anwhile...
Cedrick could feel the tips of his fingers growing colder by the second. He had been shifting restlessly in his chair, trying to focus. However, with all the odd gazes directed at him, he had to admit—it was hard to do so.
Lifting his eyes, he paused as he realized nearly everyone in the room was staring at him. They weren’t even paying attention to the television that was broadcasting the audition. So sneered, others looked confused, and a few remained expressionless. But one thing was certain: no one expected him to be here.
Well, he didn’t expect himself to be here either.
"Did he really just get a slot for the role?" one whispered. "Wow. This set is truly sothing else."
"Normally, he wouldn’t even get a chance."
"That’s Director Sarian for you," said another. "No matter how controversial an artist was, he’d turn a blind eye for the sake of craft."
"Craft?" soone snickered. "Is it really craft? Or did one of his sponsors pull so strings? Ugh... just breathing the sa air as him makes sick. What if I catch whatever disease he had?"
Cedrick lowered his head slightly, staying quiet despite the whispers ant to reach him. He wanted to ignore them, but he couldn’t. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t escape the fact that these people saw him as nothing more than the defaming articles written about him years ago.
And that wasn’t surprising.
Cedrick had risen to stardom quickly, not just because of his looks but also because of his personality and talent. People had admired him—until that one article.
An article that defad him, tarnishing his na with its creative lies. It claid he exploited young girls who admired him for his sexual pleasure. That was just the beginning. Soon, the narrative shifted, alleging he slept with sponsors and anyone else to climb to fa.
Paparazzi photos were twisted to manipulate public perception. At the peak of the scandal, Cedrick was portrayed as nothing but an exploiter, achieving success through shady deals and running a sordid business that could be labeled "prostitution."
Talk about being dragged through the mud.
Throughout it all, his agency had done nothing. Instead of defending him or taking legal action, they told him to stay quiet, promising action that never ca. Ultimately, they terminated his contract, telling the public he was taking a short break. Bound by a non-disclosure agreent, Cedrick remained silent. Not for lack of trying, but because every attempt to defend himself only fueled public outrage.
This was the first ti in many years that he had been seen at any event connected to the entertainnt industry.
Focus, he reminded himself, closing his eyes. Focus, Ced. Don’t disappoint her. Rember the video audition.
He might not completely block out the growing whispers and mockery, but he could redirect his attention. None of this mattered. At this point, Cedrick wasn’t here just to get the role—he wanted to pursue his dream again.
He didn’t want to disappoint the only person who believed in him. Besides, Haji, Silo, and his acting coach were all waiting for good news.
Amid Cedrick’s internal focus, a familiar voice unexpectedly reached his ears.
"Cedrick, is that really you?"
Cedrick froze, snapping his eyes open. Lifting his head, he t a pair of eyes behind thin-rimd glasses.
"Manager Kang."
Manager Kang’s mouth curved into a smirk as he straightened his posture. "Wow, Cedrick! After all these years, I never thought I’d see you again! How are you?!"
Cedrick said nothing, noticing from the corner of his eyes that everyone was watching them.
"You’re auditioning for Ryker’s role too, huh?" Manager Kang chuckled, his tone dripping with ridicule. "Always hardworking, never giving up on your dream—that’s what I admired about you."
He paused, a flicker of malice in his eyes. "Until that scandal changed everything."
Cedrick’s hands balled into tight fists. He didn’t speak, biting his tongue hard enough to feel it go numb.
"But that’s all in the past! I’m sure you’ve changed your ways!" Manager Kang said, glancing around the room. "Ti changes people, after all. I wish you the best, Cedrick. Even here, with so many great actors, the competition is fierce."
He snickered. "You didn’t pull any strings to get here, right?"
Everyone who heard this frowned. Earlier, their opinions of Cedrick had been mixed, but now doubt crept in. They wondered if he had indeed used influence to secure a spot.
"See you around, Cedrick!" Manager Kang said with a smile before turning toward the entrance. "Simon, you’re here now!"
At the sound of his na, all eyes turned to the new arrival.
Simon.
A popular actor who had been in the industry longer than Cedrick or many of them. He wasn’t a top star yet, but his growing fa had been cented by a project that established his na. His presence evoked mixed reactions—unlike most people here, Simon was widely recognized and respected.
"Manager Kang, I told you to wait for ," Simon frowned. "How did you get here before ?"
"I got you your number," Manager Kang chuckled, handing Simon a round token. "And I was catching up with an old friend."
"An old friend?" Simon raised an eyebrow, turning toward the direction Manager Kang indicated. His eyes fell on a very familiar face from the past.
"Cedrick!" Simon’s frown flipped into a smile. He strode toward Cedrick, leaving Manager Kang behind. "It’s been a while, huh?"
Cedrick stayed silent, his eyes sharp, and his voice cold as he uttered, "It has."
Simon smirked as he looked down at the guy seated in the corner. He glanced over his shoulder and nodded at Manager Kang. The latter nodded in understanding and left the waiting room, as he shouldn’t be there, anyway.
Simon then set his eyes back down on Cedrick. His smile was not one that would be mistaken for a friendly approach. It was a smirk of ridicule and malice. Sothing Cedrick could see very clearly.
Simon sat down beside him, beaming as he faced Cedrick squarely.
"So how was life, Ced?"
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