When Lola ca back to Novera, she visited the set to save the day. Heaven knew how elated Director Sarian was. After all, the director had never been satisfied with the replacent that Lola contracted to play her role.
And with Lola’s return, Director Sarian — or rather, the entire production team — treated her like a god. With Director Sarian unhappy, it was hell for everyone.
"What?" Lola asked dryly as she paused doing her makeup, sliding her eyes to the side.
On the folding chair beside her sat Cedrick. The man offered a small smile, simply watching her.
"Nothing," he said, almost giggling. "I’m just really glad to see you again, Taz."
"Goodness." She clicked her tongue, though her lips curved up. "Cedrick, can you see this ring?"
She raised her hand, and though she was clearly joking, she added, "I’m a married woman now, and you’re not allowed to date."
Cedrick’s face flushed, his breath hitching, his shoulders stiffening. His reaction only made her laugh.
"Kidding," she waved dismissively.
"You’re kidding about getting married?"
"No, I’m kidding about the part where you can’t date." She turned back to the mirror, resuming work on her disguise. "Just date when you finally find soone who gives you peace of mind and takes care of you as much as you take care of them."
Cedrick pressed his lips into a thin line, staring at her profile in silence. He lowered his head and sighed, listening to her like a child. He wasn’t one, but he couldn’t bla her for talking to him that way.
Just then, Silo’s voice ca through their tent.
"Lola."
Both Lola and Cedrick turned toward the entrance and caught Silo peeking inside. He tilted his head, eyes wide.
"Huh?" Lola frowned, then she saw two people standing behind him when he opened the flap fully.
Pixie and gan.
Ugh... what now?
*
*
*
It wasn’t that Pixie and gan bothered her. They didn’t — but Lola knew they were currently tangled in a ssy negotiation with their agency. The two had finally stood up against Manager Kang’s corruption and years of being suppressed.
Lola didn’t know any further details, and she had no intention of prying. But since the duo ca to her, she couldn’t just ignore them. With Cedrick needed back on set, Silo escorted him out.
So Lola stayed in the sa folding chair, working on her disguise while gan and Pixie sat nearby.
"Whatever it is..." Lola remarked, touching up her already-thick makeup. "It’s probably a no."
Pixie and gan exchanged looks and chuckled. After a mont, they focused back on her.
"We’re not here to ask for any favor," gan said as Pixie nodded. "We ca because... we want to apologize."
Lola paused mid-stroke and glanced at them. "For what?"
"For being a bitch to you," Pixie said bluntly, smacking her lips. "It’s a little late, but you’ve been missing in action, so we only got to do it now. Lola, sorry for being an."
gan nodded. "You may not forgive us imdiately, but we hope you will one day."
"That’s right!" Pixie added with a small, awkward smile.
Lola arched a brow and looked between them. Then she shrugged at her reflection.
"Sure," she said indifferently. "You don’t really need to apologize, though. You acted based on what you thought was justice for your friend. It just so happened the story you were fed was nothing but lies."
She shot them a side-eye. "Just learn your lesson and have better judgnt next ti."
Pixie and gan instantly brightened, smiling from ear to ear. They nodded profusely, practically glowing as they exchanged looks before turning back to Lola.
"You’re doing your scene later, right?" Pixie leaned closer. "Lola, do you need help?"
"I can do your makeup if you like," gan offered. "Only if you’re comfortable."
"gan’s actually talented in art," Pixie chid in. "And if you need help with lines, I can practice with you!"
"..." Lola stared at them, then shook her head, ignoring all the offers. "No, thanks."
But the duo remained persistent, though not pushy.
That was how it started. Before she knew it, Lola found herself casually conversing with them on set. They always approached her. They even brought ho-cooked als, sharing them with her.
It reminded Lola of her first life.
In her first life, gan and Pixie had been nice to her in the beginning. Lola had even believed she finally had good friends... until lissa ruined it. But now, sohow, her relationship with them had beco better to the point she almost felt like she had gained friends out of nowhere.
One thing led to another, and before Lola realized it, she was sitting with them during lunch on set.
"Right." Pixie perked up, snapping her eyes to Lola. "Lola, I know you probably don’t want to talk about this, but... has lissa reached out to you?"
Lola paused mid-bite. "No."
"That’s weird," gan murmured, frowning.
Lola furrowed her brows. "Why? Did she bother you two?"
"No, nothing like that," gan said, looking thoughtful. "It’s just... I think Pixie and I saw her last weekend."
Lola’s brows knitted. "Last weekend?"
From what she knew, lissa had abandoned Lawrence and disappeared. No one cared enough to find out where she went.
"We had a eting in the countryside and saw her — maybe," Pixie said, rubbing her chin. "She looked fancy. Not her usual style. Very luxurious... or maybe we saw soone who just looked like her?"
gan let out a breath. "It was probably not her. I an, she left because she couldn’t handle being poor or taking care of her father. How would she beco wealthy that fast?"
"You’re right." Pixie chuckled, then looked at Lola. "Sorry for bringing her up."
"She’s not a taboo," Lola shrugged, unbothered. She resud eating. "Don’t mind her. You two have more important things to worry about. Your agency will do everything to keep you."
"Even if they freeze our offers, what’s new?" gan shrugged. "Pixie and I already decided. We won’t renew. If they push us, we’ll sue."
Pixie chuckled. "Good thing this series is paying us more than expected. We can afford a lawyer. Hehe."
Lola looked up at them, but didn’t comnt. She was about to take another bite when gan suddenly asked:
"You’re going to accept us into your agency, right?"
Lola choked and coughed, staring at them with wide eyes. "Huh?!"
"Silo already told us," Pixie giggled. "We’ve been considering it for a while. Don’t worry, Lola — gan and I will work hard so you profit from us!"
"..." Lola blinked and blinked again. And just like the strange friendship she unexpectedly ford with this duo...
Lola would soon find herself doing extracurricular work just to rescue these two from their predatory contract.
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