Two

“France Nam? Of course, I know him! He’s the one who’s been cancelled because he molested a newbie actress!”

“I really liked him then, such shame! There’s also a rumor that it wasn’t the first time that it happened. Other rumors say that he was actually molesting and harassing male newbies!”

“He really is the worst! I hope he rots!”

France sighs and lights up another cigarette. Is everyone still required to talk down on him until now? Hearing those same words all over again even from new people doesn’t affect him anymore but it sure does irritate him. This is why he doesn’t like partying in clubs that aren't exclusive. All he hears are trash and yet when these women see him—

“France! Oh, my gods!”

“It really is you! Can we have a picture?”

“Please take a picture with me too!”

Point made right on the spot. These kinds of women are really the worst.

He grins and crushed the cigarette on his palm, he doesn’t even feel the pain anymore. “Sorry, ladies, I have to go and rot.”

He walked out and went back to his table. It’s the VIP section and yet trash for him is still here. He shouldn’t have really agreed upon coming here, this night isn’t for him.

“Where have you been?” His manager, Jaden, asks.

He shrugs and sits down again, grabbing his new bottle of beer. “Smoke.”

This night is really not for him and he just wants to go home. But coming home empty-handed will more likely hurt his brain more, so he will have to stay. Besides, he’s out of beer in his apartment as of the moment and he hasn't contacted his housekeeper about his groceries.

Is he actually thinking about what he heard with those women and keeps getting a bad mood for it? Damn. He thought he isn’t going to be affected anymore with those repetitive words and yet here he is—wanting to punch someone again for it.

What those women have said are not true. He can never force anyone to do sexual stuff. How can he when he can get any one he wants without even making the first move? He hates unwillingness and he have a very low tolerance for people who are hard-to-get so how and why the fuck will he molest someone when he doesn’t have the energy and effort to do it? He’s also in his right mind to know what consent means.

But, of course, no one will believe him except the people who truly knows what the fuck is happening.

He was on the top of his career. Most wanted model. Best actor of the year. All of these are because he worked hard for it for years. It is his passion and hard work’s fruit. He didn’t take any shortcuts. He didn’t take any easy road. He didn’t do it for the fame, he did it to fulfil his passion—he wanted his life to be in front of a camera. When he finally reached the highest, it was really when they decided to make him step down.

Someone needs his spotlight, they said.

Someone needs his moment, they said.

Someone deserves their chance, they said.

But no one said why he should adjust for that someone.

It’s not like he got to the top because someone came down for him. It’s not like he needed to borrow someone’s spotlight, to take someone’s moment. Everyone deserves a chance and everyone should work for it to happen. He did his part and yet they required him to give up the place he worked hard for to someone else.

Because they said so.

Because he can’t do anything else but to do what they say.

He finished his bottle and asked for one more. When he is ever going to be overdosed with alcohol so he’d have the excuse to just die in the hospital. Die. Death. That seemed easier than living his own life.

“Some of you sponsors are still wanting to continue your contract. Aren’t you going to renew with them?”

He chuckles to that and grins. “They should really fire their companies’ HR and marketing managers then. I’ll cause them to lose millions if ever. Won’t they pity themselves when that happens?”

His manager gives him the familiar look but he isn’t going to address what that means even if he knows it. What for? Even if they know the truth, it’s not like anyone will believe them anyway. He’s actually tired of the conversation involving his undying issue.

“The companies are willing to keep you because they know everything is just a rumor. They are willing to take the risk because they believe in you.”

“Should I thank them for still believing in me? I admire their guts but we shouldn’t drag more people into our mess, manager.” Before his manager could even apologize again, he immediately stopped him. “It’s not like we could have anything about it. Stop apologizing or I’ll fire myself so you wouldn’t have a reject talent again.”

That made the manager laugh. “Damn you.” He also finishes his drink. “What about your neighbor? Did she finally give up?”

He previously owned a penthouse courtesy of his management company but to hell with them if they think he will still live there. He owns a couple properties now but he doesn’t really like staying at an empty mansion on his own. Plus, none of them really appease him and they are all far from the clubs in the city. It would be too hassle on his part.

That’s why, with the help of his manager, he found the perfect humble apartment he could live in. He didn’t want anyone gawking at him or even trying to be civil with him so they made a way to buy, or should he say “rent”, the whole floor for him. Plus, the rooms aren’t really sound-proofed and he really like his sex activities and music loud and deafening.

But there is that one gal who remained with him. He has done whatever he can to kick her out of his floor but according to his landlord, that woman has essentially paid him twenty-years of rent with that room, practically owning it. That’s why there is no chance of kicking that woman out with every bribe he does. He couldn’t even get any information who that neighbor of his might be.

That’s another thing he liked about that apartment. Strictly no bullshit when it comes to privacy. It’s to your own accord and ways to know who your neighbors might be.

He also hasn’t met his neighbor and for the two weeks they have spent on bickering with hand-written letters on their doors, she finally asked him to meet face-to-face.

“What did you reply to her then?” His manager asked, looking all amused.

He grins. “I’d meet her because why not. I might as well convince her to leave me alone.”