Lahat ng Kabanata ng The Ex-Wife's Deal with the Devil: Kabanata 31 - Kabanata 40

The loud applause still rings in my ear even when I was already backstage.I caught a glimpse of my reflection on one of the hallway mirrors and saw a permanent smile plastered on my face, and for a brief second, I remembered the same reflection of myself when I was still working as an assistant.Compared to that disheveled and overall unhealthy person, right now, I am in my best state ever.My knees lightly shook as I took a step forward.‘I actually did it.’I took another quick step, then another.‘I survived.’My first public appearance on my own to tell my side of the story.‘I owned it!’Stylists and reporters were flocking around me, but I politely declined them since I had something in mind that I must do no matter what.I want to see him.And I was already sprinting my way across the corridors.“Kerri! You were amazing!” “Yes! Thanks so much!” I quickly answered as I hurried past one of the producers who was waiting for me with paperwork.I felt sorry, but I had to see him f

~ARLO FRANTZ~The door swung open.Pierce stepped inside my office along with five other men and behind them was Director Jack Shaw, being dragged by his arm. He was stumbling slightly, not because one of my men was rough on him, but because he was overflowing with rage.Perhaps because it was so early in the morning.7:34 to be exact.“I’d like to thank you for accepting my invite, Director Shaw.” I greeted him without standing up from my seat, my eyes were fixated on the screen of my phone, more specifically on the headlines about my wife’s interview last night.Jack scoffed, “Throwing me into the trunk of your car isn’t exactly an invitation, Mr. Frantz.” He angrily yanked his arm away from my guard’s grip and straightened his collar. He shot an intense glare at him at first before turning to look at me. “This is illegal! This is kidnapping! You can’t just send your men to take me here like I’m some criminal,”“Oh, but you are.” I smiled.I wasn’t looking at him, not until Pierce a

It was Anne’s turn to speak to Vale privately, while Jessica accompanied me once again and, this time, gave me a proper tour of the set.It was an overwhelming information dump — green screens, costumes, trailer vans, and physical training.The movie wasn’t called ‘Suddenly an Empress’ for no reason, Elodie Byrne, the character I’m going to play, will be thrown into all sorts of adventure.“I’m very excited for you, Miss Kerri.” Jessica beamed after finishing the entire overview.Since Vale and Anne hadn’t left the office yet and the filming was yet to begin, Jessica and I idled in the studio’s cafeteria. She handed me a cup of coffee.“Thank you,” I said dryly, because this isn’t over yet, it was far from over.I may have landed the leading role in a Vale Antonoff film, but that doesn’t mean everything from here on out would be smooth sailing.I’m not letting myself celebrate just yet.Because while Jessica gave me that much-needed studio tour, and as I walked past the people I’ll b

It felt incredibly weird to step inside the filming set not as an assistant of some arrogant celebrity, but as the leading actress of the film.Stylists flock around me even while I was walking — retouching my make-up, fixing my wig, tightening my dress by the waist. I’m being treated like a Queen where everyone has to adjust with every movement I make and it feels…Fucking nice!I’m seeing and feeling things from a different perspective. I’m their God here.“Kerri!” Director Vale’s voice boomed across the hall and, almost immediately, everyone quieted down, turned their heads towards her, and waited for what she was going to say.I take it back, Vale is our God here. As the film’s director, she controls everything.“Yes?” I answered.She was approaching me with the confidence of someone who knew that everyone’s attention was on her, and the stylists dispersed just as she stood in front of me.Vale flashed a smile at me, a little patronizing, as if I was a little kid entering daycare

The second half of the day felt unreal.For one, most of the staff became friendly.I feel the sudden switch, especially since the moment I first stepped inside the studio, their animosity towards me was already overwhelming. But now? They treat me with respect.They smile at me. Greet me when I walk past them, and most of all, they say compliments about my performance with genuine adoration. Not all of them though, especially the people from Anne’s team. They still whisper about me, throw degrading words and make sure I hear all of them, possibly to throw me off of my momentum, especially since I was outshining Anne.After the first few takes, I nailed everything else. Perfectly.I know why everyone suddenly switched their behavior after seeing my skills in action… because Hollywood only respects two things: power and proof.No matter how evil a celebrity is, if they are good at what they do, then all is well.And besides, I was not about to let Loretta Sinclair’s teachings go to