“I am sitting here with one of the world’s famous pop stars. Alex.” The audience started clapping as the camera sifted from Jenna Holmen to me. I have done this more than I could count on both my hands. Fame is not everything it is cut out to be. I just smile and ‘thank you for having me’ comes out all too natural.
“So Alex, this has been quite the year for you. And to top it off I hear we are in for more?”
I turn my body in the comfy chair towards the sea of people watching my every action with smiles.
“Ah Jenna, yes this was a good year. And it is not done yet by my count. There are still a lot going on like the whole Europe tour and the recording of two more songs on my new album due to be released in the New Year.”
She looks from me to the audience raising her hands before she almost screams “WOW”
“That is amazing this would be the fifth album recorded and released by GNA records?”
“Yes, they still seem happy with me.” I smiled a big smile with saying these words. It is true if they were not happy I would be back home doing other things then singing.
The interview went on for another half an hour. Before Jenna announced that the audience have received a gift certificate for some product. I was thanked for being here and sharing my news with everyone.
Walking off stage never felt this good. As I get back stage my PA gives me bottle water and answers my phone. The sooner I can get this getup off the better. Today is one of those days that I am not into being the Pop star. I don’t even want to be seen for the poster girl for glamour make up or majestic perfume.
“It is your sister Alex” Mari was holding the phone against her chest looking me as she broke my line of thought.
“Tell her I will call her back in a half hour when I am home save. We need to get moving.”She nodded and I turned away. I made my way to the assigned dresser room. I shut the door behind me and pulled off the blond wig that was hiding my chocolate brown hair. Seeing myself in the tall mirror I wanted to cry. I have neglected me because of fame. Just because I am hard headed and wanted to show my family there is more to life than their way.
It is not that I hate my life but I hate the secrets and lies travelling with all of this. I need a break. I need a break from my two not so different worlds. Disappearing is becoming more appealing every day.
As my driver pulls up at the summer home, I choose for show as Alex super star’s place. The feeling of relieve made its way through me. The day was getting me down and now I still have to face my big sister over the phone.
Belle is not a person to mess with and I have had my fair deal of battle scars with her. Best way to avoid provocation is to agree to disagree or just to agree with her. She married Paul last year after he has been asking her hand in marriage for some years now. Being the youngest of six is not easy and being all girls it was even harder. There are a total of seventeen years between me and Belle. She is like the mother hen in the family since our parents past away few years ago, than there is Liza that is only two years younger than Belle. She is die brainy one has degrees in some science things. Don’t really know what it is cold again.
Mia has always been the sister that enjoyed a good story. Mia is about ten years older than me. Gina and Rose are like twins only a year apart in age. If you don’t know them personally you would think they are twins. They spend their time on many charity events. They have more charity events than anything else. I was born seven years after Rose. After me my parents stopped trying for a boy. I am not even going to say that they should have given up years before but after five girls you should have know.
Okay I am not being fair to my parents I need to get this out of my head and go call Belle before she rings again then I would be in big shit.
‘Big news on everybody’s lips is: Where is Princess Audrey? The last time the youngest of Winder royalty was spotted was on her twenty first birthday, four months ago. What has happened to her since then? We asked the monarchy about this with the only answer being she is well and is studying towards a degree.’
“Sorry Sis, for not taking your call immediately, the interview went on forever and I just had to get back to the house before I screamed.” I could almost hear her smile on the other end of the phone. She has always been supportive about me even if it is strange.
“It is okay, I know about days like today. I have quite a few up to now.”
“But on a lighter mood. How are nephews?” It is kind of funny to think my father had only daughters and his daughters have only sons.
Belle has three boys Phillip, Mario and Fender. Liza was not that fortunate she only has one boy Matthew. Mia got two sets of twin boys Andrew and Henry are the oldest. Mark and John are two months old now. Gina and Rose are pregnant few weeks apart but both are having boys.
“They are a handful but I love them to bits. Wish only you would come and visit more to see how they have grown.” She did have a way to put that in to sentence without blinking. I wish I could live a normal life as a pop star. But having the kind of family I do it is hard and complicated.
“I know I have been too busy with tours and recordings these past few weeks. I am planning on a visit after the Europe tour.” Silence fell and seemed to remain.
“Like hitting two birds with one stone then” I wish she would not look at it that way. But it kind of was like that.
“Sometimes you can make it seem worse than it really is you know. Belle I love you guys but I do have my own career and deadlines too.” I heard the sigh and almost her mental counting.
“I know, but it is hard. In the beginning it was not as demanding as now. I just wish it could be more like then than it is now.”
“I know Belle. And leaving would not be that easy I have thought about it. I love this and even when things are crazy like today or bad like it was today I still love it all.” I got al defensive cause any moment she will attack my career again. Even though she is behind me al the way, she doesn’t always approve of my choices.
“It is wishful thinking on my part sorry.” The silence fell again like so many times when we talk over the phone. It is like we don’t have much to say to each other.
“Bella, I miss you guys terribly, but my life has changed a lot over these five years.”
“We miss you too and really hope that you are visiting soon.” After the goodbyes I just sit look out the window.
Jeffrey was bringing a tray of snacks into the den where I was working on my grade paper and some new song material. I have been at it for what seemed like minutes but when I looked up it was past midday.
“Miss Alex, you have an appointment at seven with GNA records, dinner at Franco’s. Then at nine you are to be seen with Christian Evens at club Devoir.”
“Thank you Jeffrey.”
“And then your sister called again wanting to know why you have not called back about the dates.”
I looked up from the papers I was working on. Due only in October but with the tour and things I have to get it done before time and writing new material seemed to be out of my reach.
I wanted to scream the dates were the last thing I wanted to think about.
“Jeffrey. Thank you. I will call her now.”
The phone only had time for two rings before Mia’s voice was greeting me and giving me a lecture.
Mia needed to lecture everybody. She even does it with Belle. Sending her on her merry way was what I intended to do with rumbling of the few dates and checking if we agreed. When I finally ended the call I was drained. Having to deal with everything at work and school was tiring but putting my family in the mix was going to be the end of me.
//
Letting it out... 