Saying "I quit" to the person who treated Cedrick no better than an ant felt good... for a second. The old coworker wasn’t even the owner, but a bully who thought he could trample on someone just because they were younger.
However, the ecstasy of that moment faded just as quickly as Cedrick sat down in the backseat. Reality slowly sank in: he had quit and now put his life in the hands of someone who couldn’t even distinguish an eyeliner from a lipstick—as she was wearing both.
The Angel’s Revenge...
Cedrick lowered his head, his fingers entwined as he thought about it. A loud pounding filled his chest. Even with the AC on in the car, he could feel sweat forming on his back and forehead.
Can I really trust her?
He looked up at the driver’s seat, ignoring the person riding shotgun. Though it was a little too late to wonder, the nervousness was still there.
Why did I even agree?
He had no plans of ever accepting her offer. Not because he thought The Angel’s Revenge was overhyped, but because the entertainment industry had broken him.
Everyone talked about a star’s downfall, but none of them knew the real horror started on the landing. Aside from Cedrick not getting projects or getting rejected outright, the way people treated him was pure hell.
"By the way, I’m taking you to meet some people I know," Lola’s voice finally broke the silence. "The audition for Ryker’s role is last on the list, but even so, we’re running out of time."
Cedrick gazed at her through the rearview mirror. Her eyes were focused on the road, her demeanor calm and certain.
"You’ll start your acting lessons tomorrow and some other classes, too," she continued. "The script is right there in the backseat if you want to start now."
Out of instinct, he turned and saw a small stack of papers. He hadn’t noticed the cover, The Angel’s Revenge, on top until now. Reaching out, he shot her a look. "You told me you wanted me to take Ryker’s role."
"I did, and you should," she answered without taking her eyes off the road. "If I asked Director Sarian to give you the role, he might—after a long argument. However, I don’t want other people saying you got it easy."
"Easy," he snorted quietly. "Since when did I get things easy?"
"Exactly."
His brows knitted as he looked at her back, catching the side of her face. Her expression and tone were composed and certain.
"I want you to prove that you earned the role, and that Ryker is you," she added solemnly. "And no one else can do it better than you."
This time, Lola finally lifted her eyes and looked back at him through the rearview mirror. "Can you do that?"
One last gamble, Ced. If this fails... then, I can finally say I did my best till the end.
His mouth pressed into a tight line before he nodded. "I’ll do my best."
"Good."
Silence quickly followed as Cedrick leaned back with the script in hand. As he flipped the pages, the man in the front spoke.
"What about me?" Slater pointed at himself, his attention on Lola. "What are you going to give me?"
"You’re already part of it," she muttered, her lips deepening. "I already asked Director Sarian to give you a role."
Her face twisted in discomfort. Before leaving the first day of the audition, she had asked Director Sarian for a favor. Back then, she didn’t think much about it and simply wanted to help a "struggling" actor the twins were talking about. Who would have thought their uncle was a superstar whose talent fee would likely be more than half of the production’s original budget?
Slater, on the other hand, looked at Lola curiously. As far as he knew, the production would have already known about his participation. Why? Because he had made sure to have a grand entrance.
She doesn’t know yet? he wondered, looking at her. No one told her?
The corners of his mouth curved down, not pleased by this lack of communication. But just before he decided to do the work, an idea crossed his mind.
Heh.
Slowly, the sides of his mouth hooked into a mischievous smirk. Looking at her, he nodded in satisfaction.
"What are you thinking?" she asked, casting him a side-eye.
"Nothing!" he said, raising his hands. "Nothing at all."
****
Soon, they arrived at an apartment building in the city close to King’s City. This area was less crowded but still close to everything.
Cedrick followed Lola quietly until they reached one of the units. She didn’t knock, just barged inside. To his surprise, the apartment wasn’t a home, but a gym—it probably occupied other connected rooms, given how wide it was. With no one inside but equipment, it looked even bigger.
"Haji! Come out!"
"Ugh..."
Cedrick looked around, trying to find where the grunt came from. He saw no one until a head peeked out from behind a small ring in the middle of the place.
"Damn it..." The man, who seemed to have been asleep until now, dragged himself up. He ruffled his unruly hair, stopping a step from Lola.
"Hmm?" he blinked his weary eyes, rubbing them before looking at her again. His face twisted with dismay, and Cedrick could tell why. Lola’s outfit and look were just too... unique.
"I was just having a horrible dream, but looking at you right now, I see that was just a dream," Haji said, pointing at her face. "That is a nightmare."
"I need you to take care of him." She ignored the insult and pointed at Cedrick with her thumb. "At least, make sure you increase his stamina and strength. I want him healthy."
Haji raised his brows and bobbed his head at Cedrick. "I know you."
Cedrick offered a polite smile, lowering his head a bit. "I’m in your care."
"He works manual labor, so he’s probably stronger than others," she continued, eyeing Haji dismissively. She then reached out to Cedrick and pushed him toward Haji. "Show him around and give him a room."
Lola shot Cedrick a look and nodded at him. "He might look like someone you can’t trust, but he’s not a bad guy. I’ll come by here tomorrow to talk about your schedule and diet, alright?"
"Uh... okay."
"Good." She snapped her eyes at Haji. "I’m off."
"Mhm. Bye bye..." Haji lazily waved, watching her walk away without stopping.
Once she was out of sight, he rested his hands on his hips. "Dry as ever." He raised an eyebrow, glancing at Cedrick. The latter looked back at him with uncertainty and a hint of hostility.
Haji smiled, slapping the man’s back. "Loosen up—haha! No one’s gonna touch you here unless they want to mess with her." He laughed. "No one wants to mess with someone who’s already messed up. Come, follow me. Let’s check your threshold first."
Cedrick watched Haji walk away, taking a deep breath before he nodded. "Yes, sir!"