"So, how do you like this?"
"Are you sure that I can settle in this house?" Natasha asked arching her eyebrows.
"Don't worry sugar, this is Kid Z's will," Doug, Tony's friend smiled at her. "Not just you. Tony will be staying with you as well. This area is under our protection. Even the police need to get our permission to enter this place. So, you don't need to worry about some shits."
"Oh," Natasha nodded understanding.
This made sense to her. It was only natural that Cody Murphy protected her after she chose him over that bigshot. In the streets, if you can't protect someone who chooses you over other players, then you will soon become obsolete.
Cody Murphy was someone who came out of the streets. So, he knew the rules very well. And this was his way to ensure that no more incidents like with her house owner happened.
"Is this Kid Z's will or Cody's?" Natasha asked curiously.
"Is there a difference? This isn't music circle. Us niggers haven't gotten a platform in the film industry. So, in the movie circle, we are all in one group. And since you chose to cooperate with us, you are in our group as well," Doug said lighting his cigarette.
Natasha nodded accepting that fact. And in a way, she felt a little happy as well. While it might look like it was easy to join such groups in the movie industry, not everyone was eligible to join.
As a white person, being included and protected by the black members of the circle was not a small thing. From this, she could vaguely understand the level of influence Cody Murphy had on the black people in this circle. Getting his appreciation was well worth it in Natasha's opinion.
"You can stay here until the filming end," Doug said letting out a puff. "If you want to stay for further, then you need to talk to Kid Z."
"No need, I will stay here until the filming is done and find another apartment. If you know someplace that is safe for a female like me, you can recommend it. I don't want to end up getting evicted this time as well," Natasha said.
"Hmmm, don't worry. I will give you some people's numbers. You can trust them. They are reliable," Doug said nodding.
"Good," Natasha said looking at the house again.
It was a two-story independent house. The neighborhood was quaint and very calm. There weren't any messy things present. It was ideal for someone like her. From this, she knew that both Kid Z and Cody had put some thought into this.
"Usually, I would throw a party and celebrate. But, I don't think your buddies will appreciate a clean party. And I am not getting into that stuff at this juncture," Natasha said looking at Doug.
"Don't worry, sugar. We understand. Just do a good job. You already have Cody's appreciation. And if you do well this time, you can expect a lot of benefits down the line," Doug shrugged.
"I will," Natasha said taking her eyes off the house in front of her.
"Then, I gotta bounce. I will send Tony later. He will bring your stuff. You can go settled in now," Doug waved at her and got into his car.
Natasha watched the car until it turned a corner and started walking towards the house that was set up for her.
*****
In an extravagant villa in Los Angeles, a fat man who was in pajamas smashed the wine glass in his hands on the ground angrily.
"Damn, is Cody Murphy crazy? He dares to tear face with me over an insignificant woman?" the man roared angrily.
The middle-aged man who was standing nearby wearing a suit grimaced hearing the fat man's roar. He was the fat man's assistant and he was the one who knew this fat man best.
The fat man's name was Dean Aston. And the middle-aged man in the suit, Brad, was his assistant. He had been working for Dean Aston for over a decade and knew very well that Dean Aston was a very narrow-minded bastard.
The number of people who have suffered because they offended Dean Aston wasn't one or two. Most of them ended up miserable and a few even left this circle entirely. Only the few who bent their heads and apologized were able to even have breathing room.
If it is said that Dean Aston could call wind and clouds in the entertainment circle, it wouldn't be false at all. Dean Aston has been in this industry for over three decades and he has mastered a lot of resources in this circle as early as a decade ago.
Especially, in the independent film circle, Dean Aston was one of the top players in the circle. His words can determine the future of many stars. Even second-generation stars need to bow their head and respect Dean Aston.
There is a rumor in the circle that hugging Dean Aston's thigh was a surefire way to grab a lot of awards. So many stars, who were chasing after awards, always gave him respect and did him favors to get in Dean Aston's good books.
This has made the fat man bloated in recent years. His style has become too arbitrary and he had become more and more domineering of late. As an assistant, Brad was the one who noticed this change keenly.
But this time, it looked as if his boss had kicked an iron plate.
"I personally went over to persuade Cody Murphy. I even told him what to do to prosper in this circle. He needs to pay the tuition first. Did he think he can just walk in and sit at the table?" Dean Aston sneered.
"But…"
"Bah, you are going to tell me that Cody Murphy indeed paid the tuition fees with those bunch of low-grade art films, eh?" Dean Aston looked at Brad and sneered.
"Who cares about those art films? Or did he think that he can just grab some awards by making some art films with my help? Even I wouldn't guarantee those things. Do you know how many people compete for those awards? Many actors, actresses, and directors are willing to pay a lot more than Cody Murphy did to get these awards. Of course, the awards will be given to them."
Brad didn't know how to respond to that statement. In his cognition, Cody Murphy had been very patient and willing to compromise for a lot of things in the past few years. It's just that his boss's appetite was too big and he didn't think the blacks could do anything. So, his boss never took Cody Murphy seriously.
"But, this commercial film is different," Dean Aston said with a gloomy face. "Commercial films are where money is. It is fine if he wants to take a commercial film. But, Murphy is too delusional. He wants to take a commercial film with both leads as blacks. He he he… do you think the audience will buy such a set. So, that's why I refused to invest in this film."
Brad remembered that conversation very well. Despite his boss's persuasions, Cody Murphy had been firm on his ideas. So, his boss refused to invest outright. But, he still wanted to exert his influence on the project. If this isn't being too bossy, then he didn't know what was. If other people put money and take a film, they are not going to listen to you obviously.
"Still, I tried to give him some guidance and didn't want him to step into a pit," Dean Aston continued without paying much attention to Brad's changing facial expressions. "I went over with good intentions and told him how to make this film a success. But, he didn't listen to me at all. He chose that no-name chick over a popular actress I recommended. Isn't this not giving me any face?"
"And now, he is standing up for that nobody and making me an enemy. Do you think that chit slept with Cody Murphy and that's why he is acting like this?" Dean Aston asked in confusion.
"As far as we enquired, that girl has not even met Cody Murphy in person yet," Brad winced.
"Not even met, heh. Then, why is Cody acting like this? Tell me, whose line did she come into contact with?"
Brad felt like cursing his boss. He had once tried to tell this particular information, but his boss had waved him off deeming it not important. Now, he was asking for it again. He didn't know how to react to it. So, he obediently whispered a name.
"Kid Z?" Dean Aston asked in confusion. "That little rapper. So what? Can his prestige be enough to make an enemy out of me?"
"We don't know the particular details. But, from the information we gathered, Mr. Murphy saw her in Kid Z's latest MV and decided to cast her. The information suggests that it was Mr. Murphy's decision and Kid Z had no influence in it," Brad explained.
"Still, what Cody did was unforgivable. I need to teach him a lesson," Dean Aston murmured.
Brad knew why his boss was angry now. Cody Murphy's retaliation to their actions was not small at all. Three of the film crews that had their investment had been raided by police on suspicion of having drugs. One film crew has been suspended due to the arrest of the lead actor and filming has been temporarily canceled in two crews.
Which star in this circle didn't have such habits? It is only a fortunate coincidence that none of the others got arrested. The loss due to the suspension of filming had been huge. And this had made his boss very angry.
"Boss, I think we should not tangle with Mr. Murphy at this stage. We can't afford any more delays in the project we invested in. If we aren't careful, then there is even a chance of the company going bankrupt," Brad reminded cautiously.
"I know," Dean Aston's face was a bit ugly hearing those words. "My Ashton Pictures will not go bankrupt that easily. But, I still don't want to take the chance. I will let them finish the film for now. When it releases, I will give them a big blow. Let's see how good Cody Murphy looks when that happens."
"In this circle, no one who opposed me had led a good life. And neither Cody Murphy nor that chit will be an exception…"
*****
A/N: Check out my other stories and let me know your thoughts...
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