Page 2 of Dreaming About Forever

And that one word carried so much emotion–emotion Stacy so expertly disguised in front of the public eye.

“Everything okay?”

“Not really. Am I on speaker?” Stacy asked.

“It’s just me and Lillian.” Alicia spoke carefully, trying and failing to push down the rising unease that threatened to choke her.

“It’s Mom. And Dad. Lillian needs to know about this too, but I needed you to hear it from me and not Danielle.”

Danielle was Stacy’s manager. She and Lillian always worked well together to ensure Alicia and her sister had open communication.

“What do I need to hear from you? Are Mom and Dad okay?” she asked with a small plea in her words. She’d talked to them last week. Or was it the week before?

Please don’t have bad news. Please don’t have bad news.

Stacy scoffed. “Well, I wouldn’t say they’re fine. I just got a call from our accounting team. Mom and Dad have been stealing money from me. Like, a lot of money.”

Stealing? It didn’t seem possible. Alicia and Stacy gave their parents everything they asked for and more.

Though, a nagging in the back of Alicia’s mind said their mother had always been money-hungry. She liked the finest things in life, and money didn’t seem to have value to her anymore.

But stealing? There wasn’t a reason for it.

“What do you mean?” Alicia asked.

“Millions.” Stacy’s voice broke on the word and was followed by a sniffle. “I asked them to check your finances too, but they said I don’t have authority to authorize that for your accounts.”

Alicia’s heart beat like the thump of bass at her concerts, vibrating her whole body. “I don’t–”

“Call Henry. Just tell him to check. He already knows, and he’s probably already checked your accounts.”

The shock wasn’t letting the truth set in. It was almost as if she was watching her life unfold, but she wasn’t a part of it.

It was a lot like watching the footage from her concerts. She didn’t know that person on the stage. The words were hers, but the choreography and clothes weren’t.

“Alicia. Now,” Stacy demanded.

“Okay. Okay. I…” Alicia looked at Lillian, still unsure how to move her body and make it do what she was supposed to.

“Call me back,” Stacy said. “I’m on standby. I’m not due at the carpet for another two hours.”

Alicia and Stacy’s careers had followed similar paths. They’d both starred in the hit sitcom,Family First, as kids. Then, Alicia had pursued a music career, while Stacy stuck to acting. Now, in their twenties, they were equally successful in their own artistic circles. Their net worth was probably hovering around the same million range.

“We’re meeting Ashton at The Plaza in twenty minutes. If we don’t get back to you before we arrive, I’ll make sure Alicia gets back in touch with you after the event,” Lillian said.

“Thank you.” Stacy’s words shook, and it seemed the numbness of the shock was wearing off. She’d been spouting off in a mix between fury and anguish that mirrored Alicia’s own confusion.

Lillian ended the call and immediately placed a call to Henry.

Alicia didn’t talk to Henry much. She’d always trusted him and his team. Now, she was heading straight into a situation where she’d have to either solidify that trust or watch it crumble.

The rough under fabric of the dress irritated the skin on her legs and ankles. The lace tickled her arms. Hot air filled her lungs as she inhaled, chasing a release from the tightening in her chest.

“Henry Goodson.”

“Hey.” The word came out in her media voice–the peppy and lively voice she’d perfected over the years. “It’s Alicia Carver.”

“I know. I was about to call you. I’m afraid I have some bad news.”

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