"I'm warning you. Viviana. Don't get too smart like how you did with Lyra last time. It's not a laborious job to have you kicked out of this industry." Lashed out the angered agent.
"…"
"I could've easily ended you this time. Without the support of the company, who would welcome you into their crew? With your personality and reputation, it'd be a grace of heaven if you ever get a script on your own. And you'll end up in debt for breach of contract. Your defiance will only lead you to the trash can. You understand me!!"
The chastised actress had a lot to say as a retort. But she opted to maintain her silence instead. As always.
"…"
Seeing that the willful young woman had not retorted, the agent calmed himself down. He's usually a collected person. But Viviana's constant defiance disabled him from keeping his cool whenever she's in front of him.
Deciding to leave the conversation at that, he pulled out a file from the drawer and handed it to Viviana.
"Happy Trip Together? A variety show?"
Now that surprised Viviana. Agent Yan had never been willing to send her to a variety show.
"Yes."
Despite the number of whys raising in her head, the actress didn't voice out any. She instead chose one related to her work.
"How's the remuneration?" Viviana asked.
"50,000 per episode. And they want you for 2. So, 100,000 in total."
(Nott* will be the currency of the fictional country, Eastern Cosidor Nation. Value of 10 Notts = 1 USD)
The actress was yet again shocked by the number. It is considered to be generous when an artist with no significant work is paid 20,000 for a two hour long variety show. She was being offered more than twice the average amount, which came off as a surprise to Viviana.
"That much?"
She couldn't help but be suspicious of what could possibly have made the crew agree to pay her the huge amount. Despite her popularity, due to her lack of variety in roles she acted, and not having public interaction despite her high profile status, Viviana could not be considered a highly paid actress.
In fact, she could be a cheaper option amongst the many talents thanks to the effort of her agent and company.
"Why's it so high?"
Agent Yan sighed. The young woman was not a fool indeed.
"I won't hide it from you. There's a reason why the director is willing to pay you such a high sum."
"…"
'And that is?' Her eyes asked.
"Madeline."
"?"
The actress was confused at why the agent mentioned that name. Then it struck her a few seconds later.
"Madeline Wells? She's participating too?" Her eyes widened as she demanded for the answer
"Hmm"
The agent nodded.
"Huh" Viviana couldn't help but scoff.
'And here I was wondering why he wanted me to go to a variety show after rejecting it for so long.'
"Why don't you just tell me to quit being an actress instead? That will be a better option for me than being in the same frame with her and then made to quit." Bitterness dripped from her voice.
"Hahhh…" Sighed Agent Yan.
"Viviana. I know things have not gone right between you and Madeline. But the director believes that putting the two of you in front of the camera at the same time will bring in a lot of attention. And hence the offer to pay a great amount."
"By throwing me under the wheel. You mean."
"Listen here, young lady. It's not me who has created the mess between the two of you. But if this mess can earn you money, then you should use it." Roared the man.
"But you're putting my career at risk!!!"
"That had never stopped you before. Why are you reluctant when Madeline is involved?" Agent Yan was genuinely curious.
Viviana had never refused a script. No matter how ridiculous it may be. But the catch is that there was no Madeline amongst the crew. Even if she outrightly never refused it, she voiced her disapproval just like now.
And the same could be said for the other side too. After their first drama and the scandal broke out, the two could never be captured in the same frame once again.
But since the scale of the scandal was too big, there were still rumors about the two here and there. Many had tried to bring the two together in the same space, but the two seemed bent on not breathing the same air.
Agent Yan couldn't help but imagine how much of a fire bringing the two together would spark if there was success this time.
"What did I even expect from you?" The disapproving tone in Viviana's voice once again heated up the agent's brain.
"Miss Viviana. Your job is to earn for the company. Since you don't accept the easy path we arrange for you, you should utilize the resource you're provided and work your ass off without a question. Got that!"
"…"
Viviana simply stared into his eyes without a word. Too bad. Agent Yan had already gotten used to her coldness.
"I asked. Do. You. Get. Me.?" Repeated the agent.
But instead of replying to his question, Viviana asked one herself,
"Is this the only thing you wanted to tell me?" She once again picked up the file.
"Yeah!'
Then without a word, she stood up with the file in her hand and stormed out of the office. Agent Yan didn't stop her. He had already succeeded anyway.
.
.
.
"How was it? What did he say?" Elisa, who was waiting in the nanny car, asked Viviana as soon as she entered the van.
"…"
The actress was so caught up in her own thoughts that she didn't register that her assistant was speaking to her.
"Sister Vivi?"
This time, Viviana heard it.
"Huh? What did you say?"
"I asked if it was okay in the office."
"Yeah."
"Did Agent Yan say anything disturbing?"
"…" Viviana took a while before she answered, "Just the same old lecture. Nothing much."
"Oh! Okay."
Elisa replied, but she knew Viviana well enough to notice that the actress was disturbed by something.
'It was definitely not just a simple lecture.' Thought the assistant as she drove the van.
Silence consumed the two for minutes, before Viviana decided to break it.
"I'm participating in a variety show."
Hearing the news, Elisa was excited.
"That's a great news, Sister Vivi. This is the chance to show the world that you are not like how those media claims you are. You'll definitely gain some true fans from it. It's a_"
"Madeline Wells is in it too."