"Ohh, that's good to hear," Sonia replied.
The audition was about to start. Each of them was given the same role to play—the heroine. That was the central part of the audition. If they found the right fit, the remaining characters would be assigned to the next 15 people, and there were quite a few of them. Allison stood, quietly watching the crowd. She prayed silently to win. She didn't forget to pray for her friend, too.
The back door suddenly opened, causing the crowd to part, and the security tightened. "Who the hell is coming in?" Flora thought. She recalled the last time she saw something like this—it was that handsome man she bumped into at the airport three months ago. Allison stood there, watching the crowd.
Allison was utterly bewildered. "Could it be Alexa ?" she asked someone nearby.
"Nope, it's the boss," the person replied.
"The boss?"Allison repeated. "I heard he was going to watch us perform. He's one of the judges," the guy next to her explained. He was about 28 years old, tall, with black eyes—someone she thought she might have met before, perhaps at the airport.
"Never mind," she muttered to herself. Everyone wanted to catch a glimpse of the boss, herself included. The place was packed.
Soon, the audition began. Allison watched the other actors perform and noted the flaws in some performances. It wasn't that she considered herself a pro, but the character they were portraying—aloof and cold—didn't seem to fit anyone perfectly. "Allison MacLen, you must be her, right?" someone called her name. It was her turn. She stepped forward confidently, all eyes on her. It was obvious she was eye-catching. She was acting the role of a princess named Claire Reeds.
She cleared her throat and began. She was given a script to read, but she already knew the storyline by heart. She started by singing, moving her hands gracefully like a fairy. Claire Reeds was known for having the most beautiful voice, and as Yueying sang, it was as though they were watching the legendary Claire Reeds. The moment she began singing, everyone turned to look at her.
Her voice was as soft as a cherry blossom petal falling to the ground. Alexa was amazed by her performance. She acted with extreme emotion—her eyes full of youth and vitality. Everyone was captivated by her acting. There was one pair of eyes watching her every move. She noticed it, but when she turned to face him, he quickly turned his back.
He walked away without a glance, giving instructions to Alexa before leaving. After everything, Allison was chosen for the role of the female protagonist. Sonia was cast as Claire Reeds jealous stepsister. Sonia was furious with the casting. "Will this Allison always get everything she wants?" she thought.
Allison was sent to Alexa's office for further arrangements.
"Alexa, do you think this is right?"her secretary asked.
"I'm certain," Alexa smirked.
Allison was perplexed when she arrived at the office Alexa had assigned her to meet in. The room wasn't what she expected—it was nice, but not like the kind of place Alexa would typically use. Suddenly, smoke filled the room, choking and thick.
"Who's there?" Allisonshouted repeatedly.
"Help, help!" she screamed, but no one answered.
"Open the door, please!" she yelled.
Alexa's voice came from behind her secretary, she could'nt bear punishing the girl further. The door was pushed open by security. Allison hurriedly walked out.
"What does Alexa gain from punishing me?" Allison wondered as she left the room.
"You seem to like her," Alexa secretary said. Normally, Alexa would have gone to extreme lengths for someone she didn't like.
Alexa smiled and left.
"Why would Alexa stoop so low?" This question echoed in Allison's mind.
***************************
"Alexa, was that really necessary?" Lucian Devon asked.
"Big brother!" Wu Lin pouted.
Lucian Devon gazed at his sister. His little sister was really getting out of control. Yes, Alexa was his sister. Her full name was Alexa Devon.
"Go there and apologize right now," Lucian Devon ordered.
Alexa was taken aback. "Me? Apologize to someone who doesn't deserve it?!" She was more shocked by her brother's outburst.
"Lex, what I'm trying to say is that it wasn't right to play such a dangerous prank on her," Lu Quing said softly.
"I understand," Alexa replied. Nevertheless, she obeyed her brother's command. She walked up to Allison as she was about to leave for home.
"Allison Mac Len, I'm sorry for what happened earlier," Alexa said.
'OMG! Was her beauty goddess apologizing to her?' She screamed inwardly.
"I don't have any issues,Lex. It's just that it was dangerous. Anything could have happened, especially if I had something like asthma," Allison said, speaking kindly.
Alexa was taken aback for a moment. Yueying had called her Lex—only family and close friends addressed her like that.
"But it doesn't matter," Alexa thought, secretly pleased that Allison had addressed her so familiarly.
When Allison returned home, she was surprised to find her luggage outside the door.
"What is up with Sonia?" she thought.
Sonia had left a note: "My relatives are coming to stay with me on short notice. There's no room for us. Hope you find a place soon. Congratulations on your big win today."
Allison looked at Sonia's outfit—her lace nightgown was particularly... sexy. It wasn't like she had a problem with it. She just had an unsettling feeling.
"Is this what all of this is about? Because I get to play the main lead?" Alllison wondered. Sonia had insisted on letting her stay without paying, and now she was kicking her out in the middle of the night. Allison was furious.
She knew Sonia wasn't happy with her, but she never expected to be punished like this. How would she find a place to stay at this time? She decided to call her boyfriend—he was a good person. But what she didn't expect was hearing the phone ring inside Sonia's house.
"Why the hell is that bitch calling me?" she heard her boyfriend say.
"Babe, come over. She's here," Sonia said, her eyes filled with malice.
" James, what's going on?" Allison shouted angrily.
"Allison, you don't let me kiss you, yet you claim we're in a relationship?" James said.
"I was waiting for the right time, James," Yueying replied, tears stinging her eyes, though she refused to shed them. She wouldn't let her enemies see her tears.
"Enough. Sonia takes good care of my needs. She's a real woman," James said, his fingers circling Sonia's waist. Allison looked at their intimacy, feeling disgusted.
She walked down the road with her heavy bags. The sound of thunder echoed. She was drenched in rain, and even nature seemed to be against her.
The sound of a car horn beeped from behind her.
"Sir, should I walk over to her?" his secretary asked.
"Hmm" he nodded.
Allison didn't walk any further. Her eyes were fixed on the car parked at the roadside. She wasn't sure if she should approach the car and ask for help or run away—what if they were kidnappers?