Perseus (1)

He felt sick. June shot a hand to his mouth as soon as the elevator doors closed. He suddenly grew dizzy from what he had done. It was as if his entire body knew that his actions had jeopardized every little dream that he had. To be honest, ever since he came to the film school's auditorium, June just thought that maybe he could get a job there at least.

However, no… his angry glare radiated from within him again. That boss had dared to make him take this leap of faith—a leap into the hands of a grand demon for real. After that very hour, he knew that he had to cling to and rely on Lucirien for almost everything. He only had his passable skills and what remained of his little intellect.

Neptune Verrier's ten-year contract with a human demon was broken, and he knew that he had nothing else to receive but punishment. It was good that he had a real demon by his side.

"Hehehe…" June couldn't help but hunch over and giggle maniacally while he was alone in the elevator car. His eyes glinted with so much repressed anger that he envisioned eating Jonathan's flesh for lunch. It's just that… it was too early for his victory.

"Dammit, I'm hungry." The actor straightened his back and stretched to relieve his tension.

When the elevator doors opened on the first floor, June walked out as if he was not the same person who entered this agency. Even the reporters who saw him walk out of the building didn't know if it was the same person that they were supposed to chase. However, since he had been out of sight for a while, the media men rushed to ambush June for an interview about his real beef with Alexander Reed.

It's just that June just felt like pressing on his car remote, unlocking it from afar. He didn't really think that it would come to him as if it was a Tesla with a summoning function. Still, he just walked breezily and got inside the car without answering questions. He drove away, the reporters pushed out of the way by something they couldn't see.

June drove back to his house. He got inside the house… only to start packing up his stuff. He had to leave this apartment. The agency knew that he lived here, and Jonathan had too many hands. June might have to finally sign his documents when Lantis could freely show up with him in the building.

At this point, his phone began ringing. June saw the unknown caller ID, but he figured it could be someone from the company. Jonathan couldn't have gotten someone to kill him that fast, right? June took a deep breath and answered the call.

["June, are you quitting acting?"] The actor was shocked by the voice that he heard on the phone. It was Mariano, but he was neither condescending nor derisive. It was as if he was very serious.

"No, I'm just going to find a new agency to help me get roles. Sorry about the ugly scene I made you witness, Director." June sighed over the phone, not knowing the kind of tone he should be using with this man. He had long known that he would never work with this director after what happened with [Season]. "Did they promise you a role filled by me?"

["Yes, but I'm holding onto it. With agency or none, I will be waiting for you to respond to my assistant's emails."] Mariano spat at the side. ["If what my friends say is true, then you will have no more reason to back out from me. If you skip me again, I will blacklist you for real."]

The actor only blinked. He wanted to smile and laugh, but he had no idea how to do things without a manager dealing with papers for him. June suddenly grew sheepish. "T-Thank you, Director. I just hope your assistant will be patient with me. I was working for eight years with a manager. Without one, I might have to process things a bit slower."

At this, Mariano only grunted. ["Getting a solo agent or someone from a budding agency should be good enough for now. I don't want your performance to get dampened because you get stressed by papers."]

June only had to give in. He couldn't argue with the director about a lot of things. However, June was left with the problem of filling a role without someone to help him. He just placed his phone down and made a delusional giggle, his eye twitching.

"Wait, Lantis said I should call that demon named Eurkodach if I want to eat. Is it too late for me to ask something from him?" June just tapped his hand against the table, eyes on the clock that showed him that it was already half-past one. "Nah, I'll just get takeaway and eat inside my car. One day of not getting Castelli service should be fine…"

[You're not eating?!] June shuddered as he heard shrieking from behind him. When he turned, the floating little horned man was glaring at him from the kitchen door. It seemed that Eurkodach had already arrived by the time he did.

"I'm sorry. I didn't notice you were making the best dishes in silence." His words made the angry expression on Eurkodach's face mellow. "I'll just change and wash my hands before eating."

…

With the flavorful aroma of food right on his face, June had forgotten to plan while he was eating. He was eating alone, but he had already consumed three people's share of the food. When he was done, he only fiddled with his phone. He needed to find a place to stay.

[I'm downstairs if you're ready to go.]

June's brows lifted when he received a text message from Lantis. A smile pulled on his lips before getting up from the seat. He washed the dishes and the whole sink before leaving everything as it used to be. Since he was leaving, he might well make sure the house was clean.

His eyes lingered a little at the house that he had lived in for the eight years that he was working at Drawn Wings. With one last run of his hands on the furniture he decided to leave, he gave the table one last pat. Behind him rolled his luggage, filled with clothes and other things. He would never return to this apartment anymore as if it was connected to that phase of his life.

"Did I take too long?" June jogged to the demon waiting next to his silver Audi. He loaded his stuff in the trunk. "Do you have a unit somewhere in the city? I can also rent a hotel room for now."

"I have arranged a place for you. Just last night, you said you're not leaving your apartment." Lantis chuckled as he got inside the car, just as June did. As he sat down, he reached out to caress June's face with the back of his finger. "Congratulations on breaking out of that contract of yours, sweet child. However, it would come with everything but freedom from its consequences."

"I'm aware." The actor rolled out of the parking space, slightly downcast as he gave the lot one last gaze. "Is the Castelli now ready with what you are about to give me? A director I like to work with won't let me go for his next movie. I might need an agent at the very least…"

Lantis offered him a smile. "Worry not, the stars have aligned correctly. Perseus is ready."