Chapter 3

It turns out Scarlett was the one who contacted Inez.

I laughed.

She wanted to establish her own studio, I conceded.

She wanted to choose her own roles, I conceded.

Now she's switching managers without a word to me, what does she take me for?

I naively thought Scarlett's personal studio was just a name, but now I see she had planned to get rid of me all along.

Tossing me aside like a used dishrag.

For days, Scarlett hasn't contacted me, and I haven't reached out to her either.

I should start thinking about my next move.

One day, just as I arrived at the gym, I got a call from Scarlett.

"Zoran, I've been beaten up, come quick!"

She said with a sob in her voice.

My heart raced, I didn't think twice and rushed out wearing just my gym tank top.

On the way, I tried calling my assistant Yael, but couldn't get through.

I grew even more anxious.

When I reached the place she told me about, I kicked the door open and burst in, "Scarlett, where are you?"

Instead, I got a face full of snow spray and confetti.

A group of crew members from the set swarmed around me, cheering.

"Sister Scarlett won!"I see Scarlett standing there in the middle, a big smile on her face.

"What's going on?" I stare at her and ask.

"Well, Teacher Myerson, the crew threw me a birthday party today. We played a game of dares, and Scarlett and I had a competition. This time, Scarlett won," Dane walks over with a grin on his face.

"Teacher Myerson, you're so good to Scarlett, rushing over here so quickly. But you don't know yet, I taught Scarlett some badass self-defense moves. I showed her hands-on, so nobody would dare mess with her now."

I stay silent, just looking at Scarlett, who's acting like nothing happened.

Under my burning gaze, she finally manages to say, "You're not mad, are you?"

She looks me up and down, her expression turning sour. "What are you wearing? It's so embarrassing."

When she called, I was changing at the gym, so I'm wearing a tank top and shorts, with only one flip-flop - the other one got lost.

Plus, my face and body are covered in streamers and fake snow spray. I look both disheveled and ridiculous, truly like a clown.

It's already fall outside, and I just now realize how cold it is in what little I'm wearing.Scarlett's disdainful gaze made my heart sink even further.

I turned and walked away, ignoring the others' pleas for me to stay.

Yael chased after me, "Zoran, I'm so sorry. Scarlett wouldn't let me answer your calls..."

I waved her off, "Just go back inside."

All I wanted was to get back to my car as quickly as possible. In my haste to leave earlier, I hadn't realized how far the entrance was.

I kept my head down and walked briskly, feeling the weight of everyone's judgmental stares.

Just as I was about to reach the door, someone called out to me.

"Mr. Myerson, wait up!"

I glanced back to see one of the bit-part actresses from the show.

Her name was Melody, a D-list starlet at best.

With my keen eye as an agent, I had noticed her the first time we met. She had a striking face with beautiful eyes, but unfortunately, she was signed with a small agency and couldn't land any decent roles.

"Melody," I acknowledged.

Her eyes lit up, "Mr. Myerson, you actually remember me!"

I gave a noncommittal shrug.

She handed me a few bags, "These are some clothes and shoes I bought for my brother. I was planning to mail them to him today. They're not much, but please put them on. It's pretty cold outside."With a hint of hesitation in my expression, she flashed a radiant smile:

"My brother's about your height, so these should fit you. They're not designer brands, though, so I hope you don't mind."

I accepted the clothes with a word of thanks, then pulled out my phone. "Thanks so much. Let me add you, and I'll transfer you the money when I get home."

Melody wasn't the coy type. She immediately took out her phone and added me.

As I was driving home, Scarlett called.

"Can't you take a joke? You just up and left. Where does that leave my reputation?"

I took a deep breath. "Scarlett, what exactly do you think our relationship is right now?"