"Are you letting things go this easily?" Tony asked in a dissatisfied tone as they drove away from the apartment building.
"It is better I leave this place," Natasha said calmly looking at Tony. "The landlord is unreliable. It isn't safe to stay here."
"Still…"
"Tony, you know me better than that. Forget this landlord, he is just the bullet. It is the shooter we need to take care of," Natasha snapped angrily.
"Fine, but don't bite off more than you can chew," Tony said in warning.
Natasha looked at Tony weirdly. Just a moment ago, he was telling her not to let things go, but now he was warning her from doing things recklessly. She couldn't understand his mindset at all. So, she didn't pay him any attention at the moment.
"Did you hear from Marvin?" Tony asked after seeing that Natasha didn't want to continue the conversation.
"No, he hasn't got back to me yet," Natasha said biting her lips.
Natasha was slightly worried about Marvin's silence. If he too gave up on her due to someone else's pressure, then her situation will become direr. But, thinking back to Marvin's behavior when they went to sign the contract, Natasha was sure that he already knew about the person behind this situation.
So, his silence unnerved her even more.
"What are you going to do now?" Tony asked looking at her.
"I will stay in your place for a while," Natasha said frowning. "I feel that staying alone is not safe at the moment. Someone wants the part I signed up for. And they are already influencing people around me and putting pressure on me."
"And when you don't give up, their means will increase…" Tony finished for her. "Fine, stay with me. I will put in a word with Kid Z as well. It was through him we got this opportunity. We should let him know about these kinds of things."
"You do that," Natasha said looking outside the car. "I am not yet sure that they are targeting me directly or I am some side effect. If this situation is something against Kid Z, he must know."
Tony's eyes narrowed. These kinds of things aren't new to them. Their experience in the streets was far wider than this. And the means they had to guard against were also very serious. So, this wasn't something they were worried about.
But, it was imperative to know who the target was. Was it Natasha alone? Or was Natasha affected because someone else wanted to deal with someone connected to Natasha? They must know the ins and outs quickly. Otherwise, they would end up crushed without even knowing about it.
"I will inform Kid Z about this," Tony said nodding along.
"We are in a new city, we don't know the situation here," Natasha said after a while. "So, be clean for the next month or so. Until I join the crew, don't do stupid stuff and get caught."
"You don't need to worry about me," Tony said smiling at her. "I have some connections in the city."
"Tony, I am serious. At least, keep your shit together for the time I live with you," Natasha narrowed her eyes and said in a serious tone.
"You think it would be that bad," Tony asked in surprise.
"Tony, until now, we have been involved in small business. But, from what I heard from Marvin, this movie is very important to Murphy Pictures. And anyone that jeopardizes will be in trouble. The water here is too deep for the current us. So, be smart and keep your shit together," Natasha said in a grim tone.
"Fine, I will be clean for the next few months."
*****
"It took you this long to meet with me?" Natasha asked in a dissatisfied tone looking at Marvin.
Marvin sat opposite to her in the same coffee shop where they sat when they went to sign the contract for the movie. This time his face looked a bit haggard and it was clear that he had not been sleeping well recently.
But, Natasha didn't care. If Tony hadn't been there, then she would have been in big trouble. She didn't expect Marvin to clear her troubles. But, she at least expected him to be prompt in his response.
Even a novice in the circle like her could see that the current situation was due to the movie they signed. How could someone like Marvin not see this? Marvin has been rolling in the circle for far longer than her. This would be a piece of cake for him to deduce.
When such a crisis occurs, Marvin's reaction time had disappointed Natasha a bit. Marvin should have at least gotten in touch with her and ensured her safety. But, it has been a day since she got evicted, and only now did Marvin come to meet with her.
What was she supposed to think?
"Natasha, you don't understand how things are…"
"Cut the shit, Marvin," Natasha snapped. "I know enough to know that if I am not careful in the next few days, I will end up worse and lose out on this opportunity. So, don't patronize me. Tell me why you took this long to respond to me."
"I was trying to find out the root cause," Marvin sighed.
"As if," Natasha snorted. "Marvin, I think you must know who exactly wants me to withdraw from this project. You already hinted at it in this same coffee shop before. So, don't think I am going to buy that."
"Fine," Marvin sighed helplessly. "You are right. A big shot in the circle wants to deal with you and make you withdraw from the project. There is a lot happening in the background. I don't think we could mix up in this."
"What do you mean?" Natasha asked a little taken aback.
"Why do you think it took me this long to come and meet with you? I was trying to mediate and solve the issue at the root. But, the other party is firm. We must withdraw from this project. And they even agreed to pay your fine. Not only that, they also agreed to give you some opportunities in some upcoming movies. I had to fight hard for that. But, I managed somehow…"
"Wait, wait, wait!" Natasha cut in sharply. "What do you mean you were negotiating for me to get out of the project?"
"Natasha, we can't mix in this. This isn't just some ordinary role. There is a huge capital game being played behind this role. To make it short, this role must belong to the party designated by them. There can be no compromises in that. If we forcefully dig our heels in and refuse to withdraw, then we will make a lot of enemies. And this kind of thing is very, very disadvantageous for a newbie like you," Marvin said helplessly.
"So, you too want me to quit this job," Natasha asked leaning back in her chair.
"Do I want you to quit? Absolutely no! But, there is no other option for us. We will make too many enemies if we take this job. And these are not people who you want to be enemies with…"
"What about the contract we signed with Murphy Pictures?"
"Like I said, they are willing to pay the penalty on your behalf. Furthermore, I have negotiated to get a few more opportunities in other films with well-known directors. That would be beneficial to your career in the long run," Marvin explained patiently.
"Wouldn't Murphy Pictures be angry with us for this? And I got this from Kid Z's relationship. I can't sabotage that," Natasha said frowning.
"Murphy Pictures will understand. Actually, this is a struggle between Cody Murphy and another important person in the circle. Mr. Murphy would understand your decision," Marvin said causing Natasha to scoff.
"He wouldn't. He would think we betrayed him," Natasha said unceremoniously causing Marvin's face to change a bit.
"Fine, let him think that. I would rather be the enemy of Cody Murphy than the one who is behind this mess. You don't know how ruthless that person is. And, as for Kid Z, I will talk to him personally and make sure that I carry the pot," Marvin said sullenly.
"Fine, let's say I quit this job," Natasha said with a blank face. "What kind of opportunities will be given to me as compensation? Will it be a second female lead or even something better?"
"No, it won't be an important role. But, we will get some characters in supporting roles as compensation for giving up this role," Marvin sighed.
"Are you kidding me? Marvin, have you lost your mind? This is a loss-making deal. Why the hell should I agree?" Natasha asked enraged. "You know better than me how important chances are in this industry. This is my chance. They won't even give me an important character, then why should I withdraw from this."
"Because… they run this circle…"
*****
A/N: Check out my other stories and let me know your thoughts...
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