After a few days since the "Modern Family" production, called Lucas.
Lucas still went to the restaurant as usual, and after working for quite a while, he told Liza that he would only be able to work for a few hours before asking for a leave.
Liza was a bit surprised, but when she inquired about the reason why, Lucas just informed her that it was about the fact that he would go to act in a TV series.
"What!? You're telling me that you'll participate in a TV series!?" Liza exclaimed when she heard that Lucas would go act in a TV series.
"You can't be serious, right, mate?" Leonard was also a bit surprised and asked in astonishment.
Lucas chuckled when he saw their reaction, smiled, and said, "It was only a supporting role... Not like I was a main cast or something..." And then he added shyly, "Besides, it was just the pilot episode. I don't know for sure if I'll appear in frequent episodes after that, right?"
Liza and Leonard exchanged glances, and then Leonard walked in front of Lucas, patted his shoulder heavily, and said, "Hey, don't underestimate yourself! Besides, even if you are just a supporting role, you'll still appear on the screen! Many people will be able to see you on television! That's fantastic! You know what? My dream as a child was to become famous and appear on television! And you are already achieving—"
Before Leonard could finish his speech, Liza pushed him aside and interrupted him. She then said to Lucas, "Young man, oh, young man! I didn't expect this at all! To become an actor? I really didn't expect this from you!"
Lucas felt a bit awkward, and thoughts wandered, 'What could you have expected from me?'
"At first, I thought you were just some pretty face I picked up from the street, but it looks like you're not just a pretty face; you're actually an actor..." Liza smiled as she recounted with a thoughtful expression, patting Lucas on the shoulder.
"Uh..." Lucas felt a bit embarrassed and intended to move slightly away. But then, he heard Liza saying, "Lucas, if you become famous, make sure to promote my restaurant, alright?" Liza said with a smile, hooking her shoulder against Lucas, not allowing him to create some distance at all.
Lucas felt a bit awkward as his face blushed from the close distance with the manager, a beauty with a finely shaped body. Being so close to him, Lucas could even feel Liza's breath brushing his cheeks and the fragrance reaching his nose.
"I'll promote your restaurant if I become famous, don't worry..." Lucas said with a smile, looking directly into Liza's eyes, breaking free from her grasp, and creating some distance.
When Liza noticed this, she smiled and thought, 'Oh, he's a shy boy, I see...'
Liza smiled upon seeing the inexperienced lamb distancing himself from her. She began to develop some ideas.
Leonard, who was just pushed by Liza, looked at her with narrowed eyes and said to Lucas, who had just distanced himself, "Lucas, don't mind my cousin. She's just like that, a bit—"
Before Leonard could continue, Liza interrupted him.
"Looks like you want your salary to be cut in half, then."
When Leonard heard that, he continued his speech, but the words were not really what he intentionally wanted to say. He altered it by saying, "A beautiful maiden. Yeah, my cousin is just like that, Lucas." After that, Leonard approached Lucas, patted him on the shoulder, and said, "I can understand why you are very shy right now. With such a beautiful maiden like my cousin being so close to you, I can understand your feelings..."
After saying all of that, Leonard glanced at Liza with eyes that were different from the praise he was preaching; his eyes were pleading when looking at Liza.
When Liza saw that, she sighed and said, "Alright, maybe you can get your full salary. Just better watch your words next time."
Leonard was about to snort, but then he saw Liza's frowning expression, so he just smiled at Lucas while patting his shoulder, "Good luck with your role."
Lucas, who was able to see what just happened, noted the shift in expression and words of Leonard, like the changing of pages in a book.
"Thank you..." Lucas nodded and said.
"By the way, Lucas, what is the name of the TV series you're about to participate in?" Liza asked as she looked at Lucas.
Leonard also looked at Lucas with a curious expression.
Lucas smiled and said, "The TV series is named 'Modern Family.' Make sure to watch it if it airs."
"We'll certainly watch it! Don't worry, Lucas." Leonard smiled as he said.
"Yeah, although I am your boss and you are asking for an early leave, I'll allow it since the TV series must be your first project and opportunity. Good luck to you, kid..." Liza nodded and also encouraged Lucas.
Lucas nodded as he looked at the two people. To be honest, these people are just the ones he has met recently, yet so far, Lucas felt more attached to them compared to his roommate.
While Lucas was confused about why Liza kept talking as if he were a junior when he could clearly see that she seemed not older than him, he also slowly and gradually saw her as an older sister...
"Thank you." Lucas smiled and said gratefully before adding, "I'll be off now."
Liza and Leonard nodded, both offering words of encouragement.
"Do your best, kid!" Liza nodded with a smile.
After Lucas spoke with Liza and borrowed some money, he left.
Leonard walked Lucas out of the restaurant.
When Liza was left in the office, she smiled and thought, 'It looks like it was a good choice to accept the kid, although there is someone out there who seems to have a beef with him...'
---
Lucas hailed a taxi and headed to the airport to reach the filming locations of the "Modern Family" pilot.
The location was in Los Angeles, Cheviot Hills, and to get there as fast as possible, Lucas needed to take a flight. He had already booked a flight a few days ago.
Lucas managed to borrow some money from his supportive boss, Liza. She willingly gave him $2,000, even though Lucas only needed a few hundred dollars. He tried to refuse the large amount, but she insisted, so Lucas could only promise to pay it back as soon as he received his earnings from acting as "Marshall Dylan." Liza just smiled at that time.
Lucas smiled as he remembered it. He felt fortunate to have such a boss in this life. He swore that if he became famous and rich, he would invite her to dinner.