Manager An and Elisa watched Viviana as she chomped on her green salad which had a little steamed chicken for protein. It was a dish she would usually complain about.
But now, she was taking in each bite without any protest. Totally ignoring the two pairs of eyes that were constantly following her every move as she munched on those greens with a lazy-aggression.
It was a sight that didn't go well with her looks that screamed beauty. Not so lady like. But much more like cattle grazing the grass, with her jaw drawing a circle in thin air.
If it was any normal day, An Mey would have commented on it. And the actress would have given a shameless reply like, "Have you ever seen such a beautiful cow in your life?"
But the day was far from being normal.
Manager An had already arrived at Viviana's apartment by 11. She had come to discuss with Viviana about the plans of going to the variety show.
But when she witnessed the situation that Elisa had mentioned in the call. It was the first for her to witness Viviana in such a conflicted state. Other than in front of the camera and on screen, she had never seen Viviana with a troubled emotion. She was either relaxing, too relaxing if she was to comment… or indifferent most of the time.
She meant… the actress was unfazed even when she was caught up in a pregnancy scandal. And here she was… depressed over the thought of having to participate in the same show with her netizen certified nemesis.
But for some reason, her disturbed state brought some relief to the manager. After all, it was a proof that Viviana was not a mindless puppet whose strings were in Agent Yan's hand. And that she had emotions and dislikes.
The manager thought of waiting till lunch to have a conversation with the actress. And it was indeed the better decision as Viviana seemed more … approachable after having her tummy filled.
"So…" Manager An thought for the right word to bring the topic up.
'Damn it! I'm worse than Elisa when it comes to this.'
She thought as she received the questioning look from her ward as she took a sip of water from her glass.
"Cough!!" After a fake cough to cover her awkwardness, she finally got to her professional state.
"Agent Yan told me that you've agreed to participate in the 'Happy Trip Together'…"
Viviana gave a derisive scoff as she put down the glass.
"Why didn't he honestly just say that he forced it upon me?" She grouched.
"…"
An Mey had already proven herself to be a reincarnation of a curious cat. And after debating to herself whether to continue or not, she decided to jump straight into it.
"Viviana. I've been meaning to ask you. As your manager. And as someone who is simply curious…"
Elisa who previously seemed to want to disappear also leaned in as she knew what was coming.
"… What's going on between you and Madeline Wells?"
That might be a nominee of the most asked question of the century.'What happened between Madeline Wells and Viviana?'
Two years had passed since the incident was uncovered. 'A Young Bud of the industry pouring drinks on Golden Awardee, one of the Nation's Flower.'
The post was accompanied with a short video exposing the rude action of the young aspiring actress on her reputed senior. It was the most bizarre and outrageous news of the year.
No. It was something that had never happened in the history of the Entertainment Industry. No newcomer who had not even had a single work to call his or her own had ever had the audacity to abuse her senior, that too someone who had won the Golden Award.
Even those second-third generation rich children and the nepo-babies were mindful not to offend the seniors so openly. And Madeline was also an heiress of a business empire herself, which made Viviana even more outrageous.
Many had many opinions about what could've really happened even after the clarification statement was released. But nobody could give an answer confidently on what happened.
As someone who understood Viviana to some extent, both An Mey and Elisa doubted the media's story of Vivi bullying the other actress. But there was always a possibility of Viviana being a bully before changing to who she was now.
Both Manager An and Elisa were eagerly waiting for Viviana's answer. The young assistant had a lot of scenarios mapped out with the help of the showbiz gossip groups she joined.
But she did not think that the juicy melon would simply be dismissed.
"Nothing."
"Huh??" Both the anxious women voice out.
It was like they had been taken up for a roller-coaster ride. Only for the drop to be unsatisfactory with no excitement.
"Nothing is going on between us." The actress simply rephrased her words.
Manager An wanted to pursue for the truth. But when her eyes met the identical pair of orbs of her actress, she remembered the coldness they carried that day when she asked her why she accepted the mistreatment of the company.
So, she wisely decided to withdraw from the idea of finding out the real reason for all these endless controversies revolving around Viviana and Madeline. Elisa should be also feeling the same as she hurriedly gathered the dishes and took them to the kitchen.
"If you have nothing else to say then..." Viviana stood up from her seat. "I'm off to bed."
"You should not head straight to bed after a meal." Manager An commented.
"All you gave me were some green leaves and boiled tasteless meat. And I'm not in a good mood today. Cut me some slack, would you?" The actress turned back and almost whined.
"…"
An Mey could only sigh before signaling Vivi to do what she wanted. She'd never noticed it before. Maybe it was because the time she spent with Viviana was still too little.
But there was something regarding the actress that she was picking up ever since the little confrontation they had. She had to dig up the past records to fully understand Viviana's situation in the company and outside the company before she was assigned as her manager.
Viviana, although seeming like an obedient artist, following the arrangements and commands of her agent, had a tendency to get things done in her way regarding some little things.
Small things such as not accepting drinks offered by the big shot investors of the dramas, not attending dinner parties, not going to promote the dramas, etc.…
Although this may seem like Viviana was cutting off her connection, it also proved that she had control over her arrangement to some extent… And that her agent cannot force her to these things.
She also heard that one time she was tricked into a dinner party by the agent. And that only resulted in a producer going to the Emergency Centre of the hospital. She was informed that Viviana had popped a wine bottle on the producer's head for behaving licentious behavior towards her. And after many such incidents, the agent stopped forcing her to such events.
Though she doubted the authenticity of the story, she still kept it in the back of her mind.
Now that An Mey thought about it, the reason for Agent Yan to send her to keep eyes on the actress must be because he did not have enough power to hold onto the rein of this beautiful mare. Because he feared Viviana.
An Mey sighed thinking about all these… She watched the younger woman enter her room, disappearing from her sight. From her looks to her temperament, Viviana was a fine specimen, deserving to be admired by all.
She could not help but wonder, once again, what would have let this gem give up her will to shine. And accept all the dirt that had been poured on to her. What was the reason behind the solemn sadness that appeared in her eyes once she got lost in her own mind?
The manager had many questions, the answers to which she wondered if she would ever get. She also hoped that maybe one day, the actress would be willing to fight back again… That she would be able to witness her shine bright and soar high in the very top… An Mey dreamed that maybe…. Just maybe…. she could climb to that peak with Viviana… and take revenge on those people…
But that was all for the future… For now… she just hoped that the netizens would not blow up and attack her artist after the news of her participation in the variety show was released.
But it seemed that An Mey's hope for having a bit of peace on a Friday morning was also a luxury when she was an associate of the notorious actress, Viviana.
It didn't take long. Nothing could possibly go normal when the actress was involved. It had only been barely a month. Barely a month since they had to get rid of the last scandal…. And another came up.
What Manager An had feared had happened?
The official account of 'Happy Trip Together' had just posted the participants of their next recording.
[Happy_Trip_Together:We welcome our guest to our trip to ****. Let's have a great time together!!!@VViana @Madeline_Wells @NANAland @AmberRose]
And hell had already broken.