Chapter 116
Just the thought of Calvin always stirred a lingering sense of unease within Loretta. After all, up until now, the former had never truly “touched” her.
However, no matter what, she was the official girlfriend of Calvin now.
As for Rosalie, Loretta would ensure she understood the meaning of “prosperity and decline never last.” Back then, when she had begged Rosalie for help, the latter refused. Now, she would ensure the latter comprehended the consequences of saying “no” and the price she would pay!
Before the official shooting began, Samuel had the group rehearse twice. During the rehearsal, Rosalie did not spot Yvette. Instead, it was Yvette’s stand in who helped her with her positioning.
However. Loretta did not have her stand in help with her positioning. Instead, she personally took the stage and stood beside the male lead.
In that film. Loretta played the role of the second female lead, who was the male lead’s mistress. She had several scenes with Yvette.
Initially. Calvin gave Loretta a few scripts to choose from, and she directly chose that particular film.
At that time, Calvin even added, “I thought you would choose a female lead role. This is just the second female lead.”
“But this film is a major production. The director is well-known, and the male lead has won the best actor award twice. The female lead. Yvette, is currently very popular. Being part of such a film crew, even as the second feinale lead, is better than being the female lead in other low-budget TV series!” That was how Loretta responded at that time.
Yet, only Loretta herself understood that those were just excuses. She joined this production solely to hold her head high in front of Yvette.
In the beginning. Yvette did not hold Loretta in high regard at all! When she went to plead with Zachary for a role, Yvette treated her with a bad attitude.
Now, Loretta was determined to make Yvette realize that even if she was just acting as the second female lead in this film, she could still overshadow the latter, the female lead.
However, to her surprise. Rosalie became a background actor as well!
The fact that Loretta could hold her head high in front of the two brought her immense satisfaction and joy.
Just as the second rehearsal was coming to an end and Samuel was preparing for the official shoot, Loretta suddenly spoke up. “Mr. Gardner, I think the kneeling scene just now didn’t look very uniform.”
“Not uniform?” Samuel paused for a moment, slightly taken aback. He thought it was all right, considering they were just background actors. It was impossible to expect them to be perfectly uniform like soldiers.
“Yes, not uniform. I feel like it affects the visual appeal. How about they kneel a few more times to practice being more in sync? I don’t mind practicing with them if it’s for a better outcome in the end,” Loretta said in a dedicated manner, seemingly for the sake of the production’s quality.
Although Samuel found Loretta’s sudden request puzzling, he could not afford to offend her, given that she was the new girlfriend of Calvin. At least for now, he had to try his best to meet her demands.
So, at Samuel’s command, the background actors once again got down on their knees.
Naturally, Rosalie also knelt and lowered her head along with the rest of the group.
Especially at that moment, Loretta intentionally positioned herself in front of Rosalie, almost as if the latter was kneeling and bowing to her.
Rosalie understood Loretta’s actions were deliberate. However, it seemed even Samuel was consciously going along with Loretta’s suggestions. Unless she was willing to forgo the extra pay, she would have to continue to follow orders.
Thinking about the unpaid medical expenses for Wilma that were still owed to Lillian, Rosalie gritted her teeth and kept reminding herself to persevere.
Although Rosalie knew Lillian would not rush her to repay the money, she already owed the latter quite a bit. She could not keep accumulating debt like that.
Again and again, Rosalie knelt down, bowed, and then stood up, repeating the cycle over and over.
Meanwhile, the other background actors around her were getting increasingly restless and uneasy as they repeated the process of kneeling. Some even started complaining loudly, demanding extra payment for enduring that ordeal.
Seeing the background actors becoming more and more agitated, Samuel had Jenny go over and inquire about Loretta’s
intentions.
Upon seeing that, Loretta pretended to ponder and suggested, “How about this? I think this person is doing quite well. Her posture is quite standard, and she’s timing it perfectly. Why not have her demonstrate to the other background actors? They
can watch closely, understand, and then practice. It would save them from getting so tired.”
The person Loretta was referring to was Rosalie.
“But I’m not sure if this background actor is willing to demonstrate for everyone. After all, this will make her more tired than the others.” Loretta added and appeared considerate of the other person’s well-being.
“What’s there to be unwilling about? Adding extra payment should solve the issue, Jenny responded enthusiastically. Most of all, tiring out one background actor was still better than tiring out a whole group of them.
If all those background actors were to go on strike suddenly, it would not only be difficult to find a replacement for so many people at once, but it could also potentially lead to disturbances.
Just having one person kneel and bow would indeed be much easier.
So, Jenny asked Rosalie to step forward and directly offered her an additional 40 dollars to demonstrate. She explained that if the latter refused, even the base pay for the day would be forfeited due to breach of contract.
Rosalie looked at Loretta, who was standing a few steps away and felt her smile glaringly bright.
Rosalie knew Loretta did that on purpose. The idea of a demonstration was just meant to embarrass her further. However, now, earning 65 dollars for the day was already quite significant for her.
Moreover, Rosalie’s knees had long become accustomed to bending. She had endured much greater humiliation during her time in prison. Kneeling and bowing like this now was actually much better than the torment she had endured back then.
Rosalie’s gaze fixed firmly beyond the assistant director, locking onto Loretta’s eyes. Then, her lips slowly curled into a
faint. smile as she responded with utmost certainty, “Sure, I’ll kneel”
Rosalie walked straight up to Loretta. The former’s face displayed an expression of calmness, devoid of sadness or happiness. She simply asked the latter in a calm tone, “Are we starting the demonstration for everyone here?”
Loretta stuttered for a moment before replying. ‘Ah… Yes!”
After all, Rosalie’s response was different from what Loretta had expected. At the very least, there should be humiliation, reluctance, or perhaps a mix of sorrow and anger in the former’s reaction.
Only in that way could Loretta feel triumphant and revel in the fact that she had the upper hand in front of Rosalie.
Yet, now Rosalie demonstrated the kneeling and bowing process with a perfectly standard posture and a blank expression. There was no room for criticism, but Loretta also felt a complete absence of the satisfaction she had anticipated.
It was as if she, Loretta, was the one being embarrassed and humiliated! She simmered with inner resentment and thought, “Fine! Since Rosalie wants to become a robot, then I shall have her kneel to my heart’s content!
Seated in the air-conditioned room, Yvette listened as Colleen described the scene on set. The latter had even captured. Rosalie kneeling on her phone and handed it to Yvette to look at.
