RBAVS: Chapter 25

Maine was pacing back and forth in Lilian’s hotel room. “She’s doing this on purpose.”

Lilian’s eyes followed Maine’s. Her head started spinning as though she were the one going in circles. “I’m sure she’s here because she likes the role.”

Lilian’s words sounded absurd in Maine’s ears. “No, I’m pretty sure she’s here because of you. I bet she heard that Irene withdrew and took that opportunity to stir the waters. She couldn’t have gotten this role just on her own.”

Maine further added, “You remember that controversy you had with Alex? Do you remember how she reacted? Even before that, during the welcome dinner; do you also remember it? Trust me. My gut tells me there’s more than just liking this role.”

Lilian did remember. She just thought that after the controversy got cleared up, Hattie would have less resentment towards her.

Lilian’s question traveled to Maine’s ears. “Maybe she’s not what she used to be?”

Maine stood there as she observed Lilian sitting on the bed with her head down, fiddling with her fingers. She sat next to Lilian and said with her tone evening out, “See, even you aren’t sure of it either. But okay, I get your point. Howeverrr, we still need to be careful.” 

Maine adored Lilian, but she was also aware of this major flaw in her—she was too forgiving at a point of self harm. As her assistant, she needed to be vigilant at all times.

Maine left after giving Lilian reminders for tomorrow’s shoot.

***

Irene could see the billowing smoke of a simmering scandal from a distance. 

She tried contacting Lilian the moment she heard about Hattie, but it was Maine who answered. Since Lilian was busy, she asked Maine to pass on the news. 

Now that the sun has set, Lilian must now be free, so she decided to call.

It took a few rings before the call was picked up. 

“I heard Hattie took the role. Nothing happened, right?” 

Lilian could hear the concern in Irene’s voice. Just like Maine, they both were worried. I get where they’re coming from. But I believe people change. 

Lilian wanted to change Irene’s thoughts about Hattie even just a little bit, so she said, “Nothing happened. Hattie was actually nice.” 

Lilian’s description of Hattie took Irene by surprise. Yet, she still was not swayed. She has known Hattie for years, when has she ever been “nice” to someone she treats as an obstacle in her path. 

Nevertheless, since Lilian could say that, things were still good. “Fine then. But tell me if something happens. Alright?”

Lilian could only helplessly nod at her fret. She drew out her affirmation. “Yesssss.”

***

Mike handed the glass of alcohol to Vince and made a toast. 

He could not help but complain. “What a day huh?” 

After saying that, he emptied his glass in one go. The day could not have been any longer. “Thank’s for the help.”

Vince glanced at him and took a sip from his drink. “Hmm.”

With only the two of them in this private room in the bar, Mike could feel his tense muscles letting loose. Then, a message came through his phone. 

Mike took a quick look at it and said to Vince, “You didn’t tell Calvin you’re here?” He typed a quick reply before reaching out to the bottle in front of them to fill his glass.

Speaking of which, Vince did forget to tell Calvin he was here. “Forgot.” 

However, his schedule should be free today. He took out his phone and saw multiple missed calls and text notifications. Vince raised his eyebrow at this. 

Looking into it, a couple of missed calls first came from his mom, then followed by Calvin’s calls and texts. These were enough for Vince to deduce what happened. 

And just as he thought, Calvin’s message went from questioning to begging him to answer his phone. 

Vince’s mom could not get a hold of him and went for Calvin instead. Now, Vince’s messaging app was full of crying faces. 

If there’s one thing Vince knows about his mom, it’s that she never gives up. The calls started mid afternoon, hence she probably wanted him home for dinner. The old man must be back from a business trip. 

“You should really answer your phone. Calvin is practically here dying. Hahahahaha.”

Mike guffawed with his head back as he continued replying to Calvin with his one hand and holding his drink in the other. 

As Mike continued to reply to Calvin, he knew Vince’s mom had tortured poor Calvin to the bone. Mike could imagine his panicked face and laughed out loud. His drink spilled from his shaking hands. “Calvin is at your mom’s mercy.”

A new notification popped up on Vince’s phone. “I know you’re there. Mike just told me. Answer your phone pleaseeee. You know I can’t say no to your mom. She’s been calling me about you for hours. T_T T_T T_T “

Before Vince could reply, another one popped in. Yet, this time it was a message from his mom telling him to go home tomorrow. He responded and bid her good night. 

After Vince tackled the problem, he put his phone back down, finished his first glass, and then poured himself another one. 

Mike still had that sparkling glee in his eyes, still enjoying Calvin’s misery. 

Vince could not help but shake his head and chuckled. “I’m done replying to Mom. Tell him he can sleep tight now.” 

From Mike receiving Calvin’s text to Vince replying to his mom, Mike had already downed multiple shots of alcohol. As a heavy drinker, this was nothing to him, but Vince knew that he still had work tomorrow and resolutely took charge of the bottle. 

Vince warned him. “Drink slowly.”

Mike could only sigh as he was stared at by his menacing eyes. He playfully put both of his hands up, surrendering. “Alright, alright. But could you still pour me some?” 

He mustered any ounce of puppy eyes he could at the end of his sentence. 

And by the looks of it, he succeeded.

Vince could only helplessly pour him some. “Two more and you’re cut.”

Mike went ecstatic from Vince’s words. “Yeah, yeah.”

Now, he took a sip instead of chugging in whole and savored it as though he was drinking gold. “Do you know the extent of Calvin’s search for you? Man, does your mom know how to work people up.” 

A knock on the door interrupted their conversation. A staff member entered and said, “Excuse me, Mr. Williams, Mr. Males is here.”

“Hey!” Mike stood up from his chair. “You’re just in time, I was getting bored with my company here.” He playfully said as he took a glance at Vince. 

At his words, Max also greeted Vince. 

Mike pulled Max near him. 

Before, Max was only an acquaintance of Mike. He saw him, but he never really knew him. It was only after Max’s constant visit in the studio that he grow on him. He’s a nice guy. 

Mike has heard of his “stellar” reputation but he did not bat an eye. Most people in this industry were problematic. You would go bald stressing over little things. 

When Mike found out Max was chasing Lilian, he was instantly on board. Life’s too short for him to have an opinion of other’s relationships. Let them reign free!

In this dimly lit room, on a C-shaped leather couch, three men sat together. One stayed noncommittal, while the other two talked their hearts out. 

From Vince’s view, he could see Max with his tousled hair. His top was unbuttoned, every tiny action of his oozes undeniable charm. No wonder he was so popular with women. 

“I didn’t see you today in the studio, I thought you left.” Mike’s words travelled to Vince’s ears.

Vince shifted his feet and said to Max, “I didn’t know you’re also part of Mike’s movie.”

After months spending time with each other in The Fall of Eden, Vince and Max's relationship was best summed up as amicable. 

Mike butted in before Max could respond. His voice was coated with excitement, eager to share the news himself. “To get you up to speed, Max here is chasing someone in the crew.” 

“Oh?”

“I was surprised to see him on set the first day he came. I thought I forgot I cast him, turns out he’s actually courting Lilian.”

Mike blabbered on, but his voice faded away in Vince’s ears. 

Vince’s grip on his glass tightened.

“I actually saw you enter the club, but I wasn’t sure back then and was hesitant to approach.” Max was replying to Mike.

Mike scanned him up and down in full disbelief. “Now don’t lie. You? When have you ever been hesitant?”

Max shrugged his shoulders. He leaned back on the couch with both his arms spread on top of it. A smirk plastered on his lips. “I have my days.”

Mike rolled his eyes. 

“Actually,” Max trailed off as he turned to Vince. “I first saw Vince sitting at the bar. I guess he was waiting for you.”

“Really?” Mike turned to Vince. 

“I proposed that we sat in the bar, but Vince had already booked a private room.” 

Vince took a breath, his timbre apathetic. “Mmm. There were no free rooms when I arrived. Had to wait for a bit.”

Actually, Vince had no intention of booking a private room. It was an impulsive action on his. 

He was sitting in the bar when he saw Max flirting with women. 

The clamor of multiple overlapping voices clashed with the barring noise of the sound system, filling the club. 

Wherever corner you turned, you could see bodies throwing themselves at each other. Some were too drunk, struggling to tell their left leg apart from their right.  

But Vince kept his eyes on Max. He heard him buying drinks for multiple women in a row. 

He observed how those women talked to the bartender, curious at who bought them the drink. Seeing Max’s face, a spark of recognition lit their eyes. 

Max bathed in the stares and whispers he received. He was like a peacock in heat, bewitching the uninformed. 

Recognizing who Max was, some even proactively gave him their numbers. 

Vince found the sight irritating and booked a private room on a whim. 

Max stirred the conversation toward Vince. “I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw you here, Vince. Didn’t know you had another upcoming project. You can hit me up whenever you need more extras.”

Mike jumped into the topic. “Nooo, he’s here for me! I’m his best buddy. I didn’t even know he was coming, I guess he wanted to surprise me.” He was preening over his perceived importance in Vince’s heart. 

Vince let them talk to themselves. 

His thoughts circled back to the reason Max was here and reached out for his glass and chugged it in one fell swoop. 

He welcomed the burning in his throat.

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