Chapter 294: Looks Fun
Tak! Tak! Tak!
Everyone turned at the sound of a fork hitting a glass, only to find Ida standing near the table where Director Sarian and a few others were seated.
"Since today is the start of filming, I’d like to make a toast to Director Sarian!" Ida announced, her cheeks flushed. With a huge smile, she turned to the director while everyone rose. "Director, I know there have been a lot of issues leading up to today, but we’re all looking forward to another great film by you."
Director Sarian chuckled, raising his glass, and everyone took a sip. It had been a tradition to share a grand banquet on the first and last days of filming.
A round of applause echoed through the restaurant, followed by chants for the director to give a speech. Director Sarian sighed and raised his hands.
"Alright, alright!" he said, standing and scanning the room. "First of all, I want to thank everyone for their hard work. You guys are amazing!"
Everyone smiled at his words.
"I know working with me can be difficult," he continued, more persuasive than usual. "But, like my previous projects, this series is expected to be a hit. So, when I push you, know there’s an audience waiting for this series to air. Let’s do our best to give them the entertainment they deserve!"
Another round of applause, cheers, and whistles followed. The party continued with more food and drinks, and everyone set aside their day’s hassles. After all, it was just work—nothing personal.
At one table, Cedrick watched Lola chug an entire mug of beer.
"Taz, aren’t you drinking too much?" He asked worriedly, only for Silo to wave him off.
"Don’t worry about her!" Silo grinned, cheeks flushed. "She can hold her liquor. She doesn’t even get drunk!"
Cedrick frowned, noticing something off. "Her eyelashes are falling, though."
"Don’t worry about—ahh!" Silo shouted, turning to Lola and seeing her makeup smudged across her face. "Hey! Your face! Are you trying to give people a jump scare?"
"What about it?" Lola frowned, glancing at Silo and the others at the table. A few production crew members looked at her with slight worry.
She touched her cheek, and when she pulled her hand back, the white foundation had transferred onto her palm.
"What’s wrong with this foundation?" she pouted. "Is this why I feel off today? I changed brands since I ran out of my previous one. No wonder I don’t feel as beautiful as usual."
Everyone at the table twitched at her words. They’d grown used to her antics, but now they realized she actually believed this look made her beautiful. It wasn’t true!
"Taz, you can borrow one of my foundations," a crew member, also part of the makeup team, offered meekly. "I haven’t used it on anyone; the shade is... a little lighter."
By "a little lighter," she meant white!
Lola’s eyes lit up. "Sure, but I need to check the ingredients first. My skin is very delicate. I can’t just put anything on my face."
Everyone at the table was rendered speechless, staring at Lola. They bit their tongues, clearly thinking she was being ridiculous, but none dared speak.
For someone claiming delicate skin, Lola had an impressive amount of layers on her face. Not just her layered clothes—her makeup alone would require kilos of foundation.
"Huh?" one makeup artist leaned closer to inspect her face. Lola jolted away. "Taz, is that a prosthetic?"
Lola raised an eyebrow, touching a pimple on her cheek. "Uh, yeah."
"Why add prosthetics like this?"
"Well, because I’m just too pretty?" Lola shrugged. "If you saw my real face, you’d be very surprised. In this state, beauty. But without it, divinity."
Everyone scrunched up their faces, thinking Lola was shameless, even by her standards. Silo, however, leaned forward.
"That’s true, though!" he said. "Lola’s really pretty. Right? Right?"
He nudged Cedrick, who had been quiet. Cedrick looked at everyone, then at Lola. A gentle smile tugged at his lips as he nodded.
"She’s... really pretty."
"See? Cedrick agrees!" Lola cheered. "I’m as pretty as a goddess! Even my boyfriend fell for my beauty—and you’d be surprised, my boyfriend is really good-looking too. Wow, he’s really handsome, and he’s my boyfriend."
Lola got sidetracked by thoughts of Atlas, covering her mouth in shock. It was as if she suddenly realized how lucky she was. Everyone else just shook their heads and continued with their drinks, some wondering if Lola was truly beautiful under all that makeup and prosthetics.
"Their table looks fun," Pixy muttered, eating quietly with Megan and a few others she didn’t want to sit with.
Simon sneered from the same table. "Looking like a goddess? She’s lost her mind... and everyone else too, huh?"
Megan glanced at Simon, then at Lola’s table. It did look fun. Meanwhile, Melissa, sitting with them, couldn’t help glaring at Lola. She scoffed and rolled her eyes, both cheeks throbbing as fury burned in her chest.
Lola Young, you’ll regret this. I’ll make sure of it.
*
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*
The night continued and ended on a good note. Aside from Director Sarian, no one drank much—just enough to have fun and loosen up.
"Melissa, the van is..." Manager Kang trailed off when he heard someone call Melissa’s name.
"Melissa!"
Manager Kang and Melissa, who were about to get in the van, paused and turned their heads. Melissa’s face brightened as soon as she saw Derek.
"Oh, the fiancé is here!" Manager Kang chuckled. "Go ahead. I’ll ride with Simon."
Melissa nodded and happily skipped away. Watching her go, Manager Kang let out a shallow breath.
"How nice to be born rich," he commented. "Even your partner is rich."
Manager Kang then jumped into the car while Simon was already inside. From there, Simon observed Melissa and Derek, darting his eyes between the two.
So, that’s the guy who is supposed to be engaged to Lola.
Simon rocked his head, only to catch sight of Lola with a small group.
"Let’s go—" Manager Kang stopped when Simon suddenly raised his hand. "What is it?"
Simon didn’t answer immediately. He kept observing Melissa and Derek, then the oblivious Lola, who was approaching in the same direction. "Let’s stay for a bit. I think something interesting is about to happen."