Curvy Girls Can't Date Bad Boys - Kelsie Stelting Page 0,4
distance. When you’d gotten up close and personal like I had, you realized that the sparkle was all a trick of the light. In reality, it was ruthless deals, contrived connections, and secrets seconds from becoming scandal.
I couldn’t help but long for something real, but I knew that possibility was just as out of reach as a future without an arranged marriage.
Four
My alarm went off at five in the morning. With bleary eyes, I padded downstairs and got a glass of water before throwing on a pair of tennis shoes and stepping on the treadmill. Our home gym wasn’t anywhere near as elaborate as the one I saw in Kai’s house, but it worked. I especially loved the big screen TV in front of the treadmill. It was supposed to give you the chance to pretend like you were walking outside, but I used it to watch TV.
Most people thought because of my size I wasn’t healthy, but that didn’t bother me. They weren’t in the doctor’s office with me seeing my excellent blood pressure and glucose levels or in the gym with me at five in the morning catching up on soaps. Because of my connection to the industry, I knew most of the plus-size actresses had personal trainers and top-tier dieticians. They just didn’t care to change their size to make other people happy.
I loved seeing people like Jordan Sparks, Amy Schumer, or Rebel Wilson on the screen, crushing their careers regardless of what people said about them. They could laugh their way to the bank.
Beth, our house manager and my personal lifeline, peeked her head in the room. “Breakfast is out on the table.”
I thanked her and then asked, “Are you eating with me?”
With a regretful look, she shook her head. “I’ve got to run some errands for your father. Rain check?”
Forcing a smile, I nodded, “Of course.”
Beth had been my nanny before I was old enough not to need one, but she was such a big part of our lives, Dad kept her on full-time to help manage the household. Of course, that meant he had even more opportunities to be gone.
I slowed down the treadmill until it came to a stop, tossed a white towel around my neck, and made my way to the breakfast nook. As I sat down to eat the omelet and toast prepared for me, my dad walked in wearing one of his better suits.
“Where are you going?” I asked.
“I have to make a last-minute trip to New York. We’re trying to sign a book adaptation deal, and the author’s being a little flighty.”
I nodded. “How long will you be gone?”
“A few a days should do it, I think. Do you want me to ask Beth to stay overnight with you?”
I wanted to say yes, but I shook my head instead. Showing weakness wasn’t something I wanted to do in front of my father right now.
He walked closer to me and placed a kiss atop my head. “You know I love you, right, Zara?”
Closing my eyes against the stinging sensation his words created, I nodded.
When I blinked them open, a conflicted expression was on his face. “I’ll see you in a few days.”
“See you in a few days,” I repeated.
The house was now quiet, as Beth had left and the cleaning service wouldn’t be in until I was already at school. The silenced weighed on me, and I turned on my music app to drown out the quiet.
With the music playing, I went back upstairs and began getting ready for the day. I’d always worn makeup and done my hair for school—being a Bhatta, reputation mattered. Whether I’d chosen it or not, I was a part of the Bhatta Productions brand, and we had to represent well.
I dressed in my school uniform, curled my hair and pinned it away from my face before going through my makeup routine. I finished just in time to get in my car and head to Emerson Academy.
As I drove down the road, my Bluetooth speakers began ringing. A call from Ryde. I hit the answer button on my steering wheel and tried to hide the annoyance I felt just at the sight of his name. “Hello?”
“Hi, Zara, how are you?”
“Good, you?” Why was he asking about me? Ryde never looked farther than his own mirror to show concern for others.
“Great, I’m doing fine.” He laughed heartily.
“Okay? Did you need something?”
“Nah, I have everything I need right here.” His laugher echoed around me, and then he