The Kiss that Sparked it All

“Ms. Tanner, you've got the wrong end of the stick here. I never said you went out looking to scalp tickets. Maybe your friend got duped by a scalper, too, you know? As for the interview, I'll mull it over and get back to you within 24 hours.

Unless there's something else, I'd appreciate it if you could make your exit now, Ms. Tanner. I really need to wind down.”

Regina found herself ushered out of the dressing room, and even as the door closed behind her, she was still reeling in confusion.

"What the... Me? Nothing's been cleared up, but sure, pin it all on me, why don't you!"

She stamped her foot in frustration. What a stroke of bad luck! She'd paid through the nose to get those tickets from a friend, and now she'd been tarred with the scalper’s

brush!

To make matters worse, she hadn't even been given a chance to defend herself before Dahlia had her ousted. The injustice of it all!

As Regina walked away, Nolan watched her every step until she was out of sight.

Dahlia turned to see him and said with a hint of sarcasm, “What's the matter? Can't bear to part with Ms. Tanner?”

Nolan looked at her with mock horror. “A woman who's that much of a handful? Once is more than enough for me. Well, she’s gone now, so I'm heading out, too. You take care and rest up.”

He picked up his blazer and was about to leave when Dahlia reached out and grabbed his

wrist.

“Nolan, will you come by tomorrow?”

There was a brief silence. Nolan couldn't bring himself to look back at her expression. Finally, he left her with, “As long as you're on stage, I'll be there.”

His hand slipped through Dahlia’s grasp like water, beyond her reach.

Dahlia was left standing alone, lost in thought, until Sienna entered the room.

"Did Mr. Harris say anything?” she asked.

Dahlia lifted her head and let out a cold laugh. “What could he say?”

“That's a relief,” Sienna sighed. “I trusted that intern to reserve the right seat, and I reminded him over and over to keep seat number 008. But he botched it up and kept 007 and sold 008 instead! Thankfully, Mr. Harris didn't make a fuss, or I wouldn't know how to face you.”

09:37

“What did you say? The sold seat was actually number 008?"Belongs to (N)ôvel/Drama.Org.

After missing out on the interview and getting a reputation smeared, Regina's day had turned sour. While she was about to hail a cab to meet her friend, her father called with his usual summoning tone.

“Regina, darling, where are you at?"

“Dad, I've just wrapped up today’s work, about to grab some dinner with a friend before heading home. What's up?”

Francis Tanner's voice had a commanding tone. “What else could it be? We're hosting a dinner party at home tomorrow night, and this time, you're not getting out of it with one of your flimsy excuses, you hear?”

"What?" Regina's head felt like it was about to explode.

"Dad, another dinner party? Our house is practically turning into a social club! Why on earth do we have to throw parties every other day? I just want some peace and quiet at

home.”