Embracing A New Era

*Ethan's point of view*

It's a quiet drive through the night, I can't count how many times I have had to smile today, I feel really tired, my whole body hurts.

" Just look at you twitching from left to right huh, you need to take a break from worrying so much and relax, after all your brother is out of harms way".

" Just shut up and drive, besides you know when he comes back home it means more work for me, how can I relax, would you relax if you were in my shoes".

" If I ever get into your shoes, the first thing I would do as your loving manager would be to send your brother away to a faraway land of no return".

" You really hate my brother huh".

" Nah, I'm just tired of the stress you go through because of his mental health condition, the fact you have to keep it hidden due to your reputation and the fact that he acts out doesn't help at all, besides why should I care about him excessively, it's not like I'm working for him right".

I just rolled my eyes and smiled while looking at the window, Daven has always been the blunt truthful type and I love that about him, plus there are times I wish I could just drop my brother and run away.

" You're gonna spend the night at my place right Daven?".

" Awww look at your lonely ass, sorry but I'll pass, I have to get back to the agency, there are some paperwork that needs attending to, sorry champ".

I sighed, can't believe he's ditching me for work, we arrived at my place and I just got off the car and went inside without saying another word to him and he just drove off without saying goodbye, the nerve. Stepping into my house I looked around....

" So beautiful, so much space but no one to share it with, just me, myself and I".

I took a deep breath and headed straight to my room and hit the shower, it was nice having the feeling of water flow throughout my body, despite bathing I still felt so sore all over. Turning off my alarm, I immediately went off to bed.

" Ethan, Ethan, get the fuck up man what is wrong with you!".

I woke up shocked and I realized it was morning, I looked at the figure by my side and it was Daven.

" What the hell man, you could have woken me up more casually you know, let me sleep some more".

He looked at me with disgust and went into the bathroom, the next thing I knew, I was jolted back to life by cold freezing water.

" What the hell, have you lost it or something, that water is freaking cold and don't you know anything about courtesy and privacy, how dare you disrespect me like this in my own house!".

" There it is, the side of Ethan Wyatt that only I get to see, where's your phone?".

I remembered that I threw it on the floor before going to bed last night, checking the other side of my soaked bed I found it on the floor, it was broken, I stared at my phone in disbelief of the time.

" 11:49, wait, I slept for this long and it didn't even feel that way, I mean I feel better and refreshed now".

" Mmm yes and we have the agency that feels worried since you weren't answering your phone".

I checked the phone and no wonder, 50 missed calls, both from Daven and the agency.

" Fifty missed calls, that's quite obsessive and insane don't you think, why are there so many agency numbers, did something big happen?".

" Why don't you shower and get dressed hmm, we'll talk about it on the way".

I immediately did that and Daven helped me get dressed, the watch he picked for me to wear was an old one.

" Daven, get me new accessories, very expensive ones and throw the bed out or give it to someone who needs it, get me a new one, and a new phone".

" Yes sir".

After dressing we immediately went down, there's a maid in this house but sometimes it's like she doesn't even exist. We left for the agency and by the time we got there it was already 12:49. Some staffs welcomed us as they directed us to a meeting room.

Going in I saw some entertainers I recognize as part of our agency, but that's not what struck me, what I couldn't quite understand was why the staffs in the room where mostly those involved in contracts. The Director of Talent Acquisition, Strategic Partnership Manager, Talent Scout, Contract Lawyer, Financial Analysts, Contract Administrator, Negotiation specialist, e.t.c. I leaned in to whisper to Daven

" All of them in one room, why?".

" I have no idea, apparently they just called this morning saying they haven't been able to reach you".

I felt anxious, I wanted to know what was going on, Stella waved at me from across the room and I could tell even she didn't know what was going on.

" Ethan, why are you standing, sit".

The Director of Talent spoke to me and I just bowed my head in greeting before sitting down, soon the meeting began as he stood up to address us.

" I know you all must be wondering why we called you here on such short notice, but it is something that we'd like to inform you about, a decision that we've made, and we feel that as prominent figures of this agency you should know. We had a contract buy-out, a very good negotiation with Harvey's studio...".

Harvey's studio, isn't that the agency of Sophia Yvette, please let it not be what I'm thinking.

" We saw a promising light that we feel will add to the success of the Gold Dawn, so we bought out Sophia Yvette, we are here...".

I could only hear whistle sounds as everything he said slowly faded away, Sophia Yvette, that bratty self-obsessed woman, out of everyone in the world why her. I was so lost in thought that I didn't even hear him call out to me.

" Ethan, Ethan!".

I came back to reality shocked as I noticed everyone was staring at me and Daven looked so embarrassed.

" Yes sir?".

" You've worked with Sophia before and you both did great, we hope you can work together even more. Thank you".

And just like that the meeting was over, we didn't even have the opportunity to object to this, gosh. According to the agency policy they'll host a private dinner which she will be invited to, as will I.

*Sophia's point of view*

" I just received a call from GD, they've held the meeting and the big boys and girls of the agency has been informed, you'll be joining them for dinner".

" He was there wasn't he Carl, Ethan Wyatt, I'm sure he's cursing me right now".

" Of course he was there, what's a meeting for stars without Ethan, you don't need to worry, everything will be fine".

I felt so anxious I kept biting my nail but stopped so I wouldn't hurt myself, my hands were shaking, I was sweating.....

" What if they don't accept me, what if they don't like me, what if___".

" What if nothing, rest your worried little head. You'll need to pick a dress for tonight okay, at least today you can rest properly so enjoy it".

He was right, it's not every time I get a day off so I watched a movie.

" This is a really nice movie Carl, why don't you come join me?".

" What's the name?".

" Recalled, it's a Korean drama starring actress Seo Yea-Ji in it, trust me it'll make you cry but you'll love it".

" When I'm done with the paperwork then".

I just continued watching the movie, I've always been in awe of her acting and the way she carries herself, definitely a queen. Days like this are never long because before I knew it night came and it was time for my dinner date with The Gold Dawn.

Dressed in my grey short flay gown I decided to have a simple look for the evening, Carl also thought it was a good idea so by 08:00 o'clock we were off. The cool breeze from the open window made me feel alive, that was until the glasses were wind up, jeez.

We arrived at The Gold Dawn and this place looks divine, definitely royal aesthetic worthy. The structure of the buildings looked so classy with such beautiful lights surrounding the place, the trees and mini fountain added more to the overall vibe.

People walked about going on their business and everyone looked so classy, like they all dressed so well. Carl took my hand and we went in, a staff was already waiting for us at the reception.

" Miss Sophia, welcome, Mr. Carl, good evening, please follow me".

I smiled, I was practically grinning from ear to ear thanking Carl for accepting this offer in my heart when my whole mood was ruined the minute we stepped into the room and I saw him sitting there, Ethan Wyatt, what a handsome nightmare.

He just rolled his eyes, ugh, rude. I recognized the man I saw with him that day, so he is his manager. I was asked to sit and Carl was also offered a sit, dinner started with everyone being dead silent until the assistant director spoke up.

" Welcome to The Gold Dawn Miss Yvette, we're really glad to see you here, you look beautiful".

" Thank you so much sir, the honor's all mine".

" So Sophia, I heard you're a lady of many talents, I reckon aside from what we all know you have a pretty solid background".

Stella Matthew was talking to me right now, but what is it with the personal question.

" I had parents who did their very best for me".

Short, straight to the point and ending that chapter with that kind of answer, she just smiled but I don't think she likes me much.

Ethan didn't say a word until our dinner ended and then he just walked out with a glass of wine, rude. After we were done eating we exchanged pleasantries and I was about to leave when I bumped into Ethan at the door and appreciate he didn't drink his wine, everything poured on me and my dress was ruined.

He smirked before walking away, what, the audacity. I was about to yell at him when Carl placed his hand on my shoulder and one of the stars there took me to the bathroom. She ordered a new dress for me, so nice of her, at least there are people here who has manners, problem is I don't know her.

" Thank you so much miss".

" There's no need to thank me, we're practically the same age, and besides I've been here for awhile so I know that Ethan isn't your most humble soldier like he pretends to be".

We laughed, she helped me change into a black gown, I was about leaving with Carl when Ethan called out to me and honestly I was shocked.

" Sophia, wait up".

" Do you wanna apologize now cause I don't need it".

" Why would I want to apologize to you, I just came here to warn you, you're at a new place, I know you want to be accepted and all but if I were you I'd choose quality over quantity, not everyone who helps you or smiles at you is being genuinely nice, don't be naive. That's the only way you'll last long here".

With that he just walked away, I got into the car too angry to talk to anyone, but as the car started moving I couldn't help but think about what he said, quality over quantity, that's the only way to survive here.