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5 p.m. The conference room.
Numbers, estimates, and filming dates are flying back and forth. There’s good news: Pretty Little Murders and the latest Larry Water are doing very well at the box office. Vadim tells us how pleased he is and congratulates the whole team, letting his gaze linger on me a little too long.
Sophie and Clarence make joke after joke, taking advantage of the general good mood to let loose. Kate, true to form, gives us a carefully calculated mix of compliments and vicious little digs.
Suddenly, the double glass doors burst open, and May Sim’s exasperated face appears before us. Balancing on towering crocodile-skin stilettos, she doesn’t even bother to say hello.
“Vadim, are you kidding me? First, you stand me up for our Canal+ interview, and then you don’t even take my calls?”
This is awkward. And embarrassing.
“May, meet Kate Monroe, Alma Lancaster, Sophie Adam, and Clarence Miller. Everyone, this is May Sim, my sweet, charming better half,” he quips.
The actress shoots us a disdainful look, then continues, completely unfazed. “I guess an apology is too much to ask!”
“Sorry, May, I had some things to take care of.”
Kate stands up and warmly extends her hand to the intruder. I do the same. A star of this stature calls for a proper welcome.
Vadim watches me out of the corner of his eye and gives me a small, apologetic smile.
What are you about to do, Arcadi?
“Okay, well, since we’re all here, I might as well make the announcement,” he begins. “You are looking at the female lead of French Kiss.”
“Is Alice Young aware of this?” Kate asks immediately. “We were about to sign with her.”
“Yes, I spoke to her agent. She’s accepted the supporting role. May, I’ll walk you out.”
And the two damn lovebirds slip away, leaving me alone with my anger, my disappointment, and… my coworkers. Kate seems to be thoroughly enjoying this turn of events. Her little sadistic smile is aimed straight at me, as if I have somehow brought this upon myself.
Yeah, go on, rub it in, Cruella.
“The lead role? Is he planning to marry her, or what?” Clarence jokes.
“He certainly got over Grace Montgomery pretty quickly,” Sophie chimes in.
“I guess Mr. King has a weakness for love at first sight,” Kate comments snarkily.
And you sure know how to land a cheap shot…
I’m too naive. Foolishly, I thought May wouldn’t come between us, that she would be content to feature on magazine covers draped all over the man I love, that she would stay out of our lives, barring an occasional appearance here and there. Seems I was completely wrong.
The shoot is scheduled to last for six months, and all anyone is going to talk about is her… and him. Nothing but them. Together, glowing, in sync, in love. And just like that, my bright future, my idyllic relationship, my blind trust—all of it is slipping away.
When I get home, Lily isn’t even there to take my mind off things. Vadim has hurt me. He dropped this bombshell so casually, as if it wouldn’t change anything. He should have warned me, so the shock wouldn’t be quite so hard to take.
As the hours pass, my sadness and doubt fade, giving way to anger. This emotional rollercoaster is exhausting. At some point, you have to choose between love and hate. And stick with it.
A little before midnight, my phone finally comes to life.
[Vadim
I meant to warn you before announcing it… I’m sorry.]
[Alma
You’re sorry too often, Vadim.]
