Chapter 138 - Hi?

Time had passed, and Devon got pretty familiar with her workplace. Ever since that sparring scene, the Director had given her character more screen time. Although it was still considered a minor role, Devon's character had an impactful screen time, or what everyone hoped for.

"Did you understand? Devon? Clarisse?" asked Director Fang, darting his head from Clarisse to Devon.

"She will slap me?" Clarisse gasped in disbelief, casting the nonchalant Devon a look. "No. That wasn't in the script."

"In the original script. Your character will have a breakdown, so to bring you back to your senses, I will slap you. That only makes sense according to my character." Devon argued with a shrug. "Do you plan on dragging everyone again?"

"Miss Lin, that time, Clarisse wasn't just with herself. You know --"

"You will let her slap me? Just what kind of tricks did you do to let Director Fang agree with you?" Clarisse scorned, making Director Fang, who was trying to defend her, look at her in dismay.

"Miss Xu, are you trying to insinuate something unethical?" 

"She is just a side character and you want this person who hadn't even debuted to slap me? A senior who's been in the industry for seven years?" 

Director Fang frowned. "And you are questioning me? A director for two decades with multiple blockbuster hits? Miss Xu, I will pretend this conversation didn't happen if you listen to me right now."

"No." Clarisse's response was quick, shaking her head. "I can't let her slap me."

She stood on her ground, staring at Director Fang before walking away. Honestly, aside from being slapped by a newbie, Clarisse had a lot more reasons she was refusing. One of the biggest reasons was Devon would slap her for real. She had been working with them and saw how Devon worked. She wasn't faking her character — that was her character!

"Miss Lin, my apologies if you have to hear all that." Director Fang exhaled sharply, massaging his temple, as this was Devon's last scene and it seemed they would postpone it if not settled.

"Do I really have to slap her?" Devon asked, tilting her head to the side.

"No, of course not. We talked about it."

"But it seems Miss Xu is just afraid to get slapped. I will go talk to her."

"Alright. I'll count on you."

Devon smiled at him before heading towards Clarisse's tent. She didn't have a problem faking a slap; as mentioned, Devon already got a grasp of her work environment. She simply liked doing the fight scenes herself because she enjoyed doing it.

"Can I talk to you?" Devon slid her hand to the entrance of the tent, peeking inside to see Clarisse throwing an attitude at everyone. 

Clarisse raised a brow, gazing at everyone inside the tent. "Leave us." and they all listened to her. 

The very few people who passed by Devon bowed at her while the latter smiled. When the last person exited, Devon entered the tent.

"What do you want?" Clarisse cut to the chase, raising her chin up while Devon stood.

"Don't make everyone's life difficult." Since she was being straightforward, Devon also didn't beat around the bush. "I won't slap you for real if that is what you're afraid of."

"You think that's what I am afraid of? Have you been listening?" 

"I don't think that is what you're afraid of. However, that's what your action tells me." 

Clarisse scoffed, pushing herself up as she stood in front of her. "It's insulting. Bella had a cameo and requested to let you in, and now you get this role that is already planned to get erased from the storyline or changed. Even if you are doing all your stunts yourself, you're too early to stand on the same ground as I do."

Devon stared at her straight in the eye, noticing the smirk on Clarisse's lips. The latter had said such vicious things, but it barely affected her. 

"If I said I won't do it, I won't do it," Clarisse asserted, taking a step back as she rolled her eyes at her. "They will either respect me or choose you. Well, then, they have to find another female lead and redo everything."

"Just because of this scene, you want Director Fang to choose between us?" Devon cocked her head to the side. "Are you that sad?" 

"Sad? I am upset!" Clarisse hissed, gazing at her from head to toe.

"Even if you are, I don't think this matter should be dealt with to that extent."

"And I don't think this shows I am sad or whatever. I won't let you slap me even if it's fake. End of discussion."

"So, you just want to make our lives difficult? I see." Devon nodded in understanding, taking a step forward. As soon as she did, Clarisse unconsciously took a step back. 

"What — what are you trying to do?" Clarisse raised a hand, gesturing for Devon to stay where she was. "I will call my security if you take one more step!"

Devon paused, gazing at her. "You look so scared?"

"Scared? Why would I?"

"Miss Xu, I had plans tonight and tomorrow and the days after that. I need to finish today's scene. Please, don't make my life difficult." Devon humbled, taking a deep bow, which slightly taken Clarisse aback. "Between you and me, Director Fang will surely choose you and I will lose my job."

Clarisse studied Devon's back, eyebrow raised. She didn't expect Devon to humble herself, as it seemed she wasn't that type of person. 

"You are the most important in this set." Devon raised her head, facing her squarely. "I'm sure Director Fang wants this scene because he trusts you will pull this off without fail. This scene is not about me, after all. It is about you getting your memory back."

Devon studied her expression and carefully took a step forward. Seeing that Clarisse was distracted, Devon came close with a kind smile on her face.

"I know people had been comparing you to a lot of people, but you're the best actress I've seen. I watched your projects, fighter's block, ten days of I love you, and a lot more. If you pull this off, do you think people will still compare you to Bella?" Devon continued, as her voice was gentle. "They will compare Bella to you."

Clarisse gazed up to her, doubt flickering across her eyes. Seeing that Clarisse still wasn't completely persuaded, Devon smiled. 

"Director Fang is one of the best directors in the country. Will you really risk straining your relationship with him because of someone who hadn't debut yet? Am I that worthy of the hassle?"

There was a moment of silence between them before Clarisse let out a deep exhale. She rolled her eyes and walked back to her chair, calling her assistant to touch up her makeup.

"Tell Director Fang that I'll be there in ten." Devon smiled when she heard Clarisse uttered those words.

******

"You said, the people will compare me to her?" Bella gasped, gazing at Devon from across the table.

Since it was Devon's last day on the set, Bella came up with a plan to meet up and have dinner together. With them were Mike and Dion.

"That's ballsy of you, Dev. Can't expect anything less from you!" Mike clapped, chuckling as he didn't expect how Devon manipulated Clarisse to make her listen to her.

"Don't clap. It's scary." Dion winced in disbelief, getting alarmed the more he got to see Devon's other sides.

"It works, though, and I'm here. Or else, you will have to wait for me." Devon shrugged nonchalantly, seeing them sigh and nod as what she said made sense. 

"Let's not talk about her." Bella waved, raising her glass of wine. "Let's make a toast for Dev fulfilling her first job after her... incident!" 

Devon smiled brightly, picking up her glass of wine, and raised it. The other two also grabbed their drinks and raised them for a toast.

"Any words before we toast?" Bella cocked her head to Devon, and all eyes were on her.

"Well, thank you for being here to celebrate this minor accomplishment. I... am thankful to live." A subtle smile resurfaced on her lips, making the three of them look at each other, only to chuckle at her strange, yet heartwarming words. 

And then, the three of them toast for this achievement for their friend. The three of them laugh as after taking a sip and chat just about anything.

"I can predict your popularity skyrocketing." Bella winked at Devon. "Do you plan to continue this path?" 

"Well, I don't see the reason why not? I'm certain once this movie is out, Dev's email will get flooded by endorsement offers and many more." Mike shrugged and commented in a matter-of-fact tone. 

"Sis, if you want, you can sign under Kai's agency. He will take care of you."

"Then, why didn't you sign under him?" Mike blurted out, making Dion glare at him. "Oops. I just remember that people thought you and your brother had a problem when you sign under Dainasty."

While the two of them bickered, Devon excused herself to the restroom. She left with Bella, joining the conversation. Devon stared back at them and smiled subtly. The question Bella raised lingered in her mind as she went into the restroom. 

"Do I plan to continue this path?" she mumbled to herself, staring at herself in the mirror. Honestly, she enjoyed playing the minor role and enjoyed that she got earn by working. However, did she plan the life that might come after this?

"Yes. Gosh, why are you so on the edge lately?" 

Devon turned her head to the woman who stood beside her, talking to her phone. Her eyes fell on the woman's natural golden locks, shifting her eyes to look at the woman's face in the mirror. 

"Yes. I'll go out." Gabriella shook her head and hung up, catching the strange look Devon was giving her. "Uhm.... hi?"