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Evan chuckled nervously. "Terrorized, sir? Who told you that if I ask?"Rafael waved a hand dramatically. "Oh, don't worry. I mean that in the most respectful, awe-inspiring way possible."Cassie shot him a look. "Rafael, you're making it sound like I tortured them.""You did make them sweat," Rafael teased. "If anyone asks, I was just here to witness greatness in action. And... to make sure they didn't spontaneously combust under your tutelage."The three actors laughed, though they were clearly relieved Rafael hadn't intervened further.Rafael glanced at the three, who straightened instinctively under his gaze. "Yeah? Did she make you cry?"Lila raised her hand sheepishly. "Uh... almost.""Then she did her job," Rafael said with a satisfied nod.Cassie shot him a glare. "That's not the point.""Relax, I'm kidding." Rafael walked closer, his expression softening as he looked at the trio. "You three are lucky, you know. Rooms like this? Training like this? Most people would kill for a
The hug lasted longer than Cassie expected. At first, she stiffened, unused to such a spontaneous display of affection. But then she relaxed, feeling the trembling gratitude in their arms, the unspoken "thank you" in their silence."Alright, alright," she chuckled, patting Lila's back. "You'll suffocate me if you keep squeezing like that."Evan immediately stepped back, his face red as he rubbed the back of his neck. "S-sorry! We just... we didn't know how else to thank you. Nobody ever... nobody's ever done this for us before."Daniel, usually the quietest, spoke with surprising firmness. "We mean it. You didn't have to help us. You could've ignored us like everyone else. But you didn't. That means everything.""I... I don't even know what to say," stammered Lila. "You... you really helped us, Miss Cassie. I've never had anyone explain acting like this before."Cassie smiled softly, brushing a damp strand of hair from her face. "Hey, don't thank me yet. You still have a lot to learn
Cassie tugged lightly at Rafael’s sleeve, her eyes flicking toward the rest of the auditorium. She leaned closer to Rafael and whispered, “Do you have a room I can use? Somewhere private. I don’t like how everyone’s staring at me… It’s distracting, and it’s not fair to them either.”Rafael, who had been glaring at the whispering actors like a hawk ready to swoop, softened when he saw the unease in her expression. His mischievous grin flickered across his face. “Oh, I see how it is. You don’t want an audience when you show off. Don’t worry, Cass, I’ve got just the place.”She raised an eyebrow. “It’s not about showing off. I just want to help them properly without making everyone else feel robbed.”Rafael studied her for a moment and then chuckled, shaking his head. “You know, most people in this industry fight tooth and nail for attention, and here you are, trying to run away from it. You’re something else, Cass.”He turned to the three actors, who were still reeling from meeting th
After Cassie’s performance, which had left the room in an unshakable hush, the five judges struggled to recover their composure.Nevertheless, the audition had to go on.They continued calling up actors one by one, but their enthusiasm had withered. Lines were read, scripts stumbled through, and nervous laughter filled the air, but nothing seemed to stir them the way Cassie had.A few of them stifled yawns. One judge tapped his pen absently on the desk, while another leaned back with an air of polite disinterest. Rafael, though trying his best to maintain decorum, could tell their attention had slipped. Cassie’s shadow loomed large over the stage; every performance after hers seemed flat in comparison.Finally, the lead judge cleared his throat and announced, “We’ll take a recess. We need to discuss amongst ourselves before making any conclusions.”Their tone was cool, professional, but the glances exchanged between them made it clear that Cassie’s audition was weighing heavily on
One of the good judges, a man with a neatly trimmed beard, shook his head. "This... this is unfair to the other actors. They came through the proper channels. I understand her last achievement. But even still...""Unfair?" Rafael said incredulously. "Didn't you promise to give her a chance if she performs well? Besides... Do you want me to show you unfair? Because if Cassie hadn't been forced to survive your kind of cold scrutiny for years - oh wait, she did survive! And look at her now. Can any of you match that?"Rafael was now being emotional and unprofessional. "Rafael..." Cassie whispered his name, trying to ask him to forget it. This was just an audition. Besides, she still had many things to learn. But... deep inside, she would actually love it if the judges would give her a chance. She needs this as the first step towards her revenge. The room buzzed with murmurs. Some actors looked away, embarrassed at their earlier skepticism. Others whispered to each other: Who does she
The room fell silent. Every actor, every intern, every person in the auditorium - all eyes glued to Cassie. The three fierce judges exchanged looks, their eyebrows knitting in confusion and barely concealed irritation. However, the other two judges had a look of acceptance. Whispering rippled through the room. Some actors who had given their all moments ago were pale, mouths slightly agape, clearly feeling robbed."Who... is she?" one young actor whispered to his friend."She came straight to the stage? Without the proper audition?" the other hissed, a tinge of jealousy in his voice."But she killed that act!" Another chimed in.Cassie stood there, chest still rising and falling from the exertion of her performance. Her eyes were calm, betraying none of the tension in the room. Rafael hovered slightly behind her, his signature grin wide, though his jaw tensed."Her performance was... just okay. It was a little better than most of those who went on stage." One judge said without any