"Actor Luo," both of Cindy's staff greeted the man.
In months they worked for Cindy, they learned that their chemistry in front of the camera was as real as their chemistry off-camera. Their interaction was like a frenemy if not sibling rivalry. Arthur's towering 192 cm crushed her 168 cm body and resulted in their constant banter.
"You clean up quite well."
Cindy threw the script in her hand which the man easily caught, "Wow, new work already? Aren't you ambitious, Sister?"
"I'm a newcomer, I have to use my resources well."
"Fair enough," Arthur sat beside Cindy while rummaging through her bag. "Are you also considering The Dark Side? My uncle told me the director is his friend. He is a renowned director for the thriller genre."
"Really?"
"Yeah, I'm still waiting for my audition for a role in Hidden Dagger but I guess if you consider this I should too."
"Ewh, disgusting. You realize their undertone is still romance, right?"
"So what. It's not like they want us to have a kissing scene or something."
"Shut up, you better not consider this role."
"Why not? I'm young, beautiful, and smart. I'm the perfect candidate for Lilian."
The two laughed, even if Arthur wanted to take on the role of course he wouldn't have chosen a female role.
"If anyone asks I won't answer honestly, so listen to me with all the humility that remains within you. You are suitable to be Lucas because you are tall and considerate."
"Oh, is that a love confession? I'm sorry, I'm taken."
"Yeah, what a shock. What kind of girl dates a manchild like you?"
"Hey, you'll be blown away by how many girls are fawning over me to this day."
"Not interested," Cindy took the chocolate candy Arthur offered. "By the way, what about the movie you message me about?"
"The Hollywood movie? They have some funding issues so they paused the production. The director also resigned so I didn't take the offer."
"So that's why you reconsider your domestic offer."
"Yeah," Arthur split another chocolate bar for them. "I really fell in love with the Hidden Dagger movie but they said they will contact me. I guess they have a better choice than me."
"Oh, I wonder who is the male god defeating you. If I have the chance I will shower him with hugs and kisses."
"Oh, poor him. I hope he has enough insurance to cover rabies."
"Arthur! Did you call me a dog?!"
Arthur raised his shoulder with a nonchalant expression, Cindy shot him an angry look but two continued until the program's staff led them to the shooting location.
Your Heart Content was a Thursday night talk show packed in a more casual format where the host and guest sit on a lounge having a conversation.
"Today's episode is one of the most thrilling ones to shoot. The media went wild when the article came out." Kim Seja started his lines while the other MCs listened tentatively. "Many people are looking forward to this episode."
Kamila: "That's right, we invited the actors from the drama General Flowers. How about you Mr. Kim, do you watch this drama?"
Kim Seja nodded vigorously, "I did, I don't usually watch a workday drama but this one really makes me invested in them."
Lola: "That's right, I don't really understand why many people watch it at first but then I can't communicate with my friends because they were talking about Flower Generals, so I buy the service's premium subscription to watch it from the start. This drama is really charming and full of surprises."
Indra: "I also keep on rewatching the drama even after it ended, I skipped the part I hate to the one I love."
Lola: "Yes, me too."
Kim Seja: "Well then without further ado, let's welcome the cast and producer of the rating-breaking drama Flower Generals."
The guests strode in with a brimming smile.
Kim Seja: "Tonight is really full of stars. Please have a seat."
"Arthur Luo as Lian Cheng - the heartthrob general idolized by women of all ages."
"Cindy Li as Lin Zhi - the fierce strategist and the nation's eldest sister."
"Song Jiwoo as King Liu of Tang - the hot and inspiring emperor."
"Joselyn as Grand Princess of Long - the embodiment of dignity and nation's first love."
"Lim Tan as the Imperial Teacher of Long - mysterious and the final villain."
"And the producer assembled the cast - Ali Ahmad!"
Kim Seja: "It really feels like they are out of the drama, I still can't believe seeing them in modern clothing."
Lola: "Yes, I think the actors are more like domineering CEOs than people from ancient times."
Indra: "The ladies are also rocking these dresses, they look like Miss World champions."
Kamila: "Nice to meet you, everyone, we are really excited to see you all."
The six guests took their seats respectively and the main part soon began.
.
.
.
"Good work everyone."
"Thank you for coming."
"Thank you for inviting us."
The shooting finally finished after four hours and the MCs and cast bid their farewell.
After filming ends, members of the production crew may visit the guests. They bravely came up to Arthur and Cindy who were walking out of the recording studio.
Some people ask for autographs while others for selfies.
"Cindy, Arthur, can we take a picture with you two?"
"Sure," the tall Arthur took over one of the staff and turned himself into a human-shaped photo stick.
"Thank you, we will definitely watch your musical."
"Cindy, Arthur! We love you!"
Cindy looked fine on the outside but inside she was quite shaken up. His popularity skyrocketed after Flower Generals, he could no longer even go to public places without meeting people who wanted his autograph or photo. Being unemployed sucks, but being popular is pretty scary too.
Although as a member of Stardust she has her own fan group, Cindy's small spotlight makes the number of her fans only a few.
Sounds impossible?
It's true. She had to share the spotlight with the other eight members and each one of them had more airtime and solo projects than Cindy. It was unfair and fierce competition. Cindy was already grateful if people remember that she was also a member of Stardust.
Arthur linked his arm to her neck, "So what was popularity feel like?"
"Shut up, you're annoying." Cindy let go of Arthur's embrace, "Mind your attitude in public, don't let the media get the wrong idea again. It's tiring to be blasphemed by your fans."
"They're not my fans, mostly just pranksters who deliberately find fault with others."
"Then let's not make a headline."
"Isn't that good for publicity? I did you favor you know."
"Cindy!"
Cindy was just about to punch Arthur when a woman's voice sounded.
'You can't be serious.'
"Aunty Monika."
Monika pulled her into a tight embrace, "Oh, I miss you so much, Yige is out of the line. He said he would invite you for New Year's dinner but instead he went to shoot some kind of movie. He even forbade me to contact you. What an annoying brat. How come he left his girlfriend alone on a new year."
It was too late for damage control because Monika linked her arm to Cindy and walked out followed by her staff and bodyguards.
Arthur was stoned and never felt so out of place in his entire life. He had no idea whether he was dreaming or sleepwalking, he thought he just saw a ghost.
"So Cindy, how do you spend your new year?" Monika asked after they seated in the back of her white Rolls Royce phantom.
Get a grip Cind!
"Just the usual Aunty, dinner and quality time."
"With your family? Oh, we really like to meet them."
"Ah, that.."
"Don't be scared, it's just a friendly meeting. Tell me when your parents are available, okay? My nephew is really hard to talk to. He chose to film a Dagger something moving in China just to avoid his grandparents, really a brat. Sometimes I wonder what you see in him," Monika paused, smiled at Cindy that had been silent the whole time she was talking. "Talking about that, you never told me why you like him."
What a question.
"Oh, that.."
"Yes, that." The twinkle in Monika's eyes is the eye of someone waiting for an exciting story.
"How about we save that for later, Aunty?" Cindy touched her belly, "I'm kind of hungry, where do we'll have our dinner tonight, Aunty?"
"Right, I want to meet you for a meal. Let's go to Jiwo Jawa. It's authentic Jawa cuisine and you will love it."
"Of course, I believe in your judgment, Aunty."
Monika patted Cindy's head, "Oh, you're such a cutie."
Cindy should think twice about dealing with the Wang or Wu family. Cindy thought their dinner would be just the two of them, who would have thought that almost all the core members of the Wang family were there.
Monika nonchalantly explained, "They asked me where I was having dinner, so I told them at my husband's restaurant. I didn't expect them to be so excited to see you that they would come."