You know when for every little accomplishment, you compliment and praise yourself for such progress?
Well that was Elisa at this point as she jubilated for a stepping stone, leading her closer to her revenge plan.
Finally, after many fruitless efforts, she has Mr Anderson's number. She knew the next part of this journey was going to be hard because Mr Anderson wasn't an easy man..
When she had first joined the industry, he was nowhere around her. When she started acting, he took no notice of her, not until one day he saw her playing as a stand-in for the previous actress he was managing and as he said 'He recognized talent' and he dropped the actress immediately.
Everyone in the industry was stunned at his behaviour. She was an A-list actress and he just dropped her. This was all over the news for a while before it finally died down leaving the hanging question ' Would she be worth it, or did Mr Anderson Byrns just make the worst mistake in his career?'
No one got an answer for years, until her first debut. Even after her first debut, there were a lot of doubts. But she proved them wrong. NO! They proved them wrong.
Mr Anderson was someone she owed a lot to. He was her stepping stone to success. When she was busy doubting herself, he kept believing in her. When she lost hope, he gave her hope. Elisa would have been nothing and no one of essence without him.
Elisa didn't bother calling. She knew this man. He doesn't pick unknown calls. And this was a crucial time, as reporters would be on his line trying to ask for interviews concerning her death, and his sudden break.
She stared at the phone, watching the blinking cursor as it waited for her patiently to input something.
Mr Anderson only speaks to people he wants to, so once you have an opportunity or opening, be sure to impress him and catch his attention. Given the man he was, one had only a minute of his time to do that.
Since it's a text, it's best the opening line is catchy to pique his interest.
Her thumb hovered, heart pounding, then she typed the first line:
I know who might be responsible for the murder of your A-list actress. I'm Ashley Davis and I would like us to see and discuss this today, if that's okay with you.
She stared at it for a full minute, doubting. Would it sound like a prank? A cruel reporter fishing for gossip? But it was the only bait strong enough to make him look twice. She hit send.
Seconds crawled. A minute. Five. Her chest tightened. She was about to throw the phone when the screen lit.
Anderson: Not funny. Whoever you are, don't test me.
Her stomach dropped, but she typed again, faster this time;
Elisa told me to turn to you when things took this turn. You know her boyfriend, Jake, and how you didn't like him?
That one should hit the bullseye. She imagined Anderson's face when he read Jake's name, the distaste carved in his features, plus the surprise. No one knew about her relationship with Jake except her sister. This should be enough to pique his curiosity. So she hoped.
The typing bubble blinked. Stopped. Blinked again. Finally
Anderson: Where do we meet?
Elisa relaxed on the bed. She clutched the phone to her chest as relief poured through her veins..
She discussed the time with him and they finally agreed to meet in the evening at a quiet lounge.
…..
In the evening hours, Elisa was set and ready to go. As her car drove out the estate, a black car drove in and the person in the backseat wind down as he watched the car leave.
Elisa arrived at her destination. The lounge was peaceful and private. It was good enough for them to have a conversation without being interrupted.
Her nurse pushed her wheelchair through the dim light and then retreated to sit by the bar, her eyes politely distant. Elisa adjusted the scarf at her throat and smoothed the front of her dress, then checked the time. It was two minutes until their meeting up and Mr Anderson was not a tardy man..
Just on cue, he arrived, sitting directly opposite her with his eyes scanning her.
"Hello Mr Anderson, thank you for honouring my-"
She stretched her free hands to shake him and he took them rather hastily, cutting her off in the process.
"Why don't we dive right into why we're here?" He said and relaxed in his chair. A waiter showed up with drinks, and was about to place it on their table.
"Uh, we haven't ord—" He paused when he saw the drink. It was his favourite drink. More like a guilty pleasure he hid from everyone but Elisa.
He looked at her stunned. "Why would you order this for me? You don't know what I take." he said firmly.
With a shred of confidence she replied, "Oh, but I do. This is just to prove my point"
"Elisa never mentioned you."
"Everyone has secrets, and I was one of hers"
She quickly dived back to the main topic on ground before he asked any further questions that would complicate things.
"So, Mr Anderson," she started. "The reason I messaged you is because I need a favour from you"
"I don't do favors to just anyone"
"I know that. I was well informed. And I also know that you were really fond of Elisa—"
"What do you want?"
Elisa straightened her back, unable to speak for a couple of seconds as she watched his eyes turn sad at the mention of her name. It broke her, but she had to put herself together.
"Like I said in my text, I believe her death wasn't an accident—"
"You can't go around saying things you're not sure of"
"Which is why I need a private Investigator to watch and dig up any and every details about Jake, and my — her sister, Bella"
"And if you're wrong?"
"No one will hear of it"
"If he's caught?"
"I trust you have reliable people, but if he's caught, it's on me"
There was a long pause and silence stretched between them. Anticipation built up in Elisa's chest as his mouth moved to form the words.
"NO! Go home, Ashley"