Madeline looked at her back and was relieved when she didn't see those two burly men. She was afraid they would follow her, but at least their Boss didn't seem to be the pushy type.
It wasn't her first time dealing with that kind of problem. She was popular four years ago, and the invitation to go on a yacht with those powerful men wasn't uncommon.
'But I guess I have to get used to this again. Because I'm selling the image of a shameless slut. Those creepy men will get pushier in the future,' Madeline thought as she went down the elevator and walked out of the studio through the backdoor.
She didn't want to go through the main lobby because she might encounter reporters or even just the audience from the previous shows.
They would be shocked to see her in regular baggy apparel. She was selling the image, after all. So she couldn't ruin their awful fantasy about her.
She went to her car, put the suitcase in the trunk, and sat inside her car for a while, trying to let everything seep in.
She tried to recollect herself, sorting out what she should do next.
First, she had to go to the hospital to complete payment for her Mom's current treatment as a late-stage cancer patient. She also wanted to check on her mother, who had been weakening each day.
Second, she had to buy groceries in Walmart, then go home to check on her brother's studies, and then she could finally rest.
"Alright, let's do this, Maddy," Madeline told herself as she drove her mother's modest, old car.
She had not kept her budget tight because she had so many expenses. If only she could splurge a bit for herself. The first thing she wanted to buy was…
'Hmm? What do I want to buy for myself again?' Madeline wondered as she drove through the Los Angeles traffic to the hospital. 'Maybe a new phone? A better car? Or even an apartment for myself?!'
Madeline liked to imagine that she could purchase all of them because, with her money, she should've been able to live comfortably right now.
But since she lost it all between her father's gambling and her mother's medication, all she could do was fantasize before shooting herself down, 'Oh, forget it. I'd rather use the money for Mom or Nathan. They need it more than me.'
Madeline parked her car in front of the hospital and went straight to the administration to pay the medical bills.
She sighed after checking her bank account, but couldn't do much about it.
After that, she went to the room where her mother was resting.
She knocked on the door and opened it.
She smiled when she saw her mother sitting on the bed, staring at her with a thin smile.
Diana, her mother, was very pale and thin. Her hair had fallen off, and now she simply embraced her current situation as a bald cancer patient.
Madeline felt a lump in her throat each time she visited her mother. There was a stinging pain that lingered in her heart, telling her that her mother wouldn't stay for much longer.
After all, she had been suffering for five years, and her health had deteriorated tremendously.
"You're finally here, Maddy," Diana said. "Come in. It's been a while since you came for a visit."
"Yeah, I'm back, Mom." Madeline forced a smile as she closed the door and approached her mother.
She sat on the stool beside the bed and held her mother's hand. "How do you feel? Better?" Madeline asked, as she wanted to stay positive.
"Better," Diana smiled, though the fact was far from that, and Madeline knew it from the doctor's report as well.
"That's good," Madeline said, holding her tears. "Sorry I haven't visited for a while. I was busy with work."
"You said that you're working in the entertainment industry again," Diana looked concerned. "Are you sure it's okay? I don't want you to get bullied by other people again…"
"Oh, that's fine, Mom. I'm not working as an actress anymore. I'm working backstage as a manager of a new actor. He's generous enough to pay my salary upfront, so we can get by," Madeline lied through her teeth.
She didn't want to lie about this, but there was no way her mother would agree to what she was doing right now had she known about it.
After all, no good mother wanted to see her daughter acting like a whore on TV.
Fortunately, her mother did not like watching gossip news or talk shows. She preferred watching old movies from the 80s and 90s.
Madeline didn't plan to tell her mother about her new job anytime soon. As long as she got the money for her family, she would do anything.
"Maddy, you don't need to pay for my medication…" Diana said. "You've spent too much money on me. I won't live that long anyway…"
"Don't say that, Mom. You will recover soon, trust me!" Madeline wiped her tears, as she didn't want to look sad in front of her mother. "Don't worry about Nathan, the house, or even me. I have a lot of money in my new job. Oh, I even planned to buy a new car! I'm swimming in money right now!"
Diana smiled sadly. "I'm glad you have a lot of money, Madeline. Please use it on you and Nathan, not for me. I've failed to protect you from your father, so I—"
"Oh, Mom, do you know that Nathan has been selected as the captain of the basketball team in his school? He's amazing!" Madeline quickly shifted the topic, as it would get too depressing if they continued.
Thus, they began talking about random stuff to get Diana's mind off her depressing condition, hoping it would somehow lessen the pain.