Page 47 of The Love Raffle

A smile played on her lips as she strolled down the seemingly never-ending hallway, her hands in her pockets. When she’d first entered the white-walled, orange-doored world, she’d feared she’d stumbled intoThe Backrooms. Every door was identical apart from the orange numbers in the center.I’m sure that behind them all is a multimillion-dollar penthouse like Levi’s.Although, his was much simpler than she’d anticipated.

It wasn’t all you, you know.She slowed down as the version of her mom from her dream came to mind. It had been a while ago but somehow the dream still haunted her.It’s okay. I did my part. It counts. This is showbiz. So what if my association withLevi jump-started things?That didn’t count because her short-lived fame was already over.So soon you’ll fall into obscurity.

She stopped altogether, thinking back to what Beca had told her about her appeal to the producers of that new show,A Season for Us. It was the same as before. She’d play a love interest to someone due to her affiliation with Levi Marks.

Amber looked down, pressing her lips together.I will just blow everyone away every time I show up on their screens. It’ll only get better from here.Negativity would get her nowhere. She needed to listen to the people around her and press on.

But what if this wasn’t negativity and simply reality? Acting delusional could be just as harmful.Like how I refuse to acknowledge the elephant in the room.She chewed the inside of her mouth as her strides grew shorter and more hesitant. Being shoved in a storage room just now hadnotexactly been romantic. As much as Amber wanted to believe this was the status quo for now, she also feared it was a red flag.It’s so stupid.Levi was not some teenage pop star with wicked fans.No, he’s a grown actor with heinous fans, so they’d hate it if he’s human and dating someone who’s not a comic book character in his franchise.She wasn’t being ridiculous, right? This setup was indeed absurd, wasn’t it?

Just for promo. It’s not all about the fans.He would be Captain Evolution for a while, though. And Captain Evolution dated Mrs. S.Well, yeah, but it won’t be an effective promotion tactic for all eternity. Eventually, people will get used to it and not care.And if a new face appeared as Levi’s actual partner, the masses would suck it up because they weren’t idiots.

Then again…Once more, Amber’s motions ceased. She turned to the orange door beside her and sighed.Red flag or unfavorable circumstance?

Her brain went blank, lost for words on how to respond. Or perhaps she refused to answer.Do I really want to worsen histrauma?His first girlfriend dumped him over the same thing. How was one’s career an obstacle in a relationship in this day and age?I get that with Jenny it was a—

Suddenly, with no warning, someone opened the door beside her.

Chapter 15

“Crap!” Amber staggered away and held her chest, frozen from the shock of their appearance. Right when she was in the middle of an inner monologue too.

A person dressed in pink with dark hair pulled up in braids watched her, their eyeshadow rainbow themed. Low music pulsed through their earbuds. They seemed dressed for a run, the full-pink getup being some designer tracksuit.

Amber cursed silently in her mind as they eyed her. Would it be odd if she ran? “M-morning.” She smiled with a raised hand.

They looked her over, utterly lost. “Morning… Trench coat?” And now that bewilderment turned to suspicion. “Hold on, are you some kind of themed robber?” they asked, a Houston accent now detectable.

“Um…” Amber removed her hat as they started to panic, fanning their face.

“Burglar! Burglar!” Their phone was suddenly in hand. “Oh my God, guys, you wouldnotbelieve it.” The frantic neighbor turned their phone around to face her and Amber saw herself reflected in the screen. The neighbor was breathing heavily clearly spooked, yet recording, nonetheless.

Shit!Amber pulled her cap lower. “I’m not—I’m really not— Wait, is this live?” It seemed that their phone camera was activated. She saw the word “LIVE” written in a small box at the top right corner as colored comments popped in quicksuccession from the bottom of the screen. “How are there so many viewers?” she said, her panic worsening. Would it be more suspicious to bolt or to stay and convince this person she was not what they thought?

“I was just going out for my four a.m. run andhappenedto run into a real-life trespasser!” they hollered in terror.

Amber wasn’t so sure they were really that terrified because anyone fearing for their safety would call the police, nottwo thousand live viewers.This has got to be some kind of influencer.Those people were one of a kind.And this sort of insanity is pretty on-brand for them.“I can assure you that I’m not a trespasser, okay? So, don’t call the police, don’t organize a search party for me when I leave, and don’t freak out, okay? Right.” She walked backward. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m just going to leave.” She bolted without another word, hoping her disguise had been enough to conceal her.

* * *

Sunrise had been a couple of hours back and so had the last time Amber shut her eyes.

“Amber Sheridan. The girl who won it all.” Director Phillip Cole met her with open arms on her way in.

“Hi.” Amber wiped sleep from her eyes. The set seemed busy. Multiple men in black t-shirts and headsets were swarming around. Some were behind cameras, some putting up furniture, and others adding food to the snack table. Thick black wires wound like snakes across the concrete floor.

Beca patted Amber’s back as Phillip hugged her. “What did I tell you? She’s even more beautiful in person, right?” She laughed with pride.

Phillip let go of Amber and laughed. “Yes,she’s practically glowing, but her picture glowed too.” His eyes strayed from Amber’s face to her chest. “Voluptuous as well.”

Amber tittered uncomfortably, resisting the urge to hide herself. “Is the rest of the cast here yet?” This show was in its second season but had gotten tons of buzz for the first on Hulu. She’d seen a few episodes but never committed to watching it all.I’m always busy, it seems.She used the back of her hand to shield her mouth as a yawn blew out. As per usual, Levi’s good morning text was sent promptly at six. The poor guy’s guilt would be the death of him.I’m not even that mad.But shehadbeen pensive.But…I care about him a lot.

“Oh yeah. They’re back there through that door. You guys can have your little table read before we start at nine.” He grinned under his cap’s shadow. He was short but broad, a gut taking form under his tucked-in polo. Amber knew of him through research. He was an exceptional director but not A-list. Had a few awards under his belt. No big ones yet but there was one Tony nomination in there from his time working in theater.

“Perfect. Brought my…my…”Yawn. “Sorry. My script.” Amber removed it from her handbag. She wore a simple blouse and jeans. Kittens with thought bubbles covered the front of her top. She’d worn it since high school.

Phillip laughed through bright teeth. “Stayed up late did we, sweetie?”

Amber smiled tightly. “Not really.” She said goodbye to Beca then hurried past him. She yelped after feeling a tap on her behind. She slowed down, widening her eyes while looking at Phillip.

---