Chapter 60.

I'm not *that* well, but the medicines worked a lot, tysm for all the blessings. Hope to get 100% better with time, happy reading, guys!

-

"Read the lines, Miss. Scarlett," Micheal said.

The Scarlett Johnson who stood in front of Ian was a C-grade actress but with less background and someone who would go the extra mile to get the work done.

"You did practice the part, right?" Micheal asked, seeing Scarlett was being silent.

"Yes, yes, sir. I'll start," She quickly gathered herself and started performing the role of Ella in Lucifer.

The whole auditioning process and the scripts were different for every actor performed. The probable actors and actresses for the main leads, Lucifer and Chloe, the casting director would make them read their dialogues and act. But for other actors and actresses who showed potential as side characters, the casting director made them rehearse some lines of Ella. That was an easy process; either you get the role, or not.

"The only thing I know for sure is that these were made by hand and are definitely not toys," She got into her role.

"What makes you say that?" Gemma questioned in a monotone voice.

"You can see the intricate scrapes made by a woodworker. These two figurines took major time and skill to make," Scarlett acted forth.

"Didn't take you for a woodworker, Ms. Lopez," Gemma responded.

"Are you-"

"That's enough, thank you, Ms. Scarlett, we'll let your agency know," Micheal stopped before she completed her dialogue. Her eyes were teary knowing what the result could be. Yet, deep down in her heart, she had faith in herself. Anything could happen. She always struggled to get in, but it was never impossible. She comforted herself before getting down the stage.

"Thank you," She thanked them before walking out while beseeching every type of God she's ever heard of.

"Will she get a role?"

Ian was pretty taken aback by the whole situation. Even while Scarlett was reciting the dialogues and acting with so many facial expressions and body movements, he couldn't do anything but stare at her. Is she real? How many people from the real world will I meet? She should be in a higher grade, is there a chance? Thoughts kept invading his brain.

As soon as Scarlett took off the stage, Ian's hand reached for his phone while he texted his assistant.

[Ian: Tell Scarlett Johnson to wait for me outside.]

[Murphy: Ok ]

His assistant, Murphy Anderson read his text in the next second. Ian then thought of asking the "things" that he had wanted to ask, from Micheal.

"Do you not think she has potential? Scarlett?" He asked.

"Who, the one just went? I don't think so, what do you think?" Micheal asked the producer who sat left to Ian.

"Me neither, I mean, we can as well give her a small role if you insist, Ian. But, I won't be able to give her anything big in the series. She lacks naturalism, probably because she is still new and will maybe get the hang of it soon. But for now, she is not "it". Do you know her by the way? Why are you so concerned?" Derrick Winstone the producer asked, looking directly into Ian's eyes.

"I don't know her, not really. But she looked familiar, not someone I know, it's all good," Ian said and shrugged it off.

[Ian: Did you tell her? Outside my car if possible, coming right now!]

[Murphy: OMW sir]

It looked as if Murphy was continuously checking on Ian's chat. But not that Ian cared, he wanted to just get the job done. He stood up and excused himself from the row of interviewers and went outside to meet the well-known stranger, Scarlett Johnson.

[Scarlett Johnson's side of the scene]

She was startled after looking at the faces that looked far too judgmental for her own good. She tried to give her best performance, but by the look the casting director was giving her, she understood something. Yet, if anything, every step she took outside gave her hope. Remember Scarlett, auditions are experiences you gather, collect, and don't give up, ever. She kept murmuring those lines to herself over and over.

In fact, it was something she came up with after crying her eyes out the other day when she failed an audition. Much to her sadness, the directors gave her the results and they were very bad for Scarlett. She ended up crying on the street, on a bench where everyone went by looking yet not caring why she was crying. Nevertheless, she felt as if she was much stronger than she was.

"Ms. Scarlett Johnson?" She heard the voice of a young man.

Turning around, she saw Ian's assistant. He was the one who wished them luck before the auditions when they were nervous and were with other actors/actresses. He introduced himself as Murphy, and Scarlett faked a smile that didn't appear on her face because of her curiosity about what was yet to come.

"You are Murphy, right? The guy who wished us well before our auditions. Thank you for that! Although right now, I'm on my way home," Scarlett said cheerful as ever, but on the inside, she wasn't feeling good.

"Can you wait a few minutes over here, Ma'am? My boss, Ian wants to meet you," Murphy said and smiled.

Ian Renner? The director? You gotta be kidding me, no way! Her thoughts rang loud in her ears.

"Do you have any idea why?" Scarlett asked in a low tone not wanting to sound crazy.

"That… I have no idea, but you will know when he is here. He should be here at any minute, would you stay if you don't have anything more urgent?" Murphy was trying his best to be polite which was something he learned over the years.

"Yeah, sure,"

The whole meeting Ian thing gave a slight hope for Scarlett. A part of her was scared about what was yet to come, and another part was glittering with hope. She was scared because of the rumors and proof of how much of a playboy Ian was.

She was fidgeting with the bottom of her t-shirt and wondering what Ian might say if he really came. After a few seconds, she also felt as if this might be a joke or a prank that someone does to get a good laugh. Yet, she just decided to give it the benefit of the doubt.

"Ma'am. Mr. Renner has asked for you to wait near his car if possible, the Porsche Spyder, will you recognize it, or do I need to show you which one it is?" Murphy came back and said again acknowledging her.

'Oh, are you sure this isn't some kind of a joke?' Her inner mock-queen yelled.

"Do you know what's going on?" Scarlett was in the mood to question anything and everyone due to the high adrenaline rush she had inside the hall and the need to know what was really going on. But, she appeared calm and collected on the outside.

"Not really, but do you need me to be here till he comes? So it won't seem to be very suspicious to you? I can see it in your eyes," Murphy said and chuckled.

With his words, Scarlett understood that he wasn't joking. Neither was he lying. In fact, the glimpse of hope she had for the audition, seemed to suddenly appear as a massive door for her dreams, or so she felt. Looking into Murphy's eyes, she knew he was the type to get almost everything serious when it's about work.

"Uhm- Nah it's alright. I'll manage, I guess. If something happens, just know I have my pepper spray with me," Scarlett said while making Murphy chuckle, again.

"Sure, madame. Now if you excuse me,"

He walked inside the auditorium because the responsibilities for the day were high for him. After all, being an assistant for a young director wasn't easy. He brought it on himself and wasn't complaining but enjoying every second. The challenges were new experiences for him and he was content with the salary he got in return.

Walking away from where she was, Scarlett stood a few steps away from Ian's car knowing anything could possibly be a trap. On the other hand, people might think it was creepy to stand in the middle of a car park when she didn't even bring or park her car there. Especially when she's waiting in front of Ian Renner's car. The possibility of the paparazzi being around was feared by almost every actor and actress in the industry.

It was the same with the situation with Scarlett. Without giving too many thoughts to it, she stood still and waited.

A minute passed, two minutes, three minutes,... and Ten minutes.

She saw a man in a suit walking toward her which took her attention right then and there. Black neatly ironed fitting suit, with polished shoes. Hair neatly combed, not even a single strand to be seen out of place, Ian was walking towards her.

The. Ian. Renner.

"Nice to meet you, Miss Scarlett Johnson," Ian said while extending his hand for hers to meet.

"Ian Renner, for a moment I thought I'm being pranked. I just met you inside, and what are the odds of meeting you again? In private that is?" Scarlett mouthed her thoughts out. Little did she know it sounded weird. Yet, after the words were out she couldn't take them back. "I- I didn't mean it like that. I mean, you're a huge director, and this just doesn't make sense, but how can I help you, sir?" She was much more polite this time.

"Call me Ian, please. Honestly, I liked your performance. The way you acted and even the way you look. The producer didn't like it, though. But, you are cut out of the same clothes as top actresses have been. And believe me, I am not buttering you up, but I want you to have a role. I feel like you have so much potential. Have you heard of Renner Studio?" Ian questioned.

Hearing his words, Scarlett felt as if Ian wanted to sleep with her for a role. That somehow made sense in a way until the last question slipped out of Ian. Because if he is going to invite her to the studio, there'd be more people, and not just Ian and Scarlett. Also, who doesn't know the now-famous Renner Studio? Every actor or actress does. In fact, even if someone didn't, they'd find out after turning the world upside down if Ian himself invited them.

"Yeah, of course,"

"I think you should come to the studio sometime tomorrow in the morning," Ian said and smiled politely.

"Thank you so much! I will!" Scarlett smiled broadly after the words left her lips. Ian, wishing her luck, walked away after bidding her goodbye. After seeing Ian disappear from her view, she pumped her fist in the air in happiness. It was a great chance for her! She thought and kept smiling from ear to ear all along her journey home.

||__A word from me__||

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