CHAPTER 7: THE ONE AND ONLY

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Xia took the phone from Xander, "Who is this?". The person on the other end explained a few details to her. Xia nodded then looking at Ann "Is it okay if I bring my partner..... Alright" Xia hung up and gave back the phoned back to Xander.

"Sorry for the wait" "No... it's okay" Ann smiled as she pour Xia a cup of tea. "What happened? Why do you have an injury?" Vincent asked, he noticed that Xia has been walking with difficulty. Hearing this, Ann put down her teacup and held Xia's hands. "Who's the guy who did this? come on, I am going to—" "enough" Xia shrugged off Ann's pestering and sighed "I slipped last night, it's only a minor injury..... Nothing serious" she drank her tea slowly. Ann became quiet and ate her cookie. "When will it heal?" Vincent kept asking "According to the doctor, a few days of rest and it will return to normal" Vincent smiled "that's better then".

After the two left, Xia went back to her room and opened her laptop. A bunch of emails are sent to her about her work. Some are related to the company while some are missions sent for her to accomplish. Sighed, nothing new except it doubled because of the company. Xia sat down and started typing, her hands played across the keyboard while her eyes are focused at the screen.

A message suddenly popped up at the corner of the screen, it came from the group chat of the class. Xia took a glimpse at it and ignored, she found no interest to look at it.

"There is a play that is to be arranged by the students of every year." "where is the audition for casts?" clatter started at the chat, everyone is excited for the event. Annoyed by the notifications, Xia muted the chat. Another message popped up, narrowing her eyes, she read the message and called someone on her phone.

While walking at the hall, Xia is focused on her book. The book caught her interest while visiting the book store. She opened the door to her classroom, still on to her book. "Morning, Xia" Ann greets her friend. "Morning" Xia greeted back nonchalantly. Whispers are lingering throughout the room. Xia stopped reading and asked "What's the fuss all about?" Ann paused and looked at her.

"You didn't know about the play?" Xia shook her head. Ann sighed, "A play is going to be executed by year. Our year is in charge of the actors and actresses." Xia gave her a confused look "Then, why are there many talks going around?" Ann facepalm her friend's ignorance about the event "The teacher in charge wants you to participate in the leading roles" Xia grimaced upon hearing this.

"Why me?" Ann shrugged her shoulders "It's voluntary anyway, you can refuse. It's just, they admire your talent and want you to shine" Xia continued reading.

Unbeknownst to them, someone is listening their conversation. A grin appeared on his face, he kept silent as the class started.

The auditions for casts are situated in the auditorium. Other students also came to watch the auditions for the casts. Xia tidy up her desk and is about to leave. "Xia!!" Ann barged into the room but Xia paid no attention to her and walked casually to the door. "Xia, Vincent is going to play the male lead!" Ann is still trying to pull Xia to the auditions. Xia have incredible talents but refuse to be exposed to the spotlight. "Xia your shyness needs to end right now!"

Xia remained stuborn and refused to be swayed by Ann. "What seems to be the problem here?" Xander asked from behind. Xia was startled along with Ann who have a good grip to her arms. "W-What are you doing here?" Xia asked, "I heard yoi school has a play so I asked your adviser if you have a role?" Xander teasingly smiled at Xia. Xia looked away and made a disappointing stance.

Xander find it cute to see his sister angry. "Okay, let's go home if you truly don't want to take part in the play" he patted Xia's head and walked away. "Wait!!" Ann wouldn't give up, she handed copy of the script of the play to Xia "Take this in case you change your mind" Xia looked at the papers and sighed "fine" she gave up and took the script. Xia knew that Ann will insist even if she refuse.

Inside Xia's bedroom, she slumped to her bed. She is drained of energy thanks to Ann who kept on persuading her to join the play. "she said that I could refuse, that doesn't seem to be the case" sighed. Xia took a shower and change to her casual clothing. Reaching out for her phone, she glanced at the script which Ann gave her. Having second thoughts, she took the script and studied the plot.

Xia read through the entire script while she furrowed her eyebrows. The script is different from those of the usual plot. The princess is seeking freedom and equality, wanting to experience what it is like out of the palace walls.

"It's weird, the scriptwriter wants something new and unique to change those usual fairytales." Xia murmured. She called a number on her phone then a raspy female voice answered the call. "Hey, do you know who wrote the plot?" "I don't know, why are you asking me? I'm not a part of any clubs in school remember" the voice behind the call replied wearily. She must be asleep already. "Okay, thanks anyway" Xia hung up and looked to the moon shining through her window.

A man is looking down at the city from a rooftop. He is wearing all black and is holding a red rose, he looked at every building with a serious face. "Sir, the mission is complete" the man turned his head sideways enough for the assistant to see the side of his face. "Good, you may go now" bowing his head the assistant turn to leave.

"Seeing you without any interest to remember your past makes my heart ache" and with that he dropped the flower from the rooftop, meters high from the ground. He disappeared into the night and left no trace of his presence.

The next day at the classroom, the class remained noisy. Chatter from students are present all around. Some are disappointed while others are crying, they must have been rejected by the judges of the audition. Some are proud of themselves after getting a role.

"Did you hear? the female lead is still empty. The director is said to be reserving that spot for someone special" "could she be a famous actress?" "she is still a mystery, the higher ups refuse to leak her indentity" "isn't Sandy a runner up for the role" "shush, you don't want to mess with her" gossips spread like wildfire across the campus. Somehow news about the female lead's identity is concealed from the public.

Xia is busy writing her notes while listening to the gossips. The script stirred up her curiosity on who is going to be the female lead. All of a sudden, Ann grabbed her arm and dragged her out of the classroom and into a quiet corner. "What the hell!?" Xia brushed off Ann's grip, "So are you going to enter the auditions?" Ann excitingly asked. Xia sighed "Ann, there is no way I will do that. Besides, my work is already as tight as it is." Xia explained. After claiming Mr. Fin's shares, her work doubled. She divides her time between the company and schoolwork.

Ann sighed in dismay, she failed in convincing her to show off her worth. "What are you two doing here?" Vincent asked the both of them. "I dragged Xia here to convince her to audition for the casts" Ann explained with a low tone "tsk tsk tsk.... what a let down" Ann mumbled. "Oh... so the play doesn't interest you?" Xia shook her head "The play is different, yes... but I have a lot of work to do... my brother prohibits me from overdoing myself so I try to make my schedule less tight. So I find it hard to squeeze the additional events like these into my time." Xia explained.

"But do you want a part in it?" Vincent smiled and looked at Ann, being able to grasp the situation. Ann brightened up "Well.... I don't know, rehearsals and other more stuff will ruin my time management." Xia head back to the classroom after giving her reply. "Vincent, do you know how to pull Xia into the play?" Ann is eager to push her friend to the stage, a place where she knows that her friend would like to avoid.

"maybe.... the script is written close to lifestyle and characteristics. She is the only person who can be able to perfect the role" Ann was dumbfounded hearing this, who knew that Vincent knows the script well. Taking a deep breath Ann spoke "Hey, are you the scriptwriter?"

Vincent looked at her with a grin "yep... the one and only. No one will be able to write something different like me" Ann stood there in shock. 'Who is this guy?!' Ann took a few steps back.

"Who really are you?"