Chapter 281: Working double time
Amala’s words played in Lola’s sleep-deprived head even after the woman had gone. Seated behind the desk, Lola paused from reviewing documents as she thought of what Amala had said. It was true that Vito played a crucial role for Lola, for the company, and for her freedom.
It was Vito who brought her into his hellish little world, but the one who took away her freedom was not him. It was that world itself. And Vito, giving her a pass to return to normal life, was something she shouldn’t thank him for — but he was a key person who made it achievable.
"In a way, what Amala said is true," she whispered. "No matter how much I hate to admit it."
Vito’s life guaranteed her freedom. If the man dropped dead, Lola could only expect some people knocking on her doorstep, ready to blow her head off.
"Damn..." she hissed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "I just realized Vito didn’t just meet me for no reason. He’s confirming my existence... and I just gave him proof and leverage."
She clenched her teeth, cursing herself for not realizing it sooner. Vito might be crazy, but he was the smart kind of crazy. That photo of Atlas was a mere distraction from the bigger issue he might put her in.
"There’s this secret society and then this issue..." she trailed off, feeling her head throb even as she massaged her forehead. "Not to mention, the mother of the twins."
Surely, this world wasn’t going to give her a break. Lola drew deep breaths and massaged her head until the throbbing eased. Dropping her hand on the armrest, she ran her tongue along her inner cheek.
"At least I know that Vito is up to something," she told herself. "That would give me some time to prepare."
Whatever Vito was planning, she knew he would use it only when desperate — a last resort. So helping Atlas and finding out what truly happened with her pregnancy still remained her top priority.
As she nodded to herself, her phone began ringing. Glancing at it, her brows crinkled, and she reached for it.
"Ida?" she answered. "I didn’t expect you to call me right now."
Ida’s heavy sigh came first. "Taz, have you checked your emails?"
"No, not yet. I got busy. What’s up?"
"We’re changing some actors, and the director isn’t very happy," Ida said, followed by another sigh in her voice. "The higher-ups decided to hire a few actresses without consulting the director."
Lola listened carefully and guessed where this was going. "Melissa got the role?"
"Yes. That’s why Director Sarian was livid," Ida clicked her tongue. "He even threatened the higher-ups that he would drop the project. But the higher-ups say the actors were ’problematic’—that’s how they put it."
"Ida, you should stop Director Sarian from challenging the executives further."
"I already did, but Director Sarian is reconsidering his position."
"I will talk to him," Lola said. "Please send me where I can meet him."
"Thank you, and I’m really sorry for bothering you. It’s just that the director listens to you. You might be able to change his mind."
"I will try my best," Lola smiled wearily. "But there’s no promise."
"As long as you try. That’s enough."
Lola ended the call and stared at her phone. Ida was usually composed, but hearing her like that told Lola the series’ situation was bad.
"That little..." she hissed, getting on her computer to check the situation online. "Can’t she wait a little longer? That woman really works hard."
Once Lola opened the internet, the issue was already everywhere: the controversy circulating around the artists who’d gotten involved with Angel’s Revenge.
Lola clenched her teeth. "She didn’t just attack one artist — she went after a few!"
In hindsight, she understood this was Manager Kang’s decision. After all, if they’d only targeted one artist and Melissa got the role, it would look too obvious. So, risking the project’s timetable, they spread the move across several names.
Lola rolled her neck to loosen the stiffness.
"I want to kill her first," she grumbled. "There’s really no end to her. She’s just working double time."
Lola huffed and stared at the article before her. Not dwelling on it because the damage was done and agencies had already released statements confirming the accusations, she checked her emails.
There were quite a lot from Ida, and some brand offers for Cedrick. She’d already picked some brands for Cedrick and had no plans of signing him to everything. After all, Cedrick was the only person she wanted to manage, and she had to raise his market value by holding off on some offers to focus on a few.
And just like that, Lola got back to work, even with other things waiting.
*****
Meanwhile ...
Vito yawned, stretching his arms and legs. Once his limbs loosened, he flung his legs out of the bed. Rising to his feet, his eyes fell on the woman lying next to him on the bed.
"I wonder if she saw her last night?" He wondered, reaching for the blanket and tossing it over the woman, who had been lying there since the night before. Without care, he walked out of the room and left it open. On the way, he picked up his phone and called someone.
"Hey, take that woman away from here," he ordered lazily, still yawning. "She’s starting to smell."
The woman lying in his room — the same one Lola had seen — was an assassin sent to seduce him and kill him. She had dropped dead before she could even begin the seduction. He’d just drunk too much last night and forgotten to have her removed.
After giving his order, Vito tossed his phone and dragged himself to the bar counter. As he did so, a figure in the corner of his eye made him pause. Slowly, Vito turned his head and caught a man standing near the window, his back to him.
"What a surprise!" he intoned, narrowing his eyes as he studied the man. He didn’t look familiar. "And who might you be?"
The man didn’t answer immediately, instead eyeing the view. It was surprising — this room was supposed to be secret. Yet, it had a view.
"Vito Ricci," the man finally said as he turned to face Vito. Vito’s brows rose in surprise.
"You are..." The corner of Vito’s mouth twitched into amusement. "My darling’s boy toy."
Vito straightened. "Oh. This is interesting."