and exchanged uncertain glances.

  Olivia spoke first. “Beth, we need to talk.”

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Aidan got up from his bed and paced his apartment again, anxiously awaiting his fate on Spike Rollins. Desperate for a distraction, he walked to the window and separated the closed blinds with two fingers, peering down at his motorcycle in the parking lot. Moonlight streamed inside, illuminating the small, gloomy space.

  A hard knock at the door startled him. He released the blinds, bathing the room in darkness again. “Who is it?”

  “Preston.”

  Aidan exhaled and walked across the room, suddenly dreading the director’s visit. He unlocked the door and opened it.

  Preston stood in the hallway, holding his fedora to his chest, his expression grim. “Good evening, Aidan.”

  “Hey, man, come in.” Aidan flipped the switch next to the door. He winced as his eyes adjusted to the bright white light that filled the room.

  Preston walked into the apartment with long, purposeful strides.

  Aidan cringed. “Pres, tell me something. Did I really hurt that Rooney kid? I mean, I didn’t mean––” He shoved his hand through his hair. “What I’m trying to say is there’s no way I’d ever hurt the kid on purpose.”

  To his surprise, Preston grinned. “No, you didn’t hurt him. I saw the entire thing and all you did was hug him tightly. In the meetings we had with Nathan Taggart and Luther, Richard even said he was simply taken aback by your outburst and overreacted.”

  Aidan sighed. “Then, what the hell, Pres? Why were Rooney’s parents screaming at me?”

  “When you varied from the script and grabbed their son, you startled them.” Preston cleared his throat. “How about you have a seat while I tell you the rest?”

  Aidan made his way over to the bed and sat down, his bare feet planted on the floor.

  “Listen, Aidan, when I saw you in that play in New York I was electrified by your performance.” Preston regarded him fondly. “Never before had I seen such passion from an actor, and I knew you were the perfect fit for Spike Rollins. Throughout the wardrobe tests and rehearsals, you continued to impress me.”

  Aidan hung his head. “And now you have to find someone to take my place. I’m sorry I let you down.”

  “During the initial meeting in Nathan’s office this afternoon, Richard’s parents insisted you be dropped from the film.” Preston shifted his fedora from one hand to the other. “And when we moved into Luther Mertz’s office, he agreed if you physically hurt their son, there was no other decision but to remove you from the picture and contact the proper authorities.

  “Nathan and I said you really didn’t hurt him, but Richard’s parents argued they knew what they saw. Luckily, Nathan asked if the camera had been rolling during your … episode. We contacted the cameraman and found out he hadn’t stopped filming. He produced the footage and we watched the scene in Luther’s theater room without sound.

  “After viewing the evidence, it was clear you didn’t harm the boy, he was just emotionally shaken. Nathan and I promised you wouldn’t vary from the script and disrupt filming again, so Luther had no choice but to allow you to stay on the picture.”

  Aidan exhaled a deep breath, feeling the tension leave his body. He was especially relieved they watched the footage without sound so Mr. Mertz didn’t hear him call out for his mother. “Wow, man, thank you. I … I don’t know what to say.”

  “You don’t have to say anything.”

  “I really do appreciate you sticking up for me. And I promise I won’t lose my cool like that again.” Aidan paused. “I, uh, just got too caught up in my character and mistakenly said mother instead of brother.”

  I
t was a weak lie, but he had to cover his tracks somehow.

  “I know you’ve put your heart and soul into this role and merely got carried away,” Preston replied. “By the way, I’m sorry I had to slap you, but I called your name several times––other crewmembers did, too––and you didn’t respond. I had no choice.”

  Aidan chuckled. “It’s okay. In fact, I think my busted lip and bruised cheek adds some character to Spike, don’t ya think?” He cocked his head to the left, showing Preston his profile.

  Preston smiled and shook his head. “Typical Method actor.”

  “One more thing, how did Mertz ever convince Mr. and Mrs. Rooney to keep their son in the film?”

  Preston shrugged. “Actually, it wasn’t too hard. They demanded more money if Richard was to continue working with a maniac––their word, not mine––so I agreed to give him a pay increase. Luther wasn’t too pleased, but there’s room for it in the budget he gave me, so he couldn’t dispute how I decided to spend it. It was part of our agreement when I signed on to direct the picture.”

  Aidan wasn’t surprised Richard’s parents agreed only because there was more money in the deal for them. Ultimately, it didn’t matter to him what their reasoning was. From now on, he would remain in control of his emotions and show everyone he deserved his second chance. He owed it to Richard, Preston, and Nathan. Most of all, he owed it to Beth. He wanted to prove to her that her faith in him wasn’t in vain and she could feel safe around him.

  “Aidan, I’d better be going.” Preston placed his fedora on his head. “My old lady cooked roast beef for dinner and I’m already two hours late.”

  Aidan stood from the bed and walked him to the door. “Thanks again for helping me.”

  Preston winked at him. “See you on set tomorrow, Spike.”

  After locking up and switching off the light, Aidan walked across the room and collapsed onto his bed. As he looked up at the ceiling, he wondered if Nathan was able to smooth things over with Beth. He decided if she was going to give him another chance, the best thing for him to do was get the tougher scenes of Spike Rollins out of the way before talking to her again.