Hidden Hills CA.
After seeing the trending news, Kareena frowned. She handed over the phone to her manager, and stood up. This was the fifth time she was seeing news of June after five years.
"Since when did she get so popular?" Kareena asked, standing to her feet. She didn't believe it was a coincidence.
"Ever since she got casted for that role along with Luigi, she has been leeching off of his name. She even signed to the same label with Luigi." Siara answered.
"After five years, she finally acted in one movie and she thinks she is all that?" Kareena scoffed. She folded her arms and returned to the couch with a half smile.
She and June had never gotten along. They all debuted the same year, in the same movie. She played the second lead while June played the lead character.
Kareena felt undermined and since then, she hated June because she felt June only got the role because of her beauty while she was sidelined.
"Kareena, I heard Miss A just finished writing a new book and Director Vin wants to adapt it into a movie. Should I call the CEO and find out if you can act in it?"
Kareena hadn't gotten any casting offers since her last movie, eight months ago. Siara was worried that Kareena might not get any work if they didn't put in the effort.
"Since when have I begged to be in someone's movie? I am Kareena. Thee Kareena that won best actress at Venice Film Awards. I don't need to beg anyone for a role." Kareena scoffed. She glared at her manager.
"Kareena, I understand this is usually not how we do things, but the company has recently signed five newbies and the CEO is busy finding projects for them. We have to do something, Kareena. Since Carlos is bent on breaking up, we have to fight back. What if he goes back to that wench, June?" Siara said anxiously.
"I won't give both of them that pleasure. I will never break up with Carlos." Kareena was enraged.
"The rumors of your breakup is gaining traction everyday. We need to replace the negative news with something positive." Siara suggested.
"Siara, didn't Variety want an interview and I rejected it last month?" Kareena asked.
"Yes."
"Call them, and arrange for the interview. Tell them, I will answer all their questions, in exchange for something else." Kareena smirked.
"What do you have in mind, Kareena?" Siara was curious.
"Isn't that bitch trending? Since she wants to be seen so badly, let's help her. After this interview, I will be moving to New Jersey." Kareena chuckled.
"Okay!"
"Also, give Adelaide a call and arrange a meeting." Kareena ordered before going to her bedroom.
.....
New Jersey.
Mory Estates Apartment 507.
"What the fuck is this? Has this girl lost her fucking mind?" Sari stood up and yelled, aggressively.
"What? What is it?" Gita ran to the hall, holding a spatula that she was using to stir her food in the kitchen.
June also rushed out, with a brush in her mouth. "What happened?"
Sari let out a deep exhale. "I'm convinced that Kareena has lost her mind. Why can't she leave June's name out of her mouth?"
"What did she do?" June asked.
Gita impatiently snatched the phone from Sari and looked at it. "This girl is crazy."
June snatched the phone and looked at it. "This? I thought it was something important."
"This isn't important?" Sari asked.
"I thought we knew it wasn't going to be the end after rumors of her and Carlos breaking up hit the internet? I'm not surprised she's trying to stir up trouble using my name." June shook her head.
"But this is variety magazine. She did a whole photoshoot, and spoke about you all through the interview. Now, people are going to think that you are the other woman." Sari remarked.
"Why would our darling be the other woman? June was with Carlos, and he cheated on her with Kareena. They broke up five years ago." Gita said defensively.
"Do you think people care about the truth? As long as it is something negative, they will swim towards it. This is not good for June's reputation." Sari ran her fingers through her hair exhaustedly.
June continued brushing her teeth and sighed.
"Gita, you are going to interview June right now and publish it." Sari spoke after a few seconds.
"No." June said before going to her room.
"Did she just say no?" Sari looked at Gita.
"That's what I heard." Gita returned to the kitchen to check on her food.
"Wait! Am I the only one who is worried about this?" Sari asked loudly.
"Yeah, well technically you are June's manager, so that's part of your job." Gita answered from the kitchen.
"Sari, if we rush to get something across, it will fuel more negativity. Right now, the internet is chewing me to pieces, calling me names. Her fans and mine are going at it, and that's exactly what Kareena wants." June returned after brushing her teeth.
"June is right." Gita turned off the fire and returned to the hall.
"But we need to do something. We can't just let the internet run with the fake news." Sari looked at June.
"Have you forgotten what happened five years ago? Kareena used this same method to tarnish my image. Her game hasn't changed, but we need to change our strategy and that is, we won't respond immediately." June smirked.
"You are right. Five years ago, she did this same thing, subtly mentioned June's name, and Zeal Entertainment released a statement, and she later turned it around, making people think June was bullying her." Sari chuckled. "She's doing the exact same thing."
"She must have done that interview to get an opportunity to bring me up. Since she's so interested in being in my business, then, I have to give her a proper welcome. I won't allow her to use me for free promo again." June stood up. "I'm hungry. What did you cook, Gita?"
"You are still in the mood to eat?" Gita asked, standing to her feet.
"I'm meeting Miss A and Director Vin today. I need to eat well and look beautiful. Today, I'm going to dress to kill." June smirked.
"That grin reminds me so much of Luigi. June, since when did you pick up this way of talking smugly?"
"Secret!" June smirked.
Last night, she spoke with Luigi on the phone. He surprised her with the call, but she enjoyed talking to him. He shared stories of his activities in Ghana and also told her to be good and wait for him.
.....
Hidden Hills, CA.
Kareena came out of the set, looking all cheerful. She had just wrapped up her last brand advertisement deal with L'Oreal and was excited to see what was in the internet.
"Siara, has June's side released a statement? I can't wait to see her try to explain, knowing, no one will believe her." Just thinking about it made Kareena laugh excitedly.
"No, neither she nor Studio Tomorrow has released any statement. But there's something else happening right now." Siara carefully showed Kareena the screen of her phone.
"What is this? Why am I not trending? What nonsense is this, Siara?" Kareena asked furiously.
"I don't know. An hour ago, while you were still on set, news of Luigi's activities in Africa took over the internet. Now, even the news of June being a boyfriend snatcher has completely been replaced by this."
Kareena laughed hysterically. "Is this how he wants to play? Using his own news to block the bad press of June? What exactly is Luigi trying to do?"
"You mean this was intentional?" Siara asked.
"What else?" Kareena lost her calm and yelled. "Luigi is helping her, but what for? Does he like her?"
"Maybe, it is the label's subtle way of helping June?" Siara was unsure of her own words.
Kareena scoffed. "Do you still have that reporter's number?" Kareena turned and asked.
"Which one?"
"Don't be stupid, Siara. Which one, of course, the one who works with Hollywood Report. Five years ago, he got arrested and was sued by June for defamation. I believe he must be looking for a chance to destroy her. Get in touch with him, and put him to work. I don't care whatever it is, but he must find something on June. I don't believe she has such a pure relationship with Luigi."
"Frank, I remember him. Okay. I will do that."
"June, you should have just stayed hidden forever. I will not let you have a moment of good press at all." Kareena vowed solemnly.
.....
Drew Bar
Director Vin smiled at June. He seemed like a proud father staring at his daughter. "June, welcome back!" He finally spoke.
"Thank you, Director Vin." June smiled. This man gave her, her first breakout character. Although, they never worked again, but she knew he was a good person.
"June, when I first heard the rumors of your return, I didn't believe it until Vin sent me a clip of your scene on the set of 'Lovely You'. I must confess, I was extremely excited." Miss A remarked.