章節 16: Actor / 3.7&8 : Family is like quicksand
"It's the same as last week I think that we should be more open regarding our accepting policies."
Alaric looked at his head of talent acquisition expressionlessly. Before he could say something the door opened. Who would bother them in the middle of the department meeting? He was surprised to see Eden come and lean against the wall near the door. He met his eyes and Eden smiled, Alaric nodded then he looked at the man who was talking before.
When he saw that he was looking at Eden like everyone else at that meeting he asked curtly:
"What were you saying?"
The man immediately looked at him and he said:
"There's more than models, actors, and singers. There are a lot of other celebrities with a big presence on the internet. They make a lot of money and we could represent them, it would be extremely lucrative for Rgency."
The other heads of departments seemed to agree with his words.
"I..."
"I think it's a terrible idea."
Everyone looked at Eden dumbstruck. Even if he is Alaric's son he never set foot in the agency before and more importantly, he is signed at Zephyr Talent as if his father's agency is beneath him. Alaric just looked at him silently.
Eden looked at the man who had proposed the idea and said:
"Rgency shouldn't represent every moron who gained followers by going viral. Not only would it lower the agency's status but those big names that you represent would leave the ship. Why would a big actor or singer want to be signed in the same place as any random person from the street? If anyone can be represented by Rgency it doesn't make it special anymore and who wants to be normal?"
They all felt that Eden's points were valid.
Alaric tilted his head surprised. Even if Eden is his son he doesn't know much about him. He knows that he graduated but it's not like he's seen any of his report cards or any homework. He would have a teacher on every set and that's it. Every time he would come home from work he would be in his room. He's always been independent since he was little so they didn't feel the need to police him.
He knows it's a big mistake on their part or he wouldn't feel the need to act out by hurting Storm to be noticed. He knew it was too good to be true when Eden said with a mocking smile:
"Except you know, old people like you guys."
Eden looked at his father and he said:
"I'll meet you in your office."
Alaric nodded and Eden looked at him his eyes flashing with amusement.
He left for his office with a smile on his face. He didn't think Alaric was like that, the quiet strength type. He is like Eden he has a cold personality and not a lot of things touch him except that Eden hides it behind a smile and a careless attitude. He likes to see people snap and he's determined to make his father snap. When he enters a universe he just found out what he has been through and how he died period. He likes discovering new things like in the previous universe, he had no idea that the Emperor had a twin brother.
It makes it more fun and exciting so he doesn't find out about every person's personality. But this time he knows that it's his past life and it feels different. Maybe it's a good thing he doesn't know he doesn't want to get too invested. When he arrived in front of the office he saw that it was closed and he had to tap a six-number code. He used Versem looking at Alaric tapping the code the last time he opened his office. He tapped the code a little surprised.
When the meeting ended Alaric went to his office. He was surprised to see that Eden was already in it. He opened the door and saw that he was sitting behind the desk using his cellphone his feet up. He closed the door and he took a seat in front of the desk and he asked:
"What can I do for you?"
Eden looked up and he asked with an amused smile:
"You haven't seen me in 3 years and this is what you ask?"
Alaric tilted his head again assessing Eden. No matter how long he looked at him he could feel that something was different about him. He looked like the person Storm would describe to them rather than the person he pretended to be. Eden has always been shy and introverted that's why he and Colton were surprised when he said that he wanted to become an actor.
So when Storm would tell him all the terrible things he said or did they would have a hard time believing him until the day they caught him red-handed. But even after that day, he would still act shy and look down when they would yell at him. It angered him that he would pretend to be someone he wasn't but now at least he doesn't hide. Still, something feels wrong, he can't explain it. Every time he looks at him he thinks about that day. He was in the living room and Eden joined him, he took a seat next to him and he asked out of the blue: what's your dream?
He doesn't know why but he told him the truth that he wanted to open his talent agency. He asked Eden if it was his dream to act and he said it is. He had already been acting for a moment and he wanted to make sure he hadn't changed his mind. They spoke for an hour and he never felt closer to him until the next day he said the most terrible things to Storm again. A year later he gave him a huge check and he told him to open his agency.
He told him that there was no point since he had no connection and attaching his name to it would be the worst thing. He jokingly said if it was under his name then it would work and Eden immediately said that then that's what they'll do. Every step of the way he thought that at some point he would back out but he never did even when he would yell at him for treating Storm terribly. He kept investing money in the agency until it was self-sustainable.
Eden was surprised when Alaric asked out of nowhere:
"Do you hate me?"
Eden narrowed his eyes, it made him angry. His he seriously turning things around?
"You and Colton are the stupidest person I've ever met no wonder Storm takes you for fools."
Alaric didn't react which further angered him. He said with a mocking smile:
"I expected that from Colton he is an Omega but you're an Alpha. Where's your pride?"
Eden smiled when Alaric's eyes turned red and his pheromones invaded the office.
Alaric looked down angrier than he had ever been in a long time. He couldn't calm down but he looked up worried about Eden. He is an omega and he doesn't want to hurt him. Eden was surprised to see the worry in his eyes, he decided to see how far it would go. He started to breathe heavily and Alaric looked at him wide-eyed. He stood up walking to him but he stopped when he realized that being closer to Eden would only make things worst. He took a few deep breaths to calm down and he was finally able to withdraw his pheromones.
He looked at Eden worried. Eden looked at him angrily then he stood up and left. Alaric frowned, does he think he wanted to hurt him? He held his wrist but he let go when Eden looked at him furiously. His aura was frightening for an omega, he took a step back and lifted his hands.
"I just wanted to make sure you're okay."
"I stop having parents when I was hospitalized, you can stop acting as if you care."
The moment they decided to pull the plug on him to save Storm was the moment they stopped being his parents. Eden left slamming the door behind him.
When the elevator's door closed his hands tightened into fists. He looked at his wrist lost. When he was close to the ground floor he put on his usual smile. His bodyguards immediately stood in front of him, he took a few pictures with the people who had seen him entering and waited for him and got in the car.
Alaric looked at him leave from his window. He took a seat his head down. Not only does he hate him but he thinks he would ever do something to hurt him. He swallowed with difficulty and he went back to work.
Storm was looking around on set waiting for Eden. When he saw him he ran to him.
"Hey, I just..."
Before he finished Eden pushed him and he fell. Storm stayed on the floor stunned, he never thought Eden would dare lay a hand on him but he did. He looked around but unfortunately, no one had seen him being pushed. He stood up in rage. This is all Rune's fault, he still hasn't got Eden to sign the paper. He needs to talk to him.
Eden was seated on his chair sending a text. He had his make-up and costume on. He looked up when the door of his dressing room opened. Rune smiled.
"They are ready for you."
Eden nodded. Rune took a step forward looking at the papers. He could see that they were notarized.
"Do you need me to send those papers?"
He could see that Eden seemed hesitant.
"Can you just keep them safe?"
Rune smiled.
"Sure."
Eden smiled back at him and he looked at him leave for set. When he was gone he looked at the papers. This is exactly what Storm has been looking for.
When Storm finished for the day he pulled Rune to the closet.
"What's going on? Why hasn't Eden signed the paper yet?"
Rune looked back feeling complicated. He is having doubts about this whole thing. What if Eden finds out? He won't want to be with him and now that he tasted what it's like to have him around as a friend he wants more. He has what Storm wants but he shouldn't give it to him.
"I tried everything but I couldn't."
Storm looked at him furiously and he left. He should've known he couldn't count on him. He'll just go through with his plan without it. Just the fact that Eden dared push him shows that he changed and that he would be capable of hurting him. He just needs to have someone witness his bad behavior before so everyone will believe he is responsible when the accident happens. His eyes light up, he could just invite his mother on set. He knows that Eden won't resist insulting him like that when he is hurt his mother will believe that Eden did it.
Eden finished dressing and he was about to open the door but Luka did. He entered and closed the door behind him. Eden could tell that he was uncomfortable but he just looked at him expressionlessly waiting for him to speak.
Luka smiled and he asked:
"Do you want to meet tonight?"
"No."
He wasn't surprised by Eden's answer. He could feel all day that ge was angry.
He took a step forward and he asked:
"What happened?"
Eden narrowed his eyes at him.
"This is none of your business don't mistake this for something it isn't."
Eden bypassed him and left.
Luka looked at the closed door his eyes flashing with pain. He knew that it wouldn't be easy to have Eden but he didn't think it would hurt this much. He was clear that he didn't want a relationship but he hoped that Eden my catch feelings for him after their night together. He did even before when he's never cared for anyone before.
He's the only person Eden has been with he said so himself and he was hoping that it would make him want to get close to him but it was just sex to him. No matter what he won't give up Eden has to be his mate. Luka's eyes flashed with determination.
Colton got in the car for the set. When he arrived a man was waiting for him.
"Hello."
"Hello, Storm sent me."
Colton smiled and he followed him. When he arrived Storm immediately ran to him.
He gave him a hug with a gentle smile.
"I'm so happy you'll be able to see me act."
"Me too sweetie."
"I should go my scene is in two minutes, you can sit here."
Colton nodded and he took a seat.
He didn't want to come but he knows how much it means to Storm so he did. He never cared for all of this, he feels like it's part of what changed Eden so much. He didn't want Storm to become an actor but then he cried and said that only Eden gets to follow his dream and he had to give in. He can't help but be worried that because of the fame and money he'll change. He wants him to stay the sweet and innocent Stormy he's always been. He looked at him play, the director had to ask him to redo the scene multiple times but his final take was good.
Storm ran to him and he asked excitedly:
"What did you think?"
Colton looked into his bright blue eyes with a smile.
"You were amazing."
Storm smiled.
"I'll go change for my next scene."
Colton nodded and he left. His breath hitched when he saw Eden coming to start his scene. He hasn't seen him since he came.
Eden took a seat on the canopy bed and waited for his cue. He knows Colton is here this is why he asked the director Arsen to film this particular scene.
"Action."
Lan Zhan sneaked into Wei Ying's room. He looked at him sitting on the bed sadly. He sat next to him.
"What's wrong?"
Wei Ying kept looking down and he asked:
"Is family important to you?"
"It is."
Wei Ying simply chuckled at that like it was a joke.
Lan Zhan asked:
"Don't you think so?"
Wei Ying finally met his eyes.
"I don't. To me family is like quicksand, the more you struggle to free yourself the faster you are sucked into your death."
Lan Zhan looked at him stunned. He can feel that he isn't close to his family but he didn't think he had such a sinister view of it.
"Your family loves you why would you say that?"
Wei Ying stood up and he looked out the window his hands behind his back.
"They don't love me they need me that's different."
"They need you because they don't want to be without you."
Wei Ying turned around laughing but quickly his eyes turned sad.
"Lan Zhan you're lucky. You have a family that genuinely loves you. Mine doesn't want me around but they have no choice. You know better than anyone what I do for them, they just use me, and when I won't be of any service anymore they'll toss me out."
Lan Zhan felt heartbroken seeing him like that. He stood up and pulled Wei Ying in his arms. Wei Ying hugged him with a smile.
"It's fine I'm used to it by now."
Despite saying that tears ran down his face. He asked his voice breaking:
"Why can't they have faith in me?"
Lan Zhan held him tighter.
"I have faith in you."
Colton felt his heart clench in pain. He felt that every word coming out of Eden was what he felt. Tears ran down his face but he quickly wiped them.
"Cut! It was perfect next scene."
He looked as Eden wiped his tears and left his eyes still sad. He stood up sitting somewhere where he wouldn't be seen. He watched Storm's last scene and he came to him.
"I'll get change then we can go."
"Okay."
He looked at Eden acting another scene.
Wei Ying was lying in his bed. He opened his eyes when he felt the bed slumping. He looked at XingChen wide-eyed.
"W-what are you doing here?"
XingChen looked at his rosy cheeks with a smile.
"I came to see you."
Wei Ying blinked not knowing what to say. After a while he said:
"You should come back tomorrow during the day."
XingChen said seductively:
"There are things that are better done at night, but we can do it tomorrow again."
Wei Ying looked at him stunned. Xingchen smiled and he got on top of him, he leaned in slowly to capture his lips.
Colton was about to look away but he was shocked when he saw the actor on top of Eden being tossed on the floor by Luka. Cillian looked at Luka stunned, what the hell is wrong with him? Before he could understand what happened Luka had a hand around his throat his feet hovering above the floor. Eden stood up walking to Luka.
Colton looked at him wide-eyed and he ran to get Eden. Storm held his wrist.
"What are you doing?"
Colton pulled his wrist and he ran to them. Before he could get too close he was already painting and breathing with difficulty.
Luka's pheromones could be felt from miles. He still tried to advance but he fell on his knees unable to bear it. He called weakly:
"Eden!"
Eden looked at him for a few seconds then he held Luka's face.
When he met his eyes he ordered:
"Let him go."
Luka didn't he just looked at Eden with red-rimmed eyes. Eden sighed.
"Gege let him go."
That call felt familiar and Luka let Cillian go. He withdrew his pheromones and everyone felt like they could breathe again. Storm ran to his mother and he knelt in front of him worried. Eden looked at Colton then Cillian who had taken a seat and was taking deep breaths. Luka immediately turned his head like he took solace in it. Eden said:
"You better not be on set next time we shoot those kinds of scenes."
Luka didn't say anything.
Eden looked at Cillian who was coughing but Luka turned his head again. Eden looked at him with a smile his eyes flashing in amusement. He asked:
"Gege how old are you?"
I get bored easily my ass! He can't even stand it when he looks at someone else. Luka smiled, he felt better seeing the smile on Eden. Cillian stood up coming to them and Luka immediately grabbed his hand.
Eden looked at their laced hands amused then Cillian and he asked:
"Are you okay?"
"I am."
He met Luka's eyes and he said:
"Just so you know I have a mate, he is the one who does your makeup."
This whole thing is crazy to him. Even if there are rumors about all the people Luka dates everyone knows that he is professional but he lost it just because he was on top of Eden. He read the script he knows that Eden stops him before something happens.
Luka looked down in shame. He couldn't help it, when he saw Eden underneath him he lost it. He knows it's acting but he couldn't stop himself. Eden is his he shouldn't look at someone else let alone be in that kind of position. He was already upset that he rejected him then to see him like that was too much.
When Eden saw Luka look down in shame he burst out laughing. That man is unbelievable, he acts like a tiger when he is more like a puppy. Luka looked at Eden and he smiled, he prefers to see him laugh than angry like the other day. Cillian smiled and he left.
Luka pulled a laughing Eden in his arms wanting to be close to him just for a few seconds.
"I'm sorry."
Eden smiled, he pulled back meeting his eyes. They both turned around when Storm yelled:
"Eden how could you laugh like that when mother almost got hurt trying to help you. Don't you care about your family?"
Luka should be jealous of him getting close to someone else, not Eden. What does he have that he doesn't?
Colton looked at Eden hurt when he asked expressionlessly:
"I don't. Why should I care about something I don't have?"
He turned around and left. He should stop hoping that one day he might see the light and come back to him. Eden hates him and it'll never change.
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