Selene~
"What was that all about?" Cassidy asked the moment Mr. Joe Morales stepped out of the shop. "Didn't look like a date."
She handed me a pair of face masks. She had noticed people staring and whispering. I put it on, while still staring at the door. I had kept looking at it, half expecting him to walk back in and say 'oops, wrong Selene Grey' but that had not happened. The door stayed shut.
"Selene?"
"Cassidy?" I called out and she hummed. "Did he look like a prankster to you?"
"What?"
I sighed and walked over to the back room. Cassidy followed behind me with her arms crossed.
"You're freaking me out. What's going on?"
I sat down on a small bench beside the lockers. "The investor wants to meet with me for dinner."
Cassidy narrowed her eyes at me, I could tell that she didn't understand a word I was saying. "Selene."
"I've been picked to play the lead role in She Who Lives."
Her jaw dropped. "Wait, what?"
"Yeah."
"Holy sh… Selene, that's huge." Her voice shot up and she immediately clamped her hand over her mouth. "You're actually going back."
This was… unbelievable to say the least. It was not something I had expected would happen in a million years and if they actually go through with this and put me on the project, I would be forever grateful.
I had considered backing out when I realized that Luca would also be on set with me but this was an opportunity that I couldn't just pass up.
Cassidy ran to hug me, lowkey screaming in joy, she was genuinely happy for me. Then she separated from me and looked at me with worry on her face.
"Are you okay? I mean, this is good… amazing even… but… are you okay?"
"I don't know." I let out a small laugh. "Part of me still thinks someone is going to jump out and tell me it's all a prank."
"Well, I'll slap them if that happens. I'm proud of you." Cassidy grinned.
"Thanks."
"When's the dinner?"
"Tonight," I chuckled nervously. "I don't have anything notable to wear."
She quickly took off her apron and dragged me outside.
"We apologize but we are closed. Please, kindly exit the building."
People groaned and murmured but they all started leaving one after the other, but out of the corner of my eye, I saw him. Our regular, with his face mask and piercing eyes.
He didn't move from where he was seated, not one inch.
"Excuse me?" Cassidy went up to him.
He got up after exchanging a few words with her then he came up to me.
"Don't go."
Don't go where?
He stood just inches away from me, his eyes were locked on mine. "Don't take up the project. Don't go tonight."
I blinked, completely thrown off. "What?"
"Is there a problem here?" Cassidy stepped forward in a protective stance. "We're closed. Leave, now."
The man didn't look at her, he didn't move his gaze away from me for even a single moment.
Cassidy pulled me back by the arm. "Okay buddy, you need to go."
He turned to leave but before he completely walked out the door, he took one final look at me. And then, he was gone.
"Creepy." Cassidy spat and went back to the back room. "I'll grab our bags. Can you call Chad to inform him that he can take a day off?"
"Sure. Why are we closing shop again?"
"To pick you an outfit." She said and nudged me towards the exit of the shop. "Selene."
Her voice was low and cautious.
"Yeah?"
"The meeting with the investor tonight? Is it a group meeting or something?"
I let out a laugh. "Seriously, Cass?"
"I mean, can't be too careful."
I nudged the door open and stepped outside, it was not as sunny as I had remembered.
"Cassidy, you know my past. He just wants to make sure I have what it takes and he wants to hand me the script himself?"
Cassidy groaned. "Why does an investor need to hand you the script?"
"He's investing in the movie. He needs to make sure that I'm fit for the job. It's like an assessment thing and he'll hand me the script once we're done."
And all of a sudden, I suddenly didn't seem convinced.
"Maybe I should come with you, for fun."
I shook my head. "Cass, this is a big opportunity for me. Come on, don't be paranoid."
She sighed and locked the shop behind her.
"Are you sure you're okay locking the shop this early? You need the money, don't you?"
Cassidy smiled as she wrapped her arm around my shoulder. "Positive. Now let's go turn you back into the star you are."
I laughed.
"Okay, but let's avoid crowds."
***
After hours of searching different stores and realizing that we were much too broke to be buy new dresses, Cass offered to give me one of her dresses. It was not much or flashy but it was definitely better than anything I owned.
By the time we got to her apartment, she was already tossing dresses out of her closet with frantic energy.
"This is you walking into your big comeback. We're going all out."
"Just don't put me in glitter." I said with a half laugh.
Cassidy pulled out a black silky gown with a low neck and a dramatic slit. "Try this one."
I raised an eyebrow. "Subtle."
"Subtle?" She scoffed.
"Subtle." I repeated.
"This is my most expensive gown. You're wearing it." She deadpanned and I knew there was no changing her mind when she got like this.
I took the dress and slipped into her bathroom to try it on.
"Oh, it's over for them." She chuckled excitedly as I stepped out. "I'll do your hair and makeup and you'll be on your way. Where are you meeting?"
I swallowed. "A car will be coming to pick me up."
Her eyes shot up at me. I knew what she wanted to say but I didn't want to hear it and she knew that, so instead she stepped towards her drawer, brought out something and handed it over to me.
It was pepper spray.
"Can't be too careful." She stated.
I smiled and grabbed the pepper spray. "You're ridiculous."
"You're welcome. Now, go take a shower and we can start dressing you up."
****
The car picked me up at Cass' place and throughout the entire drive, the driver didn't say a word, even when I tried to make small talk with him.
I was going to prove that I could do this and successfully collect the script. Mr. Joe Morales had told me that they had settled on me and nothing would change unless I declined but they still wanted to be sure that I was emotionally okay to play the role. I didn't need to be in it halfway.
And given who I was, I needed a lot of emotional stability to shoot this movie. I was not going to disappoint everyone who had put their hopes in me. This was my comeback, I was going to make sure of it.
We pulled up to the part of Silverwood city where the rich and successful lived. The car turned a corner and stopped in front of an hotel.
No. It was a mansion disguised as a hotel.
It had not been long since I left this life so why was I acting like I knew nothing?
The driver got out first, came around and opened the door for me without a word. I stepped out, rubbing the sweat away from my face while trying not to ruin the wonderful makeup Cass put on my face.
This was it.
"Miss Grey." A man at the entrance of the mansion spoke. "Welcome. Please follow me."
His face wasn't unfriendly, it was just professional and that made me feel awkward. I didn't feel very professional at the moments. I clutched my purse tightly in my hand and followed him quietly.
He led me past a hall, past the elevators, down a quiet corridor until we reached a single black door. He knocked, opened it and gestured for me to step inside.
I drew in a deep breath to calm my nerves, then I stepped inside with the biggest smile I could conjure. The door closed behind me.
The room was well lit and allowed me to take in its beauty. In the center of the room sat a single table and two chairs, one of which was already occupied.
Sitting in it was him, the eldest son and heir to Lumina enterprises, Alaric Hart. Of course, he was the one investing in his company's project. On the table was what looked like a script.
My script.
Those eyes, they reminded me of someone.
"Welcome." He said with a smile, it was probably the lighting, but he looked a bit creepy the way he smiled.
He didn't stand, he just sat there and stretched his hands when he said 'Welcome.'
I gave him a smile and walked towards him.
"Hello, my name is Selene Grey and I'm so honored that…"
"Sit." He interrupted.
I cleared my throat and took a seat on the empty chair. We were now facing each other. His eyes were amber, but I could've sworn that his eyes were green as I was walking in.
I shook my head, I was probably seeing things. There was nothing wrong with wearing contacts.
Silence ensued and for a moment, I wanted to talk but I didn't know what to talk about. I was expecting questions, questions as to why I should be given the role, or even food. This was supposed to be a dinner, so where's the food?
I chuckled awkwardly. "Dinner sure is taking a while, isn't it?"
"What do you mean?" His eyes narrowed at me as he flashed a smile, a very disturbing smile.
"You're dinner."