Chapter 297: She Was Not Alone
"Simon, what are you doing?" Manager Kang gasped, looking at Simon with wide eyes. He then looked back, still seeing Melissa’s figure on the side of the road. "Why would you not stop for her?"
Simon smirked, not even bothering to look at his manager. "I already wanted to go home." He then shot Manager Kang a look. "Manager Kang, do you want to go back and pick up Melissa? We’re already far. It’ll be a hassle since the U-turn is also far."
Manager Kang frowned deeply but didn’t push the issue. After all, they had just driven past Melissa, who was standing on the side of the road. And going back would surely take some more time.
"What am I going to tell her now?" he grumbled, glancing at his phone as it rang. "She’s going to be so angry at me, Simon. This is not a good idea."
"Just call her back later," Simon mused. "Then tell her you fell asleep on the road."
"Simon, I’ll let this pass just this once. But remember, Melissa got you into this agency."
Simon scoffed, looking at Manager Kang. "Manager Kang, don’t forget you were the one who begged me to sign with you. If not for you and Melissa’s persistence and promises, I wouldn’t have signed. Honestly, I’m reconsidering signing with you, since all your promises to me haven’t been met."
Manager Kang opened his mouth but ended up shutting it again. In the end, he stayed quiet because, unlike Melissa’s plans to climb her way to becoming an executive of the agency, Simon was already generating money for the company.
"Simon, are you still angry about the role?" he asked worriedly. "I told you it’s unprecedented."
"Then next time, just don’t make promises." Simon looked away, ignoring Manager Kang’s persuasion.
*****
"Isn’t that... Melissa?" Pixy perked up, catching sight of someone standing on the side of the road. "Didn’t she leave with her fiancé?"
Megan, who was driving their small car, glanced at the side of the road. She smirked, stomped on the gas, and drove past Melissa. At the same time, Pixy’s phone began ringing.
"Melissa is calling me," Pixy said, raising her phone.
Megan gave her a sidelong glance. "What are you going to do with it?"
"..." Pixy pursed her lips and then put her phone on silent. Her mouth stretched into a grin as her eyes squinted. "Who cares about her? I’m sure she has a lot of people willing to help."
"Haha." Megan chuckled, and the two moved on. They didn’t dwell on Melissa, already happy that they had finished their scenes easily and without mistakes. Not only were the directors happy with them, but even the crew praised them.
That was a first for them.
Most importantly, Cedrick had offered them spots in his tent, and everyone else sharing the same tent was considerate enough to leave when the ladies needed to change.
*****
Meanwhile...
[From: Unknown
Attached address]
[From: Unknown
Come home to this address. Everyone is staying here tonight.]
Lola read Atlas’s message and checked the address he sent. It was a place in one of the most exclusive subdivisions in Novera, where only the top one percent lived. Lola was familiar with it because the chairman of the Lancasters owned whole compounds there.
[To: Unknown
I’m already headed home.]
[From: Unknown
I’ll pick you up there. Rest and wait for me.]
A subtle smile played on her lips as she read his short reply. It wasn’t a sweet message, but somehow her cheeks turned pink. Silo, seated beside her, narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
"Tch," Silo clicked his tongue bitterly. "Just look at her... after causing so much trouble today."
Lola ignored his side comments as she started typing on her phone.
Now that I think about it, Atlas and I only exchange messages when necessary, she thought, giggling. I should tell him everything that happened today.
Without realizing it, she sent him a lengthy message that almost gave Slater a heart attack. After all, Slater was with his first brother and, upon catching a glimpse of Lola’s long message, he immediately thought she was angry.
*****
Minutes later...
"Lola!" Silo shouted as soon as Lola jumped out of the van. "Do you need company?"
Lola looked back at him and hissed, "Atlas isn’t home."
"Oh, okay! Bye!" Silo didn’t wait and slammed the van’s door without hesitation.
"He should’ve at least pretended," she grumbled before resuming her steps. She didn’t look back as she headed straight to the penthouse. Even though she hadn’t been acting, helping with the production had been exhausting.
Soon, Lola arrived at the penthouse. She stopped as soon as she stepped in. The lights in the entryway switched on automatically, but the rest of the place was dark. Lola looked past the entryway and couldn’t see anyone.
"Right," she whispered. "I’m so used to someone being home whenever I arrive."
Shaking her head, she removed her shoes and changed into indoor slippers. Lola hadn’t lived in the penthouse long enough to know exactly where the switch was, so she felt along the wall until her fingertips reached it.
Pausing for a second, she drew a deep breath and pressed the switch. Light quickly spread throughout the living area, making her squint slightly.
"Goodness, I can’t believe I’m going to admit this... I’m not used to this," she murmured, dragging herself into the living area to idle for a while.
Sitting alone, she looked around. It was quiet—too quiet. This was the first time she had been alone in the house—no Atlas, no twins, no Slater, no other guests treating her place like their vacation home.
Just Lola... and a huge penthouse.
"I never realized this penthouse is actually very spacious," she whispered, shaking her head. Lola didn’t dwell further, heading toward the bathroom to shower before Atlas came to pick her up.
But just as she left the master bedroom door slightly open and headed for the shower, the lights downstairs switched off. Following that, movements were seen in the dark.
She was not alone.