The Kiss that Sparked it All

“Even I’m not immune to the reality of the business. My work is crafted for the public eye, not for solitary self-admiration. I need the masses to see it, to witness my talent, my draw. Without the audience’s support, how can I expect to secure future projects? I realize you might not be fully receptive to what I’m saying right now, but just keep in mind that this isn’t necessarily a bad thing. As for the rest, you’ll have to mull it over on your own.” This is from NôvelDrama.Org.

It was the first time Colton had opened up to Ivy like this, sharing his own concerns. He cared about staying in the limelight, and if it mattered to him, it was even more critical for

the other actors.

Ivy nodded and said, “Don’t worry, Colton. I’ll give it some thought.”

“You don’t need to worry about me. I just hope you don’t get stuck in a rut.”

We’ve seen it happen before. There was an actor blessed with talent and charisma right from the start. Along with his skills came the spotlight, but he became arrogant, disregarding his fans and the audience. Now, he’s faded into obscurity. It’s a harsh truth to swallow, and though others tried to work with him, in the end, no one was willing to back him. As time passed, directors and scripts stopped coming his way.

Every director knows he owes his livelihoods to the audience. Without their favor, what actors would go to him?

#

Ivy fell silent, pondering deeply. Perhaps she did need a new perspective. She had advantages others could only dream of, and maybe she could leverage her current popularity to do something meaningful.

On the day of the fan meet-and-greet, Ivy’s newly founded studio was buzzing with a especially Evadne. She took this fan event very seriously.

Initially, when Balfour assigned her to be Ivy’s agent, she was less than thrilled. Just another up-and- coming actress, she thought, hardly worth her time.

But after working with Ivy, Evadne began to feel like she’d hit the jackpot. Ivy was a promising talent, and under her guidance, she could become a superstar. Success hinges on the right timing, location, and people. Ivy had it all, lacking only the right management. Given time, Evadne was confident she could rise to the top as the nation’s premier agent through Ivy’s success.

Ivy rolled out of bed at the crack of dawn, 5 am sharp, quietly as to not disturb Balfour. But despite her stealth, Balfour’s eyes fluttered open, and he propped himself up.

She kissed his cheek softly and said, “Go back to sleep. It’s still early. I’ll get ready.”

Balfour shook his head, pulling her back for a kiss, “I’ll join you.”

08-15

He wouldn’t miss this important event.

But Balfour wasn’t just a leisurely executive; his company needed him. Being a CEO isn’t as laid-back as some might think, and Ivy felt for him.

As Ivy brushed her teeth, Balfour nuzzled her neck, taking in deep breaths, regaining his energy. She giggled at his affectionate antics.

“Alright, take your time getting ready. I’ll have Edward take you to the venue later. I’ll head to the studio.”

Balfour just nodded. As the star of the show, Ivy was understandably swamped, and he knew better than to keep her from her responsibilities.

Ivy, bare-faced, ran through the rehearsal with the crew to ensure the lighting and special effects were on point before retreating to the dressing room to start her makeup.