When the recording finished playing, the entire room fell silent, so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
The manager's face turned an alarming shade of green. He started to explain, "Sinéad, look, this woman is obviously insane. How can you believe a lunatic..."
Eva calmly looked at Sinéad, her expression steady and without a trace of anxiety. "Ms. Sinéad, whether you think I'm insane or not, I hope you can see the true colors of the people around you. Don't let him harm any more girls. He likes to prey on young women, and not every girl has the discernment to see through it."
Sinéad glanced coldly at Eva and then at the manager, her tone icy. "You should leave."
The manager put on a very innocent expression and looked at Sinéad. "Why? This doesn't prove anything."
"Leave," Sinéad repeated, only this time more firmly.
Reluctantly, the manager left, but not before glaring at Eva and muttering under his breath, "She's really a nutcase, and a dangerous one at that. What rotten luck to encounter someone like her."
After the manager left, Sinéad spoke up. "Carrying a knife and recording conversations—is this your habit?"
Eva frowned slightly, unwilling to answer. She was here to apply for a job, not to bare her soul. She had no obligation to explain herself.
She replied, "That's personal, and I'd rather not discuss it."
Sinéad, showing a bit of concern in her polite tone, said, "I apologize. I have one more question. Have you been deeply hurt by a man before?"
Eva still didn't want to answer. "I don't want to answer that."
Sinéad continued, "Under normal circumstances, I might not hire you. But to be honest, I really like your personality and your talent."
Eva pursed her lips, looking at her with a puzzled expression.
"So, I will hire you. In fact, I already decided this yesterday. I don't want to change my mind."
Eva was surprised but remained composed. "Thank you."
"I'll be firing that manager. Now, let's talk about the project," Sinéad said.
Sinéad couldn't help but keep a curious eye on Eva. She found this girl intriguing. At times, there was an unyielding fierceness about her, a determination not to back down. Despite seeming very normal on the surface, carrying a knife at all times was far from ordinary.
At her age, Sinéad was accustomed to everyone having their own stories. This girl definitely had her own.
Some might be put off by such seemingly insane behavior, but Sinéad didn't mind. She was very open-minded and felt a bit of pity for the girl.
Eva brushed her long hair back in a graceful motion that added a touch of allure. "I wonder, Ms. Sinéad, what kind of MTV are you looking to create?"
Sinéad played her latest song for Eva, who listened intently. Truthfully, Eva didn't understand much about music, so she couldn't categorize or describe it accurately. But the song gave her a sense of despair and destruction, a metallic flavor to it.
After listening, she looked at Sinéad, puzzled. "I can't quite describe it, but it feels like the song aims to destroy everything."
Sinéad's eyes lit up at Eva's response. "You're exactly the person I need. This song depicts a future apocalypse."
Eva frowned slightly. "A future apocalypse?"
Sinéad nodded earnestly and began to explain, "Yes, a future apocalypse, destroying everything. I always believed that a highly advanced civilization would eventually lead to its own destruction. Humanity's ultimate fate is to be destroyed and then reborn."
Eva was taken aback but not unfamiliar with such ideas. She believed the world was big enough for all kinds of thoughts and perspectives.
Just like how people wouldn't guess her past, she responded, "I understand. You're aiming for an apocalyptic theme."
Sinéad agreed, "Yes, but focusing on destruction. Humanity will inevitably destroy itself and then be reborn, just like Adam and Eve. It's all a cycle."
Eva relaxed and smiled. "In some ways, I agree with you. Humanity is indeed destroying itself."
With the continual destruction of nature, ecosystems, and rare species, humans hoarded all resources for themselves. Eva didn't find Sinéad's thoughts unreasonable. She also believed that humanity's self-destruction was only a matter of time.
She gave Sinéad a knowing smile. "So, Sinéad, you want to express your thoughts through this MTV and song?"
Sinéad lit a cigarette and said calmly, "Yes, that's exactly what I want. Although the lyrics are not finished, the theme is clear. If human desires keep growing, they will ultimately lead to self-destruction."
Eva took a sip of water. "Have you decided on a title for the song?"
"'Girl on the Ruins,'" Sinéad said, sticking her tongue out playfully at Eva. "What do you think of the title? I want to depict a destroyed world in the MTV. But I don't plan to star in it myself. I don't fit the image of a 'girl' anymore."
She then looked at Eva. "Hey, I noticed you look pretty good. Why don't you try starring in this MTV?"
Eva shook her head firmly. "No, that's really not an option. I never considered appearing on camera, and I don't plan to."
Sinéad, though disappointed, accepted it. "Alright then, I'll find a suitable actress."
Eva nodded. "I'll think about the plot, write a script, and include some storyboards to explain my vision. How does that sound?"
"Of course, I'm looking forward to it."
After parting ways, Eva left the restaurant. Back at Sinéad's studio, her record company boss was waiting for her.
Seeing Sinéad, he said with a hostile tone, "I heard from your manager that you plan to hire an inexperienced director for our flagship single?"
Sinéad scoffed. "He's no longer my manager."
"Regardless, is it true? Have you lost your mind, Sinéad?"
Sinéad turned to her boss. "I'm perfectly sane. I watched her short film, and it was incredible. Truly an outstanding piece of work."
"But she's never directed an MTV! That's a critical flaw! This is our major investment, and we can't entrust it to someone like her."
Sinéad wasn't swayed by her boss's argument. "I believe in her. I'm confident she can handle it."
"Are you willing to take full responsibility? If she fails, you'll have to finance another shoot yourself. The company won't cover for you."
Sinéad met her boss's gaze. "Adam, don't get so worked up. If I need to cover the costs myself, I can. I'm not short on money."
"Then prepare to pay for your foolish decision, Sinéad." With that, her boss stormed out.
Meanwhile, after leaving the restaurant, Eva went to meet Arsha, who had invited her to watch a movie.
But when Eva saw Arsha at the cinema, she was surprised and stared at her in disbelief. "Are you serious, Arsha? We're seeing 'Twilight' again?"
Arsha cheerfully waved the two tickets in her hand. "Of course! I already paid for them, dear. Come on, join me for a third time."
Eva pinched her eyebrows in resignation. "Alright, since you already bought the tickets, I guess I have no choice."
Honestly, she wasn't keen on seeing it again—not just because she'd already seen it, but because there wasn't much worth watching multiple times. But to keep Arsha company, she said nothing more.
She fully understood Arsha's fanatic love for Kristen Stewart. The extent of one woman's obsession with another was astonishing.
As Arsha dragged Eva inside, pointing at the poster, she exclaimed, "Hey, Eva, don't you think Kristen looks amazing?"
Eva sighed and casually brushed Arsha's bangs behind her ear. "Honestly, I think you look better."
Arsha pouted playfully. "Oh, you're just saying that. By your logic, I could be starring in 'Twilight'!"
"You could, if you had the opportunity."
As the movie began, Eva and Arsha took their seats. Watching the bustling crowd around them and Arsha's star-struck eyes fixed on Kristen, Eva felt glad to have a second chance at life. At least she had regained the human connections she had discarded in her previous life—friendship and family.
Only after losing these did she realize their value. Facing the world alone was too isolating. She longed for family and friendship, even if she no longer believed in love. For now, maintaining these relationships was her priority.
Over the next week, Eva stayed home working on the script. Sinéad finished the lyrics and sent them to Eva. Eva wrote the script according to Sinéad's vision and requirements.
Soon, Sinéad responded with high praise for the script. Although it was more of a storyline outline, it was exactly what she wanted.
Sinéad was enthusiastic. "Fantastic. This is the story I want to tell. I need to find an actress for the lead. You should come with me."
One day, Eva accompanied Sinéad to audition actresses for the lead role. They were looking for a sweet-looking blonde girl with an angelic yet empty gaze.
On audition day, to Eva's surprise, the first person to walk in was Arsha.