Chapter twenty(20)
967 Words
Chapter 20
“I was rehearsing for the body double I was about to do for one of our actresses…”
Bella spoke in one breath, barely pausing between her words.
“It’s okay. Talk slowly. I’m not running anywhere,” Clara said.
She could practically hear Bella smiling through the phone.
Bella took a deep breath.
Inhale.
Exhale.
“Okay…”
She finally calmed herself down.
“As I was rehearsing, someone came in and told me I was needed in the boardroom, where the top actors and actresses usually have their general meetings.”
Clara listened quietly.
“When I got there, I saw our general manager… and Director Seo.”
Bella’s voice suddenly became more excited.
“Sis, you need to know how scared I was! I thought I had done something wrong. I thought I was getting kicked out. I thought I was—”
“Bella, easy,” Clara interrupted, laughing softly. “At this rate, you won’t even be alive to get signed by him.”
Clara walked into her bathroom and turned on the shower.
“Just take a breath and talk one thing at a time.”
She stepped beneath the warm water.
“I know you’re excited, but don’t choke on your words.”
“Okay, okay. I hear you,” Bella said, giggling.
“So, when I got inside the room, they asked me to sit in the chair closest to Director Seo. Sis, I was so nervous.”
She lowered her voice dramatically.
“I even stopped breathing because I didn’t want to accidentally breathe too close to him.”
Clara burst out laughing.
“Bella!”
“I’m serious!”
“Okay, okay. Continue.”
Bella took another breath.
“I was asked to act out a scene, so I did. And Sis, guess what?”
“What?”
“Director Seo looked proud of me!”
“Really?” Clara exclaimed. “Wow.”
“Yes! Then he asked my age, and I told him. He looked really happy and said—”
Bella cleared her throat before trying to imitate Director Seo’s deep voice.
“‘This is the youngest artist I’ve ever managed, and I’m happy to take her on.’”
Clara smiled.
Bella continued.
“And he also said, ‘There are areas where you’re not good enough yet, so you’ll have to start training for about a year before you begin acting professionally.’”
“A year?”
“Yes!” Bella replied excitedly. “I have to train before I can start acting again.”
There was a brief pause before Bella practically squealed.
“Sis, I’m so happy! Finally!”
Clara smiled as she listened to her sister’s happiness.
“You’re worth it, my love. I’m so happy for you, kiddo. I can’t wait to be part of your fandom.”
They both burst into laughter.
Although Clara was genuinely happy for Bella, there was one thing she hadn’t told her.
She already knew.
And more importantly, she knew she was the reason this opportunity had come.
Clara had deliberately kept it a secret because she knew her younger sister well.
Bella hated receiving favors simply because of who she knew. She wanted to earn everything on her own.
Clara knew Bella would never accept the opportunity if she discovered that someone had pulled strings for her.
After finishing her shower, Clara changed into her clothes and returned to the bedroom.
“Sis…”
Bella’s voice suddenly sounded more serious.
“What happened between you and Lilian that day?”
Clara stopped.
“How… I… You?”
Bella sighed.
“You don’t have to apologize. I know you didn’t mean any harm.”
Clara stared at the phone in surprise.
“How did you know?”
“I didn’t leave immediately after I stepped out,” Bella explained. “My senior colleague called me and asked me to get her a cake from the shop. So, when I went back inside, I overheard you and Lilian talking.”
She paused.
“And Olivia too.”
Clara lowered her eyes.
“I’m sorry, Bella.”
“You don’t have to be.”
Bella’s voice softened.
“And Sis, you should know that I trust you so much. I know you would never intentionally hurt me.”
She took a breath.
“You’ve been so good to me ever since Dad died. You’ve always put my happiness and comfort before your own. You’ve done so much for me…”
Her voice became emotional.
“Even after what that man did to you.”
“Bella…”
Clara’s heart tightened.
“I should do those things because you’re my little sister.”
She smiled faintly.
“Dad asked me to take care of you before he died because he knew the Fairchild family wouldn’t.”
Clara swallowed hard.
“So you don’t have to thank me. The only thing you can do for me is get what you’ve always wanted and live a happy life, okay?”
There was silence on the other end.
“Thank you so much, Sis Clara.”
Bella’s voice trembled slightly.
“I promise I’ll repay you tenfold.”
Clara smiled.
“Just live happily. That’s enough for me.”
“Oh, I have to go. They need my attention.”
“Okay. We’ll talk some other time.”
Clara’s expression softened.
“And make sure you eat properly. Don’t skip meals, okay?”
“Okay!”
“Bye, kiddo.”
“Bye-bye, Sis.”
The call ended.
Clara slowly lowered the phone and stared at the screen.
A small smile appeared on her lips.
For the first time in a long while, she felt like perhaps things were finally beginning to change for her sister.
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