“I don’t think I can sign a contract blindly.” It was the first time Rina had spoken since the commencement of the meeting. “It’s the pattern of relation with every other production house I have worked with. At least, I need to know the genre of movie I am going to be employed for at sets. It’s easier that way to make informed decisions. Do you not agree, George?”
Her manager nodded with glee. “That is the policy we operate with. And considering how urgent it seemed from our last correspondence, I think we can just hasten things up in here with more details concerning the movie.”
The woman spoke next. “You are going to star as the lead actress,” she muttered, confirming George’s speculation. “And that means a lot of attention is going to be on you.”
Rina didn’t know the reason she felt like they were stalling, but it was there, persistent and strong. The young man’s eyes darted to the door, as if for help, but it remained strongly shut, making a mockery of his plea.
“You are going to star in an adult film project,” he said at last, tilting his head to watch Rina’s reaction. At first, lightness settled in her eyes because she thought they were joking. Looking into their eyes, the sudden realization that they were serious hit Rina, and she shook her head abruptly, willing it to be some kind of prank.
“I don’t think we understand what you are saying,” George said. He had scooted to the edge of his seat too, and his hands were clasping the handle of the chair.
“It’s simple,” the young man, whose name Rina was growing more interested in finding out by the minute, was getting far more comfortable than Rina could take. He reached out for the bottle of water on top of the side table, making a show of gulping its contents down, closing the cap shut before his eyes found hers again. “All you have to do is stick to the script. Our lead male actor would get the rest covered. You should get the hang of it easily since it isn’t your first time getting involved in something like that.”
“What?” Rina shot up to her feet. “How on earth…”
“The painting on the wall at the gallery was all the convincing we needed,” he murmured. “About two weeks ago, we were still skeptical about whether you were the right person for the role, seeing as you were hellbent on denying the allegations against you. But when that painting was exhibited, we decided that you were just a little ball of fire that didn’t like the world to know about her deeds. And it shows confidentiality, one of our key values.”
“You have to be kidding me,” George muttered, forgetting every single thing he knew about formality. “Pornography?”
Rina felt disgust wash over her, and she cringed from the situation. She tried to imagine it but failed because it was never her person. The offer to be the lead actress in a pornography movie had to be the worst insult she had received since she got blacklisted. But before Rina could say something else, the door finally opened and a tall blonde sauntered in, with an eerie smile on her face.
“I’m sorry I’m late,” Regina said so sweetly that Rina cringed again. “I had to see that a client’s specifications were met. So where are we in this meeting?”
The rest of the team scurried out of their positions, leaving Regina’s seat in the middle vacant. When she plopped down onto the couch, the rest of them took their seats as well, their attention going back to her.
“Hi, Ms. Powers, you should have your seat and conserve your strength. The worst is yet to happen, so why don’t we just talk over this like professionals so we can get about our day? I presume they have told you what the movie is about, right?”
“Regina?” Rina still couldn’t believe it. Although, George had insisted that her threat back in the cafeteria of Scottsdale Entertainment had meant something more than the ordinary, she had thought it was only the venom of a bitter actress who got ousted each time Rina came on set. But this? It had to be deeply rooted.
“Why do you look surprised?” Regina’s voice dripped with mockery as she swung one leg over the other. “Did you actually think any production house would offer you a job at a set? That would be occupational suicide because you would only bring bad press. You have a lot of anti-fans out there, presumably more than your fans. How on earth is any business going to survive their harsh glares? Even your cottage couldn’t.”
“You are so wrong, Regina,” Rina whispered. “And it makes me pity you. You didn’t have to go this length to prove that I still would remain better than you no matter what you do.”
Her brutal laughter pierced through the air, rendering the warmth that had settled into the room from the rays useless. Cold seeped through every crack, and it suddenly became too cold for comfort.
“You are that artist,” George suddenly muttered. “R. You did the painting on the wall.”
“It’s such a pity I never got to work with you back in Scottsdale Entertainment,” Regina said to George. “You sure are a smart one for you to have made that connection. I guess the only dumb decision you have made was to continue working for Rina Power. Take my advice and leave her the hell alone. She wouldn’t do you any good.”
Regina turned her attention back to Rian, with a sick smile spread on her face. “So, what do you think? I am very gracious to offer you this opportunity. Trust me, you wouldn’t find it elsewhere. Take it and leave.”
Everyone in the room gazed at her with expectancy. Everyone except George. The disgust on his face was palpable, and she could see his palms folding into fists by his sides. “You don’t know what you have just done, Regina,” Rina spat.
“Oh, you have some backbone? I’d love to see how far you can get back at me, Rina Power. I don’t need to remind you that you are at the bottom of the chain now.”