004
1125 Words
Caslista’s POV
I took in a deep breath before walking into the eatery, hoping I would be getting good money from whatever it is that would soar my acting career to the next level.
Anything for the hundred thousand dollars… maybe with a little exception.
“Miss Hanna…” my voice trailed off the moment I moved my gaze to the man sitting opposite my manager. “What the f**k is this motherfucker looking for here, Miss Hanna?”
“Wait, don't tell me you deceived me all the way to apologize to this—”
“Calista, would you just shut up, sit down, and let us get to the reason we are all here?" she interrupted me, staring at me like I was overreacting.
“Just five minutes and I am f*****g out of here,” I said calmly before I sat down.
Hopefully this meeting won't be about shooting commercials together.
I can't stand being in the same space with that Ryan wannabe motherfucker!
“I don't know why you slapped Mr. Evander Alex, but you know you could be sued for assault?” The lady sitting next to him explained.
Well, this had never been new to me. The same cycle of people wanting my apology like it was all they live for.
“But we won't do that. In fact, we are here to make an offer to you,” her voice echoed before I could stand up and walk out. “With rumors going on about you both dating, I think this is a chance for Mr. Alex to get back on the good side of the media, and you on the other hand, would be famous.”
“Just—”
I burst into laughter when I moved my gaze to the motherfucker who had been quiet all this while.
Fuck it! Evander and I can never be in the same space. I hated him to the bone… this is something heaven would have to fall before I do.
“I am sorry, I would never date Evander. Even if he is the last man on earth, you get it?”
“No, no, not like the actual dating thing. Like fake dating, acting as a couple in public and being the people you are when you are alone,” without giving me the chance to speak, she added. “If you want, we can pay you for this.”
“Would you pay a hundred thousand dollars?” I blurted out before I could think.
“Over—”
“What about we pay you fifty thousand dollars? You are just going to put up a love show to the public for three months,” the lady interrupted Evander. Not as if he had something meaningful to say.
I wanted to remain adamant, but looking at my manager’s facial expression, I did not give myself the chance to think twice.
Fifty thousand dollars would go a long way for me.
“I would do it,” I said calmly, my gaze fixed on Evander.
It is just fake dating by the way…
“But I just —”
“You are going to sign a contract, so be rest assured, it is really fake dating. Mr. Evander is known to be a playboy for a reason,” she interrupted me before dipping her hand into her bag. “Here, go through the contract and see if you want any term to be modified before we move on to signing the contract.”
I collected the papers from her hand, taking my time to read through the terms, line by line.
Whoever put up these terms has a sure ticket to heaven. The terms are so amazing. Just faking it. For three months… I won't be seen as intimate with other guys in the public except if it is related to my work. And I would be everything a girlfriend is, and he would be everything a boyfriend is.
Even though a part of me wanted to hesitate, I picked up the pen on the table before signing both copies of the papers. I stretched them back to her.
“Evander,” she called out his name.
Watching him hesitate before signing the papers made me feel relieved. Whatever he was, playboy or gay, I just wanted to get this pay, and hopefully, I would be popular enough to be cast for lead roles in high-budget movies.
“Did—”
“Your manager already forwarded me your bank info,” the lady interrupted me before I could inform her I already received the payment. “You should meet with Mr. Evander at Sea’s afterparty tonight. I want you both to steal the spotlight. Whatever it takes, convince everyone you are both dating tonight.”
The lady and Evander walked out without giving me the chance to complain. This was so f*****g sudden!
I can't imagine how I would go about this… I doubt I would be able to convince myself we have a thing, let alone the public.
Fuck that Ryan wannabe!
“Please, Calista, don't f**k this up. You won't want to pay thrice the money you receive as penalty fees,” my manager reminded me before leaving the restaurant.
****
“Wait, you… b***h! "You are so f*****g hot,” Emily's voice echoed the moment I stepped out of my room.
I can't believe she was doing this. She followed West from the hospital all the way to the house.
“Lis, for as long as I remember, you don't do party, what suddenly changed?” West asked, giving me that naughty look like I was going to go get f****d or something.
“Ryan’s wannabe happened,” I blurted out before I could stop myself.
Without waiting for West and Emily to bombard me with questions, I rushed out of the apartment.
Maybe this is the best time for Emily to make her move on West instead of playing ‘my crush’ game with him like some high school girl.
I got into the car, trying to come up with a way to make this ‘fake it’ work. I am an actress, yes, but this isn't some f*****g show…
I quickly snapped out of my thoughts when I remembered my manager's words… thrice the money I received if I f**k this up!
“You are ten minutes late,” Evander’s voice echoed the moment I got out of my car.
He stretched his hand forward. “Let’s go,” he added before I could speak.
I hesitated before taking his hand into mine. I so much hate the fact we are doing this… but for Mom, I have to make ‘us’ believable.
- Writer
