No More Playing Nice

"I got a new role for you." Her steps on the treadmill faltered slightly, prompting the trainer to turn it off.

"Ahem! I would greatly appreciate it if Madame Rita would consider the time and place."

"Such matters can not be delayed. I will try not to interrupt your sessions from now on." Rita handed the file to Keira, ushering her to sit and read it. "How's her condition? Any abnormalities?"

"Her body was exceptionally weak when we first started two weeks ago. Muscle mass is gradually building, not that noticeable just yet, however, she seems to have more strength and stamina now. Ankle-wise, it's looking good. She can run for three minutes without straining it."

"What about mentally?"

"Well…" Keira sat with an upright posture, legs crossed, and head lifted. She looked impeccably elegant, every action spoke to a strictly disciplined individual. Her head was slightly wet from sweat, and her cheeks reddened from the physical labor she had just endured, yet she didn't look out of breath. "She hasn't spoken much since the incident a week ago. If I'm being honest, she seems to be putting her stress into motivation for her craft, that's a good thing."

"That's also what May told me. She's improving rather quickly in her acting classes, although she hasn't spoken much outside of performing her practice roles."

"That brain of hers is certainly thinking of something. Occasionally, she has this look in her eyes." The trainer tried to imitate the facial expressions she noticed Keira make, but she couldn't quite get it right. "Not sure what, but something changed for sure. Are they still denying that it was intentional?"

The they that she spoke of was, of course, Selene and her team. It was far too coincidental for them to think otherwise.

"Even if it was, we aren't allowed to pursue it. The Castillos aren't happy with the thought of their favorite daughter being thought of as such." Rita felt annoyed whenever she remembered their instructions on letting such matters go.

"So much potential, yet strictly boxed in. I don't understand why they keep such a tight noose around her." The trainer grumbled, watching the young lady's brows move as she read something interesting in the files.

"She's my responsibility now so I'll figure something out. Her new role has a lot of sword fighting. Create a training plan that will strengthen her body for the choreography. Her lessons will have to end early today. Have it by tomorrow, Jenna."

"Got it." She nodded, approaching Keira to say her goodbyes. "I'll have a new training schedule ready for you tomorrow. Have a good rest, Keira."

"Thank you, Jenna. See you tomorrow."

"The director has invited us out for dinner. We still have an hour before we need to leave." Once the two returned to Rita's office, she was quickly instructed to shower. "Make her eyes fiercer. Give it that alluring aesthetic."

"Normally, directors prefer softer and more natural looks during their first meeting. Does this have something to do with Keira's role?" The makeup artist asked with curiosity. She had already finished the soft and elegant look on Keira.

"She's playing the dominatrix alter-ego to the main protagonist."

"Dear me! Isn't Keira too young for such a role?"

"She is." Rita glanced thoughtfully at the silent girl. Their eyes met, causing her stiff lips to curl ever so slightly. "Luckily, there is no nudity, since the setting is historical."

"Regardless, I'm still worried." Seeing the person in question not react to having to play such a role, the artist decided to support her. "Don't worry, Dear. I'll make sure you look the part."

"Thank you." Keira thanked her.

She had spent the entire week, pouring her blood, sweat, and tears into improving herself. Now that the College Entrance Exam had ended, they no longer needed to attend school. Graduation would happen in a month, while their final exam had already passed, weeks before Keira woke up to the past.

The school gave the students ample time to review and study for their College Entrance Exam since it will be crucial in determining their future prospects.

Keira read through the script and story outline again, attempting to better understand the character she was to play.

The story was a fantasized version of the Regency Era. The empire silhouette, high waist with free-flowing fabric, high-waisted front with long back tailored suits, tight-fitting pants, and wearing hats and gloves, are all unique to the era of the setting.

Because of its fantasy aspects, the world consists of magic and monsters, beasts and witches, warlocks and swordmasters, all of which were unfamiliar to Keira.

The main heroin, Leslie Baker, was a commoner who happened to come across a dying Witch. The Witch glimpses potential in her, seeing skills in both magic and swordsmanship, she offers to nurture the girl into a powerful magic swordsman, in exchange for having her bond with the soul of her dead daughter.

Sensing no harm, Leslie naively accepted, playing into the palms of the Witch, tricked into giving her body away as a vessel for the soul.

The soul did not belong to the dead daughter, instead, it was that of the formally fallen hero, Agnes. The two fought for dominance, their souls intertwining becoming half of each other. She was Leslie at sunrise, and Agnes at sunset.

Their initial opposition to one another slowly became respect and understanding as they began to glimpse each other's past and thoughts.

Agnes didn't have a last name. She was discarded as a child and was taken in by the temple. The older she grew, the more potential they saw in her. They groomed her into a paladin, filling her mind with thoughts of loyalty to the crown and temple.

She trained and accompanied the then Crowned Prince, gradually falling in love, only to be killed once her mission of eliminating the Demon Lord ended. Her resentment persisted through decades, waiting for a chance to revenge her wrongful death.

Leslie's naivety reminded Keira of her past self, while Agnes reminded her of the present. Just like the sharp eyeliner being drawn, it was time she became a new version of herself.

She wore tight-fitted jeans, high-heeled boots, a tank top, and a biker jacket.

"You suit the dangerous femme fatale a lot more than I thought…" Everyone gathered around to stare at her. Their eyes moved from her head to her toes, scanning every inch with satisfaction.

"I was planning to have you debut with a role suited for your age. Something along the lines of a first love type of innocence, but this suits your mentality a little more than I thought."

"My mentality?"

"Yes, an innocence unique to a teenager would be like Selene. Although you are that age, you don't have the same wants and needs. You don't complain when you are tired, you don't whine when you need something, and you don't act to gain attention from others."

"I don't?" But attention is needed to become famous…?

"What I meant was that you don't go out of your way to promote yourself to others. You are so detached, it naturally draws people in." Seeing the confusion in her eyes made the others giggle.

Spending time with the young lady nearly daily for the past two weeks had made them grow attached. Her temperament was good, it was easy to be around someone like this without feeling like walking on thin ice.

But such a temperament was often taken advantage of and abused, this made their hearts anxious with worry every time she was out of their sight.

"Alright. No more dilly-dally, time to leave."

None of her brothers would be accompanying her this time. Ever since that day, she hadn't talked to or seen any of her family members. If it weren't for Rita and the others taking care of her, Keira would have thought she had gone back to before her death, isolated and all alone.

The luxurious building came into view. A beautiful hand-carved sign displayed a familiar name, The Apricot.

Madame Hillary's favorite place?

Just the thought of the food was enough for her stomach to react. Memories of that day would plague her thoughts every time she ate her perfectly curated meals. She had missed the vibrant and strong flavors of the dishes.

"Madame Rita! You look as brilliant as ever!" A middle-aged man, dressed in a striped suit happily greeted them. His tone was filled with friendliness, breaking the ice in an instant. "Good God! Is this a beauty?"

If it weren't for Rita holding him back, he would have already given her a hug.

"No touching."

"Strict as usual, Madame! How is your husband doing? Please, remind Richard of our promised trip. He keeps ignoring my calls!"

"What trip? Don't you have a multi-series movie to film?" Rita snorted, pushing the man away. "This is our dear Keira. Keira, this is Director Liam Olson, an old friend of mine and Richard."

"Greetings." Director Liam raised his brows at her short and direct speech. His lips curved into a grin, flashing everyone with his white teeth.

"Interesting, indeed. I've heard quite a bit about you from Rita and Austin."

"Austin?" Why would Austin Pierce talk about her with a Director?

"Yeah, ain't that right, Austin? You blabber about how odd the Young Lady is." He nodded his chin towards the entrance to the private room.

"I don't remember blabbering, but yes…" She turned around, locking eyes with him. He had a hand on his chin, rubbing it thoughtfully. "Quite odd."

Keira didn't know what to say, or how to act at his sudden appearance. She blankly stared at him, causing Austin to raise his brows.

"Look. She's doing it again."

"Doing what?" Director Liam quickly approached them. His eyes scanned Keira, trying to understand Austin's wording.

"Being infatuated, to the point she never greets me."

"Ooh? Is that right?" Director Liam was now also rubbing his chin, his eyes glowing mischievously. "You are one to fawn over, so I understand."

"I don't remember you mentioning another person joining our dinner." Rita quickly cut their meaningless chatter off. Her eyes were sharp, staring daggers at the two men.

"Easy. I thought it would be a good chance to introduce the male lead since you two will have the most scenes together."

"She's playing Agnes?" Austin looked her up and down, eyes narrowing with contemplation. "Isn't she too young?"

"It's not a problem," Keira spoke up for the first time, eyes equally judging the other. "Do you not want to act with me?"

"That's a bold assumption." He neither denied nor answered it. "Shall we eat?"

Keira was pulled to the table, and seated next to Austin, while Rita and Director Liam were on the other side. The same ginger steamed fish she had last time was served by the same person. Austin didn't waste time piling food atop her plate.

His natural actions made everyone dumbfounded, staring curiously at his casualness. Keira didn't react much, silently eating with her head drooped.

Her ears had long tuned out the ongoing conversations from the others, only focusing on savoring the flavorful meal in front of her.

It wasn't until a warm breath tickled her earlobes that she was pulled from her thoughts.

"Are you disappointed?"

Disappointed?

"I haven't answered your question yet." His low chuckle gave her goosebumps. His arm very casually rested on her shoulders. His fingers twirled the hairs near her ear, occasionally brushing against them.

She couldn't help the blush that spread across her face. Her eyes slightly panicked, unsure of what to do in such a teasing situation.

The soft woody scent drifted into her nostrils, fighting against the wonderful aroma of the meal, making her dizzy from the clashing of smells.

"You should finish your meal." A spoon filled with rice and meat grazed her lips, inviting her to open up and take it in. "Do you always do as you are told?"

Seeing her obediently eating what he fed, Austin couldn't help but frown slightly.

Rita wanted to interrupt the sudden intimacy, only being stopped by Liam's pleas. Their interactions were interesting to watch. Liam felt like the hurdle called 'chemistry' would be no issue now that he witnessed it himself.

"Are you teasing me?" Keira felt her words shaken as they left her lips.

"I wouldn't dare." He scooped another spoonful of rice, urging her gently to eat it. His hand continued to play with her hair, intentionally trailing the base of her neck playfully. "I do want to act with you."

The sudden whisper in her ear caused a shiver to run down her spine. Keira's eyes sharpened, staring into his with confusion.

"Was there a need to drag it out? You could have answered earlier."

"So you were disappointed."

"I don't think I was…?"

"Funny." After saying so, he removed his arm and regained his upright posture.

The two no longer engaged in such intimacy, only sparsely conversing throughout the meal.

With the confirmation of the filming date, they all parted ways.