Chapter 5: She was rich

She was wearing the newest designer clothes, the most expensive make-up and attended the most luxurious fashion shows. Every week she stayed at another country, the photos all over her Instagram page. She only slept in the most renowned hotels, cameras following her every step. Foreign cars took her wherever she wanted, people opening the door for her upon arrival. Even in her ads, it happened that the necklace she was casually wearing outvalued the motorcycle she posed for. She was the definition of the rich lifestyle others only dreamed of. She could have anything she wanted at the snap of a finger, probably even for free as long as she showed it off. She never had to worry about money.

“What do you mean I won’t be able to take the flight home?” Fear settled in her bones as she watched her manager pace around the room. He hadn’t looked at her directly ever since he had entered the hotel room to inform her of a change in schedule. “It’s as I said. The company decided to cancel your ticket because of fans possibly being on board.” She couldn’t understand. “But…what about your ticket? You would have been with me anyways! Are you gonna stay here too?”, her voice almost cracked. She wrung her hands nervously, still trying to make eye-contact with him. He pushed a hand through his black hair, suddenly turning in her direction. “No, I will fly as scheduled.” “B-but what about me…when is my flight?” She sank down onto the bed, stunned. So she would be left alone in this country whose language she did not speak? “I don’t know. You will have to book one yourself.”, he shrugged nonchalantly. Tears welled up in her eyes, her hands slowly falling into her lap. “Why? Can’t the company book another one?” “They said they won’t pay double and spontaneous bookings are expensive. You will have to use your own money.” He walked past her towards the window, glancing at the crowd of fans below. She started shaking, the tears overflowed. “What money?!”, she couldn’t help but raise her voice at him. “They have not once paid me in all this time, so with what money am I to buy a ticket home?!” Her manager sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose. It hadn’t been his idea either, so why did he have to get yelled at. “Listen, I don’t know either. Ask your family or something.” A sob shook her form, then a chuckle. “You know my family relies on my income. If I don’t have money, they don’t either. I’d have more luck trying to sell one of these damned shoes.” Grabbing the Yves Saint Laurent high heels that had been killing her all evening, she was set on hurling it against the wall in her anger, but a tight grip on her wrist stopped her. Her manager glared down at her. “You know these were only loaned for the event. You can neither destroy nor sell them at any cost.” The tears streamed down her cheeks as she held his gaze. “Then what am I supposed to do. I will be stranded here. Can’t you tell them I will miss all of my schedule and have them get me?” He let go of her hand, forcing the shoes from her grasp. She had always thought it irresponsible to spend all the money on the most expensive items to preserve this made-up appearance of exclusiveness, but what could she do. None of the decisions, but all of the consequences were hers.