"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." The actress burst the little bubble her assistant was blowing.
It took a few seconds for Elisa to register what her boss had just informed her. Then it clicked.
"Happy Trip Together? You're participating in 'Happy Trip Together'? For Real?" Asked the assistant in an excited voice.
The younger girl still could not catch what her boss was implying.
"You knew that she's in it?"
"I've seen the post of her participation in the HTT* official Lounge* account. A friend of mine said that she would be there for six or seven episodes. Her first two episodes will be aired this weekend."
(*HTT- Happy Trip Together)
(*Lounge- social media)
"Aahh…" Viviana nodded.
"…"
Elisa was still wondering why her Sister Vivi seemed so gloomy over such a great news. Under Agent Yan's dictation, Viviana had never been to a variety show.
This was because the agent feared that she would gain true fans and eventually get out of his control. He feared that the unpredictable side of Vivi would come up in front of the camera and expose the things that she should not. Even the interviews she participated in had to follow the script he designed.
So, it was indeed a good chance for Viviana to show a new side of herself to the public.
Elisa was wondering if Agent Yan was changing for the good. Or that he had come to realize Viviana's talent and value. Until she recalled what Sister Vivi had just told her.
'Madeline Wells? Oh My God!! MADELINE WELLS???'
Elisa screamed in her head when it finally clicked to her. Anybody who was even partially interested in the Entertainment Industry would know of the controversies associating Viviana and Madeline. And to invite both of them together…
'No wonder Agent Yan is willing to send her to a variety show. It's a huge trap!' Elisa cursed the black hearted agent in her mind.
She watched the actress through the mirror. Undeniably. Viviana looked different from her usual self. Although the actress was a woman with little words, she always appeared to be a chill person who was not interested in the worldly happenings and just minded her business.
Even so, she had never outrightly rejected a conversation initiated by those who could be considered as her close companion. With Elisa being one of those few people.
But the Viviana who was reflected in the mirror was excluding an aura which was screaming 'Do Not Approach.' Elisa had never seen her like this. It was as if she was ready to obliterate anything that would bring disturbance in her 'peaceful' time, at a moment.
And as a smart and understanding assistant, Elisa read all the signs.
Throughout the whole ride back, the two didn't share a word. The young assistant kept on checking on her boss. But the actress was lost in her own world, staring out the window.
As soon as they reached the apartment, Viviana headed straight into her room, leaving behind Elisa in the living room without a word.
"…"
The abandoned little assistant was troubled. After the supposed fight that happened between Madeline and Viviana, the two had never appeared in the same place at the same time. She understood the market the production team of HTT was after.
But as someone who had spent time together with the actress for at least five months, she was more concerned about the mental state of Sister Vivi. It was clear that her boss was upset. But she had no idea how to comfort her.
'Buy her dessert? Flowers? I don't think she loves sweet things that much. Get her wasted?' Elisa thought of letting alcohol burn her sorrow away. But quickly decided against it.
"Out of question. She didn't even attend her own farewell dinner arranged by the crew." The assistant thought out loud.
'What if I just go and talk with her? Would that help?'
The assistant wondered again only to shake her head aggressively as the cold disinterested face of her boss flashed in her eyes.
"She's not a chatty person even in her normal days. Why would she even want to talk when she's in a bad mood?"
She combed her fingers through her short hair as she sighed.
"What do I do?"
Then a name appeared in her mind. She took out her phone and searched for the ID in her call history. It didn't take her even two seconds as it was the latest in the list. The person on the other side picked up the call in just three rings.
"Hello. Sister An…"
…
Unaware of the mental breakdown her assistant was facing on her own in the living room, the actress was lost in her own train of thoughts.
Viviana hated this. This feeling of bleakness. The feeling that there was no more hope. This vulnerability. The feeling of losing. Of being forced to do something against her will.
She once was a fire. Burning down any wall that came before her. Melting down anything that tried to chain her down. A rebel against what stood against her. An eagle that soared the sky, cutting through the path of winds. A symbol of freedom. Of an unbound heart.
But now, there was no fire left in her. Her rebellious heart had long turned cold. Buried deep under the ashes long ago. Here she stood. Caged up from all six sides.
Now, her wings became useless. She became a flightless bird. Unable to get away from this tree whose trunk was slowly burning into this blazing flame.
All she could do was just keep staring at those flames that would soon reach the branch she stood on.
She wanted to cry out for help.
But how could she? She had lost her voice a long time ago.
How did she end up like this? Who was she to blame others? When she herself was the one to create this mess. The one to step into this cage to become a voiceless canary.
She was the one to pluck her own feathers off her wings. Made them bloody and useless. Lit the flame that was slowly coming to burn her.
She trapped herself in this cage. Just to burn herself.
'That's what everyone wants anyway.'