Chapter Six

“Quincy White, I hope you realize you’re not speaking to a set of ladies you want to impress to take to bed and this isn’t a runway. I need action, you either give me that or get down from that stage and you will be replaced” Jordan Wilder announced strictly and Quincy wiped his sweaty palms against his trouser. Other directors of movies he starred in always accepted whatever performance he gave them during both the reading and the main acting. They end up turning out well because his fans would make various edits of his scenes specially and the movie would trend for months. Part of what made him a hot cake amongst movie producers. 

He knew better than to piss Jordan off or else, he would be out of the set before he could blink his eyes. He has seen it happen twice before his own eyes and he knew Jordan wasn’t a man you mess with. The first time was when Jordan replaced an oscar winner that took months to get him on the movie and replaced him with one of his understudies. It all happened too fast and no one was actually expecting it to happen that way and the actor was still arrogant thinking the movie owners would get him back on set. He was shocked to see the movie produced without him and his understudy won the oscar that year. Jordan refused to work with him since then and he hasn’t starred in another hit movie to date. The majority of the other producers were showing loyalty to Jordan Wilder and they refused to work with him too. Quincy hated to imagine that happening to him and him slowly losing relevance amongst his fans, no one would bully people on his behalf again. He cleared his throat before he started reading again. 

“Dearest Claudia, 

I know my letter would be part of the hundredth one you have received today and I don’t mind. I would sleep happily knowing you opened this letter. Whenever we meet again, I would read this to your face and hold your hands to reassure you that the love I feel for you is still as crazy as it’s supposed to be and I wouldn’t mind being your favorite human forever. 

I think you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve set my eyes upon and I want you too badly. Gazing upon another woman should be a criminal offense because I have set my eyes on you…” Quincy was interrupted by Jordan who stretched his hands forward to take the script from him. Jordan refused to say another as his eyes scanned the rest of the people sitting backstage. Quincy stood with his hands at his back as he watched what the powerful director would do next. 

“I’m so sorry my team and I are late. We were wrapping up shooting in Paris and we got on a plane here as soon as we were done. Hello guys, I’m Janice, the head of the makeup crew.” A woman announced in a thick French accent as she walked in backstage and Jordan scanned her appearance before shaking his head slightly. Apparently, she didn’t check her email or realize she has been replaced on set. This isn the highest form of unprofessionalism that Jordan had ever experienced. 

“Welcome Janice, apparently you have to catch a flight back to where you are coming from because We already replaced you. We have a new makeup crew and we wouldn’t consider your services even in the future. If you are a professional, you would have noticed that we already sent an email stating that we are canceling a week ago, maybe you wouldn’t have to waste your money on getting a flight here. If you would excuse me, I have work to do” Jordan deadpanned before continuing his search for whatever he was looking for. 

Just the way she came in, she left without any fuss and Jordan’s eyes landed on the exact person he was looking for; Tyson Underwood. He beckoned for Tyson to come closer and he did. Tyson hoped he was able to impress this man and he gets the chance to act the role because he deserves it. He walked closer and Jordan handed him the script and asked him to climb the stage before Jordan went back to his seat to continue watching. 

“Tyson. I believe you are the perfect man for this role but the board of supervisors outvoted me. I need you to give me that magic you gave us on the audition day. Make everything make sense and give me that perfect emotional play you are capable of. So let’s go.” Jordan said and Tyson nodded before he cleared his throat to start the script, he could feel Quincy’s eyes on him but he ignored it totally. 

“Dearest Claudia, 

I know my letter would be part of the hundredth one you have received today and I don’t mind. I would sleep happily knowing you opened this letter. Whenever we meet again, I would read this to your face and hold your hands to reassure you that the love I feel for you is still as crazy as it’s supposed to be and I wouldn’t mind being your favorite human forever.” Tyson read softly and there was this look on his face that seemed to impress everyone. He looked so serious just like he meant it, he didn’t look like he was reading from a sheet of paper, it sounded like he was the original speaker. Jordan was impressed too but he wasn’t letting it show on his face. 

I think you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve set my eyes upon and I want you too badly. Gazing upon another woman should be a criminal offense because I have set my eyes on you. I see your face in my dream and I feel like fate has things set in place for us. I see you smile at little things each day and I want to be the sole reason your face would light up so well like the sun. The first time I heard your name, I knew I want to spend the rest of my life pronouncing it. I want to tell people that the love of my life is Claudia. You may percieve this letter as straightforward but I would love to inform you that you are the only one who crosses my mind each day and night. I burn for you, my dear claudia,” Tyson finished reading his speech and everyone started applauding him, he did an awesome job. Quincy hated to admit it but Tyson brought the character of the soldier to life more than him. 

“This is what I would call a wonderful performance and this is where we would be stopping for today guys. Please make sure, you go over your scripts and read it back to your personal assitansts and managers. We would meet here tomoorow and I expect an outstanding performance like what Tyson just gave us. Thank you and please enjoy the rest of your day.” Jordan announced before patting Tyson’s back and he made his way out of the set. His assistant trailed behind him and everyone started leaving to their trailers while whispering quietly about Tyson replacing Quincy. 

_______________

Traitor by Olivia Rodrigo played softly through the speakers and no one said anything. Amelia took short glances at Jordan who clutched the steering a little too tight and he nodded his head along to the song. It has been like this since June got diagnosed of cancer and she was already too far in. Everything went down the drain after Diana left Jordan with the excuse that her career was skyrocketing and a sick child is the last thing she wanted. 

“Why are you staring at me like that? It’s unsettling.” Jordan asked and Amelia rolled her eyes before looking out of the window. She was supposed to be mad at him for how he treated those innocent people on set. Her was going through a hard phase isn’t a valid reason to go wolverine on them. He chuckled because he knew why she was mad, instead of saying anything else, he started singing loudly. She covered her ears and he burst into laughter before pulling up in the parking lot of the hospital. 

“You should apologize to those people tomorrow, you really made them feel bad. Especially that lady playing Claudia.” Amelia said and Jordan nodded before he took quick short breaths, He was definitely going to apologize to them but he wanted to get this uneasy feeling off his chest. It was always there each time he pulled up here. It was like he was waiting on death each day and it was quite an experience Jordan woudn’t wish on his enemy. 

Jordan blew air through mouth before proceeding to open the door. Amelia’s hand covered his and he turned to face her. He nodded stiffly before getting out of the car with the bouquet of flowers he previously purchased and Amelia followed him inside. He had become too familiar with this place that it’s starting to look like a second home to him. He was no longer the popular director to these people because they have seen him even on his lowest. He had once broken down in tears on the corridor after June didn’t qualify for a clinical trial. He had desperately hoped her body would accept the fluids and she would be ready to proceed to the second stage. 

He was used to the way clinical trials worked and he had crammed so many medical phrases because he has spent his last three years coming in and out of this walls. This hall had seen too many of his problems that it no longer felt weird. Diana dumped him right in this hall after she showed up by midnight after he told her she hasn’t come to see June the whole week. All would be well in the end, he was very sure of that. 

He knocked the door gently before pulling it open to reveal June sketching in her sketchpad while the nurse pon duty sat still in her seat. He had no doubt that June probably begged her too much so she would get a portrait of her. They’ve all been there and it was a funny experience because you aren’t allowed to blink or lese, June will accuse you of any error in the portraits. Since she got admitted into the hospital, she took a liking to drawing and sketching since she could no longer go to school again. 

“My favorite papa is here” June screamed before closing the sketchbook and waving her hands vigorously. Pencils and colors were scattered all on her leg so she couldn’t get up. A big smile made it’s way to Jordan’s face and he went closer to his daughter. He pulled her into a hug before kissing her forehead. June giggled and Jordan picked the sketch pad to see the drawing closely. He took another look at the nurse and he dropped the sketchpad. 

“Does it look like me?” Nurse Karen asked and Jordan made a zip sign over his mouth. They all knew it was a bunch of irregular circles and weird lines.  No one was ready to say it now and they all knew better than to say it to her face. The last time a nurse did, she didn’t touch her sketch pad for almost a week. They just let her do her thing. Nurse Karen stood up from the position she has been sitting for God knows how long and she walked to the window to stretch her body. Anyone would have been tired by now but they all enjoyed doing it for June. 

“Mr. Wilder, the doctor said you should stop by on your way out. He would like to discuss some things regarding June with you” Nurse Karen said after she read a text message from her phone. Jordan’s heart did a flip because he had no idea why the doctor asked him to stop by. It was a two-way thing and he either had bad news or he had a new trial he think June would be perfect for. He only hoped it was a piece of good news, not the other way round.