Episode7 Lorenzo's Help
1368 Words
They stepped out of the nightclub, the night air carrying a chill.
Lorenzo drove silently, and in the confined space of the car, Emilia felt a mix of gratitude, curiosity, and a strange sensation she couldn't quite place.
“Mr. Lorenzo,” she began tentatively, “you mentioned a job opportunity. Can you tell me more about it now?”
Emilia stole a glance at his profile—high cheekbones, thick black hair, and piercing brown eyes. He looked to be in his thirties, maybe early forties.
“An actor. A film actor. But just a minor role.” he replied.
“A film actor?” Emilia was stunned. “Me? That’s impossible. I’ve never acted before!”
“That’s not an issue.” Lorenzo turned briefly to look at her. “You have a natural charm and resilience that can’t be taught.”
“Mr. Lorenzo, you must be joking. I’m as ordinary as they come.”
Lorenzo remained silent, and the car was filled with an awkward quiet. Emilia worried she had said something wrong, but Lorenzo's voice broke the silence again. “Don’t doubt yourself. Just work hard, and we can figure out the rest as we go.”
“Really...” Emilia swallowed, still doubtful, but unable to refuse. It was a risk, but also an opportunity.
As they passed a traffic light, Lorenzo pressed a button, and elegant piano music filled the car.
“Is this classical music? Definitely an old man’s taste...” Emilia thought to herself.
“What’s this piece called?” she asked.
“Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 in C Minor—Fate.”
“Oh, it certainly sounds tumultuous and yet moves towards something bright, fitting the name.”
Lorenzo smiled faintly. For a moment, he didn’t seem so stern, even a bit endearing.
“This man doesn’t seem like someone tormented by fate, unlike me...” Emilia thought, smiling bitterly.
The car was filled with music, sometimes restless, sometimes full of anticipation, and at times bursting with light and joy, as if celebrating a victory. Emilia felt she understood the emotions in the piece.
“It’s wonderful, Mr. Lorenzo.”
“Yes.” His tone softened slightly, seeming pleased with her praise. “Would you like to hear it again?”
“Of course.”
Lorenzo pressed a button, and the music started again, like the knocking of fate.
“So, you like classical music?” Emilia asked, hoping to learn more about him.
“Yes, classical music helps me calm down and relax.”
“Really... You certainly seem like you need to relax. You always look so serious.”
Lorenzo’s mouth curved into a slight smile. “You’re right.”
“Well, it makes sense. Running a nightclub must take a lot of effort,” Emilia continued.
“You’re right, but I have more businesses besides the nightclub.”
“Wow, I didn’t know you were such a big businessman.”
“Big businessman?” Lorenzo hesitated. “That’s a good term. I am a big businessman.”
“No wonder you always seem so deep and stern.” Emilia felt a new wave of admiration for him.
“It’s nothing,” Lorenzo said, not wanting to continue the topic. “Let’s talk about music. What kind of music do you like?”
“Oh, I have eclectic tastes... I like a bit of everything.”
In truth, Emilia didn’t really have a favorite type of music because she was always too busy to listen to any. But she did like the piano piece playing now. “I like this piece you’re playing in the car.”
“Oh.”
Lorenzo glanced at her before looking back at the road.
“If given the chance, I could play it for you.”
“That sounds nice.” Emilia nodded, imagining what he would look like playing the piano.
Suddenly, the music was interrupted by a phone call. Lorenzo pressed the speaker button.
“Calum,” his voice held authority.
“Mr. Lorenzo, I’ve got the information you requested,” a slightly raspy voice with a Mexican accent said through the speaker.
“Good. Email it to me. Anything else?”
“No, sir.”
Lorenzo hung up without saying goodbye or thank you, and the music resumed. In that moment, Emilia found him a bit intimidating, even inhuman.
The phone rang again.
“Mr. Lorenzo, the interview is scheduled for tomorrow at 11 AM,” said a middle-aged woman’s voice.
“Good.”
“Have a pleasant evening, Mr. Lorenzo.”
Lorenzo pressed the button to end the call. Soon after, the phone rang again, but this time he looked at it and didn’t answer.
“You're really busy.”
“Yes.” He was expressionless.
Emilia wanted to ask why he didn’t answer the call but decided against it, respecting his privacy.
With a screech of tires, the car came to a stop.
“We’re here.”
Emilia looked at the old apartment building outside. They had indeed arrived at his place.
“Thank you, really, Mr. Lorenzo.”
“Be at the Filly Building on Sofield Street, 11th floor, for the interview at 11 AM tomorrow.”
Emilia felt a sudden rush of nerves. “Is it really possible? I’ve never acted before...”
Lorenzo’s voice was calm and low. “I told you, you have a natural charm. You can be more than an actress; you could become a movie star. Just relax.”
Emilia was touched by his confidence in her. Taking a deep breath, she replied, “I’ll do my best, Mr. Lorenzo.”
“Good.”
Emilia opened the car door and stepped out, looking back at Lorenzo. “Good night, Mr. Lorenzo.”
Lorenzo met her gaze with his melancholic brown eyes. “Good night.”
After Emilia left, Lorenzo dialed the number of the missed call. “Gary Mann, what’s going on?”
The voice on the other end was nervous. “Mr. Lorenzo, you sent a message saying you want to schedule a woman for tomorrow’s audition, is that correct?”
“Yes. Any issues?”
“Mr. Lorenzo, the only role left is Emma, and it’s already been promised to someone. Tomorrow’s audition is just a formality.”
“Promised? I wasn’t aware. Who approved this?”
“Just yesterday, Hildu spoke to our producer. You know Hildu, the second-largest partner in our group. We couldn’t refuse his request. If not for other friends and important people wanting their candidates to audition, we wouldn’t even hold this audition. It’s just to save their face.”
“f**k!” Lorenzo swore harshly. “When did our film roles become playthings for these people? And that damn producer Soros, did Hildu bribe him with a major slut to get this approved?”
“I... I don’t know. Things like this are common in the film industry.”
Lorenzo raised his voice. “Spread the word. Tomorrow’s audition will be fair. We’ll choose the best and most suitable actor for the role, not someone preselected. Anyone who disobeys will face consequences!”
“Yes, Mr. Lorenzo, but... if Hildu’s candidate isn’t chosen, it might affect our partnership.”
“To hell with that! We invest in films to make money, not to play games. If we let unqualified people take roles, who will pay to see such trash?”
“You... you're right.”
“When we lose money, these people will just laugh at our misfortune. If they truly cared about the group, they wouldn’t do such foolish things.”
“So, as I said, follow my instructions. Tomorrow, we choose based on merit. Anyone who interferes is no longer a friend of the group but an enemy!”
Lorenzo angrily hung up the phone.
He opened the car window, the rushing wind helping him cool down.
He thought of Emilia. While he ensured fairness in the audition, could Emilia win the role? If she failed, would this kind, beautiful girl return to the bar, facing the same dangers, living in despair every night?
“Good luck, Emilia. Don't disappoint me tomorrow.”
Lorenzo stepped on the gas.
- Writer
