CH10

Adelia asked Chloe, who seemed even more surprised than herself, with a hint of suspicion, "Didn't you teach the child to speak with a posh accent?"

"Of course. There's nobody around us who uses that anyway."

Wasn't it a diner they run? 

It's a challenging environment to hear an accent that less than 5% of people in England use. 

There was even less reason to teach it.

'But does this make sense? Changing one's accent naturally isn't easy.'

Yet, Chloe didn't seem like she was lying.

If she's fooling eyes trained by meeting various actors, she should be cast as an actor.

"Was the child naturally clever?"

"Ah. He's always been quick to pick up what's taught, not distinguishing between sports or study."

Thinking one's child is exceptional is common among parents, but having seen it with her own eyes, Adelia found it credible.

Adelia flicked her abacus while looking at the camera she always turns on during auditions.

'An Asian child actor, huh. There are definitely restrictions on casting.'

Typically, child actors play the younger version of the main character or appear with their parents.

It's rare to need an Asian child character, and casting Asian parents just for one child actor would be more trouble than it's worth.

That's why it's not easy for Asian child actors to find roles.

'That's when the level is appropriate, of course.'

Adelia didn't deny that appearance and skin color have a big impact on marketability, but she believed the essence of an actor lies in their performance.

If there's an actor who delivers an outstanding performance, it's her job to recommend them before someone else scoops them up.

"I'll let you know if there's good news. You can go now."

"See you again."

As if it was natural to meet again, Ian left, and Adelia quickly went through the scripts she was in charge of.

For a casting director, the work was just beginning.

***

It was indeed a stroke of luck to have connected with Adelia, but Ian wasn't anxiously waiting for a call.

'After all, she's a casting director, not my agent.'

Ian understood the difference clearly.

An agent would seek out all possible roles for an actor, but a casting director only looks for roles within the projects they are handling.

The difference between an agent, whose client is the actor, and a casting director, whose client is the production company.

"So, I should just do what I can for now."

Ian wrote one word in his notebook.

YouTube.

It seemed like the highest priority, especially with no other commitments at the moment.

'Since the holiday is coming up, I should make use of that time.'

Shooting and editing would take a lot of time, but holidays offer plenty of it.

The challenge was how to stay home instead of going to camp.

'I'll have to call grandma. It's worrisome to leave her alone in the countryside, and there was that incident.'

If he says he wants to spend the holiday with Sophia, his parents won't refuse, and convincing Sophia would be easy with just a bit of sweet talk.

Sacrificing some pride for free time? That's a profitable deal.

"Next, the important thing is the content."

To decide this, the purpose of YouTube must be clear.

Primarily, YouTube is for self-promotion. 

Showing to producers, 'I can do this too,' should be enough.

'Educational content would be best, after all.'

The things he learned broadly for acting, too advanced to be just hobbies, would be enough to help beginners with their videos.

Deciding what to start with can wait since there's still time until the holiday break.

"What are you so diligently working on that you didn't even notice me coming?"

"Did someone special come?"

"Ha, should I try taking off my hat here?"

Ben, seemingly offended, grabbed his hat brim, and Ian chuckled.

"Feel free. It would be good for the store. 'Ben Roberts frequents here' would make for perfect promotion, wouldn't it?"

'…Such a sly one.'

Ian thought to himself, not voicing it out loud, wondering who could have raised such a cunning person. 

It was clear he didn't take after his foster parents, at least.

Ben then looked at Ian's leg, still in a cast.

"How did you end up like that with your leg?"

"Got into this state shooting an action movie. It might even be broadcast on TV soon."

"Action movie my foot. If you don't want to tell me, then don't."

Ben scoffed.

Breaking a leg shooting an action movie with a kid? 

Impossible not to hear such a story.

"So, can you make it to the party we agreed on?"

"I remember clearly. I said I'd go unless something came up. But then this happened to my leg."

"…Should I prepare a wheelchair? My driving skills are top-notch!"

Ian shook his head at the immediate readiness, not wanting to make headlines in the entertainment section.

"That's alright. I'm going to get the cast removed tomorrow anyway. The party is this weekend, right?"

"Yeah, it's a charity party for children battling illness."

In America, donations are common. 

Even elementary schools often request donations for school events or to help economically disadvantaged kids.

It's not unusual for stars to attend charity parties.

"A charity party for kids, and you're going?"

"…Do I look like someone who despises children? I just prefer not to meet them on set."

"You know it doesn't suit you, right?"

To those unaware of the truth, it might seem like Ben is attempting an image makeover.

When in reality, he's just a fool for women.

"Being unsuitable is only up to the host of the party. You'd be surprised to hear who it is."

"Who is it?"

Especially at charity parties, the host's capability is crucial.

Depending on who they can invite, the amount raised can vary greatly.

'So much so that they'd pay stars large sums to attend.'

After a scandal where fund-raisers paid stars thousands of dollars to attend, it became a common occurrence.

That's how important the host is.

"Charlotte Underhill."

"Ah, that person."

Charlotte Underhill is famously known for being famous.

An heiress to a luxury brand, known as a party animal and constantly in the middle of various controversies.

Ben asked Ian, unfazed by the news of a notorious party-goer hosting a charity event.

"Not surprised? Do you not know much about Charlotte?"

"How could I not know her? She's all over the news to the point of annoyance. There's even a rumor that a female anchor shredded her script in a paper shredder."

"And you're not surprised? That's more surprising to me."

Being known as a troublemaker now might not be surprising, but from a future perspective, it's nothing unexpected.

"People can be whimsical. You did get permission for me to attend with you, right?"

"Of course, I'm the host."

"Is there anything I should know beforehand about your relationship with her? Like, were you friends with benefits or something?"

"What kind of talk is that for a kid? There's nothing like that."

It was a bit surprising that there was nothing between her, who had been rumored to have affairs with various stars, and Ben, known for his playboy reputation.

Is this what they call a dislike for one's own kind?

"Who knows? Maybe this party will spark a new friendship."

"She'll be busy hosting, and I'll be busy with my love business. Friendship, what's that?"

Ian scoffed inwardly, seeing Ben's dismissive attitude.

He's going off to meet a woman who knows how to turn controversy into cash, and he's this unguarded.

'He's not a kid, he'll handle it. More importantly.'

Ian nudged Ben.

"Why are you sitting here without ordering anything? Go buy a corn dog or something. One for me, too."

Did his ancestors pay for his seat?

Seeing him sit there shamelessly, it seemed he might dine and dash soon.

***

"Look at who we have here. You look so handsome all dressed up; are you sure you're not going to charm some girl?"

Chloe was overly enthusiastic.

Ian, with his neatly arranged hair and a child-sized suit fitting him perfectly, looked like a child model.

Glancing at the clock while posing effortlessly for Chloe's camera, Ian noted the time.

"It's time to go."

"Wow, time flew by. Don't get too nervous there. Got it?"

"Don't worry. It's a charity party with lots of kids, after all."

True to its purpose of supporting children, the party was attended not only by sick children connected through children's organizations but also by the attendees' own kids.

A charity party but with a light atmosphere, so overworrying was unnecessary.

Descending with Chloe, a car ready to take them to the venue awaited.

Ben, dressed to the nines, grinned from inside the car.

"See, I do have an eye for this. You look great. Won't be embarrassed to have you by my side."

"Whatever I wear, I would look good."

"Such arrogance."

They laughed and chatted lightly as the car entered Beverly Hills.

Surrounded by LA but a completely separate municipality, Beverly Hills is a famous affluent area home to numerous celebrities and moguls.

As a popular residence for top stars, the streets were crowded with tourists, and they arrived at a grand mansion.

The long fence, securing what seemed like a mountain within, was guarded strictly, and the open gate led to a new world.

Ascending the hill to the party venue, a garden arranged like a maze, a vast swimming pool, and an artificial lake suitable for kayaking came into view.

A world apart.

"Amazing, isn't it? Think you'll move here once you make it as an actor?"

Beverly Hills wasn't famous for being an affluent area for no reason. 

Only the very successful could afford to live in such an expensive neighborhood.

"If I really wanted to live here, I'd sleep on the streets if I had to."

"Do you think sleeping on the streets is easy? Acting as a homeless person was really tough."

To think he's bragging about his "homeless" acting experience. 

Ridiculous.

"We're here."

As the evening approached, the mansion was brilliantly lit, and various guests showered in the flashes of the media were visible.

Stepping out of the car with Ben attracted attention.

"It's Ben Roberts. He actually came here?"

"And Charlotte Underhill too. I have no idea what got them to start doing things they never did before. And who's that kid with him?"

"That's the kid who gave Ben Roberts a corn dog."

Whispers were barely audible over the louder shutter sounds, and Ian walked calmly, ignoring the uncomfortable stares that seemed to lick his skin.

"If he's the diner kid, he doesn't seem surprised at all."

"Yeah, he looks way too comfortable."

Ben, who had drawn more attention with his relaxed demeanor, called out to Ian.

"Over there."

Following Ben's gaze through the crowd, they spotted a woman, elegantly dressed, chatting with a girl who seemed to be her daughter.

It was indeed her.

"The diva, Ayla Olson, right?"

"Huh… Yes."

She was one of the singers who led the late '90s teen pop boom with her striking blonde hair and exceptional vocal talent.

Ben, with a boyish excitement on his face, smiled brightly when she noticed him.

As Ben stepped towards her, matching his stride, Ian was hit with a wave of strong female perfume.

"Oh, Ben Roberts! Welcome."

A sultry, dripping voice greeted them.

The woman quickly wrapped her arm around Ben and leaned in comfortably, freezing him in place.

A scene is ripe for a scandal by tomorrow.

'Ah, where's my popcorn?'

So much for the warning he didn't heed.

Ian smiled as if amused by the unfolding events.