Page 113 of Seeking Stars
She cleared her throat. "Ana, we called you in here today because we need to discuss matters of the utmost importance."
"I'm listening," Ana replied.
"As I described to Mr. Coulton, you and I have been communicating extensively over the situation between you and Mr. McMillan. I've advised you again and again that whatever it is that the two of you think you're doing, my professional opinion is that it is not to your advantage to continue your involvement with him beyond what results directly from the documentary project."
"You have," Ana confirmed.
"I do not appreciate you putting ideas in my client's head," Coulton said on the other side. His voice echoed a growl.
Ana's blood went on a slow simmer at his words. "I've done no such thing."
"Careful, Ana—" Diana seemed to want to add more, but Coulton interrupted her.
"Last night, I received an email from Liam." Coulton's tone attempted coldness, but it failed at hiding the fire beneath.
Coulton gave a printed copy of the email to Ana, who read it.
Coulton,
Since we began working together, I've been doing things your way. Lately I've come to realize that it isn't how I want to do things anymore. I asked you for time to rest, cope with the demands of my schedule, and I didn't get what I needed— not that I could ever regret what did happen. But it wasn't what I asked of you, and I don't want that to happen again.
I'm moving on from projects that don't mean anything to me. I want to do my work and connect with the people who love what I do— both in terms of fans and people I work with. I want to ignore those who only care about the spectacle and I'm going to focus on what matters to me. The decision will be mine. I hope I can count on your support.
I expect you will want to talk about this. I can move some things around and see you tomorrow. Set the time and I'll be there.
- Liam
Ana didn't think her imagination played tricks with her: his email and her speech on the stream shared some similarities. A small smile creeped on her face.
Coulton confirmed her impression.
"As you can see, he seems to have beeninspired—" the word held a hint of irony as he said it— "by your little rant from yesterday. Diana has confirmed that this sounds like what you've said."
"I do think so, yes," Ana agreed, butterflies in her stomach.
"You're so new, Ana." Diana frowned next to Coulton. "You may not have realized yet you're not only putting your career at risk, but his too."
"You think I'm ruining his career?" While Ana did her best to hide the scoff building in her, it escaped her through a tight throat.
"You're feeding him lines!" Coulton exclaimed to her other side.
"He's been telling you he wanted a break since before I came into the picture. You wanted to use me to not let him take a break."
"Ana," Diana warned.
"Use you?" Coulton continued, ignoring the other agent. "I gave you the opportunity of a lifetime and this is how you repay me? Now he's fighting me, thinking he can do what he wants. You convinced him he can do what he wants. You will ruin his career."
Ana allowed some of her frustration to fuel the volume of her voice. "I would never presume to know what's best for him. I've never as much as implied what I think he should or shouldn't do regarding his career and, even if, for some strange reason I did want to do that, he wouldn't just fall for it. He has a stronger character than you give him credit for."
"Yes, and I've had to challenge that, train him, hone him into the star he is." Coulton's voice now truly held a sharp edge. "I see his timelessness, the potential in his future, but you— oh, you, pretentious nobody, you quickly underestimated Diana's advice and made your own choices. It'll be your downfall."
Ana stared at him in disbelief, then at Diana, hoping her agent would have a word in her defense. She didn't. The betrayal twisted a knife in her gut. Her agent showed her clearly what Ana could expect from her.
"Liam is making a mistake," Coulton added. "After all I've done— but somehow he'd rather listen to you. So if you really don't want to jeopardize his career, then you'll have to help us change his mind, and guide him back into course."
"I'm not following." Ana didn't glance at Diana again. She would not try to engage her agent anymore.
"We are here to represent the best in the business. Liam has proven his star quality, but you have a ways to go." Coulton rested his elbows on the table, stapling his hands.
