Her Elusive Price (Book 2)

Seven

Sydney

Have you ever had one of those days where you’re dead set on the idea that things couldn’t get any worse than they already are, but then the world suddenly decides to prove you wrong so now you’re basically caught in the middle of another shitload of more shitty things and all you can do is to take everything as they are? No? Okay, let me give you an idea.

I woke up at around four for an early morning rom-com movie audition, went to take a shower, only to find out that it was busted so it felt like I was submerged in ice the whole time. Left at five-thirty and decided to get some coffee that burned my tongue. Thank god it wasn’t that bad, but it still hurt. Like a lot. Got to the studio at seven feeling super optimistic and feeling accomplished because I was thirty minutes early, but guess what? I ended up waiting for hours because the schedule for the auditions was moved to eleven at the last minute. At one in the afternoon, it was supposedly and finally my turn to audition, but I was told that they’ve already picked someone for the part. The icing on the cake was as soon as I got out of the studio, it started raining hard. Like raining buckets hard which was unusual. So now, I’m seeking shelter outside a small covered corner, soaking wet, feeling cold, broke as f**k, waiting for the rain to stop, and thinking I should’ve just gone to work.

I know the ordeal that I’ve experienced today is nothing compared to what others have gone and are going through, but one and a half years of trying to make it as an actress is becoming very impossible and depressing lately. I just can’t seem to catch a break. I’ve had small roles here in there, but those were it. I mean, did I waste so much money and time on acting classes only to realize that I'm really that bad and forgettable? Now I’m thinking that my parents could be right. I really should forget about this dream and find an extra job. With all the bills to pay and money I need to send back home, I just don’t know anymore.

I was wallowing in self-pity when a call from an unknown number came making me jump to the point of almost dropping my phone.

Me: He- hello?

Maddox: Sydney?

Me: Yes? May I know who’s calling?

Maddox: It’s Maddox.

I looked at the screen of my phone like an i***t as if I’d find a clue that it’s really him who called. Is it really him or is this a prank?

Maddox: You there?

Me: Y-yeah. Wait, Maddox as in Maddox Price?

Maddox: Umm... Yeah... Do you know any other guy named Maddox besides me?

Me: No. I’m just... H-how did you get my number?

Maddox: Roman. I’m at Jive. Thought you’d be working, but I guess not. Listen, I really need to talk to you about something. It’s pretty important.

I nodded forgetting that he can’t see me. See? i***t.

Me: Oh, okay. About what exactly?

Maddox: It’s kind of hard to explain over the phone, but it’s about a sort of acting job you might want to consider. Can we talk about it face to face? Maybe we can meet here or somewhere you prefer? If possible today. It’s somewhat urgent.

I don’t know what came over me, but as soon as I heard the acting job part I started tearing up, thus making me sniff loudly.

Maddox: Hey, you alright? You sound like you’re coming down with the flu. 

I swallowed a couple of times trying to get a hold of my sudden burst of emotion.

Me: I-I’m stuck...

I wanted to continue, but I couldn’t as my lips started to quiver. And now I feel awful for being such a drama queen. God, this is so embarrassing.

Maddox: Stuck where? I don’t understand.

Me: At a corner because of the rain. I don’t have an umbrella. No c-cab...

I took a shaky breath, unable to finish my sentence that I didn’t have enough money to go to where he is if I take a cab. I figured that would be too much.

Maddox: Oh, shoot. Are you hurt? Which corner?

Me: Somewhere in Ventura Boulevard.

Maddox: Okay. Can you do me a favor? Text me your exact location. I’m coming to get you as in now. Wait for me alright? Wait there.

I stared at my phone for a long time wondering if what happened right now was even real until I got a message from him half scolding me for not telling him where I am exactly. I replied right after and minutes later he was jogging towards me with a black umbrella and a jacket draped over his left arm. He handed me the umbrella when he got to me and covered me with the jacket that’s still warm and smelled so much of him. It smells wonderful and comforting actually.

“Are you okay? It’s a shitty question I know, but yeah. Are you?” He asked as he was turning the heater on and I giggled while sniffling. “I-I'm getting your car seat wet." I exhaled "I’m so so sorry about this. I'm not usually a cry baby I was just having a really really bad day,” I explained with an apologetic look. “Don’t worry about it. It happens. Do you want me to take you home or?” He asked and I simply shook my head. As much as I want to change my clothes and bury my head under a pillow, I don’t think going home is a good option right now. I don’t feel like facing my roommates while keeping up with the brave act as I tell them that I didn’t get the part - again. “Okay... So, where do you wanna go?” He questioned and I lifted both my shoulders before saying, “I don’t know.”

“Well in that case,” he said before driving off to god knows where and the funny thing is I didn’t care where he was planning to take me. What I do care about though is the fact that it comes so easy for him to rescue someone no matter how simple the situation is, but why? “Do you... Do you always rescue stranded in the rain, distraught women all the time?” I exhaled and he gave me the side glance with a hint of a smirk on his lips. “No, just this particular woman. She’s kinda weird if you ask me, a little standoffish, but very charming. You should meet her sometime,” he said nodding his head in my direction and that made me smile a genuine one at that for the first time today. He thinks I'm charming.

“I know it’s an overworked phrase, this "you didn't have to" saying, but it's really the case. The truth is I wasn't in big trouble earlier just being dramatic or maybe I was honing my acting skills. Don't get me wrong, I'm really grateful, it's just that you probably have more important things to do." He looked at me briefly and raised an eyebrow. "Yeah... didn't I mention earlier that what I need to do is to talk to you about something? Cause I thought I did." Oh, so I guess he's serious about that. "You did say acting job, I remember. Umm... What kind of acting job?" I asked as I stare down at my interlaced fingers on my lap.

"We need to shoot a music video for Amber Moon in a couple of weeks. I know it's not really an award-winning kind of acting, but would you be interested in being a part of it?" I slowly blinked at him wondering how he was able to come up with the idea of including me for this. "Actually, our manager and the director would like to meet you and your friends from the club," he continued while I was failing to put my brains back in order. Wait, what?