Chapter 17

After returning to Ireland, Eva received a phone call while she was half asleep. A stranger's voice came through, "Hello, Ms. Cody, we've seen your latest MTV and think you're very talented. Do you have time to continue directing MTVs?"

Barely awake, Eva murmured, "Um... yes, I'm available. Who is this?"

"We're from Madonna Ciccone's management team."

Wait, what? Madonna?!

Eva jumped out of bed, nearly falling to the floor, "Wait, wait, dear agent, you're Madonna's agent?"

"Yes, you're one of the candidates for directing Madonna Ciccone's new single's MTV. We'd like you to come to New York for an interview."

"I'm definitely available!" Eva couldn't miss this rare opportunity.

Madonna, the global pop icon, whose MTVs are nothing short of perfection and unparalleled in popularity. Hanging up, Eva immediately got out of bed to prepare for the interview in New York. The agent hadn't provided details about the new single, so she could only prepare an impressive resume.

Madonna must have already researched her, probably sparked by the MTV she directed for Sinéad. But being a newcomer, Eva was only being given an interview opportunity.

The days leading up to the interview were a mix of excitement and anxiety for Eva. The prospect of competing with numerous distinguished directors for Madonna's MTV was daunting.

Directing an MTV for icons like Madonna, MJ, or Britney represented the pinnacle of achievement in the field. Despite her debut's acclaim, Eva felt her experience paled in comparison to seasoned directors.

The interview day finally arrived. Eva boarded a flight to New York early in the morning and located Madonna's studio in a high-end skyscraper using Google Maps.

She hurried into the building, finding it no different from any modern city like Dublin, with its skyscrapers and bustling streets.

After registering, she sat in the waiting room. It was quiet, but she learned that the other directors invited by Madonna were all highly experienced in directing MTVs or commercials. Eva felt like an outlier.

Madonna was personally overseeing the selection process today. From her glass office, she noticed Eva waiting outside and asked her assistant, "Who is that young girl out there?"

"The candidate for today's director interview," the assistant whispered back.

Madonna was puzzled. She had summoned top directors from the industry for the interview. How did such a young girl get in?

Sitting regally, Madonna snuffed out her cigarette and inquired, "What has she directed?"

"The MTV you incidentally watched a few days ago, Sinéad's 'Girl on the Ruins.' You told me then that you found it stunning and specifically asked for her to be interviewed."

Madonna, pinching the cigarette between her fingers, pondered, "Her? That young girl? Are you sure this isn't a joke?"

"Yes, it's her..."

Madonna looked back at Eva, who was quietly observing her surroundings, unaware of the scrutiny.

Surprising.

Madonna remembered that MTV. It was Sinéad from Ireland's new single, which had become very popular recently. She wasn't particularly impressed by Sinéad herself, but the MTV had captivated her, prompting her to ask her agent to invite the director for her latest album's audition.

Without asking for further credentials, Madonna had assumed the director behind such a video must be a well-established industry figure. But she hadn't expected... such a young, almost novice director.

Madonna flipped through the resumes of previously interviewed directors, all highly qualified, and now this young girl's... sparked her curiosity.

Then, she called Eva in.

As Eva walked in and saw Madonna, she felt the sheer presence of the woman. It wasn't pretense but a natural emanation of confidence and power. In her past life, Eva had often tried to project such a demeanor, but now she realized true strength came from within, not from outward appearances. Acknowledging she hadn't reached such strength, Eva decided not to chase an external facade. Her demeanor was genuinely unguarded.

Sitting down, Madonna's first question was, "You're so beautiful. Don't you think it's a waste to be a director?"

Eva smiled, a natural allure in her grin, "I don't think it's a waste. Everyone's dreams are different."

Leaning forward, Madonna probed, "Let's talk about something else. How about your views on men and betrayal?"

Madonna's new single was about a woman betrayed by her lover, who conspired with his mistress to steal her father's fortune and frame him for life. The woman decides to eliminate both the cheating man and his accomplice.

Madonna wanted to hear Eva's perspective on men and the concept of betrayal in love.

Eva's deep brown eyes flickered slightly, her lashes fluttering as she said, "Personally, I find men unreliable."

Madonna leaned in, intrigued, "Go on."

Eva's expression grew tense, "When you have something they love, they obey every whim. But when they no longer find you appealing, they become the coldest creatures on earth."

Pausing, Eva's gaze remained cool, as if discussing a trivial matter, "As for betrayal... I believe that if men are inherently unreliable, there can be no betrayal."

Finishing her thought, Eva looked up at Madonna.

Madonna was momentarily lost in thought. Eva's words resonated deeply with her. She was releasing this single to mock her husband—Guy Ritchie. Despite an eight-year marriage and a shared son, they were heading for a divorce this year. The younger man had once professed deep love but now resolutely sought a divorce, blaming his career downturn on Madonna and even eyeing her billion-dollar fortune—all self-earned while supporting his faltering film career.

Eva wasn't aware of the intimate details of Madonna and Ritchie's divorce or the media's potential frenzy over it. She was merely expressing her true feelings, with no intention of pandering to Madonna.

Madonna studied Eva for a long moment, curious, "You're so young and already so disillusioned with men? But I like your emotion and attitude."

Eva explained simply, "It's just a personal viewpoint."

Madonna responded succinctly, "Your previous MTV was impressive. How did Sinéad discover you?"

Eva smiled wryly, "It wasn't a discovery. It just happened naturally."

Leaning back, Madonna mused, "You must work very hard. How else could you, at such a young age, have developed such skill?"

Eva looked calmly at Madonna, "I don't know. All I know is I have nothing to lose. My dreams are all I have."

Her words reminded Madonna of her own younger self.