A lone tear slid down Rose’s cheek, stopping momentarily at the edge of her jaw, before landing smack bang on the very thing that had set her tear in motion—the text.

Should she really be surprised? Ethan had been doing this to her a lot lately. He had a meeting with his manager; with a producer; an interview; press; some extended scenes to shoot.

She wiped at her eyes and scanned the half-empty first-class lounge. Most people were reclined in their seats engrossed in their phones paying her no attention. A woman soaked in expensive perfume sat across from her, the heavy floral smell assaulting Rose’s senses—making her sneeze more than once. Diamonds sparkled around the room like the night sky full of stars. She was a silver speck, in a sea of gold. She didn’t belong here—a feeling she now knew all too well.

Rose looked back towards her tear splashed screen and focused in on the slightly blurry words. Anger surged through her, replacing her disappointment.

Ethan knew how important this week was to her. She hadn’t seen her best friend Tilly in almost a year, and she had been counting down the days until she could finally celebrate her friend’s thirtieth in London.

She should be enjoying the benefits of bottomless champagne, a fully stocked snack buffet, and the most comfortable leather lounges she’d ever experienced with her wonderful boyfriend. Instead, she was alone and having serious doubts about their relationship. 

“Can I get you another?” The lounge attendant asked, pointing to Rose’s empty glass. 

Did she want another glass? Did she want to catch a plane on her own? Or did she just want to go home? She looked up at the beautiful, middle-aged woman, who smiled as she waited for an answer.

Then, in a split second, she realised what she needed—her mum. She desperately wanted to see her and not on a screen, but in person. She wanted one of her mother’s smothering hugs and to hear her wise words, ‘all men are idiots, honey. They can't help it’.

“Actually, could I speak to someone about changing my return flight?”

“Sure thing. If you follow me, I’ll sort you out. I just need your passport and ticket.”

The attendant gave Rose a warm smile. Then, like in the safety briefings onboard aircraft, she waved her toward the exit. Leading her away from the disaster that her life had turned into. They walked in silence down a long, brightly lit corridor, Rose trying so hard to keep her emotions in check.

She wasn’t happy, and if she were totally honest with herself, she hadn’t been happy for a while. But really, what did she expect? She was a plain old nobody; she didn’t fit into his world.

Ethan was at the height of his career. His life was an endless stream of filming, interviews, meetings, and parties. She had enjoyed the ride in the beginning, but it soon became painfully obvious that she was an outsider. 

Maybe Ethan had realised it, too? He hadn’t objected to her withdrawal from society. Or was it he just hadn’t noticed? He was a very busy man. It now seemed he was too busy for her as well.

Maybe he resented the fact that she was jobless and relying on him? It wasn’t like she hadn’t tried to find a job, but starting over in a new country with people following her every move was hard. All she wanted to do was stay in the secluded comfort of their Malibu beach house and never come out.

Even going for a walk along the beachfront became a miserable pastime, with camera lenses popping out from behind bushes and buildings. She had tried to embrace spontaneity and living in the moment, but she was tired and now she just wanted her old comforts of routine, privacy and most importantly, purpose. 

The attendant stopped at an empty counter and started typing. “What can I help you with then, dear?”

“I’d like to change my return destination from Los Angeles to Auckland, please.”

Rose would’ve preferred to just go straight home to Auckland, but she didn’t want to let Tilly down. She would celebrate her birthday and maybe even try to have some fun before she had to face reality.

Should she tell Ethan now, or wait? Would he drop everything and come if she gave him an ultimatum?

“There, it’s all done. Here’s your new itinerary. Is there anything else I can help you with?”

“No, thank you.” She read the attendant’s name tag. Macey looked like she had her life together. She had a radiant energy. She probably had a great husband, kids, dog, a job she enjoyed. Rose shook away her distracted thoughts. “Macey, that was all I needed. On second thought, an entire bottle of wine would go down nicely.” Rose tried to smile as she rubbed at her red, blotchy eyes.

Macey patted her on the shoulder. “How about we start with another glass and when it’s running low, just give me a wave and I’ll give you a wee top up. Your flight will be ready soon, so a couple of glasses should help you feel nice and relaxed.”

Rose almost burst into tears of gratitude, but she held back. If she opened the floodgates now, there would be no closing them.

“Thank you,” she said as her voice cracked. 

“It’s no problem at all, dear. Come, let’s get you that glass.”

Once Rose was back in the lounge, in a plush leather chair, she took a swig of liquid courage and pulled her phone from her pocket. “Right, it’s now or never,” she whispered under her breath.

She read over Ethan’s last message again. The thoughtless text stirred up her anger and resentment once more. 

Sorry babe, too much work this week, won’t make the party. Give Tilly my best wishes and buy her something nice from me, no expense spared.

Ethan’s posh British upbringing had given him the mentality that money solved almost everything. It made Rose’s blood boil. She didn’t want his money; she wanted his time. To put himself in her shoes for once. Well, enough was enough! She hit reply.

Money won’t fix this, Ethan!!! You know how important this trip is to me and once again you put your work first. Well, I’ve had enough!!! You either get your ass on a flight to London tonight or we are over!!!!!!!

Rose’s finger hovered over the send button. She was nervous about what would happen next. If she sent this, it could either be a turning point in their relationship, or the end.

She hesitated a few seconds more, but it had to be done. She couldn’t go on pretending everything was okay anymore. A notification popped up at the bottom of her screen ‘sent’. No turning back now. She sat back in the extremely comfortable chair and downed the rest of her glass.

After what felt like hours later, her phone pinged, indicating a new message. Before she opened it to see her fate, she waved her hand in the air. Macey made her way over—bottle in hand.  

“Thanks, I’m going to need this one,” Rose said, waving her phone in the air. Macey nodded and filled her glass with a little extra. She gulped the lot as Macey walked away, then reluctantly opened the text.

Blackmail?! Really!! We’ve been here before Rose, and I chose you! If you make me choose between you and my job, it won’t end well!

Rose nodded at the screen, fighting back the tears. So that was it then. Finally, she knew for certain where she stood. She had suspected, but having it confirmed from the man himself was like a knife to the stomach.

Running her hands down her face, a wave of nausea washed over her. It hurt! It hurt like hell. With shaking hands, she picked up her phone to send one last message. 

Goodbye Ethan.

Rose turned off her phone, stood, and walked over to the enormous wall of windows that looked out over the departures terminal. She glanced around in a daze, then something on the far wall caught her eye.

There, for all to see, was a massive billboard with Ethan and that nasty skank Victoria Moretti, plastered all over it. It was an advertisement for their new movie Pride and Prejudice—due for release in a couple of weeks.

That was not what she needed, looking at those two radiating beauty and sophistication for all to see. The dam broke. Hot tears rolled down her flushed cheeks as memories of when they first met, all those months ago, came flooding back.