‘I’m lucky, really,’ she murmured. She could feel determination rising up inside her. Why should she run away like a coward when she knew she had so many things to be proud of?
‘One last night,’ she decided. She wasn’t going to walk out on her role at the awards – she had commitments. She’d do what she had to, show a brave face – and then leave it all behind without any regrets.
No vampire diva actress was going to scare her away. Olivia might not have to file her fangs, but she could put up a fight any vampire would be proud of.
She inspected the make-up scattered across the counter, then picked out Amy’s mascara like it was a weapon.
‘Now or never,’ she told herself, leaning towards the mirror and reapplying her make-up. ‘No one puts Olivia in the corner.’
It was time to show the world what she was made of.
‘Where is my daughter?’
Ivy heard her dad’s grave voice booming across the vast backstage area. He was berating some poor technician, with Lillian trying to talk him down, so Ivy hurried over.
‘Dad!’ she called. ‘She’s over here.’
‘There is no way my daughter will be treated like this by anyone,’ Mr Vega declared as he pushed his way through a troupe of dancers.
‘She’s OK, really, Dad,’ Ivy said. ‘Come on. I’ll take you to her.’
When they got to the dressing room, Olivia had fixed her make-up and taken her hair down. The style was a bit tousled, but Olivia could definitely pull off the casual-chic look.
‘What a transformation!’ Ivy said.
‘Don’t sound so surprised,’ Olivia said, laughing and hugging Mr Vega. ‘I’m ready to get back out there and smile.’
‘Well done,’ Mr Vega replied. ‘Good for you.’
‘Are you sure you’re OK?’ Lillian asked. ‘That must have been awful.’
Olivia nodded. ‘It was, but I’m over it now.’
‘You know,’ Lillian went on, ‘Jessica is not representative of the whole of the film industry. There are good people here, too.’
‘I know that’s true,’ Mr Vega said, looking right at Lillian, who immediately blushed.
Ivy gave Olivia a pointed look. If that wasn’t proof of something going on between the two of them, what more did Olivia need?
Mr Vega cleared his throat. ‘Uh, girls, I have something to tell you.’
‘Oh, please!’ Ivy interrupted. ‘I’ve seen this romance coming from a mile off.’
‘You have?’ Lillian asked.
‘The dinners, the blushing,’ Ivy replied. ‘I’m really happy for you both.’
Mr Vega looked at Olivia. ‘I know there’s a lot on your plate at the minute, but –’
‘But nothing,’ Olivia said. ‘I’m delighted.’ She gave Lillian a big hug. ‘If I hadn’t been so wrapped up in myself these past few days, I would have seen it coming, too.’
‘You’ve had a lot to take in,’ Mr Vega said.
‘But this is the end,’ Olivia said. ‘I’m not interested in all the craziness. After tonight, I’m going back to Franklin Grove, just little old me.’
‘No way!’ Ivy said. ‘You’re not giving up on your dream!’
‘But in my dream, it’s fun and happy and nice,’ Olivia said. ‘All this other stuff just isn’t me.’