The Tycoon's Odyssey

Have you ever felt like stepping on a landmine unknowingly?

That's how Evan was feeling now.

"You aren't kidding me, are you?"Evan's voice carries a heavy solemnity.

If asking him to act wasn't a bombshell, Suri said that he had to be one who had to do this no matter what.

Looking at Evan's jaw opened a shocked expression, a hint of amusement shone in her eyes that made her chuckle but she tried to act professional.

"We are not...You are the one who had the role?"

"Seriously, are you two pranking me now?"Evan's eyes became sharp and his gaze interchanged with Aria who gave him a dumbfounded look.

"Did you know this?"

"How can I? I know nothing," Aria refuted firmly but for some reason, her eyes were saying something else and Evan was sure about it.

Suppressing the evil side screaming in his head, Evan decided to confront calmly.

"What exactly is going on here? How did it come to this?"

Suri nodded expecting Evan to question and decided to enlighten him.

"First thing, my team searched for an artist but not many were unwilling to take up this minor role. Truthfully the budget was a bit less but the main crux was that no one wanted to work for an unknown brand."

Evan's eyes furrowed, asking what did it have to do with me.

"I was on a call with Maria who muttered playfully that you could play the role. That's when our team was struck with this idea."

"What idea?"Evan raised his brows to pry further.

"You know how the case increased both our fame and popularity. People are under the impression that we two are like enemies and you managed to get out of hand, must have angered you?"

"So?"Evan asked with palpable tension.

"So just imagine everyone's reaction when they see two people whom they least expected to see. The two who should have been at each other's throats are now acting for an ad. Secondly, you are tall, handsome , good , and elegant, and as for acting, you just need to act natural. It's just a small scene with a few lines. Also, Maria gave the go."

Evan didn't know if he should be angry with these two girls for putting his face online or feel happy and flustered about the praise.

Just as he was contemplating, he heard a loud voice from Suri manager Martha who seemed to have appeared out of nowhere.

"Boy act as if you want or don't. But please make your choice quickly as we need to find a suitable role. However, in that case, you will miss a good opportunity."

Evan took a deep breath and stared at Suri who's eyes locked onto him expressing her eagerness to shoot with him.

He could even see stars shooting at him that were screaming in his ears to accept it.

'Why the hell is she so eager than me?'

Fame....Of course, he wants fame and a reputation.

He never wanted to hide and play a manipulation game one side to the point no one knew who this random prick was when he walked on the road.

Still, it felt awkward and embracing.

Martha observing Evan's frozen expression clicked her tongue in displeasure, "He isn't doing that. He is too weak to act..."

"Who said that? I agree...Of course I will.'

'Damn! I wasn't even this flustered when a bastard put a knife on my neck.'

....

Evan reluctantly read through the script, quietly cursing to himself. The setting was a busy office, filled with desks covered in papers and colleagues chatting. His character's task was straightforward.

That was to deliver a cup of coffee to the office boss every day but this time he needed to give her tea.

"AHHHH!"

Evan ruffled his hair in agony, almost tearing the script.

"Simple...Is this what she meant by simple?

"I am sure these two girls are taking revenge several times."

Evan raised his hand to rub his hair when a man beside him grabbed his hand.

"Sir please stop messing up your hair. You are destroying it and it would also make it hard for us to work.."

"Ha!" Evan sighed heavily and decided to quiet down seeing the man's earnest gaze.

As Evan rehearsed the short dialogue in his head, he chuckled at the irony. Accustomed to high-stakes situations, he now had to portray a moment of simple kindness in an office.

Taking a breath, Evan decided to embrace the challenge.

...

Evan entered the bustling shooting location, filled with crew members setting up lights and cameras. The atmosphere buzzed making Evan feel more nervous than ever. He kept to himself, trying to calm his nerves as he awaited his turn.

Just before the shoot, Suri approached him with a reassuring smile. "Best of luck, Evan. You've got this," she said warmly, patting his shoulder before retreating to her position.

Moments later, the director called Evan over, providing him with last-minute details. "Alright, Evan, here's the scene. You'll take a cup of tea and enter the office where the boss is seated. Keep it natural, and remember, the focus is on the interaction," the director explained, gesturing towards the office set.

Evan nodded, his palms slightly sweaty as he took the prop cup of tea. He walked towards the office set, steeling himself for the task ahead. As he stepped through the doorway, his heart skipped a beat when he saw Suri, sitting regally behind the desk, embodying the cold, icy persona of the boss.

His nerves spiked, but he maintained his composure still Evan's heart almost jolted out.

Till now, all he had seen was a cheerful and amusing girl so what the hell was this?

Suri's eyes seemed to pierce straight into his soul. It was chilly and haunted that in no way looked like an act rather it looked like her real persona.

'Is this the effect of charisma...She looked dazzling.'

He could feel the weight of everyone's gaze on him, amplifying his unease. Taking a deep breath, he focused on delivering his lines naturally but just as he opened his lips, a scream erupted from behind

[Cut]

Then came the loud howling of a director.

"Evan, what are you doing standing there like a frozen statue?"You need to act nonchalant after all since she is your boss, it's not the first time seeing her."

"But your expression shows too much shock."