Chapter 12: Chance

[Recap]

"Thank you," Naomi murmured, momentarily lowering her head before raising it again. "I'll request my agent to find me a new job and relocate as soon as possible. Until then, would it be alright if I continue staying here?"

"Huh?" Sean, who was about to display his generosity, found himself taken aback.

"This place isn't too cramped. I can set up an additional bed on the floor, and I can sleep on it," Naomi explained, her voice gradually softening toward the end.

After careful consideration, Sean understood that she lacked confidence in securing the role she had recently auditioned for. If she failed to obtain it, she might face difficulties in affording a new apartment for some time. However, she didn't want to overstay her welcome in someone else's apartment and force them to seek accommodation elsewhere. Hence, she proposed this plan as a means to address the immediate challenges while maintaining her self-esteem to some extent.

As for any potential awkwardness in the future, Sean chose not to fret about it at the moment. Following their previous conversation, they developed a certain level of understanding and trust in each other.

"Alright, but there's one condition," Sean responded sincerely. "I'll sleep on the floor."

Regardless, it was inconceivable for a woman, especially one older than him, to sleep on the floor.

**********

[Continue]

Thus, this peculiar cohabitation began. The living space was cramped, consisting of only one room, and they occasionally found themselves in awkward situations.

For instance, Naomi would sometimes wake up early in the morning and catch Sean in compromising positions, or when Sean entered the apartment, he might encounter Naomi stepping out of the bathroom after a shower, clad in nothing but shorts and a t-shirt, revealing enticing glimpses of her silhouette.

Fortunately, both of them were skilled at adapting and maintaining a harmonious atmosphere in the apartment.

Sean also opened up about his life, his parents, and his sister. Since Laura Tang was only a few years younger than Naomi, Sean often shared stories of her mischief, like how she enjoyed teasing him by assuming her sister's identity or her habit of playfully calling him "Snooze Piglet."

This nickname originated from Sean's infancy. In his present life, Sean, who had been reincarnated as a baby, struggled to take care of himself for extended periods and often slept due to his brain's instinctive self-preservation mechanism. As a result, he spent more time sleeping than being awake, earning him the nickname.

Naomi burst into laughter upon hearing the explanation, finding it highly amusing.

Naomi would occasionally prepare meals for both of them. Although the taste didn't compare to a restaurant, it provided a welcome change for Sean, who no longer had to eat out all the time.

During these moments, Sean would serenade her with his guitar playing and singing. He had an exceptional singing voice and a unique style. Sometimes, he would even stage small performances with Polk, the little creature he had trained out of boredom.

For example, Sean would pretend to point a finger gun at Polk, and upon making a "bang" sound, the small creature would dramatically fall to the ground, playing dead. It was quite entertaining, despite the five or six-second delay before Polk would play along and accept a treat as a reward.

Naomi adored Polk. Small, round, and furry creatures always had an allure, especially when well-behaved. Polk, too, developed a fondness for Naomi. With a simple greeting, the little creature would immediately jump into her arms, occasionally leaving Sean feeling a tad jealous.

Sometimes he would have second thoughts. Naomi was beautiful, and at 30 years old, she was still in her prime. Her figure was well-proportioned, radiating a mature allure that was undeniably attractive.

But Sean would push those thoughts aside.

If they hadn't been living together, Sean might have entertained the idea of pursuing a romantic relationship with Naomi. However, he had to remind himself of his purpose and use the memory of another girl, Nicole Thompson, to distract himself. They occasionally met up for late afternoon strolls around the city and retreated to a motel for moments of bliss, away from the rest of the world.

However, despite these distractions, his mind primarily focused on finding a job, a role, and an opportunity. After the initial shock of being in this new world, Sean began to question his ability to adapt to the entertainment industry and whether he should leave as soon as possible.

Unless something unexpected happened, he would temporarily set aside his ambitions and embrace a more relaxed lifestyle. Once he had saved enough money, he would pursue his true desires. It would take him more than ten years to discover his life goals, to live the most carefree reincarnated life if such a thing even existed.

But he was determined to keep moving forward. Sean was not an idealist; his two lives had taught him the harsh realities of the world. Naomi had shared many insights about the industry with him, including the challenges she faced due to her naivety. For example, she had walked away from a TV series with good ratings because she didn't want to spend two or three years acting in soap operas.

There were certain things Naomi didn't mention, but Sean knew she must have experienced them. Being attractive, it was unlikely that she hadn't encountered difficulties. Likewise, he also knew the choices she had made. Otherwise, she wouldn't struggle to pay the rent or have fallen from stardom.

One story that stuck with Sean was when Naomi shared a heartwarming experience about her relationships in the industry. Not many people knew that she and the famous Nicole Kidman had been classmates.

Nicole Kidman, the wife of Hollywood star Tom Cruise, who had mesmerized audiences with her beauty in "Batman Forever." Sean had watched that movie multiple times even in his previous life and was familiar with both their names.

Naomi not only acted in movies alongside Nicole but also attended her bachelorette party before Nicole's marriage. Their relationship was undeniably special. However, when Naomi encountered difficulties and sought help from her friends in Hollywood, despite their many promises, they failed to deliver.

The world had never been fair, but in life, one must hold onto something.

Friends, family, and lovers—these relationships were crucial. Americans always spoke about doing the right thing. Perhaps a smooth world favored those without rough edges, but those lacking perseverance would never reach the top.

Sean may not have been at that level, but he didn't want to be a deserter. He didn't want to give up without trying. If a woman like Naomi could persevere, why couldn't he?

Thus, he began taking more proactive steps and remained vigilant, knowing that opportunities are granted to those who are prepared.

**********

[Paramount Studio]

"What on earth is happening? Didn't we discuss this before? Filming is about to start, and now he tells me there's a scheduling conflict! Who does he think he is?" Eric Reese, a middle-aged man with a beard, bellowed angrily in a corner of Paramount's studio, one of the seven major film companies.

"Calm down, Eric," an assistant standing next to him raised his hands, attempting to pacify him.

"Calm down? So many people here waiting for that kid, waiting for his call, and now he says he can't make it! How can I calm down?" Eric continued to shout.

"Perhaps we can shoot other scenes first or make adjustments to the script. The plot doesn't have any conflicts," suggested another man, the director of the TV series.

"Forget about it!" Eric categorically rejected the idea.

"But... we're working on a tight schedule, Mr. Reese," another assistant cautioned.

"Then find an immediate replacement!" Eric Reese vigorously waved his hand before striding toward the resting area of the extras. "Listen up, does anyone here speak Italian?"

As he made his way there, a slight commotion stirred among the crowd. Although the words were indistinct, everyone observed the situation attentively. Yet, even after the request was made, the individuals who were eager to try, displayed hesitant expressions. This was Los Angeles, and finding extras who could speak Spanish wouldn't be a problem, but Italian... was a different story.

Reese asked again, raising his eyebrow with a tinge of annoyance.

Then, from the crowd, a hand went up. "I can, sir."

Surprise filled the air.

"You can? How proficient are you?" Reese inquired in Italian, paying no attention to the circumstances.

"Not bad, sir. I had an Italian girlfriend in high school, so I learned a lot from her. I can hold a conversation without any issues and even write some less complicated sentences," the guy introduced himself in Italian.

Reese motioned for him to come forward and perform a few turns. The young man displayed neither a modest nor an arrogant expression, impressing Reese with his cooperation.

"Alright, what's your name?"

"Sean, Sean Tang, sir."

"Very well, Sean. I have an important supporting role for you. Do you have an agent? Excellent, have them come over to sign the contract!"