Chapter 12 - The Audition Day
1015 Words
"Anna," Chelsy called her name when Anna had just come out of the toilet cubicle. "What are you doing here?" she asked.
"Chels," Anna replied as she walked over to her. Then they hugged each other. "I'm here for work."
"Work?" Chelsy parroted.
"It's for the audition."
A surprise appeared on her face. "You're auditioning for Murderer?"
"No." Anna shook her head and chuckled. She? Auditioning? Impossible. She never wanted to be a celebrity. "You remember I work as a celebrity assistant, don't you? Well, the actress I worked with auditioned for a role on Murderer."
Chelsy nodded in understanding. "Who's the artist?"
"Kate Burton."
And the second surprise was shown on her face. "You work for her?" she asked in disbelief.
An awkward laugh escaped Anna's lips. Seeing her reaction, it seemed that Chelsy had heard the rumors about Kate. It must be so because this world was so tiny. "I had no choice. They assigned me as her assistant." She grinned awkwardly. "What about you? You work here?" She asked her back.
"Yes. It's under Byrne Corp."
It was Anna's turn to show her surprise. "Really?"
"Yes. You should learn about Byrne. This is your family now."
That was true even though Anna was still awkward about her new position as the wife of the successor of Byrne Corp. Oh, she had not even changed her surname yet. She was not ready. "Yeah, I will."
"Don't worry. It's not difficult. You've met other families, right? You just need to get to know a little more."
"Any more?"
"Sure. There're many associates you should know."
The image of a business party appeared in her mind. That was the most easily seen example of a business relationship. All connections were gathered in one place.
Was that what Chelsy meant by a little more?
"I don't think it's only a little," Anna whimpered.
Chelsy laughed at hearing that. She somehow understood her feelings. Becoming Byrne was never easy. "You'll get used to it. It's not as bad as you think." But also not as beautiful as the movie scene portrayed. Business relationships were very complex. "I'll help you. Or—" She hung up on purpose "—you can ask Dave for help. He'll definitely help you," she continued.
Dave!
Anna had almost forgotten about him these days. To be precise, since she returned to work.
"Anyway, how's Dave? He treats you well, doesn't he?" Suddenly Chelsy turned serious.
"Sure. We promised to be good friends, so we should treat each other well."
"That's nice. I like seeing the beginning of your relationship," Chelsy responded. "Honestly, at first, I was afraid you would hate each other because of the sudden marriage."
A smile crossed Anna's lips. "Hate only will suck my energy."
Chelsy nodded in agreement. "That's right, and a waste of time."
"Yes. Better to disappear from their life than to grow hatred."
Suddenly, Chelsy's eyes narrowed at her suspiciously. "You have someone you hate?" she asked in an interrogating tone.
"Me? I don't like dealing with such troublesome things. I'd rather not think about that."
Chelsy held her gaze for a moment, then exhaled. "That's good, and Dave is nice. He's not an easy guy to hate."
Anna seemed to think for a moment, then nodded. "I think so."
Her suspicions returned. This time with a meaningful smile at Anna. "What is this? Don't tell me you're falling in love with him?"
Anna was silent, but her heart was beating fast. Also, nervousness whacked her even though it wasn't a serious question, right?
"W-We're friends."
"Okay. You're a friend," she said meaningfully.
After a brief chat, Anna returned to her work, accompanying Kate while waiting for her turn to audition.
"When will they call me?" Kate sighed and looked bored.
"Here's your coffee." Helen interrupted while placing the coffee in front of her. Of course, that was her order.
Kate straightened up and took the coffee. "What's this?"
Instantly, Helen's brows furrowed. The question clearly confused her. "That's a latte."
“Not caramel macchiato?”
"You said latte."
"I thought I said caramel macchiato." Kate then returned the glass to the table. "I don't like lattes."
Her hands clenched at that. She really hated Kate's behavior.
"Go get a caramel macchiato," Kate ordered.
Helen took a deep breath as she tried to control her emotions. "How about the latte?"
Kate shrugged and said, "You can drink this."
Once again, Helen took a deep breath and let it out slowly. It was her attempt to calm her emotions.
She picked up the glass roughly. Then while saying nothing, she left.
Anna and Ben were silent after having enough listened to her tirades while Helen was away. Turned out that Kate was the same everywhere.
"Ben, when will they call me?" Kate complained again.
Ben had a hard time swallowing his saliva. If she had already pinned his name, there would be no choice but to answer her. "Soon," he answered like Anna had responded to a similar question a few minutes ago.
Suddenly, Kate stood up. "Let's go home. I can't wait any longer."
Anna closed her eyes. She suddenly felt dizzy seeing Kate start acting childish again.
Fortunately, what they were waiting for came. Finally, it was Kate's turn.
"Only Kate comes in. The assistants are waiting here." It was a refusal when Kate intended to take Ben and Anna with her.
"But I'll need them inside." Kate insisted.
"No. Only you."
And that was absolute. So, Kate didn't argue anymore.
"Ask Helen to buy me a fresh coffee when I get back. I want it still cold," Kate said before her figure disappeared behind the door.
How did Anna and Ben react?
They were silent in place as they watched her leave in disbelief. They lost words.
"Helen must be mad to know that," Ben said, breaking the silence.
"Leave her alone. The coffee she brought will still be cold when Kate comes back," Anna said.
"What if she gets angry?"
Anna turned to him. "Tell her our job is done today."
- Writer
