Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 83195 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 416(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83195 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 416(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
I turn when I hear the click of heels approaching, and offer her a kind smile when I see it’s Anya.
“You stood me up,” she accuses, her arms crossed over her chest.
“I was busy.”
“Yes, I know.” She looks at me. “I’m not used to people standing me up.”
“I’m sure you aren’t used to many people doing anything you don’t ask them to do,” I say politely, but she notices the hint of sarcasm. “What’s up?” I walk into my dressing room, and she follows me and shuts the door behind her.
“I have connections, you know that, right?”
I look back at her with confusion. “Are you… threatening me right now?”
Her eyebrows furrow. “Of course not. What I meant was I have connections to get you a better gig. I know you’ve been auditioning elsewhere.”
“Shhh.” I put my finger to my lips, and she seems perplexed. I haven’t told anyone here I’m looking elsewhere because I’d like to keep this job until I find something else. “How do you even know I’ve been auditioning elsewhere?”
She raises an eyebrow, and I put my hands up in the air. “I actually don’t even want to know.”
“Alek has been asking around for you,” Anya says, giving me a moment to absorb that. “He didn’t want me to say anything, but I don’t have time to dance around whatever is happening between you two.”
“Nothing’s happening between us,” I’m quick to say, and she gives me a knowing look. “Or whatever it was, it’s done now. Anyway, what are you talking about?” I try to shift the conversation. Because I want to push any discussion of Alek as far away as possible.
“Your dream is to work on Broadway, isn’t it?”
I swallow and nod. “Yes, but I can’t just step into something because you give it to me.”
She narrows her gaze. “That’s the stupidest thing that’s fallen from your mouth yet. I don’t care for humble bullshit. This is the business, is it not? It’s not what you know but who you know. And have you not worked hard? Are you not equipped to sing on those stages? Do you doubt your talent?”
“No. I just—” The rest dies on my lips. What? Think I still have to struggle? Think it shouldn’t come so easily to me? But hadn’t I been trying time and time again? Isn’t that exactly how I got this job?
Or is it because of Alek?
“Well, Alek got you an audition for a lead role. This one is worldwide, and they sell out of every show. Apparently.” She shrugs her shoulder. “I still can’t stand it, but Alek is certain you’ll see. But you have to be the best version of you.”
My entire body vibrates with a nervous type of excitement and confusion. It doesn’t mean I have the job, but isn’t this a start? It’s so hard to find auditions, let alone be shortlisted.
I take a seat, shocked. “How did you— How did he get it?” I ask.
“He was a client,” she says. “Also, why are you avoiding my brother?”
“Avoiding? I… uh… I’m not.”
“Whatever. Did you two have a fight?”
I turn back around and start wiping the makeup off. But Anya is certainly someone who does not just magically disappear. Especially if she expects an answer.
“I have a contract here. I don’t know if I can go to another company,” I tell her half assed. I’ve been auditioning for other roles but accepting Alek’s help seems… wrong? Most likely my own stubbornness of not wanting his help. Was this his way of saying sorry? I internally stop myself from looking further into it.
“Of course you can.” She huffs. “If you get the role, I will tear the contract up myself.” She pauses and narrows her eyes at me. “Don’t think I missed the change of subject.”
“I haven’t seen him in a month,” I confess. “I’m not avoiding him or anything. There’s just nothing to discuss.”
“Hmm,” she says and looks around the room as if disgusted by its tiny size. “Alek has been off lately. Cinita is wearing on him. And, well…” She eyes me. “Do I scare you?” she blurts.
“Scare me?” I ask. “Like, am I terrified of you?”
She nods expectantly.
“I would say you’re an intimidating woman, sure. And I think if you wanted to scare me, you would be able to. But am I scared of you, right now? No. I like you.”
“Good. I like you as well. I’m sure my brother’s warned you already, Lena, but we’re not good people. We’re coming to learn, however, that we do make exceptions for certain people we encounter in our lives.
“I won’t tell you what to do with your life. But I will confess that my brother is different around you. He’s calmer, more settled, and that is something neither of us have felt since our childhood. I want to see him happy, and I think you make him happy.