"Yes. We can see that." A sarcastic remark came from the back.
Viviana turned back and saw that it was Tang Tang, an idol in a girl group who also happens to be a close friend of Lyra.
"Hey Tang Tang." Lyra gave her friend a hug.
"Lyra…"
The idol from the different company hugged her friend and then looked at Viviana and commented.
"Miss Ying. I've heard a lot about you. You're as dazzling as the media says."
"…"
It took Viviana a few seconds to realize that she was being attacked by a person she met for the first time today.
'Really birds of the same feather flock together.'
Ying Yu thought before she replied to the greeting she just received.
"Hello. Thank you for the compliment. But I'm sorry to say that I have no impression of you. If you don't mind introducing yourself, that'll be helpful."
Then she gave her a not so sweet smile.
"pfhh…"
In the silence filled room, the sound of someone suppressing his laughter was heard. Viviana turned to look at the young man who looked like he was painted by a highlighter pen.
'I might not be the flashiest person in this group.'
Viviana thought, looking at the man's colorful outfit. But the person before her seemed to have snapped out of her befuddled state.
Daniel and Agent Kim, who was also in the room, were glad that she had followed her artist into the room. There was never boredom whenever Viviana was present. Her uncaring and dismissive nature came along with a bonus of sarcasm which both the agent and her artist loved watching.
"I'm Tang Tang, the main vocalist of U N Mi. I'm the host of HTT for this season."
The vocalist maintained her expression as she introduced herself. Her hands stretched out for a shake.
"Ah… I see…Nice to meet you."
Viviana grasped the stretched hand into hers.
"Nice to meet you too."
The two had a deep conversation in those few seconds. One was smiling, so big that her eyes were almost closed. The other was like a blank canvas. Neither was there a smile, nor a frown.
Tang Tang, then understood the emotion her friend would have had when facing the person before her. Cause she was feeling it too.
She felt that she was more successful than the person. With no support from her company and agent, Tang Tang felt that the person would lay low and accept her mockery.
And the person was indeed accepting the mockery. But she was not laying low like she expected. Instead, she was mocking her back. Ridiculing her in front of everyone.
Whether in terms of sheer number of fans or popularity, Tang Tang would come out to be more desirable than Viviana. She knew this. Even Viviana herself knew this.
But for some reason, Tang Tang felt as though she was punching a cotton ball. And the ball was swaying back at her. She felt like she was a rat dancing in front of the tiger, who was watching the dumb action of the weak little creature.
She felt rage. At Viviana. At herself. At what made Viviana still stand without being fazed even after being called the scorn of the Entertainment Industry.
.
.
.
After the little 'introduction', Viviana and Lyra took their seat on an empty couch. The former gave the later a side eye and only got a warm smile in return. She should have known from the phone call in the morning, the little darling of Agent Yan was planning to put her to something.
Since it was Viviana's first time going to such a show, Manager And was planning to join her and Elisa.
But because of Lyra's participation in the show, Agent Yan would be joining them and had conveyed that there was no need for her to tag along.
And like always, An Mey could not show her discontentment.
Since the recording will start from the studio, all the guest would have to arrive in the studio by the designated time before they start the shooting.
Viviana was all ready and set to leave with Elisa, who had packed her bags and stayed overnight in her apartment the night before.
Agent Yan informed that since both Viviana and Lyra were the artists of Han Entertainment and were under the same agent, it would be weird for them to appear separately. He suggested that the two arrive in the studio together. Since Viviana knew she didn't have a say in this matter, she went along.
But when the agent came in, he gave a weird look at her and said,
"What are you wearing?"
Viviana was wearing a loose blue T-shirt with dark cargo pants and an unzipped hoodie over it. Overall, her look was casual and comfortable.
"Clothes." Viviana stated vocally and so were her eyes. 'Obviously'
"I know you are wearing clothes. Just what type of clothes you are wearing."
"What type of clothes do you want me to wear?" Viviana was getting annoyed at these pointless questions.
"Something more presentable. Like you always do. And you didn't do your makeup?" The agent checked Viviana's face.
"Why are you fuzzy over my looks now?" Snapped the already annoyed actress.
"Well. I have to. I'm your agent."
"You never acted like this before, though. Weren't you my agent before then, were you?"
"I'm just concerned since this is your first ever variety show. I want all eyes on you. That's it."
Like always, Viviana wasn't able to argue with the agent on his plans. He even called her stylish and dressed her up as if she was ready to go for a magazine shoot right away.
"This is perfect!" Exclaimed the agent with delight.
'It's more like I would walk down a runway instead of going on a trip.' Viviana thought.
She was looking at herself in the mirror. Yes, she was beautiful. She looked so charming. Hot and Sexy. But she also looked like she was begging for attention.
In respectful words. A male attention.
Otherwise. Who would in their right mind wear a mini skirt in winter without a legging underneath. Especially not when you're going for a trip.
As she stared at herself, she busted out the question that came to her mind without a thought of consideration.
"Is Lyra dressed up too?"
Viviana herself took a second to realize that she had asked the question out loud and not just in her mind. She then went along with what she wanted to say. Unlike before.
"Like this. Hot…. And Sexy"
She placed her hands on her curves as she posed two or three times in front of the agent, as though she was on a photo shoot. But contrary to her words, her eyes were fixed on the man. There was a glint of coldness and mockery in them.
"That…" The agent stammered. "Dressing up like this does not suit Lyra's Image."
Viviana could help but scoff at the comment.
"Then what type of image do I have?"
"…"
The agent was caught by those cold eyes. His mind could not comprehend what he should give as an answer to the actress's question.
While he was busy in his own thoughts, another question came from Viviana. There was no emotion in her face. Even the bit of mockery and boredom she always had, was washed off her face.
"What image have you given me?"
"…"