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Chapter IV

It took me a few moments to convince myself that the person standing in front of me was actually human and not Mr. Spooker dressed as one.

I guess Adrian also was a bit scared for a moment there since once he recovered, his face morphed into a scowl, probably to hide the embarrassment of screaming like a banshee a moment ago. "Who the hell are you?"

"Certainly not a ghost," I replied, making him turn a bit red.

If I were to meet Adrian Carter in completely different circumstances, I would've been thrilled. He was an actor- a good one at that- and since it was my dream to be one as well, it would've been exciting to be able to talk to him.

Though I doubt I would've gotten a chance to actually converse with him.

But the situation now was completely different and I couldn't help but embarrass him a little.

"Shut up. Are you a fan or something?" he asked, trying to change the topic.

"Well, I certainly am not a device to provide a current of air," I replied, controlling my urge to laugh out loud as he emitted a frustrated growl.

"What are you doing here?" he tried to ask again.

"Well...." I trailed off purposely to annoy him.

And given by his expression it was working. Working way too well, if you ask me.

"Argh! You little-"

"Adrian?" He was cut off by a female voice that came from behind me.

I turned around to see a girl standing there with her right hand on her hip. I immediately recognised her as Courtney Moore, daughter of Adam Moore, one of the richest people in the States. Rumours had it that his daughter- known as the daddy's princess, mostly because she got whatever she wished for- wanted to act in a movie with Adrian Carter.

According to her, she believed that working with him and pouring her charisma, she could make him fall for her. She wanted that, so voila! She was starring alongside Adrian.

"What is it, Courtney?" he asked her but her focus was on me.

"Are you a fan?" She asked, narrowing her eyes at me.

I pushed in the chuckle trying to keep a poker face so that I could give her the same reply that I gave Adrian but to my utter surprise it was him who spoke.

"Does she look like a device to provide a current of air?" he asked and I looked at him, surprised and amused. More surprised, though. Didn't know he could take a joke.

"What?" Courtney asked, clearly not understanding the joke.

"Ooooh. Someone's learning," I teased Adrian to which he glared in response.

I grinned at him, cheekily and he just rolled his eyes, just a hint of smile on his face. "Nothing, let's just go."

I laughed at Courtney's blank expression which soon turned into a glare. She gave me a once over before frowning in disgust at my scoobee-doo pyjamas and sauntering off with Adrian in tow.

With a shrug, I turned to go back. 

It was surprising how things worked in life. Had I met Adrian Carter and Courtney Moore in a fan meeting or any other occasion, even if it was just passing by on the street (with no doubt hundreds of fan girls) I don't think I would have ever spoken to him like that. 

Even if I did, it wasn't as if it would've mattered that much. But thinking back to the moments a while ago, it was funny how... humanly it felt. It was as if talking to just another friend at school. There is a huge influence of the surroundings and the kind of atmosphere you meet a person in.

Deep in thought, I turned to my sleeping bag but stopped dead, all the thoughts running out of my mind when I noticed a gleaming knife on the table beside the sleeping bag where I'd slept.

A bone chilling thrill went up my spine as I slowly backed away. I gulped. "G-Guys? Please don't leave me!"

With that, I followed where Adrian and Courtney had vanished. 

***

I was in awe as I examined the surroundings around me. Cameras and heavy equipment were being carried everywhere. There was people shouting orders and people running to fulfil them.

When I followed the two actors here- well one actor and one rich princess, I hadn't expected to find a full shooting scene here. Everyone was busy trying to set up the equipment so they barely noticed me here.

It was the complete opposite of what it was downstairs. I wondered how the sound didn't travel, though. I couldn't spot any actor but I didn't pay attention to that since I was preoccupied with the admiration that oozed out of me.

I looked at everything in awe. Excitement ran through my veins as I eagerly tried to see and observe everything.

"Close your mouth, you'll catch a fly," the person next to me said to me.

I immediately obeyed and turned to look who had spoken. A girl with black hair with golden streaks was arranging coffee cups in a tray as she turned her head towards me and smiled.

"I'm Brenda, an intern. You?" she asked, extending her hand towards me.

"Addison, a victim," I answered, shaking her hand.

She raised her eyebrow in amusement. "A victim of what?"

"A victim of a ruthless dare," I answered, grinning at her.

"And the dare was?" she asked, deeply interested in my answer.

I chuckled at her curiosity. "I was dared to spend an entire night in this spooky mansion alone. But now that I see it, it doesn't seem that spooky."

She laughed. "Then you've seen nothing yet."

I was about to say something but suddenly commotion erupted. Brenda's eyes widened and she scurried off, muttering a quick "Nice to meet you."

I watched a bit confused as a woman climbed up the director's chair and everyone made space for the area where I assumed the shot was to take place.

I quietly sat in the corner, trying to remain inconspicuous so that no one kicked me out. Soon everyone settled and I heard the camera take being announced.

"And... ACTION!"

Adrian emerged from one of the corners, panting as if out of breath for running for a long time. Fake sweat covered his face and his clothes were torn off, revealing a bit of his muscular abdomen. Fake blood was smeared across his chest where a deep cut was shown.

The make up artist was really good at his job and so was Adrian. I watched the scene unfold in appreciation.

He tried running some more, before falling. The camera zoomed in to capture his expression and I was amazed at how real it looked. His acting was actually commendable. He breathed hard before blinking rapidly, as if dazed. 

He pretended to fall unconscious before a clack of the board echoed in the room.

'And CUT!" a shout came and Adrian immediately got up, his expression turning normal. Makeup artists and costume designers rushed to him, making sure that everything looked real enough. It took about ten minutes and then it was time for the next scene.

And I thought I was good.

I had literally run out of words to describe how utterly amazed I was.

I braced myself for the next scene, which I thought was going to be equally thrilling. People adjusted the cameras into position and then I saw Courtney take her position, off screen.

Adrian returned his previous position, on the floor-ready to fall unconscious. There was a little more shuffling and make up touches before the lights dimmed and the familiar shout echoed. "ACTION!"

Immediately Adrian's expression changed, returning to drowsy one. I watched him pretend to gasp for breath, his expression portraying the pain he wanted to show. Jitters crawled up my spine as I observed his actions. 

He kept up his acting for five minutes, before a loud "CUT!" echoed. Collective groans took over the silent atmosphere and Adrian abruptly got up with an annoyed expression. "Why the hell aren't you coming, Courtney? It's your scene," he said, crossing his arms.

"The scene says I'm supposed to save you but you were still breathing!" She defended and I raised my eyebrows in disbelief.

"What does saving me have to do anything with me breathing? Do you want to save me after I'm supposed to die?" he asked incredulously.

"Well, of course not. But unless you show that you're not breathing, how am I supposed to give you a mouth to mouth?" she asked, pouting.

I face palmed myself at that and I wasn't the only one.

"There is nothing in the script saying anything about a mouth to mouth so just come and act according to the script," Adrian said, now exasperated. He sighed and returned to his position.

Everyone stopped speaking and the lights were adjusted once again. The same command to start was shouted and Adrian started his acting. This time however he didn't have to wait long before Courtney sashayed into the scene.

"Oh my! Who is the handsome man lying on the floor?" she screeched and I let my hands cover my face. I was feeling the second hand embarrassment and it was bad.

Adrian, who was already lying on the floor let his head bang on the ground, probably cursing his luck. The poor guy had to repeat his scene twice already. He was probably wondering how many times he would have to do it again.

Once again the scene was stopped and the lights brightened.

Adrian got up. "How on earth do you know that the bloodied guy on the floor is handsome?"

I chuckled at the poor guy's frustration.

"If Courtney's dad wasn't funding the movie, I doubt Producer Gilbert would be able to tolerate her," a guy next to me whispered to someone. 

I was about to say something but I paused.

Hold on- did he just say producer Gilbert? As in William Gilbert- the best producer/director on this whole planet? Okay, I may be a bit biased since I am his big fan but still, his movies were usually blockbusters.

My jaw dropped as I realised that I was standing on William Gilbert's set. Suddenly as if everything had been polished, I observed everything in a new light. Excitement bubbled inside me as I tried to take a glimpse of the person shouting orders but there was too much of a crowd to make out anything.

After some commotion, the shooting started again. Adrian was back in his position and it was Courtney's turn once again.

This time her dialogue delivery was somewhat better but it just didn't fit with the scene somehow.

Being an aspiring actor, acting was my passion. I didn't know when I started loving this form of art but since that time, whenever it was, I've learnt to notice small things and tried to improve. It's doesn't need rocket science to know what a certain expression means. It's just based on observation.

"Oh my god! Are you alright?" she spoke, bending down to Adrian who barely choked out a few whispered words.

"Here, let me help you up," she said and helped him up but her expressions were not matching the words that came out of her mouth.

There was another loud "CUT!" from my right and the scene stopped.

Adrian was completely annoyed by now. He crossed his arms and glared at Courtney who seemed clueless.

"Courtney, can you please act according to the scene?" I heard a deep male voice from the speaker.

She rolled her eyes. "I did it perfectly the way I was supposed to. What was even wrong with it?" she asked, putting one of her hands on her hip.

"Can anyone please tell her what was wrong with the scene?" the same voice boomed and murmurs erupted.

I didn't know whether it was because they were scared to answer or no one knew what was wrong that no one answered. Everyone were throwing nervous glances at each other and whispering but not speaking aloud.

I raised my eyebrows when no one gave an answer.

"Anyone who tells me what was wrong with Courtney's dialogue and acting will get to assist me throughout the movie," the voice boomed through the speakers, frustration clearly oozing out of it.

That seemed to have done the trick since everyone started saying different things.

"Her stance wasn't right!" You don't need a proper stance! This isn't martial arts.

"She spoke too fast!"I could understand it clearly, though.

"Her lines weren't on time!" When else was she supposed to say them?

Everyone shouted one thing or another. I controlled myself from saying anything. Clearly the offer was for the interns working for this movie and I wasn't even a part of the crew. I was lucky enough to go unnoticed till now and it would be a waste to let go of the opportunity to see a movie shooting.

Dad never let me go to the sets he designed as it is.

"Her position wasn't right!" What position?

"There was nothing wrong!" Cue face-palm.

"IS THERE ANYONE WHO CAN GIVE ME A PROPER ANSWER?!" the voice boomed and everyone quieted down. Silence fell across the room.

Everyone shut up. I could practically feel the nervousness radiating of the people. Somehow that made me unsettle as well.

"If there is no one, then we'll wrap it up for now."

My eyes widened as I thought of spending the night alone. I checked my watch, it was two in the morning. Brandon was going to pick me up at ten in the morning.

Everyone started rummaging through the stuff. I looked helplessly at the crew who were beginning to pack up. Even Adrian was starting to remove the fake dried blood on him. No, come on! This was my first time seeing a proper shoot!

Unable to control myself, I let the words slip out of my mouth.

"Her expressions didn't match her tone!" I shouted and every head snapped towards me.

Maybe I was better off quiet and unnoticed. All the murmuring and the whispers stopped as everyone started scrutinising me, wondering who I was and what I was doing here.

"Who said that?" the same male voice echoed and the people started moving out of the way. Within a matter of seconds, I was in front of a familiar face and I did everything in my power to stop my jaw from hitting the ground. William Gilbert stood there towering over me, with a serious expression on his face.

He was wearing track pants and a t-shirt, making him look young for his age. His black hair were short and neatly cut and complimented his dark eyes. I would've appreciated his eyes if I wasn't being stared by them. 

I stood there slack jawed. Everyone gathered around in a circle, waiting for something to happen. Everyone stood there in anticipation. I gulped nervously.

"I- I'm sorry fo-"

"Repeat what you said," I was cut off by Mr. Gilbert himself.

"What?" I asked dumbly, lifting my head to look at him.

"Repeat what you said about what was wrong with Courtney's scene," he repeated with a blank expression on his face.

There was pin drop silence in the room and I struggled to find my voice. "Uh- I said that her e-expressions didn't m-match her voic- I mean tone and her line." 

I wanted to face palm at my stammer. Wasn't it wonderful? I was already a fool in the eyes of the director I dreamed of working with. Where is the hole that is supposed to gobble me up this instant?

The legendary director didn't say anything for a while and I started doubting myself. Was I wrong? I looked at my feet, praying for someone to get me out of this situation. Why did I have to open my stupid mouth?

"Elaborate."

My head snapped up in surprise. "Um, her line explained that she should've been concerned or worried but her face was more blank and showed disgust rather than those emotions," I explained, my heart picking up pace.

It seemed like a decade of silence after which he spoke, but not to me. "What was so hard to guess in that? Is this the so-called best crew I've hired? Even a high schooler gave a correct answer!"

I wanted to object but kept my mouth shut. 

Embarrassment bloomed throughout the room. Everyone looked everywhere but at William Gilbert, me included. Though my embarrassment was different than the people around me. 

"Now what are you all standing there for? Go set up everything back into its place," he barked and everyone immediately bolted. They scattered, everyone hurrying up to reduce the wrath of the boss.

I awkwardly turned around to leave. I was about to take a step forward when a voice stopped me.

"Not you."

I turned around surprised. "I beg your pardon?"

He picked up a booklet of papers. "Here," he said, handing me the papers.

"Wha-"

"Now go stand next to Adrian and speak these lines," he ordered and this time I couldn't help my jaw from dropping.

I gaped at the man in front of me. The dark eyed director says what?!

++++++++++++++++++++++++++

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