Acting Skill
1167 Words
Because Director Zedd had spoken, Mia had no choice but to comply, no matter how unwilling she was. She couldn't afford to lose to Ashley-not here, not in front of the people who mattered.
Ashley, on the other hand, got exactly what she wanted. She had prepared several backup plans in her mind, anticipating resistance, but things were going far smoother than expected.
"Director, may we make some preparations?" Ashley asked with a soft smile. "Since this is a costume drama, I think it's necessary to set the tone. Besides, the role I'm auditioning for requires a certain... transformation."
Director Zedd nodded. "Ten minutes."
There was a small changing room next to the audition studio. The time was tight, so Ashley and Mia had no choice but to change in the same space.
Mia, always competitive, immediately pulled out her cosmetics from her bag and began touching up her makeup.
To be fair, Mia was beautiful. She had inherited Sally's striking features, the same allure that once made Sally outshine many to marry Bobby Sanchez.
But this role-this heroine-was not meant for Mia. Her beauty was too sharp, her expressions too calculating. There was nothing soft or pure in her eyes, no trace of innocence. She was more suited to a seductive, cunning second female lead. Ironically, it was that very role that had catapulted her to fame in their previous life.
Ashley was under no illusion about her own appearance. Her features weren't the most dominant, but she had something more valuable-versatility. She could mold herself into any character. And more importantly, she had confidence in her acting.
Standing before the mirror, Ashley took out her lipstick. She didn't apply it to her lips, but gently dotted the corners of her eyes, forehead, and cheeks. In an instant, her soft beauty transformed into a poignant charm.
Lily-the character she was about to embody-was delicate and pure-hearted. But love had blinded her, twisted her, led her into darkness. Ashley knew that descent. She had lived it once. Now, she was going to breathe life into it.
Ashley could feel it-the depth, the pain, the madness. She was ready.
Just as she turned to leave, Mia's hand suddenly blocked her path.
"Ashley."
Ashley blinked. "Hmm?"
"The heroine's role is mine. Don't think about taking it away from me," Mia hissed, her voice low and forceful.
Ashley looked at her. Then smiled sweetly. "Don't worry, sister. I would never steal anything from you."
With that, she walked out.
Inside the audition booth, Mia took center stage first. Dressed in white, with delicately done makeup and teary eyes, she delivered her line in a breathy, pitiful voice:
"Lily, why did you betray me? You knew I loved him most. Why would you take him from me?"
Then came Ashley's turn.
She stepped into the light in a plain blue gown. Her waist-length hair framed a face now stripped of lip color. Her eyes were hollow but sharp, like someone who had cried herself empty. She looked fragile-but not broken.
Then came her laugh. A broken, bitter laugh that echoed through the room.
"Haha... Ha... ha..."
Tears fell silently down her cheeks, tracing delicate paths of grief. When she looked at Mia again, her eyes had turned into calm whirlpools of sorrow.
"Sister," Ashley whispered, "Do you know how much I used to want to be your good sister? I never wanted to betray you. But I have feelings too! You love Yohannes... but so do I. Why can't I love him too?"
"You-!" Mia clutched her chest dramatically, faltering a step back. "He's my lover..."
Ashley laughed again-dry and lifeless. "Your lover? Then tell me, would you trade your life for his?"
Mia's lips parted, but no words came.
Ashley raised her head to the sky, her eyes filled with something terrifyingly peaceful. A sword appeared in her hand. And then-without warning-she mimed slicing across her neck. Her body swayed and crumpled like a wilting flower.
"Lily, you..."
"Sister..." Ashley's voice trembled, softer now. "Even though I loved him... he only ever loved you."
"Why would you do this, Lily? You..."
Ashley shook her head slowly. "Even if I didn't do this, I wouldn't live much longer. I was poisoned. There's no cure. I didn't want to die choking on my own blood..."
The room held its breath.
"I knew the drink from the Duke was poisoned. I took it from him. I drank it for him. So yes, he loves you... but he lives because of me."
Ashley's smile was soft and tragic. "Even if you end up together, he'll never forget me."
"Sister... don't blame me. In this life, you have everything. And me... I'm just your shadow."
Tears streamed freely now.
"In the next life... I don't want to know you again."
Ashley's hands trembled as she lowered her head. Her eyes drifted closed, and a single tear traced her pale cheek as she whispered, "I just want to be Lily... not your shadow."
When the final word faded, silence fell like snow.
No one moved.
Even Director Zedd sat frozen, his fingers pressed against his lips, visibly moved. The entire audition room had been caught in Ashley's web-grief, betrayal, love, death. She had made them live it.
When she finally stood, she was still immersed in the role, trembling slightly.
Director Zedd approached her slowly, and his voice, usually cool and stern, was gentle.
"Miss Sanchez... welcome to the cast of Legend of the Flower."
Ashley's eyes widened. Even though she had hoped for this moment, she hadn't expected Zedd to announce it so openly, so definitively.
"Thank you, Director Zedd."
Behind her, Mia stood frozen, her fake smile stiffening.
"Director Zedd, I..."
"You did well," he said politely. "We'll inform you once casting is finalized."
"But-!"
He had already turned back to Ashley, talking to her with warmth he hadn't spared for Mia.
Fuming, Mia left the booth reluctantly. She didn't go far though-she lingered near the hallway, waiting.
When Ashley finally came out twenty minutes later, Mia rushed toward her.
"Ashley! What did Director Zedd tell you?"
Ashley blinked at her, then gave a delicate smile. "I'm sorry, Mia. That's between me and Director Zedd."
"You-! Did you do something dirty to get this role? Tell me!" Mia grabbed her arm, her voice rising.
Ashley's eyes turned cold, and for a moment, her whole body exuded a pressure that made Mia instinctively take a step back.
She wanted to mock her, to accuse her again-but the way Ashley stared at her made her forget how to speak.
"Hmph. Mia," Ashley said softly, "it doesn't matter how I got the role. What matters is... you didn't."
Then she smiled.
"Worry about yourself, sister. If you can't get the heroine's role... weren't all your efforts wasted?"
"You-!"
Before Mia could respond, Ashley turned and walked away, her steps light and unbothered. But as she turned a corner, she didn't expect-
Bam!
She ran straight into someone.
- Writer
