Chapter 11 Ava

• I look up at the building, wondering if this could be the right address for a casting audition, checking my phone just to be sure; ANNEX Hotel, conference hall.
• Cars honk as cross over to the front door and step into the hotel lobby, I ask the receptionist for directions and I make my way to the conference hall.
• The amount of stares I have gotten since I entered the building is enough to make me want to go back home.
• I do feel a bit misplaced here, well I didn’t exactly dress up for an audition but I couldn’t go back, change and make it on time, I didn’t know if I would have another chance.
• Some of them are working with an agent.
• Mr Shawn remembered me, I was a bit shocked when he called since it hadn’t been long since my request.
• I did forget about it when his actions insinuated otherwise, but it’s almost my turn to audition and I am glad he came through. I am not sure what this man will ask of me later but I hope it’s not my body.
• Who am I kidding it obviously is, but I might just be able to commit murder and get away with it.
• Ethan hasn’t called or texted, he said he would set up our schedule and email it to me
• _See, someone who actually uses his email_.
• I do wonder what he is into; we aren’t in a situation where conversations can steer that way. I bet he owns a business or works for a company.
• A man with a McLaren, his whole aura screams boss,
• whatever deciding to take my mind off it.
• I sit on the floor beside a lady as the chairs are filled.
• “HI, I’m Claire, “she says sipping a cup of coffee.
• “I’m Ava” I smile at her.
• “Coffee?” offering me a cup she kept beside her, I decline raising a questioning brow.
• “I am a bit nervous, coffee helps keep me focused” she explains and I nod.
• “How long have you been here?”
• “Since ten, “and she laughs at my widened eye.
• “I came early, like I said, I get nervous, love your eyes by the way,” she says complimenting me genuinely.
• “Thank you” I smile, that is my biggest selling point if you ask me, some people think they are contacts as my hair is naturally black and I remember being called a little weird cause of that I got actual contacts for it.
• The compliments were always questioning, now I just nod whenever asked if they are real.
• “Wait, aren’t you supposed to be done already?
• I'm guessing you were one of the first people here right.”
• “Well, I got my number switched...on purpose, I had to get extra coffee.”
• “You sure you going to be alright?”
• “Don't worry, I’m auditioning for Debby.”
• I would say I understand now as Debby’s character seems a little coo-coo.
• I stare at the short script I’m holding for the character Layla, she is strong-willed, it shouldn’t be much of a work but she is also very emotional, and talk about drama.
• I will have fun playing this character if I get the role.
• “Have you picked yet, no wait I can tell,“ she turns to me and stares.
• “Layla right,” she says and I want to laugh as she probably guessed that as I have been on Layla’s characters’ page.
• “Ava Parker” a staff calls out and I stand smiling at Claire as she wishes me good luck, I make my way inside the hall.
• “Miss Ava, what character are you auditioning for?”
• A young man sitting at a long desk with his colleagues beside him, two ladies on either side and an empty seat at the right end.
• “Layla” I reply putting on my biggest smile as I shake off the irritation.
• “The floor is yours” and I jump straight into character, putting all my emotions in the scene I picked and even giving myself a mental hug when the tears freefall at the end.
• “Thank you Miss Ava for that performance, we'll get back to you” an older lady gives me a small smile and I leave.
• I do have high hopes for this because they did look impressed but if talent was all it took I would be a star by now.
• _sigh_
• I am leaving the building and I do not see Claire anywhere hopefully she didn’t go out for more coffee.
• “Miss Ava.“ someone calls out.
• _Oh shit! What is he doing here?_
• Taking a deep breath as I turn to him.
• “Mr. Shawn” I muster up a smile.
• “How was your audition” he asks with a smug look on his face as he rubs his palms together.
• “It was okay, I just have to wait for the results, you know how this works.”
• “Yes, you know I had to slip in your name deadline” coming closer to me as if to whisper a secret.
• “I really do appreciate that, Mr. Shawn” I take a step back as his cologne makes me want to puke.
• “The role could end up being yours or not, it all depends on you.”
• This gets my attention, another man with a bargain.
• “You don’t even know the role I auditioned for.”
• “Does it matter" he smiles.
• “At least some professionalism Mr. Shawn, if you really have a say in the final results don’t you think it’s better not to be seen with a scout” I fold my hands.
• “We wouldn’t be seen, I already have everything planned out, there is a place downtown that we wouldn’t have to worry about that,” he says with a wink and I ball my hands into a fist.
• Do all men think all women are to be used, I take a deep breath as what I am about to say could as well cost me this role but fuck it.
• “I have a better idea” I start taking a step closer and will my nose close to the raging storm his cologne is causing in my respiratory organs
• he brings his ears closer.
• “Why not book a room right here and now Mr. Shawn, you are a very capable man and can afford a room here, we might as well get down to business so why go far, a director and an actress, how crazy can the scandals be, your wife might be sad though” I seethe through my teeth.
• “How dare you blackmail me” his face almost red now
• “Blackmail? I just gave back what you dished out. What, you can’t swallow?” I take a step forward and he backs up.
• “You are a lot of talk for an actress without a name” he scoffs and that does sting but I keep a straight face and mirror his expression as I scoff too.
• “You are less for a director, rumor has it you are notorious with the habit of blackmailing actresses with roles.”
• He raises his hands about to hit me when a voice stops it.
• “What is going on here?”
• Wait.
• I recognize that voice as Mr Shawn's eyes almost bulges but is quickly replaced with a forced smile.
• “Mr Ethan” he sidesteps me and walks towards going straight to the voice but I remain still my back to him.
• “It's nothing to worry about Sir, we were just talking about the Audition for the movie, thank you so much for letting us use the conference hall.”
• “Why would you thank me?” he asks Mr Shawn.
• If it’s really Ethan he's probably corking his brow.
• “Uhh umm” Mr Shawn stutters “I am a director."
• “Are directors allowed to hit their staffs”
• “Oh no it’s a misunderstanding.”
• “Was it?” he asks.
• “I would never lay a hand on a woman sir,” Mr Shawn says and I’m about to walk away hopefully he pays me no attention.
• “I wasn’t asking you” he cuts.
• and it is at this point I wish for a superpower of invisibility.