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We’re definitely going to be forced to do it over and over again.
“Urgh, I don’t know.” I roll my eyes, trying to act all blasé about it because I’m too scared to show my nerves. I don’t want anyone to see that I’m vulnerable at all. “I think we’re going to have to get through this crazy ass speech first of all.”
Chris leans on the wall beside me and eyes me curiously. I can sense a new air burning around us, which is a little weird. I don’t know what he expects me to say and do here. I simply watch him curiously as I wait for whatever is about to unfold, to come.
“So, I was thinking that maybe before the kiss scene, we should do whatever it takes to make this right. We should try and build our connection, so it feels more real.”
“What do you mean?” I ask as my pulse kicks off at rapid speed once more.
“I mean, we should hang out more. Like, spend some serious time together. Maybe a date?”
“You… you want to go on a date? To practice kissing? Is that what you mean?”
I try to keep the sheer horror out of my voice, but I don’t think I do it well. He looks a little hurt by the immediate snap of my expression. I don’t want to hurt him, but this is wild.
“I don’t know. I mean…” He sighs heavily. “I was just thinking that it wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world for us to see where this chemistry can really take us. I mean, that’s a big part of the entertainment industry, isn’t it? Actors hooking up and dating. A lot of that is to feel out the intensity of the chemistry, to make the piece so much better.”
“I… I can’t…” I shake my head, but I can’t find the right words to shut this shit down completely. “I don’t know if that’s a good idea at all. I don’t think we should…”
“Why not?” Chris hardens. “You aren’t some prissy bitch, are you? I know you’ve dated that old guy. The billionaire. Is it because I don’t have enough money for you?”
Whoa, where the hell did that come from? I don’t know much about Chris, but he’s seemed like a nice enough guy up until this point. What just shifted in him? I step back in shock.
“I don’t know what you mean, but I appreciate you not talking about my private life here.”
Chris smirks, but it’s more like a snarl. “So, I’m not good enough for you. That’s what it is? You just like old guys? You like older men with money? You don’t want an actor even though I might be wealthy one day? You don’t want to give me a chance?”
“I’m not sure you’re presenting yourself in the best way, Chris,” I shoot back, trying my hardest to be calm but I don’t know if I’m managing it too well. “I don’t think this is a good plan. I think you should just stop talking to me. We need to work together, so don’t make me hate you.”
He’s about to snap and say something else, but the director calls us over to speak with him as well. I don’t know where this is going to go, but I much prefer it to talk to Chris alone. With a bit of luck, the director saw what was happening and he’s about to yell. He’s good at shouting, so let’s have him yelling at someone who deserves it.
“We’re adding in a new scene,” the director barks. “I think we need to up the ante on this one. It’s supposed to be steamy and sexy, so we want to take it further.”
“Further?” What the hell does he mean by that? I agreed to the scene as it was. And that was before I just had adelightfulconversation with Chris. “How much further?”
“I think this scene will look a lot better with you already taking one another’s clothes off. I think we need passion there, we need it to shine through with actions.”
“Clothing off? No, I don’t want to do that. I don’t want nudity.”
Chris scoffs nastily. It’s hard not for me to get all wound up by that, but I have to keep calm and collected. Under control, so I can make myself understood.
“You can’t start coming at me with nonsense, Zoe. We need to get this scene done,” the director yells wearily. “It’s not working, and we need to make it work. It has to work for the rest of the plot, so please stop answering back and just get on with it. We’ll rehearse it first, I’ll direct how I want the scene to look, and then we can get on with it. I want it done today. I have a schedule.”
I want to continue on yelling, to argue, but Megan’s “joke” floods my mind, reminding me that I have already fucked up, so why not just keep on going?
“And to think, you were worried about your morals, not so long ago. Worried about being nude in a movie. Turns out you’re not so unsure about getting naked anymore, am I right?”
I haven’t forgotten those words, and I’m not sure I ever will. Megan probably has, it was just something she threw out as she tried to make me laugh, but I’m holding on to them. Because I have lost my moral compass. Sleeping with Remy skewed everything, and now I’ve lost that job I have to find a way to make my money other ways, with other work.
I know Remy’s paid me, and I’m okay rent wise for the time being, but that won’t last forever, so I need to stake my claim in the acting world so I can get paying work afterwards.
“You don’t have the gall for it?” Chris cries out in amusement. “Since you’re a boring bitch, it might be a good idea for them to get someone else in any way. Someone much hotter…”
My fists curl up by my sides. I don’t want to be beaten down by this asshole. He’s shown a misogynistic and unpleasant side to himself, which shows me he needs to be taken down a peg or two. I can do that while I’m here, can’t I? Shut this asshole down once and for all.
“Fine, whatever,” I shoot back through gritted teeth. “Let’s do this.”
We get back into position and start trying to act out the lines with the new actions that the director wants for us. It starts with Chris yanking my straps down, almost pulling my breasts free. Discomfort floods my veins because IhateChris, so this is going to take up all the acting skills I have. But I also don’t like my body being revealed without my consent…
