Debts and Auditions
1202 Words
Elena had just hailed a cab outside her building when a figure stepped in front of her.
Ethan Cole—face bruised and swollen—had clearly waited for rush hour to corner her.
“Why’d you block me after I texted you?”
Elena kept walking. “You’re annoying. I’m going to be late for work.”
Ethan jogged ahead and blocked her again. “Grandpa says we’re having dinner at the family estate tonight. I’ll pick you up from the office.”
“Not going.”
“You’re my fiancée. You have to.”
Ethan’s voice rose with urgency. If Elena didn’t show, how would he justify asking the old man for more money?
“I promise—if you go and keep him happy, he’ll give me cash. I’ll split it with you. Then you can pay back what you owe Uncle Lucas, right?”
Money.
That word made Elena pause. Her sharp gaze landed on him.
“Your words. If you go back on them, don’t blame me for burning bridges.”
Ethan’s face lit up. “Relax—you’re my lucky charm. Why would I ever cross you?”
No one else tolerated him like she did—or charmed his grandfather as effectively.
Elena felt nausea rise. “Get lost.”
Mission accomplished, Ethan only grinned wider. “I know you look down on me. But that pure, innocent face of yours? One of a kind in Manhattan. Even Uncle Lucas lost his mind defending you yesterday. Elena Brooks, you’ve got some serious talent.”
A face like hers—clear, cool, unforgettable—was rare.
And paired with that icy personality? It stepped right on every man’s need to conquer.
Elena’s lips curved into a mocking smile.
“Then you’d better be careful. One day I might end up with Lucas Bennett—and you’ll be wearing a green hat while calling me ‘Aunt Elena.’ How embarrassing for you.”
Ethan’s face actually turned green. “You wouldn’t dare!”
Elena’s eyes flicked with disdain as she slid into the waiting cab and pulled away—Ethan’s furious shout fading behind.
“Uncle Lucas doesn’t want you!”
She let out a soft scoff.
Wanting and not wanting were two different things.
They’d always fit perfectly—even in dreams.
NH Entertainment – Film Division
Elena stepped into the building just as colleague Amelia Wright joined her in the elevator.
“Morning, Elena—PD.”
“Morning.”
Amelia was a supervising producer; Elena was executive producer. They partnered often.
Amelia leaned in, voice low. “Did you hear? Our big boss is back in the country. Everyone’s on edge—terrified he’ll drop in for a surprise inspection.”
Elena pulled her work badge from her bag and clipped it on. “Don’t stress. We haven’t done anything wrong. Just do your job.”
“How can I not stress? I’ve heard he’s fired people on the spot at other subsidiaries.”
She looked at Elena with genuine admiration. “Your nerves of steel—must be why you can go toe-to-toe with those diva agents. This new project’s driving me insane with all the backdoor deals they’re pushing.”
Speaking of casting, Elena remembered something.
“Pull Claire Montgomery from the third female lead role.”
Amelia blinked, surprised. “Isn’t she your cousin? And tied to one of the investors? She was pretty much locked in—tough to replace.”
Normally, a producer—especially one like Elena holding a potential hit—had final say on casting.
But most still considered investor preferences.
And Claire Montgomery had decent acting chops and a following. No urgent reason to drop her.
Yet Elena’s tone left no room for debate.
“Replace her.”
Claire had milked the “cousin” connection for PR for years. Now she was sleeping with Elena’s supposed fiancé to climb higher. The press stayed quiet out of fear of the Cole family—but scandals like that always surfaced eventually.
Better to cut the problem now than let one bad apple spoil the whole production.
Amelia had heard the rumors too, but still hesitated. “Claire’s not the type to go quietly.”
And with a potential inspection looming…
Elena arched a perfect brow, red lips curving. “Then I will be.”
They shared a knowing smile.
Elena Brooks was a legend in the industry.
Stunning. Explosive temper. Unmatched professionalism and taste. Decisive.
Right out of college, she’d written, starred in, and produced a low-budget indie film that swept major domestic awards.
Overnight sensation.
Then the family scandal hit—rock bottom.
That same year, NH Entertainment signed her. While everyone assumed her talent had been propped up by old money and expected her to pivot to acting for quick cash to pay debts, Elena went behind the camera as a producer.
In one year, she delivered two massively different hits for NH Film, earning Producer of the Year.
At twenty-five, Elena Brooks was the industry’s acknowledged genius among geniuses.
The only pity was her background: former Upper East Side heiress now saddled with nearly a billion in family debt, forced into a strategic engagement for opportunities.
Everyone knew marrying into the Cole family would erase that debt.
Yet no wedding date had been set.
Elena reached her office. Her assistant knocked.
“The actors for callbacks are here.”
She nodded. “On my way.”
Audition set
Elena sat with script in hand, pencil poised, observing and noting each performance.
Suddenly, the doors burst open.
A shrill voice cut through the room.
Claire Montgomery stormed straight to her, ignoring decorum.
“Elena Brooks! On what grounds are you dropping me?”
Staff rushed to intercept, but she shoved them off.
Elena signaled the director to pause, then lifted cool eyes to the raging woman.
“Not here.”
Claire’s voice echoed through the set. “Who’s losing it? What gives you the right to replace me? Think being producer makes you God? Without investors, your show is nothing! And you dare drop me? Afraid everyone will find out Ethan Cole’s already bored of you?”
A flash of ruthlessness crossed Elena’s eyes.
She stood and delivered a sharp slap across Claire’s face.
Gasps rippled through the set.
“Know your place.”
Claire clutched her cheek in disbelief. “You hit me!”
She lunged to retaliate—only to be restrained by burly crew members.
In the chaos, a panicked voice called from the entrance:
“The president is here!”
Instant silence.
Everyone tensed, exchanging nervous glances.
They parted like the Red Sea, heads down, afraid to look at the man in the doorway.
Claire seized the moment. “You all saw it! Elena Brooks—executive producer—abusing power for personal revenge, assaulting an actor! Doesn’t your company have rules?!”
Staff sucked in a collective breath.
The tall figure at the door wore a tailored suit, features striking and cold, radiating silent authority.
The room held its breath.
Elena met those pitch-black eyes.
Lucas Bennett spoke, voice low and commanding.
“Elena Brooks. My office. Now.”
- Writer
