Chapter 692 - 17: Her Audition

Angela was jumping with joy the whole day. Drake had to stifle a smile as he saw her jumping up and down on the bed in excitement. Even Zoey and Patrick looked at her dumbfounded as she was her bubbly self, bursting with happiness during dinner at the table. 

That night, she called Acton and told him of her interest in auditioning for the role. It appeared Acton was more excited than Angela; she could hear his exuberance through the phone. He excitedly told her about the location and general information about the audition and the role she would be fit in. Of course, Angela was already familiar with the process. Angela had a bright smile on her face when she went to bed that night. Finally, something that was familiar to her!

***

The next day, the driver dropped her off at the location of the audition, a location very familiar to her as it was Acton's office. An intern led her inside to the room where auditions were being held.

"Nice to see you again, Angelo."

Acton was waiting inside the room. Others in the room gawked at this and started whispering. From their expressions and actions, Angela could tell that they must think she personally knew Acton. A director meeting a possible candidate in person was a rarity! 

She paid them no heed, however. They were just curious but not being dismissive. After all, no one wanted to offend a friend of the Director.

"Now, we are going to do this a little differently, Angelo. Usually, when we hold auditions, we do not care about the candidate's clothing or makeup but in this case, we want all candidates to change as well as have makeup applied to make the audition more…authentic." Acton explained to Angela.

Angela was surprised. Usually, when Directors did that, it was because they had already selected the candidate. Now she had more understanding of Drake's power. In her life as Angela, she was a reputable actress, but she still had to audition the proper way.

Once Angela got dressed, she was given the script. She read the introductions of the role, a lovely supporting heroine. From Acton's perspective she is a man, but the truth is she was a woman. Seeing Angelo in makeup and female dress Acton realized he made a wise decision.

If she played the part well, she would become quite popular. Looking around at the people milling about, she guessed a lot of people who wanted this role. Acton was a famous Director in Harbour, and many of his films were an instant hit, so no wonder the room was full. 

As Angela was sitting reading the script, she saw how others were looking at her rudely, even members of Acton's staff. It seemed like her friendship with the Director was not looked upon favorably. To make them uncomfortable, Angela looked up and smiled at them, and they immediately looked away, embarrassed at being caught.

Angela was sitting in a recliner when Acton's assistant brought over coffee and a piece of dessert. This was indeed preferential treatment. No wonder everyone was looking at her.

She worked for more than five years in this industry and was considered an A-list actress. This sort of treatment would have been called for in her old life. But now? Now she was just a newcomer, and this was not the newcomer's treatment.

Suddenly a hustle-bustle of activity made her look up.

It was Drake! What was he doing here? He was supposed to be very busy today with meetings. Why was he here?

Everyone in the room stilled and gawked at Drake. Of course, everyone knew who he was but what was he doing in the audition room? All the girls in the room stared at him hungrily while fixing their hair and lowering their tops. 

"B… brother? What are you doing here?" Angela stuttered in shock, wanting to hide herself from him to avoid creating suspension on her real identity once he saw her wearing a female attire. 

Drake just glanced at her and was stunned seeing his stepbrother look different.

Confused, Angela picked up the coffee and handed it to Drake.

"Drake, sit down and have some coffee!"

He stared at Angelo then asked, "Why did you wear a female attire?"

She was nervous, worrying that Drake regretted his decision and came to stop her from auditioning. "Um… it's just only a part of the story, a historical drama, mostly wear long dresses and long hair," 

Drake nodded and took the coffee from her hand. He couldn't believe his eyes, that Angelo would look feminine. Angela thought he would not drink it because at home he only drank freshly ground coffee. However, to her surprise, Drake took a sip. It probably didn't taste good since he frowned and put it down.

"Mister Angelo, you're up next," Acton's assistant nervously informed Angela while glancing at Drake. Drake was so oppressive that the assistant scuttled away after receiving one glance from Drake.

After the shooting, Angela took off her makeup and clothes and went home. As she got out of the car, she saw Patrick waiting at the door. Angela was drained because of the shooting all day. She wanted to walk past Patrick, but he caught her hand.

"Why are you trying to ruin the family reputation?!" He growled at him.

Angela stared at him in surprise and burst out laughing. She broke away from Patrick and rubbed her wrist.

"Drake did not object to it, so why are you? Why are you so anxious?"

"Stop this shit! You are not welcome in this house anymore!"

Patrick did not believe that Drake would have allowed Angelo to shoot and just ignored his words.

Angela was about to protest when she heard a car pull up behind her. She turned around and saw it was Drake. To egg him on, she mockingly whispered, "What are you going to do, Patrick? Kick me out of the house?"

Patrick narrowed his eyes and swore, "Just watch, you stupid child!"

"Drake! Did you know Angelo went to audition for a role! I bet he did not even tell you, did he?"

Drake's face turned cold when he saw Patrick making a scene at the door in front of others. Standing aside, Angela decided not to say anything, thinking Patrick was digging himself a hole. She had nothing to worry about. 

"Brother?" Patrick urged when he saw Drake not saying a word.

Sensing the change in Drake's behavior, Patrick shrank his neck and looked at him cautiously.

Drake ignored Patrick and walked into the house. Patrick gaped at his brother. Was he not going to say anything!?

"Remember to talk with your brain when you complain about me next time," Angela grinned like a Cheshire cat as she followed behind Drake into the house, leaving Patrick even more confused.