Chapter 144
Elara looked at Mason, who nodded at her encouragingly.
She took a deep breath and nodded at the director.
“And action!” The director shouted.
Elara immediately snapped into her role and limped towards the stairs as her character needed, trying to sneak a peek at Mason, who had appeared in the hall.
She looked at the man with her heart full of love.
Carla stood beside the third female lead, who was smiling at Mason.
“Senior Peter,” Seraphina walked and held his hand.
Elara’s eyes welled with tears as she felt the weight of her unspoken longing and the vulnerability of the scene unfolding before her.
Since she was twelve and brought back into the house, she had wanted nothing more than to marry Senior Peter, who took her side before the entire school.
He was a hero in her eyes.
Elara found it strange how her character resembled her so much, with how she had considered Andrew her hero too even when she was well aware the man didn’t love her or wouldn’t fall for her.
Mason, as Peter, looked up, his eyes flashing with strange emotions as he looked at the girl’s moist eyes.
But as if he suddenly remembered how the girl had tried to put the blame on Seraphina for his grandmother’s health even when she was the one who put the allergen in the food, his eyes hardened and his gaze turned frosty.
Elara’s lips trembled, and she quickly turned around, sliding down the railing, clenching her fists on her chest to indicate how much his coldness hurt her.
“You are a river’s shore, I am a wanderer.
You are a blooming flower; I am a dried leaf.
My life is still stuck on that one memory you made precious to me.
This life doesn’t mean anything without you.
I am alone but not lonely; the fear of losing you is keeping me company.
My arms are impatient; where are you?
My eyes are impatient; when will you see me?
Don’t burn my hopes with your coldness,” Elara sang the song, covering her eyes as tears rolled down her cheeks.
Mason, who heard her voice, looked up, genuinely shocked after listening to the candid on-the-spot singing.
His expression aligned with what his character needed to do.
“And cut!” The director looked up before looking at Elara, who stood and wiped her cheeks.
He turned to look at the producer, who shrugged as if indirectly saying, ’told you, she has talent p>
“Well done, Miss Elara, Mr. Mason,” the director said before he asked everyone to take a break.
Producer Li walked to Elara to ask her if she was alright.
Now that he knew who she was, he wanted to take extra care of her, not because he wanted to come into her good books but because he appreciated the fact that she wanted to rise with her talent and not her background.
“The song was great. I had received the raw version last night, but it sounded even better when hearing it live. It almost felt like you had gone something similar—” Producer Li cleared his throat when he realized he was crossing a line here.
Elara smiled at the man. He was probably the only person on the set who has treated her impartially since the beginning. Even before he knew about her, he was always respectful.
People like him were rare to come by, and Elara respected him for that.
“You don’t have to act so courteous around me. I know people from my kind of background usually act all high and mighty, but I would prefer it if you treated me like you used to.” Elara smiled.
The man nodded and relaxed beside her.
“You actually remind me a lot about someone who made it really big in this industry,” Producer Li said.
Elara was about to ask who he was talking about when she heard a sudden commotion.
Her gaze went to the crowd forming at some distance.
“What’s happening?” Producer Li stopped a crew member to ask what was going on.
“Mr. Lloyd sent refreshments and lunch for the entire crew, sir. Some people are even saying it’s because of Miss Beatrice.” The crew member said, and Elara suppressed the urge to scoff.
The classic move, wasn’t it?
As Elara looked at the crowd, her brows arched when she saw Beatrice walking towards her with a box of packed lunch in her hand and a glass of juice.
“You should drink something too, Miss Elara. After that marvelous singing, your throat must’ve gotten dry. My best friend, Andrew, is just so sweet that he sent things for everyone so I wouldn’t feel bad about enjoying the luxury alone,” Beatrice smiled, extending her hand towards Elara.
She thought Elara would deny the lunch or say something in anger and jealousy, but to her surprise, Elara grabbed the juice and lunch before opening the lid and taking a bite, her action catching Beatrice off-guard, who was looking for some drama.
Elara took two bites, and when the girl still didn’t move from before her, she tilted her head.
“Senior Beatrice, you are looking at me like I should be afraid that you have poisoned the food. I hope that’s not the matter. This is good. I hope your boyfriend, sorry, best friend, will send such parcels daily,” Elara said.
Beatrice glared at the girl who was enjoying the meal, her hands fisting by her side.
When did Elara become so thick-skinned? Why was she not saying anything?
“You are really something. You are really not ashamed of eating food sent by my brother after you snatched the singing role from my hands?” Carla asked, her eyes full of contempt.
Elara pouted.
“I thought the food was for everyone. That was what Miss Beatrice said just now. Besides, the food has nothing to do with the singing role that you failed to secure because of your lack of talent. Now I am sure Mr. Andrew won’t be petty enough to not allow me to eat. Shall I ask?” Elara asked with confidence.
Carla looked at the girl, tongue-tied, unsure what to say. She just couldn’t wait for the scene where she would throw Elara down from the top of the flight and then make it look like it was an accident.
Producer Li looked between the three ladies, and for some reason, the beef between them didn’t look like it just centered around the singing role.
There was more to the story than people knew about. He just hoped it wouldn’t affect the story negatively.