Be Your Lover Forever (Alicia)

The conversation between Chet and Candice caught Frederick's eye the minute he stepped out of the hotel room. He looked over at them while he moved towards the door with Paula and the others.

He pulled Alicia forwards before they took a seat. As soon as they sat down, Candice gave him a slanted gaze and asked with a guilty yet flattering tone like a deflated ball.

"My dear Frederick, is she really Ally?"

"She looks rather ravishing after a haircut! Oh my... My granddaughter-in-law is truly a beauty!"

"It's true, you've really changed dramatically! There's really a distinct difference... You honestly can't blame an old lady like me! I'm getting older and my vision is dim-sighted... Well, you could've told me earlier!"

Candice muttered to herself with an obvious sense of guilt.

Chet had given her a brief explanation earlier, but she was probably overwhelmed with her own thoughts at that moment and none of it went into her mind. It was at that very second she realized that she had made a mistake!

Frederick gave her a long and bitter look as a response to her words.

"Pfft" Alicia couldn't help but chuckle. She turned towards Candice and greeted her, "It's been a while since I last saw you, Grandma. I've missed you so much!"

Candice's eyes were flushed red as soon as she heard this familiar voice, "Oh Ally, you're still alive!

I mean... Of course you are! Promise me that you'll take care of yourself from now on, all right?"

She extended her hands towards Alicia, who moved a few seats closer to her grandmother-in-law on the sofa. As she held her hands, both of them released deep breaths.

"Thank God, my prayers have been answered! You look slimmer, Ally, and you too, Frederick! I'm genuinely glad that everyone is fine..." "I'm deeply sorry for worrying you this much, Grandma!"

Alicia knew that Candice was merely worried about her grandson, but her hard work paid off with such great concern that came from her grandmother-in-law, and that meant everything to her.

The duo continued with their tittle-tattle and they both teared up again shortly after. Watching them from aside, Frederick simply remained quiet. It was only when both of them had regained their calmness that he finally spoke up.

"Grandma, who gave you this silly idea? It's fine to pay us a visit, but did you really have to call the reporters too? Besides, hasn't my reputation been ruined far enough? Would my grandmother honestly do that?"

"Hmph!" Candice exclaimed coldly as she turned around.

"Would you even be aware if I didn't make a big fuss out of it? Aren't you afraid of following the Rudolph family's footsteps since you're so close to random women? Haven't you heard that men are d*mned to be in the wrong business, just as women are condemned to marry the wrong person?! How would I not be worried about you if you're staying in a hotel when you own so many properties?"

"Don't judge a book by its cover! Any hotel that's decent or luxurious is usually messed up on the inside with all the customers' attitudes. What were you even thinking?! To spend the night here alone is fine, but why did you drag Ally along? Moreover, you've been staying here for half a month! You cold-hearted young man, were you planning to keep this a secret from me?"

In an instant, she simmered down as Alicia held her hand.

"Fortunately, I came here to clear things up. Otherwise, I'd be tortured to death with my little insecure and hesitative heart! Don't worry, I won't be meddling in your affairs anytime soon, be it a business trip or your hotel getaways!"

Seeing that his grandmother was actually worried for him, he immediately swallowed his words back.

Once everything was tidied up, the three of them had a late but lovely reunion dinner together before Frederick and Alicia drove his grandmother home.

On the other side, Danica had woken

up early and was preparing for her audition. She missed her lunch due to the day's hectic schedule and even rushed to multiple places in one go. A large-scale production was set up at the front while

countless candidates had li

up

for the audition. She was completely lost as she was caught in the audition's overwhelming

atmosphere. She wasn't aware that the audition had ended even after she came out from the audition room. She felt a sense of competitiveness and a deep pressure that she had never

experienced before.

to

She was exhausted from her entire day of hustle and bustle for her audition. She even had to pay another studio a visit later at four o'clock.

It was the same for this other studio, she had to wait in line for her turn as familiar faces from the previous audition passed by her.

Right then, she was very excited as she looked at her ticket number. "Number 6! I'm finally not getting that unlucky number 4 anymore!"

The flashbacks of her tragic experiences with those makeup artists were distressing. There were some breath-choking moments where she was utterly disgusted by the makeup they did for her.

"Could you act more professional? Don't look at me, face the camera! Don't you know we're already on air?! Geez, get your head into the show! How did you even pass the first audition?"

"Are you sure you're twenty-two this year? You look like someone who's in their thirties, just take a look at your own sagging skin!"

"My goodness, don't you know you look ugly? Seriously, at this point, anyone could be a star! Young lady, you aren't fit to be in this industry. Next, please!"

"That's all for today! Please come over earlier next time for those who are lining up at the back!"

Danica's eyes inadvertently turned towards her dry and thin hands as she fell into deep thoughts. "Am I really that hard to look at?"

At this moment, the mirror slightly wobbled and Danica noticed two young beauties with tight and youthful skin who passed by. Unwittingly, she covered herself and lowered her head. All of a sudden, a laughing voice came from the side,

"Hey, do you think they'll ever notice that I'm actually just sixteen this year? Would I honestly be disqualified for this?"

"Of course not! They didn't specify

the requirements on the advertisement that the leading role had to be an adult! Plus, we skipped school for this audition! We mustn't go back empty-handed! It'll be a quick buck for us if we got through the audition! Besides, it shouldn't be tough to get a legal guardian to accompany us! Would any of our parents say no when it comes to money?"

"That's true! Apart from that, aren't they fond of youngsters in this industry? Lilian and the others even spent the night out for this!"

"Exactly, we should definitely get ourselves into thick prominent makeup! After all, this is an established media company! It should be legit with such a big announcement on their job vacancy. I'm certain we came to the right place."

Danica's heart dropped to her stomach as she overheard their muttering conversation, "They aren't even eighteen yet?"

"Is this industry really that competitive these days? Time really makes it inevitable for the younger generations to take over the industry!" She thought

to herself. She was uncertain whether her time was over or not for a woman of her age.

In an instant, her mood sank to the bottom, and a gloomy and resentful look appeared on her face.

Shortly, it was her turn for the

audition. Danica went into the room with an obscure feeling despite the fact that there wasn't a big crowd of applicants at this audition. Before the official beginning of the audition,

she started losing faith in herself. When her time came, she casually sang a song for her audition program.

As she ended her performance with the last note, there were echoes of whispers that came from the table of judges. Right then, Danica realized that the judges were having a serious discussion regarding her performance. Unlike her previous auditions, the judges seemed to be fond of her singing

this time around.

"Could it be... Is this it?"

It was at this moment that she was greatly caught up with frustration and regrets. She would have done her best if she knew that this would happen! All she could do was to clench her fist and bow with her brightest smile.

As expected, the assistant came to Danica before she could even warm up her chair. "Good job, Miss Turner. Our director is impressed by your brilliant performance. Would it be convenient for you to discuss further matters now?"

"Yes, of course! Thank you for this opportunity!"All content © N/.ôvel/Dr/ama.Org.

The assistant led her into the hall. It was then that a shadowy figure passed by with a breeze that swiped across their faces. At that moment, Danica had a bad feeling in her that arose from the bottom of her stomach...