Recruited by a Villainess System

It was two weeks after the start of Irene’s fitness journey, and so far, so good. She managed to bypass the toughest part and was now more inclined to nurture her muscles. 

By nurturing, that meant injuring the muscle fibers and repairing them, going through the pain over and over again. It would not be farfetched to say that gym enthusiasts were kind of masochistic. 

But for what it was worth, it was tremendously beneficial, and to the absolute joy of Alex, Perry, Lilian, and Maine, Irene was enjoying the process. 

On the flip side, besides Lilian’s training, she also fulfilled her role as Irene’s companion exemplarily. 

Lilian brushed her presence to Irene at the end of every session with a spring in her steps. 

“You’re amazing!” 

“You’re doing great!”

“You’re so strong!”

“I can see your progress.”

Basically anything that she could think of to encourage Irene. 

She became the oil that fueled Irene to go for an extra mile every session. 

If someone has the intention of employing a professional supporter, then please look no further than Lilian Chambers. 

🎵Every breath you take

And every move you make

Every bond you break

Every step you take

I’ll be watching you🎵

– Lilian 💗

As you could imagine, there was a constant color in Irene’s dull month. 

Thirty earth rotations went by and it was already time to start filming “The Fall of Eden”. 

***

Summer had finally come, and the gleaming sunlight fell upon the feathers of the harping birds that flew over Irene.

An ivy cap cast a shadow on her eyes, preventing others from staring. 

In front of her was Alex, looking as if he was just casually strolling in his yard while leading them toward the filming location of “The Fall of Eden”.

Behind Irene was the overly excited Lilian, followed by the pumped up Maine. 

Entering the premise, Alex caught the figure of an imposing man commanding the people around him.

“Vince!” he called.

Vince turned his head back, searching for the source of the voice. He saw Alex waving at him.

He nodded and said something to the assistant director. The assistant was brisk, taking note of everything said to him.

Once done, Vince strode toward them.

“This is Lilian. She’s the one I talked to you about. See, I didn’t disappoint you, did I?” 

Alex’s enthusiastic approach didn’t deter Vince. 

He glanced at the girl Alex pointed at.

It was true. She really did fit the character of Maggie well. Her big doe eyes could evoke Zian’s sympathy. Passable.

Vince pulled his gaze away and reached out a hand to Irene. Of course, one shouldn’t forget the star of the show.

“It’s good to finally meet you.”

“Likewise,” Irene curtly replied.

The son of the heavens in flesh and bone. How enviable. 

Irene was Vince’s first choice as Hannah Long.

Vince watched Irene turn from a wallflower into a star that everyone adored. He knew what she was capable of, knew that she could make this movie as what he envisioned. 

Both of them shook hands. Going back to the girl Alex introduced, Vince acknowledged her. “Welcome.”

Vince has an impression of her. His sister, Andrea Ball, was an avid follower of the TV series “Looking At You”. Thus, when discussing, her character couldn’t be left out of the conversation.

Lilian, the protagonist, had a male childhood friend. Throughout the years, their relationship grew and they became best friends. She bore in her heart an unrequited love for years. After finally finding the courage to confess, she found out that her best friend already had a girlfriend. She was a step too late. 

Nonetheless, she still loved him. 

When the woman left her best friend, she was there. 

But when she thought she finally had a chance five years later, his beloved showed up. 

Even on their big day, the day her friend and the woman made vows to each other, she was there.  

In the most important event of their life, she was there to make a toast. She celebrated each one of them. Time and time again. 

She realized how torturous love was. And her pain masked behind those glittering chandeliers was only known to her. 

Lilian portrayed the character exquisitely. She grew a massive fan base because of it. Even so, that project alone wouldn’t have warranted her a nod from Vince. If it wasn’t because of wanting Irene to be the lead, he would’ve chosen some other actress. 

Vince was aware of the number of folks who wished to get a slice of his pie, especially after his international success. He could easily set up an audition and countless actresses would fill in the slots. 

However, he wanted the queen. Even if he could only settle for less in the other characters, he could put up with it. Plus, he knew of Irene’s attitude toward a person with a background like his; this chance was once in a lifetime. So a tiny sacrifice was nothing. 

Inserting Lilian benefited Vince; he was able to snatch the star.

Lilian perceived the distant tone laced in his voice. She tightly clenched her fist. 

She recognized that her achievement was still far from the top. 

From the moment she heard she was going to be a part of this crew, she knew it was only possible because her new manager had put on an extra effort behind the scenes. Her portfolio couldn’t compare against all those people vying for such a role. 

She was still distant from the likes of Irene.

Now that she saw his demeanor toward her, she was sure of it. Others still didn’t see her as someone worth noting. 

Though she was aware of it, it still pierced like a knife. It stung. 

Deep in her heart, she swore to herself. I’ll prove to all of you my worth. 

“Thank you.” Lilian smiled back at Vince, masking her emotions.

Vince called his assistant over. “Calvin, show Alex and the others around.”

Calvin Morrison bobbed his head. He familiarly said to Alex, “Took you long enough to arrive. I thought you wouldn’t bring your artists till tomorrow.”

As Vince’s assistant for years, of course, Calvin knew the relationship between Alex and Vince. He was already accustomed to Alex, and extended this intimacy to Irene and the rest as well. 

Calvin gleefully smiled and introduced himself to Irene, Lilian, and Maine.

“We’ll have a welcome party at 6 pm. Everyone should’ve already arrived by then. See you there,” Vince stated and went back to the crew. 

Seeing him walking further away, Calvin excitedly toured them around. “Let’s go, let’s go.”

Maine noted Calvin as a proactive child. He tried to engage in a conversation with Irene but was met with an ice wall. Next, he turned to Lilian, who effortlessly matched his rhythm; two suns together resulted in a bright atmosphere, like the summer sun couldn’t be anymore dazzling. 

Of course he didn’t leave Maine behind, pulling her into the conversation from time to time. Occasionally, Alex would butt in and make some jokes, evoking a laugh from the group. 

They went from one room, to another, and another… and another…

Maine could feel multiple pairs of eyes ranging from curiosity to reverence landing on them, specifically Irene. However, nobody took a step forward. 

Stepping into the soundstage, a noticeable decrease in speed could be seen in Calvin’s steps. 

Maine took notice of this and turned to her peers. But since they followed Calvin and slowed down, she did so too.

They could see the crew buzzing, setting up the set, the lighting, cameras, and wirings inside. 

Along the way, Calvin greeted as well as introduced the crew to them. As though the green light was lit, people started closing in; their apprehension vanished. 

Ten people went and passed, each dialogue ran up to a minute at minimum and three at max, all focusing on Irene and would at times make small talks with Maine, Lilian, and Alex. 

When the twelfth person appeared, Maine heard a certain tour guide deviously say, “More people means a longer break.” Her temple twitched.

She was positive that this cheerful tour guide of theirs was dawdling and escaping work. 

But no one was complaining so Maine just kept her mouth shut.

It wasn’t until Maine’s thirtieth handshake that she was freed from the noise of small talks. That was quite a number of people.

At present, it was now the end of the super detailed tour of the place. Calvin led them to the hotel that they were going to stay at for the duration of the shoot.

Instead of remaining in front, Calvin was now at the back, together with Maine. He was deliberately falling behind. 

Calvin and Maine walked shoulder to shoulder.

He opened his mouth. “Are you now familiar with the studio?”

Maine was content with the silence pervading between them. But the other person initiated a talk, and it was only polite to humor him.

“Pretty much.” 

He dismissed her noncommittal tone and continued. “Remember the names and faces of those I introduced, befriend them. They’ll be of great help.”

Maine was surprised. It was out of her expectation to get handed with advice from him. Still, she appreciated it. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

He flashed her a grin after hearing her response.

Not long after, the party of five arrived at the lobby.

Calvin gave Maine his business card and made a telephone sign with his hands. “Hit me up when you need anything.”

Maine clicked her tongue and magnanimously uttered, “Will do.”

Calvin then faced Alex, Irene, and Lilian. He sadly had to let them go; his imaginary tail was motionless. “Well… that’s it for the tour… See you at dinner.”

Alex couldn’t help but laugh at the dejected sight of Calvin.

Vince, in work mode, was difficult to deal with, and Calvin knew this all too well.

This “tour” that Calvin did was the most relaxing time he had that day. Calvin cursed in his heart why the set couldn’t be anymore bigger; it would be much better if the tour lasted for a whole day. Are the investors this miserly?!

Of course, that wasn’t true. What they had was already the best in town. Calvin was just dreading the work to be faced when he goes back.

Maine was amused by his sullen back. “Pfttt.” The way he left was so different from the way he led them around the set. You could tell his unwillingness just by his dragging steps. 

Maine took one last look at the navy blue business card in her hand before putting it in her pocket.

The remaining four then went to their respective rooms.

“I’ll be calling you before six.” Alex reminded them before parting ways. 

They could now take a break for the rest of the day. 

From getting off the plane to sight-seeing, Lilian and Maine were now feeling the fatigue creeping in.

The two gals happily walked to their dens. 

Sleep here I come! thought the both of them.

But before Alex could move, a soft palm held his wrist. “Come to my room.”

***

After a loooong excursion, Calvin infiltrated Vince’s field of view. 

“Took you long enough,” Vince greeted.

“What can I do? You choose a huge studio to shoot.” Calvin was not a tiny bit ashamed that he was caught red-handed.

Calvin wasn’t as striking as Vince or Alex, but with constant exposure, he could plant a seed in your heart, delicately growing your favorability of him. 

He was someone you would get fond of.

Calvin reported his findings. “Irene and you are the same, both cold to the bones. Rarely talks, but if Irene does, it’s in short sentences. There’s really nothing new. Then there’s the newcomer. She looked too innocent for her own good. Seeing her progress further would be interesting to watch.”

“Alex was his typical self, so no need to explain. The new assistant, though, was tactful and level-headed. She’s the serious type, but isn’t that distant. She’ll surely be a notable figure if she continues to develop in this industry.” 

“The only anomaly I found was that Irene seems to have a good relationship with the newcomer, which is odd since they had just met a month ago.”

“In conclusion, be nice to the newcomer and assistant. They’re an asset.”

Except for the last bit, everything was within Vince’s expectations. 

Vince instructed Calvin to observe the group, using the tour as a pretense. He just wanted to find out what forced Alex to step out of the line he drew for himself. 

They were friends for six years, but even now, he was still in the dark about Alex’s past. 

Alex was more mysterious than what he let on. And Vince and Irene were on the same page on this.

While Calvin was talking, Vince was in full concentration. He ruminated for a minute before coming to a decision. 

He would pay closer attention to Lilian. 

As what Calvin had mentioned, she was an oddity that broke the status quo. Maybe he could get a glimpse of Alex’s background through her. 

“You did well,” he praised Calvin.

Calvin was pleased to hear those words. “Then I’ll get going now,” he said, trying to sneak out.

But Vince didn’t even let him lift a foot before saying, “You work for me. Where do you think you’re going?”

Following that, Vince then spewed out a lengthy to-do list for Calvin.

Smoke had just begun to arise but Vince ruthlessly put it out. Calvin’s happiness meter plunged to the ground.

In a repeating fashion, with a hunched back and puppy-eyes Calvin was forced to walk back to the hands of his menacing employer. 

There was no escaping—such was the life of the subjugated. Sigh.