''Everybody is already here, right?'' Director Zou asked as he looked around the casts present.
One of the assistant directors, Assistant Director Dan walked to Director Zou and whispered something into his ears and his face turned pale at once.
''Director Zou, what is wrong?'' Mikael asked when he noticed the change in his expression.
''Is Alice Jun, our second female lead. She got into an accident while on her way here.'' Director Zou said and the people present gasped and started murmuring among themselves.
''Is it serious?'' Mikael asked again.
''No, but she was taken to the ER. Looks like she might not be able to make it to today's script reading.'' Assistant director Dan answered.
''Then, let's start without her. You can visit her after we're done. The name is Alice Jun, right?'' Mikael stated. He already had a lot to deal with and didn't want to waste time.
''That is the most suitable solution right now. Okay, let's proceed for now without Alice Jun.''
Mimi kept checking her phone as she sat, she looked anxious for a reason. It didn't take long for her phone to buzz and she hurriedly checked the message and smirked.
''Alice Jun just had an accident and was taken to the hospital. She won't be able to attend the script reading.''
Director Zou turned and noticed the smile on Mimi's face and asked curiously. ''What is making you smile like that? Message from a boyfriend?''
Mimi quickly put the phone away and spoke shyly while looking towards Mikael, ''Director Hzu likes to joke. The whole country knows I don't have male friends talk less of having a boyfriend. Is from my friend. She just received news on her exam. She passed and I'm so happy for her." Mimi had always maintained an innocent image in public and avoided scandals.
Mikael looked at her nonchalantly and cocked his brows. He knew she was trying to impress him, but such things didn't work on him.
A supporting role cast sitting a few seats away chipped in, trying to score brownie points from Mimi with her flattery. ''Mimi is so pure and kind hearted. You're so busy yet you're so happy over a single news about someone else.''
''She is my friend. I should be happy for her.'' Mimi said and looked up at Mikael, but he wasn't looking at her anymore. He seemed to be reading something from his phone.
''Mimi, turn your phone off, we are starting soon.'' Mrs. Solace said to Mimi.
''Yes, mom!'' Mimi's gaze turned cold as she looked at the phone that she had turned off. she murmured deeply within her 'this time around, I won't let you win. Mikael is mine!!!'
The reason why she had tempered with Alice's van was to prevent her from meeting Mikael Sun.
Alice was always proud and liked to mess with the males on set, she didn't want her to have any contact with Mikael Sun. Even though that was impossible, but still, she was determined to make sure that those two had as little encounter with each other as possible.
Mikael looked up towards Mrs Solace and felt disgusted. ''What a messed up family. So, Mrs. Song is Natalie's real mother and Mimi is her step daughter. Looks like there is a lot of digging to do'' He murmured to himself and looked away.
Mrs. Solace felt eyes on her, but when she looked up, she didn't notice anyone looking at her so she lowered her gaze once again.
''Alright, everyone is here except Alice Jun. She had a minor accident and was taken to the ER. Let's start by introducing ourselves and our roles. I am Zou Jones, the main director for this drama'' Director Zou first introduced himself.
''I am Mikael Sun, the male lead for this drama'' Mikael said and the rest of the introductions went on.
….
Glory City Hospital.
Private ward.
Alice watched the video of the script reading from her tablet as she asked her assistant.
''Have you found anything about the accident this morning?''
Niania looked at her with a serious expression and asked back. 'Do you really have doubts about the accident this morning?''
''If not, would I have called the police to give a statement?'' Alice said and frowned. ''You have to look into it, the police in this city, I don't trust them. Call that private investigator that we always contact, and tell him to look into it.''
''But, who would want to harm you?'' Niania asked and Alice furrowed her brows.
''A lot of people. People who find my beauty a threat." Alice thought deeply and added. "Someone who thinks that I am a threat to them in this industry.''
''But, there is just more than one person who can't stand your guts in this industry.'' Niania wass well aware of her boss. Alice had a knack for been stubborn.
''That is why you should look into it. Whoever tried to sabotage me today must pay for it.'' Alice looked at the video playing and chuckled. ''Look, look at the way Mimi is throwing flirtatious smiles at Mikael Sun. Blinking her eyes like a witch. Is she not afraid her lashes will fall into her eyes? I should have been there to put her in her place. Darn it!''
Alice picked the mirror to look at her neck that was fixed with the support straightener, she sighed. ''Looking at myself in this hospital gown is giving me so much stress. Niania take some photos of me, I need to upload and gain some sympathy. Yesterday, that bitch uploaded a picture and had so many likes. I don't believe her likes will surpass mine.''
''Alice, you hate Mimi Song so much, why do you follow her on Fwitter and Onstagram?
''Keep your enemies close and your friends closer.'' Alice said proudly and Niania shook her head.
''Is not said like that. Is 'keep your friends close and your enemies closer' not keep your enemies close and your friends closer.'' Niania corrected her.
''Whatever, I don't care. I didn't invent proverbs why must I stress myself keeping them in my head? Hurry, just take my pictures.'' Alice said and started posing.
''Alright, get ready!'' Niania picked the phone and took a couple of pictures and showed it to Alice.
Alice felt satisfied looking at the pictures, she gave her assistant a thumbs up saying. "Good Niania, you're getting good at taking pictures so well. I will tell the company to increase your salary."
''Really?'' Niania asked excitedly.
''I always knew you loved money more than your own soul'' Alice said and Niania smiled and watched as her lady boss typed on her phone with excitement. ''Niania, say, how many likes do you think I will get?''
''Thousand, Millions maybe, you're so popular. Everybody likes you!''
''Niania, you have a sweet mouth. Come closer, look at what I wrote against my picture.'' Alice turned the phone and Niania moved closer to look at the post against the picture.
''What do you think?'' Alice asked.
''Hospital gives me so much stress, but knowing that I have wonderful fans keeps me smiling. I hope we all take care of our bodies and not apply too much makeup and fake lashes because they can get us blind especially blinking them too much."
"A lot of makeup makes the skin dry, stay dehydrated always, my lovely Allies out there. PS: If you are not an ally, stay away from commenting on this post.''
Niania looked at Alice after reading the post, ''Alice, why do I feel that you just threw a jab at someone?''
''That's because I just did, but since I didn't mention any name, she can only get angry, she can't do anything besides that.''
Alice said and clapped her hands as she laughed. ''Oh, lord, I can't wait for tomorrow to come. Oh, by the way, have you received this season's clothes from JSC?''
''Yes, it was delivered this morning!''
''He is so diligent. But. I don't even know him. Why hasn't he shown himself to me? Do you think he is an old man?''
''He is a rich man, who lives a low key life. His assistant said he only wants to sponsor you, but he is not interested in seeing you.''
''What kind of statement is that? Makes me feel that my charm is hitting low bottom. Well, he does sponsor good clothes. I was just curious about him; I am not interested in an oldie anyways.''
''What if Mimi decides to come here and attack you? It is clear your words were targeted at her.'' Niania asked worried. she was simply scared of Mimi.
''Why? Are you worried about me or about yourself?'' Alice humped at her assistant.
''Both!''
''Don't worry. Who am I? I am Alice Jun. The only person who can outsmart me is my sister. As for everyone else, they will be wasting their time. If Mimi is angered by my post and comes here, then, it goes to prove that she is indeed the one who messed with my van and I am not going to let her off that easily."
"If she is the one who really messed with me, then, she took it too far and I will make sure she gets a taste of it or I am no longer Alice Jun!''