Casting

He flipped through the pages one by one in his room. His father had been adamant on trying to get him into meetings lately…  How could he refuse. He was the next heir of Sheng's multinational company, Altec so Mr. Aldric Sheng had to prepare his son to handle the business in China as soon as possible. The old man was only about to arrive from Japan. Ryu on the other hand  hadn't yet told him about the case with Lyra and the fact that he was keeping a girl hostage in his guesthouse. Knowing about it will be enough to unleash the wrath within the old man. Suddenly a knock was heard at his door. 

"Good morning Young Master. " Mrs Zhi Ruo, his old head maid bowed down. Ryu smiled and offered her a seat. The other young maids who were in their same ages as Ryu had gathered outside silently to hear what the matter was about. 

"I called you here for an important matter. It's regarding a girl I've recently introduced to our Guesthouse. She will be staying there for a while." Ryu sat on his couch as he said so. 

"What!? A girl!?  Young Master finally found a girlfriend!? " One of the young maids, Milly whispered to her friend Dana. Needless to say, Dana wasn't impressed with the news. Her hands clutched into fists as soon as she heard that. 

"She's badly injured so I figured she'd need the assistance of a woman of course. And you're the best unlike those brats who run around gossiping in the house." Dana and Milly felt a tight slap on their faces hearing that. Did he just refer to them as brats!? Were they just little kids to him!? 

"Yes Master Ryu. " The lady agreed respectfully. 

"First of all I need you to get her presentable clothes. She has none with her. You can ask Lyra for assistance in that matter. Give her medicines on time. Also I need you to keep an eye on her. That's all for now. You may leave. "

As soon as Old Mrs Ruo got up to leave, the two maids scurried away from their Master's room. Dana felt something was off. It was the first time Young Master had ever brought a girl into their mansion. He never showed interest in any of them even though they looked too good, according to themselves. Could it be that the girl was kidnapped by their Master!? She had to look into it herself. 

____

Lyra got a call right then from Zhi Ruo. She picked up in a hurry. She told her about how Ryu had asked her to go along with the old lady to get Darah some new clothes. Lyra sighed looking at the time. She had an audition in a few minutes and had already arrived at the Blue Star casting agency, which wasn't a great movie team but they had some of the best actors under them. 

"Oh no…  Miss Zhi Ruo. I'm afraid I can't come at the moment. How about you come over to my place and pick some of my clothes that you think fits her best! And a few days later, when Darah recovers, we can take her out to buy her some new clothes! " 

Zhi Ruo gave it a thought and finally found it to be a good idea. She already knew the code to Lyra's apartment so it was just a matter of time. She agreed and cut the call. Lyra was nervously fidgeting her fingers…  She had prepared well but acting it out wasn't easy. They said it was just going to be a face to face talk and nothing serious. Zeke was standing outside, just in case she needed some help. 

"Good afternoon Miss Lyra Sheng! " Lyra was impressed seeing the expensive casting room. It was filled with glimmering stones stuck to a wall on one side and huge tall mirrors on the other. She sat down on a large comfy couch as the manager Lee Jun gestured her kindly. He was a man in his forties and had launched a lot of famous celebrities till date. Lyra thought it was kind of him to call her over even on a Sunday when everyone was busy and not at work. 

"Good afternoon to you too Mr Lee Jun!" Lyra tried to pass a handshake but he instead pulled her in for a hug, making her feel a bit uncomfortable. Her smile dropped a bit seeing his overly welcoming attitude but hid it well with that beautiful gem of a face. Lyra had to admit that her beauty was often an excuse for men to behave inappropriately with her at times but she wasn't a fool for it. She had her ways of dealing with those kinds of jerks. 

They talked for a bit and Lee Jun realized that Lyra came from a very Influential background but she refrained from him knowing that she was the daughter of Aldric Sheng since they would use it to their advantage to leech enough money out of her. Or what if she actually does become famous!? Paparazzi would blame it on her strong hold of money! However it seemed Lee Jun had gotten a bit too comfortable with her. Lyra looked around to see that none of the other staff were there with them. 

"Well then. Can I act out a few scenes for you?" Lyra asked in excitement because she had been waiting for this moment. But she saw him shaking his head and placing a hand over her fingers. She was taken aback. 

"With that beautiful face of yours, you don't even have to try. Or maybe you could. " He leaned in closer which ticked her off the wrong way. Lyra immediately pulled herself backwards feeling creeped out by the man's sudden gesture. Such a reputed man with a nasty personality!? How dare he! 

"What do you think you're doing, you pervert! " The man chuckled, pulling her wrist. 

"Do you want the film or not? It's a free way!" Lyra was so disgusted that she got up but he still hadn't left his grip on her hand. 

"Let go of my hand you wrinkly old man! " Old man? He felt insulted all of a sudden. When his grip on her hand tightened, she smirked which was the exact opposite reaction of what he had expected. 

"You don't know who I am don't you? "

She suddenly pulled up her leg and placed it over the couch. The man was left staring at the smooth skin until she zipped down her boot and pulled out a golden knife from beneath it. He widened his eyes as she held it to his neck. 

"Let's see who wins now. " 

Behind all the silent facade, a man was listening to everything through a little gap in the door.