By the time Noelle arrived, Vanessa had already finished her auditions.
“I’ve changed my mind,” Noelle blurted out. “I’m staying and keeping the role. I’ll also accept the pay without any complaints from now on.”
Vanessa gave Noelle a once-over, wondering what Noelle was plotting now.
“That’s already too late, isn’t it?” Marianna asked, looking at both Jack and Harry. “Vanessa got the role, right?”
Jack and Harry glanced at each other before Harry parted his lips to speak. “Vanessa’s performance was exceptionally good. For someone who’s never acted in the industry before, I’m quite impressed. However, compared to Noelle’s acting skills, Vanessa does seem to fall behind a little bit. Since Noelle isn’t giving up the role anymore, she’ll still be keeping it. Meanwhile, Vanessa will receive the role of the second female lead if she wants it.”
Noelle’s shoulders instantly relaxed, relieved that she hadn’t lost her role and that she had an opportunity to execute her plans against Vanessa. She was glad that Vanessa had decided to come to her like this. That way, she could use her however she wanted.
“But hold on,” Marianna said, not willing to back down. “Noelle gave us such a hard time and even threatened to sue us if we didn’t increase her pay. How sure are we that she isn’t just saying this to cause more trouble in the future? If Vanessa’s acting doesn’t fit the role, you should give her some time. A week should be enough for her to improve.”
“Marianna, I promise you that I won’t complain. I’m sorry for acting so childish about the pay earlier. I’m satisfied with what I have and I’ll definitely deliver,” Noelle said, her voice morphing into that of a child again, which sent Vanessa’s jaw ticking.
Then she heard Noelle’s steps closer to her. “Sister, we’ll be acting in the same movie now. I’m so excited.” Without warning, she hugged Vanessa so tightly she almost passed out from what she couldn’t tell was her choking perfume or her rotting soul. “Don’t worry, I’ll teach you everything that you have to know.”
Vanessa pushed Noelle back slightly but deep down, she wanted to push her with so much force that she tripped and landed on her butt.
Then she turned to both Jack and Harry. “Thank you for giving me a chance. I’ll make sure to practice some more to better my skills.”
“You did well, Vanessa. Marianna will forward you the script of the second female lead. Production will start in two weeks.”
Vanessa gave a low bow before walking out with Marianna, but she heard Noelle’s heels clicking right behind her.
“I’m really sorry, I thought you were going to get the first female lead role,” said Marianna.
“You don’t have to be sorry about anything.”
“I promise, in your next movie, I’ll do everything in my power to land you your first main lead role,” she promised.
“I’d like to see that happen,” Noelle sang. “I still can’t believe that you managed to land a role. Tell me, did you sleep with either Jack or Harry?”
“Bitch, don’t start!” Marianna snapped. “I don’t know why you decided to keep the role but you better stay out of Vanessa’s way if you know what’s good for you.”
Noelle gave Marianna a once-over before she burst out laughing.
“Do you really think an ordinary staff member like yourself is going to do anything to me? You’re just a recruiter, Marianna, and that’s all you’ll ever be.”
Marianna reached forward, ready to tear Noelle apart but Vanessa held her back. Visit g.com for the full chapter.
“Don’t waste your energy on someone like her, Marianna. You know Noelle has the habit of projecting onto people and even going as far as accusing them of things she’d done in the past just to make herself feel better, am I right sister?”
Noelle’s face dropped, eyes narrowing. “And what’s that supposed to mean?” She demanded.
Vanessa simply shrugged. “I have no idea. I’m just saying. Being a renowned actress isn’t easy but you managed to be one in under a year. I wonder how.”
Noelle’s cheeks instantly burned as if Vanessa had smacked her right across the face.
She had a secret, one only her family knew about, including Vanessa. If she exposed it…
She quickly stopped herself from thinking such thoughts. Vanessa wouldn’t dare. The life of her grandmother was still in her father’s hands.
If Vanessa dared to do anything to sabotage Noelle, her grandmother would be the one to pay the price.
Noelle’s lips stretched into a grin.
“I wish you luck, Vanessa. I hope you’ll be able to handle what is coming your way.” She smiled so broadly that her face nearly tore before she left.
Marianna scoffed once Noelle was no longer in sight. “That bitch pisses me off anytime I see her face. Even after being born rich, she still chose to be a bitch! Listen, don’t let anything she says get to you. You have all the time you need to get better. Since the production will start in two weeks, I’ll quickly send you the script for your role so you can start learning it immediately.”
“Thank you so much.”
“It’s nothing. Just be a better actress and kick Noelle out of the industry.”
If only Marianna knew that Vanessa’s mission wasn’t to kick Noelle out of the industry, but to earn enough money so she could pay for her grandmother’s hospital bills and finally be free from her father’s clutches.
Vanessa gave a tight smile in response. Then she quickly checked the time on her phone. It was nearly 1pm.
“I have to go now. Thanks for all your help, Marianna. You did a lot for me.”
Before Marianna could say anything, Vanessa pecked her on the cheeks and vanished.
Twenty minutes later…
Vanessa arrived at Honeybell Academy. The building was already bustling with kids who ran to their parents with happy laughs.
Vanessa searched around but didn’t see Bianca.
Fear gripped her, and she hoped Matteo didn’t beat her once again and pick her up from school.
Bianca was being led to the car by a woman.
The woman’s back was turned to her so she couldn’t see her face at all.
“Bianca!” Vanessa screamed, rushing after her, scared that she was about to witness Bianca getting kidnapped.
Reaching forward, she snatched Bianca’s hand right out of the woman’s grip like she was filthy and would only contaminate the girl with a disease.
When Bianca’s eyes fell on Vanessa, hope instantly filled them.
“Who are you? And why are you taking Bianca away?” Vanessa questioned. Then her eyes narrowed in suspicion when she recognized the face. It was Fiona, Matteo’s ex-wife.
Fiona stared at Bianca with a small but mocking smile, as if wondering if Vanessa was worth speaking to.
“You must be Matteo’s new wife. Hi! I’m Fiona, his ex-wife and Bianca’s mother.” She had her hand stretched forward for a handshake which Vanessa didn’t accept immediately.
Vanessa examined the hand as if it was a ticking time bomb that would detonate if she made physical contact with it, then her cold eyes landed on Fiona.
“You are not allowed to take Bianca anywhere,” she reminded her. Matteo’s warning two nights ago was clear enough that he didn’t have a good relationship with Fiona. For him to remarry, it was obvious enough that he wanted nothing to do with Fiona, nor did he want Bianca to see her mother. “You picked her up two days ago, didn’t you? Don’t do that again. I’m her mother now, so stay away from her.”
Fiona released a soft scoff, unimpressed.
“What did Matteo tell you about me? He must have said terrible things.”
“I don’t need him telling me things about you to know that you’re bad news.”
Fiona laughed, the kind of sound that sent shivers running down Vanessa’s spine.
“You know you don’t have to worry about Bianca especially when she’s with me. She’s in safe hands, right Bianca?” She asked, looking directly at the girl while the child tried to completely turn herself invisible by hiding behind Vanessa’s frame, her hold on Vanessa’s hand tightening slowly.
The girl was obviously not fond of her own mother and Vanessa couldn’t help but wonder why.
Normally, kids from divorced parents still got along with one parent and tried to endure the other. But Bianca, she was shivering with fear just from looking at her own mother as if she’d done unspeakable things to her.
“She’s just shy. But she’ll eventually tell you how good our relationship is. I’m bringing Bianca home so we can spend some time together. We haven’t for a very long time and I miss my daughter so much. Don’t worry, we won’t take too long. I’ll definitely bring her back in one piece.”
Something about the way she said the last part made Vanessa’s skin crawl.
Once again, Fiona reached forward and tried to take Bianca away but Vanessa held her arm.
“You’re not taking her anywhere,” she stated, deadpan.