Read Online Stardust (The Starlight Trilogy #3) by Alexandra Richland - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Alexandra Richland
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figure. Her eyes were bloodshot, her hair hung in unkempt curls with dark roots. For the first time, she didn’t wear makeup. Connie was a natural beauty, yes, but so sad. Why hadn’t she seen it before?
“What exactly happened with Mr. Mertz?”
The passion that encouraged Connie to stand her ground moments ago drained from her eyes. “When I arrived in Hollywood, I was a naïve, seventeen-year-old named Mildred Johnson. Luther was like the Wizard of Oz to me. He had the ability to grant me anything and everything I wanted because—as he insisted—I had ‘star quality’. He put me through the studio’s beautification process, legally changed my name to Constance Murphy, and arranged a meeting for me with a famous director—” She closed her eyes on a shudder.
Beth grasped Connie’s hand, granting the support she should’ve provided long ago.
Connie exhaled deeply and opened her eyes. “I lost my virginity to that director in a bungalow at the Chateau Marmont. He was much older than me and married with two children. I didn’t like him, let alone love him. In fact, there was no romance at all, just pain and tears. But I agreed to have sex with him because he promised he’d give me the lead in his next film if I did. Afterward, he told his driver to take me home and I never heard from him again. I’ve seen him around the studio and at social events, but I can’t look him in the eye. It’s too upsetting. I’m too ashamed.”
Beth’s heart shattered. Aidan had been so sweet and gentle when they made love. She couldn’t image sharing intimacy with someone she didn’t care about, or someone who didn’t care about her.
“But you were young, Connie. It’s not your fault.”
Connie glared at her. “That’s not an excuse. My parents raised me to respect my mind and my body. I never should’ve allowed my acting ambitions to negatively influence my behavior. But I was so desperate to make it in Hollywood. My parents…they weren’t thrilled with my career choice, but they didn’t forbid me from becoming an actress. Instead, we came to a compromise. If I didn’t get signed to Starlight Studios within a year and have a promising future in the film industry, then I had to return to New Jersey. I sacrificed everything about myself I was proud of in order to get to where I am today, all because I didn’t want to go back home a failure. My parents would’ve welcomed me with open arms, regardless. But still. I wanted to show them I could make it on my own, you know?”
Tears trickled down Connie’s face. She wiped them away with the sleeve of her blouse. “Needless to say, after that night with the director, I was invited to many business meetings , all arranged by Luther. I was passed around like some prostitute, constantly reminded that I wasn’t a talented actress, but if I shut up and did as I was told, then one day I’d become a big star. So I went along with it.
“Finally, I received top billing in Closure , the role that launched my career, and they left me alone—moving on to the next new girl on the lot, I’m sure. But I didn’t care at that point. I’d made it, and all I wanted to do was forget everything bad I’d done to earn my success. My rationale was that I couldn’t change what happened, but I could make sure no one took advantage of me again.
“Then I met Matthew.” Her lips lifted a little. “We fell in love and all of my former indiscretions became nothing but distant memories—until I saw Aidan attack Luther. I thought after Matthew learned the truth, he’d call off our engagement, but he didn’t. He’s sticking by me and even assisting me in arranging another wedding, now that our June one is canceled on account of Luther’s involvement. He tells me he loves me unconditionally and understands why I withheld everything from him. He also wants to help me address my past and move on in the right away.”
Beth squeezed her hand. “I’m truly glad you two are still
“What exactly happened with Mr. Mertz?”
The passion that encouraged Connie to stand her ground moments ago drained from her eyes. “When I arrived in Hollywood, I was a naïve, seventeen-year-old named Mildred Johnson. Luther was like the Wizard of Oz to me. He had the ability to grant me anything and everything I wanted because—as he insisted—I had ‘star quality’. He put me through the studio’s beautification process, legally changed my name to Constance Murphy, and arranged a meeting for me with a famous director—” She closed her eyes on a shudder.
Beth grasped Connie’s hand, granting the support she should’ve provided long ago.
Connie exhaled deeply and opened her eyes. “I lost my virginity to that director in a bungalow at the Chateau Marmont. He was much older than me and married with two children. I didn’t like him, let alone love him. In fact, there was no romance at all, just pain and tears. But I agreed to have sex with him because he promised he’d give me the lead in his next film if I did. Afterward, he told his driver to take me home and I never heard from him again. I’ve seen him around the studio and at social events, but I can’t look him in the eye. It’s too upsetting. I’m too ashamed.”
Beth’s heart shattered. Aidan had been so sweet and gentle when they made love. She couldn’t image sharing intimacy with someone she didn’t care about, or someone who didn’t care about her.
“But you were young, Connie. It’s not your fault.”
Connie glared at her. “That’s not an excuse. My parents raised me to respect my mind and my body. I never should’ve allowed my acting ambitions to negatively influence my behavior. But I was so desperate to make it in Hollywood. My parents…they weren’t thrilled with my career choice, but they didn’t forbid me from becoming an actress. Instead, we came to a compromise. If I didn’t get signed to Starlight Studios within a year and have a promising future in the film industry, then I had to return to New Jersey. I sacrificed everything about myself I was proud of in order to get to where I am today, all because I didn’t want to go back home a failure. My parents would’ve welcomed me with open arms, regardless. But still. I wanted to show them I could make it on my own, you know?”
Tears trickled down Connie’s face. She wiped them away with the sleeve of her blouse. “Needless to say, after that night with the director, I was invited to many business meetings , all arranged by Luther. I was passed around like some prostitute, constantly reminded that I wasn’t a talented actress, but if I shut up and did as I was told, then one day I’d become a big star. So I went along with it.
“Finally, I received top billing in Closure , the role that launched my career, and they left me alone—moving on to the next new girl on the lot, I’m sure. But I didn’t care at that point. I’d made it, and all I wanted to do was forget everything bad I’d done to earn my success. My rationale was that I couldn’t change what happened, but I could make sure no one took advantage of me again.
“Then I met Matthew.” Her lips lifted a little. “We fell in love and all of my former indiscretions became nothing but distant memories—until I saw Aidan attack Luther. I thought after Matthew learned the truth, he’d call off our engagement, but he didn’t. He’s sticking by me and even assisting me in arranging another wedding, now that our June one is canceled on account of Luther’s involvement. He tells me he loves me unconditionally and understands why I withheld everything from him. He also wants to help me address my past and move on in the right away.”
Beth squeezed her hand. “I’m truly glad you two are still
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