Ethan would never forget his first movie. After landing commercials and roles in T.V shows, he thought he’d hit the big time landing a part in a drama. Until it failed. After that, no one cast him in another role for two years. His acting had pulled his family from poverty and with no work, it scared him they’d end up there again. Luckily, he’d met Ralph at a movie premiere, and he’d scored him an action movie. Since then, no one would hire him for anything else.
“I’ve found something you’re gonna love. Although, when I suggested you to the director, he wasn’t exactly sold on the idea, I convinced him you’ve got the acting chops to take it on.”
“What is it?” Ethan asked again.
His agent steered him away from a group of people and gave a quick glance over his shoulder like they were conspiring to take over the world. “I can’t say too much here. There’re eyes and ears everywhere. Wouldn’t want anyone stealing this job out from under you.” He gave another sniff and rub of his nose. “I’ll send you the script tomorrow.” With that, Ralph slapped him on the back and ambled over to a young blond.
A spike of adrenaline hit his blood. Could he finally be cast in a role that would see him as more of a serious actor? About fucking time.
He scanned the small crowd for Victoria. He’d had enough with this scene for the night and spotted her flirting with a guy from a popular sitcom. Ethan and Victoria weren’t exclusive and were free to flirt or do what they wanted with other people.
“I’m heading home,” Ethan said.
The sitcom guy, Ethan couldn’t recall his name, put a hand on Victoria’s hip. Not an ounce of jealousy washed over Ethan.
“Okay, let me say goodbye to some people,” Victoria said.
“No, stay. I’m beat. I’ll be no fun tonight and you don’t have to be on set until later tomorrow. You might as well enjoy the night.”
Victoria frowned, well as much as the fresh Botox injected in her forehead allowed. “Are you sure?”
The sitcom guy had a triumphant smirk on his face. He got to take Victoria home.
“I’ll see you at work.” He turned to leave.
“Wait,” Victoria called after him. “I’ve changed my mind. Take me home.” She gave an apologetic smile at sitcom guy and his expression dropped. “Maybe next time,” she said to him then, linked her arm through Ethan’s.
Once outside, the valet drove his BMW to the front of The Factory. They both waved at cameras before dashing into the car.
“I saw you talking to Ralph earlier,” Victoria said as they drove away from the club. “Looked very secretive.”
“He has a movie for me. Said it was different from the usual.”
The lights from the dashboard lit up the surprised expression on her face. “Oh? What is it?”
Ethan shrugged. “Not sure, he’s sending me the script. I’ve waited a long time to try something new, something with more guts.”
“Pfft, give me an action flick any day, everything else is a snooze fest.” She flicked her hair over her shoulder and said, “You’re too good looking to be taken seriously in anything else.”
Victoria’s backhanded remark stung. He hoped his acting ability came down to more than just a pretty face and a fit body. He’d spent most of the time shirtless in movies and it annoyed the crap out of him. Maybe he should grow a beer belly so the industry would take him seriously. Because it was true, he did get cast for his looks, he had so much more to offer if only they’d see past the exterior and give him a chance.
“Looks won’t last forever,” he said glancing in the rear-view mirror as they stopped at a red light. A white car pulled up behind them that had been following them from the club. He’d given the paps photos. What more did they want? Although the paparazzi weren’t as invasive as the ones in the U.S, it still annoyed him he couldn’t drive home without them tailing.
“Oh please,” she huffed. “Men are lucky. You can be in your sixties and still be a lead character shagging a twenty-five-year-old leading actress. It’s women who are sitting on a ticking time bomb. We eventually get cast as your mother.”
The light turned green, hoping to lose the car following them, he navigated through dimly lit streets lined with old sandstone buildings.
“Maybe you should think about the future too.”
Victoria swung her head around and glared at him. “Are you saying I’m getting old?”
At thirty-three, she was hardly old, but in show business, it’s like aging in dog years. “Not at all, it was just a suggestion.”
They got caught up in traffic as people poured out of the theatre and jumped into waiting taxis. He couldn’t tell if they were still being followed, but he kept an eye on the rear-view mirror just in case.
“Well, Dr. James will keep me young and fresh for a few more years. I won’t be playing anyone’s mother for a while. I’ll worry about it when I have to.”
By the time they crossed Sydney Harbour Bridge and pulled up to Victoria’s house in Lavender Bay, he was sure he’d lost them.
