"In other news, police are still investigating an apparent suicide that took place two nights ago. Witnesses say they saw a man jump from the 35th floor of the Chateau Flats building. A few residents claim that there was a party in the penthouse and that the victim had too much to drink. However, building management claims that no such event took place. We reached out to the staff at Chateau Flats, but they had no further comment."
'It wasn't an accident.' Wren thought. She didn't look at the TV in her hotel room, only listened as she dried her hair. It had been two days since that party. It didn't seem like nearly enough time to come to terms with what had happened. Wren didn't want to believe that she had an encounter with a monster, let alone that someone tried to kill her. It was hard to deny the healing cut just below her ribcage. Wren slipped her robe down. She gently caressed the wound, reminding herself that what happened was real. Touching it gave her goosebumps.
'I know he killed that man.' Wren hadn't seen it happen. She had been too concerned with her own death in that moment. The man who had attacked her didn't seem like the type to feel remorseful. 'He did it. He must have thrown him the roof and then dove to catch me.' It was only thing that made sense to Wren. But why? Cyril could have saved her without murdering someone else.
"Renata!" Leon burst into the room.
"S-sir!" Wren was stunned, shocked that her manager would just enter without knocking! So much so that she didn't notice at first from her hips up, she was completely exposed. "Ah!" Wren quickly covered her breasts with her hands when she realized.
"Calm down, they're just tits." Leon said, shrugging off Wren's insecurities. "Anyway, I need you dressed and ready in twenty! The head honcho over at Galactic Films wants to see you~" He practically sang that last sentence. This was bigger than big. Galactic Films was responsible for some of the biggest blockbusters in the world. To be directly invited to their headquarters was a dream for even A-list celebrities.
"Me? But why?" Wren asked, fixing her robe. It didn't make sense to her. Wren hadn't even auditioned there. Shouldn't they be asking someone famous?
"Why else? You're fantastic! He saw the footage we shot on the cutting room floor and knew he just had to meet you. Now go throw something on." Leon laughed. He made his way to the door.
"Wait!"
"What now Renata? We're on a time crunch." Leon complained.
"About that party..."
"Didn't happen."
"What do you mean it didn't happen?" Wren pressed.
Leon turned back towards Wren. He stepped close and placed his hands firmly on her shoulders, looking her in the eyes. "It didn't...happen." He reiterated. "Renata sweety. A man died at that party. That don't look good for you. That don't look good for me. That don't look good for anybody."
"So, we're just going to pretend like we weren't there?"
"Now you get it. Anddd the driver is waiting, we gotta get going." Leon leaned in and kissed Wren's cheeks, assuming that because she was Italian, she'd appreciate it. "Mwah. Mwah. I'll meet you downstairs." He said, headed towards the door again. "You're my girl, Renata!"
--- ★ ---
The drive to Galactic Films headquarters took a lot longer than it should have. Traffic in Los Angeles sure was crazy. In the small-town Wren was from, it was pretty much non-existent. Being stuck in a car with her manager yapping on his cellphone the whole time really made her homesick. All she could do was attempt to tune him out and take a much-needed nap. Wren stared out the window, her eyes getting heavy. Just as she was about to drift off though, she swore she saw a dark shadow dart by. "Cyril?" Wren quickly sat up and scanned the road. Nothing by cars and...zoom! A motorcycle zipped on by, weaving in and out of traffic.
"Cereal?" Leon put his hand over the microphone on his cell. "Don't worry, we'll get lunch after this."
--- ★ ---
Finally, they made it to their destination. As they were directed through security, Wren was amazed by the size of the foyer. It was massive, despite the very little amount of people that seemed to be around. The only souls she could see being the security officers and a lone secretary typing away at her desk in the middle of the room. 'They're probably just working upstairs.' Wren thought.
"Really cool, right?" Leon asked.
"Well actually..." Wren hugged herself. "It kind of feels like someone's watching us." She replied, feeling uneasy.
"Oh, that's just the security cameras. Pretty standard stuff for a place like this."
'That's not really what I meant...' Wren thought, looking up at one of the cameras that Leon was pointing out.
"Don't worry. You're just nervous. This guy is the real deal though. He's been running this industry for decades!" Leon said with a grin. "Why, I've been fortunate enough to get some of my other talent in the bigger pictures. Usually just for smaller parts...but he asked for you by name! That's got to be a good sign!"
"Right..." Wren took a deep breath. She was doing this for all her friends and family. 'I can do this.'
"Welcome!" A new voice greeted them.
Leon's eyes lit up with excitement. He quickly turned towards the voice and held out his hand. "Mr. Becker! It's so nice to see you again!" He then stopped and stared at the young man that stood before them. Leon glanced at Wren and then back at their host. "I'm sorry, you must be his assistant."
"Oh no, I am Elias Becker."
Wren was just as confused as Leon. She looked to Elias and just gazing at him made her heart skip a beat. Elias was completely different than the man that Leon had described. He couldn't have been any older than 25. Elias's hair was blonde and shiny, not a hair out of place. He was so pristine that he didn't even look like he had worked a day in his life. Wren couldn't help but stare.
"I'm sorry, I thought this meeting was with-" Leon tried to gain some clarification.
"So, you must be Miss Bianchi!" Elias walked right past Leon. "I've heard so many good things about you!" He reached out for Wren's hand, taking it into his own and kissing it.
"Yes, nice to meet you." Wren replied, blushing shyly.
"You must be starving. I'll have a meal prepared and we can discuss things over lunch." Elias said with close-eyed a smile.
"H-hold it!" Leon popped up between the two. "I'm confused. I thought we were meeting with Kurt Becker. You know, the CEO."
"Oh, didn't you hear?" Elias asked rhetorically. "My grandfather passed away last month, and the board of directors voted me in as his successor."
'But he's so young.' Leon thought.
"Come now, Miss Bianchi...and..." Elias shifted his gaze to Leon for the first time in this conversation. "Your manager."
'My heart!' Leon clutched his chest as if that young CEO had just stabbed him.
The three then made their way to the elevator. Leon was still recovering from that 'stab' to the heart. He nearly had the elevator doors shut on him. Elias didn't look his way again, completely focused on Wren. He kept asking her everyday questions like her favorite food and color. It wasn't what Wren expected at all. He led her to the conference room, Leon sluggishly trailing behind them.
"Well, here we are." Elias said, taking his seat at the table. His staff had already prepared a vast charcuterie style spread. "I suppose we should get down to business then but please help yourself." He gestured to the food provided.
"Hey...Wren." Leon whispered, leaning over really closely. "I'm getting a weird feeling from this guy."
'Really?' Wren thought. 'HE'S getting a weird feeling from Mr. Becker? Where was this weird feeling at the party?' She shook her head before smiling and looking back at Elias.
"As I was saying." Elias got their attention again. "I took a peek at your current project, and I loved what I saw. I think you'll be perfect for the next Super Alliance movie."
"Super Alliance?! We'll take the part!" Leon seemed like himself again the moment he heard that.
'Wow, he really changed his tune quickly.' Wren sighed.
"Miss Bianchi, you'd play the part of Lady Fang, a gorgeous neutral type with the powers to manipulate others with her beauty. Everyone wants to be with her, but she's a dangerous mistress. No one could possibly tame her."
Wren started imagining a powerful dominatrix-type woman. A seductress who likes to punish bad boys with whips and chains. Wren became flustered and shook her head. "I...I don't know if I could ever do such a thing!" She shouted, embarrassed by merely the idea of her in that position.
Elias started to laugh. "Oh Miss Bianchi, you're so cute. Lady Fang is elegant. I promise you wouldn't have to do anything too scandalous. Unless you want too~" He teased with a wink.
"I...I see." Wren sunk down into her chair. She couldn't believe her mind went to the gutter so quickly. It must have been Leon rubbing off on her.
"I'll have my people send the script to..." Elias squinted, looking at Leon. "That guy."
Leon practically fell out of his chair. 'Not again!'
"And you can read through it together." Elias finished his sentence. "I do hope you consider the part Miss Bianchi. I just know you'd be perfect for the role." He folded his hands, leaning on the table.
Leon took Wren's arm. "We'll do that." He spoke. He had every intention of getting Wren this role, but he was awfully suspicious of Elias. 'Young deviant...thinks he can just take over the largest movie studio in Hollywood like it's his own person pet project.' Would he still try to suck up to him? Definitely. That was just business. "We'll be in touch."
"I look forward to it."
--- ★ ---
Leon was in such a bad mood after that meeting with Galactic Films. Usually, he would insist on taking Wren out somewhere 'exciting' to show her the LA way. Instead, he escorted her right back to the hotel and then went home. Wren didn't know what his problem was with Mr. Becker. He seemed more than accommodating to her. The way he spoke about his project actually made Wren a little excited for it. For the first time since she came to this city, Wren was feeling optimistic. She grabbed a pillow and gave it a happy squeeze. 'I can do this Mama...Father...Camilla. I'll make you all proud.'
"You seem to be in a good mood."
Wren gasped, immediately dropping the pillow. "Cyril." She turned towards the open window. There he was the monster sitting on the windowsill. His long bird-like legs draped over the ledge. "You're back." Wren said, getting very nervous. "Am I in danger again?" She asked.
"Nah." Cyril replied, slipped into the room. "It's been quiet lately."
"Then why are you here?"
The truth was, Cyril had been around every night this week. He had only made himself known a few nights ago during the...incident. He really wasn't supposed to step in unless it was an emergency. Cyril looked away solemnly. "I just wanted to see how your wound was doing." He finally admitted.
"You were worried about me?" Her nerves seemed to calm. For such a scary monster, Cyril was awfully caring.
Cyril didn't answer. He stayed silent, not wanting to admit to Wren that he felt guilty about accidentally slicing her with his talon.
"I'm fine." Wren said. She hesitated for a moment before unzipping the back of her dress.
"Hey, hold on a minute!" Something finally managed to fluster Cyril.
Wren slipped the dress down to her waist, just to show the cut. "See, it's healing just fine." Unlike when Leon barged in, she was wearing a bra and had turned her body away, so she wasn't facing him directly. Besides, she felt more comfortable with Cyril for reasons she couldn't explain. Wren might as well have been completely nude though; Cyril used his wing to hide his blushing face. He didn't exactly have much experience with women. "To tell you the truth..." Wren continued. "It hurts a lot less than my legs."
"Your legs?" 'I didn't set her down too hard, did I?'
"Uh huh. Where than man grabbed me. He didn't even leave a bruise but, it's almost like his touch burned me."
Cyril frowned. "Sorry I didn't intervene sooner."
"No no! Don't feel bad! Um...but...There is something that has been bothering me." Wren said. She nervously poked her two fingers together. "You...um..." Should she really be asking him this right now? "You killed that guy, didn't you?"
Cyril quietly nodded, admitted that he had been the one to throw that man to his demise.
'I knew it.' Wren thought. "Have you...killed others?"
The harpy stayed silent once again.
"You don't have to answer if you don't want-"
"I have."
"Oh..." Now Wren was the quiet one, not sure how to process that information.
"I just do what I'm told."
"...Me too." Wren admitted.
Now that...that piqued Cyril's interest. He stepped closer, curious by what Wren meant by that. No one could possibly ever understand him. Cyril was practically his boss's pet. Still, he wanted to know more. "What do you mean?" Cyril finally asked.