69 His Problem is Now My Problem
“Yes, we have seen parts of the script before accepting the offer for EROS to star in the movie. Regarding the issue...” Mark began inquiring once again about the issue mentioned.
I was starting to see the issue that he wanted to discuss now because if I remembered correctly, EROS’s problem was...
“Honestly, we’re not sure if EROS can adequately express deep love, desperate longing, and passion on screen. I know that EROS has been successful in many movies prior to this but they were all action movies,” the director raised his concern.
“What do I have to do to prove that I am capable of taking on the role?” EROS asked.
I was so shocked that he actually spoke that I almost gasped out loud. EROS sounded serious and I could tell that he was determined to get casted in this movie no matter what.
“There’s a new scene that the scriptwriter just adapted for me. Of course, it’s a love scene. I’ll pass the script onto you, and I want you to act it out for me. That’s all,” the director said simply.
“Sure. I think that’s fair. I would like us to proceed with the work without any doubts or worries as well,” EROS readily agreed.
He sounded so confident that for a moment I believed that the whole ‘EROS cannot act love scenes or knows nothing about love’ crap that his manager had spoken about was all bull.
“Well then, please contact me when you’re ready for this mini audition,” the director said, clearly pleased.
.....
After that the director discussed his potential co-star who would play the female lead and his future plans on production. Soon after the conversation came to a close and we walked the director to the elevator.
“Thank you for coming all this way to meet us. I’ll be sure to contact you soon regarding the date for our next meeting,” Mark said before he shook the director’s hand firmly.
“No problem. I hope things turn out well. I am looking forward for an opportunity to work with the famous EROS,” the director said with a firm nod of his head.
...
“Why did you readily accept such a request without consulting me first?” Mark asked as he rubbed his temples with his hand.
Mark was clearly distressed by the outcome of the meeting while EROS seemed unfazed and unaffected by it all. The three of us sat at the meeting table after returning back there. The director and his assistant had left for the day.
“Umm...is it that bad?” I asked in a small voice.
“It is!” Mark thundered.
“It’s not...” EROS countered bluntly.
Mark and EROS gave conflicting replies at the exact same time. Mark rolled his eyes and took in a deep breath while EROS still acted as if the whole ordeal didn’t really concern him.
“You can’t do it, can you? You can’t act out a love scene. Yet you went ahead and accepted the director’s proposal for you to act it out...” Mark said in frustration.
“You’re right, I probably can’t do it right now. Not up to the standard that he’s looking for anyways,” EROS replied matter-of-factly.
“Then? What are you going to do? Make a fool out of yourself in front of him so that he can go look for another actor to fill the role instead of you? Argh...how am I going to explain this to the President?” Mark complained, sounding hopeless.
“A week,” EROS said.
“What?” Mark asked in confusion.
“I said that I probably can’t do it right now but if I’m given a week, I’m sure that I can pull it off,” EROS stated with certainty.
“How? Are you sure? It’s so risky...the best way is for the president to talk to the producers directly...and then they’ll cast you without you having to go through that mini audition or whatever...” Mark said, sounding very desperate.
“Even if I got in that way, if I can’t live up to the director’s expectations, the shoot won’t go well. The project is going to fail at a later date anyways,” EROS argued and I had to say that he was making a lot of sense.
I hated to admit it but I’m starting to take EROS’s side in this conversation. He was right, if he can’t do it now then it’ll just cause a problem for everyone later on. We have to figure out whether he can do it or not before the casting is finalized and the shooting starts.
“Pray tell me. What are you going to do? We’ve made you take so many acting classes and it didn’t get you very far on the romantic scenes. What can you do in a week’s time?” Mark challenged as he frowned at EROS.
“That’s Elena’s problem,” EROS said as he pointed a finger in my direction.
My problem?
“What? Sorry...I don’t follow...” I said in pure confusion.
“You’re my contract girlfriend, right?” EROS asked rhetorically.
“Well...Yes...” I replied hesitantly.
“Then teach me. Teach me how to love,” EROS said before smiling his screen-perfect smile at me.
“I...” I said hesitantly as my throat suddenly felt very dry.
“Are you scared? You can back out now if you want...” EROS teased as his eyes challenged me.
EROS’s golden eyes held mine and I couldn’t look away. It felt like the world had stopped spinning and time had stopped ticking. It felt like we were the only ones in the room. I knew with certainty that this challenge wouldn’t lead to anything pretty. I knew that I was playing with a fire that was about to go out of control. I knew all that but still...
“Of course not. Let’s do this,” I said as I reached out a hand across the table towards him for a handshake.
EROS smiled a very seductive smile at me before his hand reached out and took mine. With his eyes staring deeply into mine, instead of shaking my hand, he pulled my hands up to his lips and kissed the back of it tenderly.
And this was the guy who couldn’t act out a romantic scene. What a rotten joke...
–To be continued...
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