Recruited by a Villainess System

Lilian apologized. “Sorry for making both of you wait.”

Lilian and Maine lightly bowed their heads toward Alex and Irene. They were ashamed. 

I should’ve set up an alarm, Lilian was remorseful. 

Seeing their imaginary tail go from wagging to hanging, Irene knew these two ladies were now blaming themselves for no reason. She clarified at once. “You didn’t make us wait. There’s still 15 minutes before the agreed time.”

She offered them a comforting smile and patted both of their backs. 

Alex nodded in affirmation and brightened the air. “With Irene here, we’ll never be late.” 

Lilian and Maine treated his words as credible and whipped their attention to Irene like a conjoined twin. If they still didn’t put her on a pedestal before, it was certain now. They were like children, meeting their favorite superhero. 

Irene was helpless. She met Alex’s sniggering figure and cursed. What the f*ck, Alex? If you’re itching for a beating, just say so!

She concentrated back to the twins. “He’s playing with you, don’t mind him. Let’s go.”

Irene was unwilling to stay here and be subjected to the absurdity Alex was going to come up again and initiated to go to the restaurant. Naturally, the twins followed their hero.

As the only one left, Alex, too, moved. His hands were inside his pockets, but his eyes only had a specific person. He was in a good mood.

The four silhouettes fled the lobby of the hotel and went to the venue. Behind them, the enamored group of watchers continued on with their business, a bit disappointed at having the eye candies taken away.

***

Dinner started after Vince gave a toast. 

The buzz and chatter accompanied the attendees. This welcome party served as the great medium for broadening one’s network, especially for the actors and actresses involved. 

Surrounded by towering figures, Maine felt a little out of place. She discreetly touched her nose. 

Vince booked the whole restaurant for the night for this occasion. 

While the three of her colleagues mingled with other artists and crews, Maine excused herself and went outside. 

Inhaling the evening breeze, her shoulders slightly drooped. This was her first job as an assistant to a celebrity and greeting all of those glittering stars overwhelmed her. 

She slapped her face three times before composing herself. Her determination came back.

As the second female lead of the movie, Lilian found herself besieged by multiple people, ranging from those she recognized to those who she barely heard about. 

She was chatting happily with someone when a champagne flute obstructed her view. 

Caught off guard, she raised her eyes to see the owner of the delicate hand.

The atmosphere started to shift. The ones Lilian was talking with recognized Hattie and started to leave after perceiving the tension brewing.

Hattie Rios sneered at Lilian. She said, “Our top artist is having a wonderful time, eh?”

Hattie understood if she lost against Irene. However, losing the second female lead role to someone who barely entered the threshold of stardom left a bitter taste in her mouth. 

She couldn’t swallow this; she had to make her stand known to this “newbie”.

When she saw Lilian enter, and was flocked by boot lickers, she gritted her teeth in anger. 

Finishing her greetings to the big guns of the crew, she strutted toward Lilian with an aim in mind. Thus, here she was.

Lilian would be a certified fool if she misunderstood Hattie’s mockery that she openly displayed. But she remembered the scene from earlier and thought that Hattie’s mockery was justified. Lilian couldn’t rebut her. 

She has to tolerate this. “Thank you, Ms. Rios, but I still have a long way to go before I earn that title.”

Hattie laughed. “Clearly you’re joking. You wouldn’t get the role of Maggie if you still had a long way to go. Have a little trust in yourself.”

“Tell you what, if you have a scene you’re having a hard time with, you can run it with me.” Hattie smiled.

Lilian was feeling uncomfortable facing this two-faced Hattie. “I’ll keep that in mind.” She wanted to get out of this situation and quietly took a step back. 

Hattie resumed. “I’m looking forward to working with you. I’m sure I’ll learn a lot of stuff.” It was dripping with sarcasm.

Lilian could just see the scorn laced in those words. This conversation must end.

Besides being in the same high school, Irene and Hattie debuted in the same year. 

The two of them were always compared to each other. Once one received an endorsement, the other also followed. It was a fiery competition created by Hattie and Irene, their management, the media, and the fans. 

It got to an extent where some would leave threatening comments to the other’s post or anything related to them. Fortunately, this was quelled by a reality show—on the surface.

Irene and Hattie joined the program, putting an end to their duel on screen. Though they didn’t act lovey-dovey, they also didn’t look at each other with hate. This disappointed some people. Citizens were led to believe that both sides finally came to a truce.

People’s interest dwindled when the cat fight they expected didn’t happen. 

Yet Hattie wasn’t having it. After the show, Irene was propelled by a rocket ship and climbed the towering ladder of fame like nobody’s business. Hattie tried everything, EVERYTHING, to catch up. But she couldn’t. 

Their small clash in high school became a giant wall that epitomized their water and oil compatibility. They would never get along in this lifetime. 

And thus, the two went on to take their own path.

But Lilian was different. She was not Irene. She was simply a newcomer who got lucky with a TV show. What does she have to deserve such a role?! 

The image of someone like her stepping on Hattie’s shoulders made her blood boil. The audacity!

Hattie merrily approached Lilian and hugged her. 

From afar, you could see Hattie’s curved eyes and lips as she enthusiastically envelop Lilian with her arms. What a pleasant scene to behold. 

You likewise could witness Hattie muttering incomprehensible words to Lilian when you zoom in.

Lilian stood stupefied with Hattie’s hug. She hesitated on where to place her hand before reciprocating back. She was about to let go when Hattie tightened her hold on her. 

Lilian felt Hattie’s lips that were a breath away from her ears. Those people previously surrounding her have now left and mingled with the rest of the crew. 

Lilian stood frozen.

Her mind closed in, only having the two of them occupying her thoughts. She could envision a predator looking down at her, targeting her fragile nape. 

Warm air brushed Lilian’s auricle. 

“Slut.”

Lilian’s blood ran cold as she stared down, horrified. “Wha-”

“Tell me. Did you sleep with Alex?” With no one around them, and the noise serving as a barrier for the sound waves to not travel far, Hattie freely spoke her thoughts. 

Lilian’s eyes went wide; her completion turned white. “I- I- I don’t know what you’re talking about.” How can she say that?!

“Oh please. If it weren’t for Alex intervening, I would have gotten Maggie. Stop acting so innocent, cause you’re not. Slut.”

The second sentence made Lilian realize that the role she got was stolen from Hattie. She knew of her talent, and once she heard those sentences, her mouth was closed shut. I want to leave.

Lilian’s back was drenched in sweat. Her hands were clammy and cold. Her panicky voice uttered, “Excuse me, I need to go to the washroom.”

She took a step back. She used her hair to drape over her face to hide her looming tears. 

Meanwhile, Hattie was having a fantastic time. She watched Lilian turn pale due to her, and it was delightful. She hid that sinister smile and glints in her eyes with a glass of champagne, drinking it gracefully. 

With blurry vision, Lilian quickened her pace. She didn’t even notice when someone came in front of her. She bumped into the person’s chest. 

Lilian refused to raise her head and let the person view her sorry look. Instead, she bowed and profusely said, “Sorry. I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m sorry.” Her voice cracked.

Irene grabbed Lilian’s shoulders in concern and asked, “Lily, are you alright?” 

Lilian looked up once she picked up Irene’s voice. 

Her worry caused Lilian to almost choke in tears. Before a tear dropped, she replied, “I- I’m fine.”

Lilian didn’t wait for Irene’s reply before dashing to the washroom. 

Irene remained there, recalling the wronged Lilian.

She swept her gaze on the venue and finally settled in on Hattie. 

Hattie also spotted Irene and raised a toast toward her, clearly enjoying the evening. 

But Irene could just feel it. She had the intuition of who put that look on Lilian. 

Irene coldly narrowed her eyes at Hattie. 

She wasn’t keen on dealing with Hattie at the moment and was about to follow Lilian.

But Alex called her. “Irene.”

Alex never had a good impression of Hattie, beginning from their initial meeting until her rivalry with Irene. Even more so now.

“I already told Maine to check up on Lilian. There’s no need to go. Others will suspect something is wrong if you’re missing. Let’s go back, okay?” 

Irene hesitated before nodding. She then cleared her face of any expression.

Alex wrapped an arm around her waistline as they departed, going back to their table. 

Approaching their destination, Irene saw a clean plate of dessert and said, “I shouldn’t have eaten a donut.”

Alex a-matter-of-factly responded, “I told you so.”

“Nope. You didn’t tell me they’ll serve cheesecake here. And a blueberry one at that.”

At that time, when the servers came with the last course, Irene felt cheated as she recognized the blueberry cheesecake. She pinched Alex’s waist while it was being served.

Alex cast a helpless glance at Irene’s unreasonable retort. He thought, How am I supposed to know what they’ll serve?

Alex’s temple twitched when a sharp pain emanated from his waist. He hissed after a 180° pinch by Irene. 

He took a peak at the serious woman sitting beside him and clasped the naughty hand. 

Like a child, Alex picked up the slice of cheesecake in front of Irene and polished it off in vengeance.

Irene endured the torture, and with a straight face listened to those at the table.

Yet Alex could still discern her micro expressions and laughed internally.

Alex recalled the situation. Since Irene brought it back up, he didn’t utter anymore remarks and just indulged this little actress of his.

He smiled as they sat in their seats.

***

Sitting in one of the empty washroom stalls, Lilian meticulously wiped the tears streaming down. She was careful to not ruin her makeup. After all, she still needed to return. 

On her way here, she crashed into another person. 

She cursed her terrible luck. The more she wanted to hide from people, the more she bumped into them. 

Her sadness gradually turned to irritation. 

In the heat of her irrational emotions, she was about to reprimand the guy. But before the words escaped from her mouth, she was forced to swallow it again.

Facing her was the one and only Director Vince Ball.

That frigid look made the burgeoning anger in her cower. 

Vince looked her straight in the eyes and strolled away. Not an ounce of emotion could be detected. 

Hahhh, Lilian thought. This day has been a fail. 

First, it started with Vince, then Sophie, followed by Hattie and now Vince. It went in a full circle, ah. She couldn’t wait for the day to end. 

The door of the bathroom creaked open and Lilian held her breath.

“Lilian, are you there?” It was Maine. 

What a relief. “I’m in the last stall.” Lilian answered with a nasal sound.

Maine opened the stall and began lecturing. “You worried me to death. I was just gone for a good second, and now you’re here crying your eyes out. What are you? Three?”

Maine could see the mascara running down Lilian’s face. True, Lilian was meticulous, but not meticulous enough to prevent that. 

Maine was distressed. “Are you okay?”

Lilian appreciated Maine’s concern; a light smile managed to anchor her lips. She didn’t answer the question but instead said, “I have to go back.”

Even when not receiving a direct no or yes, Maine recognized her emotions. But she has to go back. “Then let me help you fix your make-up.”

After getting herself together and with her make-up fixed, Lilian was now ready to leave. 

She neared the mirror and inspected for any smudge. Maine gave a hand, correcting everything. 

After a detailed search for evidence of her breakdown, she took one last look to make sure not a trace could be seen. Lilian lightly slapped her cheeks. “You can do this.”

Before going out, Maine reassured Lilian. “I’ll always be behind you.”

***

After Irene left, Hattie’s eyes refocused on the woman that ran away. Weak. 

To think she was the one who stole the role from her.… Tsk.

Nonetheless, she once again was made known of Alex’s prowess. Lucky b*tch.

She once flirted with him—it was before he handled Irene—to gain his attention and make him pick her as his artist. Unfortunately, it failed miserably. 

Not only did she not get him, she also got replaced in the movie she was currently working on at that time. 

That stupid mistake of hers costed a year of development. No matter how extreme she worked after that, Irene was already ahead of her by a wide gap.

Different from her on screen nonchalant attitude about the rivalry between her and Irene, in reality, she very much would want to win over her.

With her aim achieved, Hattie went back and joined the rest.