He Loved Me, Then Hurt Me, I Said No

Chapter 4

That was the first time Zane and I met.

The second time was on set.

I was being slapped over and over again by the supporting actress.

It was part of the scene, so that much was normal.

But she kept flubbing her takes.

Because of that, the scene got stuck for more than a dozen takes, and my face was already red and swollen.

Zane happened to visit the set that day as one of the investors.

He saw what was happening to me and, to everyone's surprise, lost his temper.

He had that actress fired on the spot.

Later, I ran into him backstage.

He was leaning against the wall. When he saw me coming, he handed me a business card.

"If you want someone in your corner, I can be that person."

*****

That night, I held that card and struggled with myself for a long time.

I knew exactly what he meant.

What finally made up my mind was the call from the hospital, reminding me that another payment was due.

At last, I dialed the number on that business card.