Seeing her confused face, Lyra was dancing in glee in her heart. But she maintained her innocent look on her face. And there was even a hint of confusion.
"The final episode of the 'Royal Physician.' Didn't Director Sam inform me that it would premiere on the 17th this month?"
It was as though she had not asked Yan Lui to not send to the event herself.
"…"
Viviana did not answer. It was clear. She was not informed.
"He didn't?" The younger girl stood up.
"…"
"Oh! Maybe it's because you did not play the main role in the drama." Lyra 'consoled' Viviana as she came to her side.
"…"
"But… I've heard that the one who played the maid was also invited too." She whispered to herself. But her voice was not so low and Viviana heard it loud and clear.
This and that. Lyra began questioning and also gave the answers herself. Going back and forth in front of the actress. Then she stopped her pace abruptly in front of Viviana and exclaimed.
"Is it because you did not attend the farewell party arranged by the director? Could he have been offended by your action?"
"…"
Viviana was maintaining her silence because it was not the first time Lyra acted like this. The loving idol of the fans changed her color so fast that she put the chameleon to shame.
Seeing her act all concerned while mocking her with her bladed words, the little patience that held Viviana from snapping was hanging on its last thread.
"Lyra."
In a warning tone, Viviana called out.
"Enough with all your bullshits."
The younger girl gave Viviana a pair of round innocent eyes. As if she was confused why Viviana would use such a tone to her.
"I… I don't get what you mean. I'm just worried_"
Before she could shed a tear, Viviana interrupted her again.
"If you have a brain which is working, you should know that my patience for you is nonexistent. If you don't want to roam around the airport with a puffy red face, shut up."
"Sister Vivi_"
"Wanna know what I'm capable of when I'm out of patience?"
Viviana discarded her phone as she stood up. Her eyes piercing through the other girl's.
Lyra clenched her fist as she bit her lower lip. She had nothing to fear. Especially Viviana who was lesser than her in everything. Maybe leaving out looks.
The woman is spat on everywhere where as she is loved by everyone. Even their manager gave up on Viviana.
She's better than her. Yet whenever those cold eyes of hers stare into her, she felt that Viviana was staring at an insignificant insect. That she could be crushed any second.
Just in time, the door slide opened. It was Agent Yan who entered the room after having a chat with the director.
Maybe Lyra felt that support had finally come to her. Her eyes teared up even more.
"Brother Yan…" She called out.
The sadness in her voice was very distinct. The agent was neither blind nor deaf. He could see the grievances in Lyra's eyes and the irritation in Viviana's face.
"Viviana. Did I not remind you in the van this morning to not bully Lyra?"
"Here comes the mother hen!'
Thought Viviana before she retorted.
"When did I ever bully her? It's not my problem that she has a pair of defected eyes which begin to leak whenever I say a word."
"When did you bully her, you ask? Do you think I'm blind? Am I deaf?" The agent was in a state of disbelief.
"I don't know. Don't you know that yourself? But judging from how you're reacting, you're not far away from becoming one."
Sarcasm was dripping from her voice as Viviana spurt out her words.
"Viviana!! You_"
"Brother Yan!"
Lyra called out to the enraged man and held his hands.
"Sister Vivi is just disappointed that she's not informed of the premiere. It was my fault. I didn't consider her feelings and sprouted some nonsense."
Lyra 'acknowledged' her error. Seeing the sweet and obedient girl looking down at her own feet as a drop of tear fell on her shoe, the agent instead of calming down became more furious.
But keeping in mind that this was not his office, but in a studio of another company, he lowered his voice as he hissed out.
"Viviana. I've already told you many times to not mess with Lyra. Yet. You kept on brushing aside my warnings."
'I never bullied her anyway.' Viviana mentally rolled her eyes.
"Regarding the Premiere. The director did inform me of it. I was thinking of telling you about it after this shooting is completed." He turned to look at the pitiful Lyra who was still holding his arm.
"You shouldn't have taken off your frustrations on Lyra and contacted me instead. And if there was anyone to be blamed for not informing you. It should be you, Viviana."
"…"
Viviana wondered where he was leading too.
"You and your unfriendly nature of yours. Why did you even join the company if you don't even have the enthusiasm to work together with people? Do you think reading the script out loud in front of the camera is the only thing an actor does?"
"…"
The chided actress did not say a single word. The mockery she had in her eyes slowly diminished.
"Let me answer that for you." The Agent was not done yet.
"No.That is not all that is to be an actor."He pointed out.
"You gotta build up a network. Connect with people. You can't act like some princess of a dynasty and expect people to hand you everything on a golden platter while in reality, you're just a peasant on the field."
"…" The chided woman listened quietly.
"There is plenty of Viviana in this industry. And you who don't follow the norm would naturally be discarded." Hissed out the agent.
It took him a few seconds to calm himself down. And seeing that Viviana had not talked back to him like she usually did, he gave her the last warning.
"This is the last warning. Repeat this once more. And you'll be thrown away. And no other company would pick you up. I'll make sure that you'll rot in trash."
Viviana did not retort. Not a single word of sass. It was not that she was scared of the agent. Nor was sad at being accused.
She was just lost in her own thoughts. Her mind kept on ringing. Repeating the same question Agent Yan had asked her. Again, and again. Her mind kept repeating the question.
'Why did you even join the company?'
Yes. That's the question she always asked herself. Every night. When the darkness claims its right in the absence of the sun rays. And she stood alone in the middle of a vast sea of doubt. She asked herself.
'Why did I join the company? Why did I sign those papers?'