The Greatest Showman #1415 - I Still Feel Pity

John felt like a circus monkey—jumping up and down, scratching his ears and cheeks, looking absurd. The most depressing part was that despite his exaggerated antics, the audience—Melissa—was indifferent, seemingly detached. It was as if he had lost his focus, and the frustration was building within him, on the verge of a breakdown.

Melissa searched the area in confusion, her pupils losing their focus. Her eyes became blurry as she tried to spot the source of her anxiety. Eventually, she noticed movement, and her hands flew up to wave, realizing too late what was happening. Her focus snapped back as she quickly nodded and smiled, visibly relaxing.

John motioned to her, signaling for her to answer her phone, then quickly called again, "Come down now, Renly could show up at any moment."

Before Melissa could reply, John saw Renly moving downstairs from the apartment building. Panic surged through him. Without a second thought, he ended the call and quickly hid, knowing this wouldn't be easy.

Today marked the first official script reading for Boom Drummer, with filming to begin in three days. Industry insiders knew Renly as a punctual actor, always on time for his work commitments. His schedule was almost predictable, which is why Melissa had been waiting by the door, ready for this moment.

But the unplanned hiccup had thrown everything off course, and now, as John shook with anxiety, the rumors surrounding Renly's interactions with the press made John even more vigilant.

Melissa, still holding the phone, was met with a busy signal. Frowning, she muttered, "Hello? John? Hello? Is the signal bad? What did you just say? I'm calm now, everything's fine, just… just make sure everything goes as planned…"

Then, she heard the unmistakable sound of a door opening behind her. The quiet street felt unnaturally loud as her mind caught up with the moment. Her words faltered as she slowly turned, her movements jerky like a mechanical doll. Anyone watching could see she was off-balance.

When she saw Renly standing there, her heart dropped. What timing! She hadn't planned on this interruption, and she instantly regretted the phone conversation she'd just had.

Renly smiled politely and greeted her. "Good morning."

Melissa's eyes filled with panic. Why was he here now? This was not part of the plan. But before she could formulate a response, Renly's calm demeanor forced her to steady herself. She had no choice now but to stick to the script. She had practiced this countless times.

"Good morning," Melissa replied, her voice trembling slightly. Her eyes, though slightly red and glassy, held a look of vulnerability that would perfectly match her planned image for the morning. She allowed herself a small, faux-pained smile, her gaze full of subtle helplessness.

In normal circumstances, anyone who saw a co-worker unexpectedly appear at their house early in the morning would naturally express concern and ask what was going on. But Renly didn't follow the usual script.

He stayed back, maintaining a polite distance, his gaze fixed on her as he waited, allowing the silence to stretch. There was no pressure, no rush—just a quiet patience. He wasn't probing or pushing for an explanation. Instead, he respected the unspoken boundaries.

After a beat, Renly smiled gently and suggested, "There's a coffee shop down the street. The owner makes the best hand-ground coffee in the neighborhood. I wouldn't recommend their Blue Mountains—the last batch was a bit too sour—but their Mandheling from Sumatra is perfect."

Melissa, momentarily stunned, blinked at him. Coffee? Why was he talking about coffee at a time like this? Something felt off, but she quickly regained her composure.

Before she could speak, Renly made an inviting gesture. That was when the truth of her situation hit her like a wave. She had to stick to the plan—this was the moment she had prepared for.

"No, no…" she stammered. "I'm here to apologize."

Renly, his brow furrowed in confusion, waited silently.

"I was rude the other day, at Lincoln Center," she continued, trying to hold back tears. "I lost my composure when I saw so many reporters, and I ended up doing something I shouldn't have. When I saw the news report later, I realized how inappropriate my actions were. I'm really sorry for that."

She paused, gathering herself. Then, she raised her head, smiling through her tears, and said brightly, "We'll be working together for a long time, and I hope we can make this project a success. I'm just a newcomer, but I'm eager to learn."

The smile she wore was sincere, yet there was something calculated in it. It was the same bright, sun-like smile that could be both charming and a little too perfect.

Renly, though sensing something was off, didn't press her. He was a gentleman, and his distance wasn't an act of coldness, but one of respect. Still, something about Melissa's demeanor seemed rehearsed, and he couldn't quite place it.

"Don't worry. It didn't bother me," Renly said, bowing slightly with a polite smile, his distance maintaining the space between them.

As she stepped closer, Melissa tried to create an illusion of intimacy, but Renly moved slightly to the side, avoiding the contact. He maintained the gap between them—polite, yet deliberate.

Renly's ability to dodge her attempt was graceful, as if he had practiced the art of avoiding unwanted gestures. He had mastered the delicate dance of personal boundaries.

"Thank you for apologizing, though," Renly added casually. "I'm sure rumors will start circulating about me being some huge diva, but it's all fine."

Melissa froze for a moment, noticing his subtle avoidance. He was playing the game, but she couldn't quite figure out why he was so distant. Despite her efforts, Renly remained unshaken, his composure intact.

And yet, there was a faint hint of pity in her eyes—pity for herself, for the situation she had created. Renly's politeness and restraint only highlighted the imbalance between them.

As Melissa smiled, forcing herself to stay calm, Renly's polite detachment hung in the air, leaving her with a sense of frustration and disappointment. It was clear that Renly was not easily swayed.