"What did you say? I have to stay with Jayden for a month?!" Celine looked at Lucia in disbelief, hoping that what she had just heard was a mistake.
Celine Evergreen, 24, a rookie named Best Rookie Artist a few months ago, now has to face a situation she never imagined.
In the first place, she felt happy when presented with a new drama to support her career after winning Best Rookie Artist. Moreover, she immediately paired with Jayden, a talented actor who also won the Best Rookie Artist award three years ago.
Jayden's popularity has skyrocketed in the last three years. He is now on par with other successful actors in the country. On the other hand, Celine is just a rookie artist. She was always worried about whether the quality of her actions could be comparable to the quality of Jayden's acting.
And what is this? She should stay with Jayden in his house?!
Lucia, as Celine's manager, nodded her head, justifying. "That's how it is. The director wants it. I think it's so that you and Jayden can build the chemistry to get into the new drama."
Celine was shocked after hearing Lucia's explanation. Because she was so surprised, she didn't care how her face looked at this time. She never thought that something like this would happen to her. Is this what caused her to have nightmares last night and couldn't sleep well?
"I know that you are shocked. But, this is the director's request after seeing your acting and Jayden's acting yesterday. He feels that the chemistry between you and him is not working properly. After all, you two in that drama became lovers. It can make you have good chemistry with each other," Lucia explained again.
Celine remembered what had happened yesterday. While trying to act in front of the crew, she was so nervous that she did not have total concentration. It was Jayden. Working with him puts a lot of pressure on her.
"Is there no other solution? I mean, I will try my best to improve my chemistry without needing to live together with him like that," she whined. Her heart churned, refusing to take this absurd idea for granted.
Lucia took a deep breath. Two hours ago, the directors told her about Celine's acting, which he thought was far below expectations. The director seemed disappointed because the quality of Celine's acting was not comparable to the quality of Jayden's acting.
Lucia was silent for a while. She could see Celine's helpless face. Before this, she had already discussed with the director whether this was the right choice or not. Sadly, the director wouldn't listen to her words. Then ask her to convey this decision to Celine asap.
So here they're. The two of them are currently in a restaurant in the VVIP room.
"The director's decision was unanimous. However, this is for the good of the drama production itself. As you know, many people have been waiting since they announced the drama. Of course, public expectations were very high for this drama. And for the quality of your acting and your chemistry yesterday, the director felt that it was far from enough," Lucia concluded.
Celine's heart trembled. She's never felt so much pressure like this.
Celine breathed heavily. The more she thought about it, the more she felt dizzy.
Not long after, she murmured, "So, I can't refuse it or even negotiate with the director? What about Jayden? I'm not sure if he approved of this idea."
"For that matter, the director has solved it. Jayden agreed," Lucia responded with a flat face.
Celine drinks water in her glass. She doesn't have a good feeling about this. For some reason, her heart was restless.
"Do you think this will work?" inquired Celine, doubting.
A few moments later, she continued, "As You know, Jayden is weird. He looks creepy and won't talk to me if I don't talk to him. He and I have met more than seven times. But, of all the meetings, he never spoke to me first. It also makes it difficult for me to build chemistry with him. I don't blame him. It's just—"
"I understand. All the women Jayden has ever acted with have said the same thing as you. Jayden looks friendly in front of the camera to maintain his delightful image. However, behind it all, it's very different," Lucia interrupts quickly.
"Because of that, the director wants you to have an interaction with Jayden. And this is your chance to build chemistry with him. Celine, you only have a month before the filming process. You don't have much time. And if this drama gets a poor response from the public, it will affect your career," spoke her continued thoughtfully.
In front of her, Celine rubbed her face furiously. Shortly after that, she finally decided with a heavy heart. "All right. I accept it! I want to stay with him. Just one month, right? I will try my best to build chemistry with him."
Right at that very moment, Lucia smiled happily. And after that Celine feels awkward after she makes the decision. Should she be worried?
This was a new thing for her. She and Jayden are strangers, and don't know each other closely. Even now, she can't imagine what she'll be like when she lives at Jayden's house. What should she do while living there?
"Good! I'll tell the director after this. And it is likely, shortly, you will have to move to Jayden's House. So, prepare everything from now on."
"Mn. I understand."
Celine looked down. The food dishes presented on the table did not arouse her hunger.
She is aware that life as a celebrity is not easy. But on the other hand, she is also happy to have an enormous fan base that loves her. Therefore, she should not disappoint her fans.
She has to be professional, right?
"Lucia, can you get Jayden's phone number for me? I guess it's very disrespectful if I don't say anything to him and move straight to his house. I need to talk to him, even if only for a moment. Can you?" Celine begged, hopefully.
Lucia nodded. "Of course. Once I get it, I'll send you his phone number."
Celine nodded her head understandingly. "Great. Then I'm counting on you this time."
After that, Celine and Lucia began to eat the dishes served on the table. Throughout the meal, they still chatted lightly but on different topics.
"Yes. It's for my career. I wasn't wrong about making this decision. I had to get along with Jayden as soon as possible so that we would no longer feel awkward with each other," Celine muttered on the way home, making the driver glance at her from the small glass above the dashboard.
"Celine Evergreen, you can do it!"