Chapter 290: No
"Manager Kang, can you stop pacing around?" Simon frowned as he looked at the frantic manager. "I can’t focus here."
Manager Kang glared at Simon, who was leisurely seated in his spot.
"I agree with him, Manager Kang," Melissa, seated on the couch, nodded. "There’s nothing we can do since the production reached out to Megan and Pixy."
"That’s not the point!" Manager Kang sat beside her. "Melissa, don’t you really understand why I’m angry that those two are here without telling me?"
"I know, Manager Kang. But their roles are minor ones. So, they’re not much of a threat," Melissa offered a reassuring smile. "Besides, they’re good actresses. I’m sure it’ll reflect well on you that all your artists got roles in Angel’s Revenge... and the next one."
Manager Kang stopped as he stared at Melissa while Simon arched a brow. The latter slid his eyes to the corner, studying Melissa’s smile.
What a pretentious woman — it’s actually scary.
*****
"They’re good." Lola watched the scene unfold through the monitor.
Director Sarian, seated on his folding chair, nodded. "I’m surprised those two haven’t had a break yet."
She almost snorted at his remark, knowing full well the reason Pixy and Megan hadn’t made a name yet. Even with minor roles, these two were really good, considering how quickly their tears flowed and how effectively they delivered their lines.
"And... CUT!" Director Sarian shouted, and applause followed immediately. "You girls did great! That only took one take — good job! Keep it up!"
Megan and Pixy, in the middle of the scene, smiled and lowered their heads, suppressing their excitement. Everyone could see it. Director Sarian was hard to please with mediocre acting; even minor roles weren’t exempt from his nitpicking. That explained his many successful films and series.
"Good job, girls," Ida said, approaching the two with a bottle of water. "The director is really hard to please. This is one of the rarest firsts he’s happy on the first take. If you’re taking all these scenes, I’m sure we’ll finish ahead of time."
"Thank you, Miss Ida," Pixy expressed sincerely.
Megan blushed. "Thank you," as she accepted the bottle.
"There are still a few scenes left for both of you, though separately now," Ida said. "But that’ll take a bit of time since we’re shooting Cedrick and Simon’s scene first. Then Melissa’s."
Ida walked the girls through the details, knowing that keeping them in the loop would make things easier for everyone. Besides, Ida knew these girls needed this attention, especially since their manager wouldn’t even let them share tents with his other artists.
As they walked away and the production crew started fixing the set, Melissa stood on the side. Her eyes were fixed on Megan and Pixy, who were clearly being given extra attention by Ida. The downturn of her lips revealed her displeasure.
They’re just doing minor roles, and their scenes aren’t that important, she thought. Why are they so happy just because they were told they did a good job?
A glint flickered across her eyes as the gears in her head began turning.
*****
Melissa sat in her tent, her face brightening when she saw Megan and Pixy enter.
"Megan! Pixy!" she jumped from her seat. "Come in!"
Megan and Pixy smiled at her as she guided them to the small lounging area. As they sat down, Melissa offered them drinks. Megan let out a deep exhale, taking in the tent.
Surely, having a tent is nice. It’s even air-conditioned.
"I heard that Manager Kang scolded you guys for coming without letting him know," Melissa started gently. "I know it’s not my place, but I want to apologize for his behavior. I talked to him already, but it’s hard to calm him down."
"Melissa, we already know he’ll get angry once he sees us," Megan explained. "It’s just that... he should’ve told us we didn’t get the role. If he did, we could have at least given him a heads-up."
"Megan, you know Manager Kang’s schedule is tight," Melissa sighed. "I’m sure he didn’t mean it that way."
Melissa studied the girls, whose reactions were timid. They simply nodded in understanding, but somehow, that wasn’t enough for her.
"Anyway, you should’ve at least told me too," Melissa frowned. "So, I could’ve celebrated with my friends."
Friends?
Megan mentally scoffed, remembering how Melissa used to act. After realizing Melissa could have stolen the roles meant for them, Megan felt her stomach turn.
How could Pixy and I fall for these tricks?
"I want you guys to stay in my tent... but Manager Kang is still very angry," Melissa reached for their hands and smiled gently. "Once he calms down, I’ll bring it up again. I’m sure he will have no problem sharing my tent with you."
Pixy lowered her gaze, swallowing down the tension in her throat. Megan held Melissa’s hand back and smiled.
"Of course, Melissa," Megan said. "But if he doesn’t want to, then there’s nothing we can do, right? Knowing you’re doing your best for us is good enough."
"I’m glad you understand me."
Pixy pursed her lips, darting her eyes between Megan and Melissa. The two stayed for a while until Manager Kang arrived, so the girls left before enduring endless scolding.
Once they were gone, Pixy huffed.
"I feel so used," she bit her lips. "Does she think we don’t have brains? After treating her as my friend and even doing favors for her... how could she—"
"Pixy, calm down." Megan faced her squarely, holding Pixy’s shoulders. "I also feel angry that I didn’t realize she’s been playing us. That she thinks of us as some kind of pushover idiots."
"Megan, I know what we’re doing is right, but I’m starting to get scared."
Once their scenes for Angel’s Revenge were over, they knew they had to live in hiding again until the end of their contract. Neither girl was naive enough to think ending their contract would guarantee freedom. Knowing Manager Kang, he would block them, or worse, no agency would want them.
"We need to do something," Pixy said. "Otherwise, this will be the end of our career."
Although we can’t really call this a career anymore.
Megan pondered, and when she looked back at Pixy, she let out a calm exhale. "There’s only one person Melissa is scared of. If we’re lucky, Lola might want to help us."
"She hates us."
"We still have to try and thicken our faces."
Both girls held each other’s gazes and nodded. With that thought in mind, they searched for Lola until they finally spotted her in the corner, napping. Before they could say a word, Lola, her face hidden by a cap, spoke.
"No."