9. The Theatrics of Theatre

AYRA

As I heard the name, I couldn’t help but burst into maniacal laughter. Anybody witnessing this must think I’ve gone mad.

"They did what? They put a rookie with no significant role and messy acting to do what now? If this wasn’t something I wanted and because of Phillip, I would have agreed about her doing it because it would be fun to watch Victoria get eaten up alive."

Raven frowned. "This isn’t something to laugh about, Ayra. They're trying to sabotage you. This has to be Chris or Victoria, but one of those bitchy Yaldons is after you for sure. Ferdinand is known to be in Ryan's circle," she said seriously, but I couldn’t help still laughing at the thought.

The sheer ridiculousness of it all was too much.

"Has the news gotten to the public yet?" I asked, because knowing that would determine my next move.

"Not yet. They know better than to spring this up on you. They know you’re crazy enough to go live and flat out deny this, and they wouldn’t be able to do it anymore," she said soberly.

"Great. Then let’s help them publish this, at least to the people that matter," I smirked, a glint of mischief lighting up my face.

Raven looked at me, suddenly brightening up. "Oh, I love when you become devious. What’s the plan?"

"You still have my verified fan base accounts, right? Let’s ‘leak’ this intel to them. And don’t forget to amp up how shitty it is and who the director is. Make sure to sprinkle in all his sexual harassment scandals. Also, tell them how miserable I feel because this wasn’t the comeback I planned for them at all. All innocently, of course — and allegedly." I grinned.

Raven laughed and said, "I do not want to be your enemy. This is perfect, Ayra. Your fans would blow this shit up, and I trust them to do a perfect job painting you well but absolutely bashing the rest. Ayrians are scary."

My fan base has been with me from the start of my career. Honestly, I’m grateful for them, and I try to do surprises for them when I can. Also, anonymous donations to help them with personal problems.

"They are, and I love them exactly the way they are," I said fondly.

"So it’s settled then. Do this, and let’s see the response it gets."

Raven nodded as she drove me back to my new apartment.

******

It’s been three days of online chaos. Three glorious, exhausting, popcorn-worthy days.

My fans weren’t having the new drama speculations at all. Some even went as far as protesting against the company and demanding they either change this decision or send an official statement saying the news was false.

They made trailers of “Love for a Thousand Years” with me in it and have been promoting it nonstop, saying how good I looked in it and how it would be a waste not to let me have the role.

Victoria wasn’t spared in the bashing either. I didn’t leak her name to them, but I mentioned it was a rookie actor that was going to take my place. And there weren’t a lot of rookie actors who would do this. They immediately went for her, calling her a shameless thief who snatches whatever her sister has — first her husband and now her role.

They were livid.

Both fan bases have been at war, and here I was in my living room eating some grapes. Living my best life, honestly.

The funny thing was, for all the noise online, my apartment was ridiculously peaceful. The only sounds were the soft hum of the air conditioner and the occasional notification pings coming from my burner phone. Every time I refreshed my dummy account, the chaos had escalated by another level.

Some fans even made conspiracy theory threads that would put professional journalists to shame. I couldn’t have asked for better PR if I tried.

I decided I needed to stay healthy, to stay alive long enough to see how this unfolds.

I popped another grape into my mouth, savoring the sweetness as if it was the taste of victory.

Then I heard my phone ringing and saw Raven calling.

"Have you spoken to Matt since?" she asked. "He’s been trying to get to me, but I’m unavailable on the phone, exactly how you wanted me to be."

"We’re just giving him a taste of his own medicine," I replied with a shrug. "And besides, aren’t you busy? You said you wanted to read a book by PurpleRune today."

"Haha, I will," she laughed. "I also called to ask if you saw Travis’ interview with Peter on The Night Show?"

"No, I haven’t," I answered. "I've been scrolling through social media with my dummy account, enjoying what's happening."

"Well, I’m sure your fans are editing the videos from the interview as we speak," she said. "Peter asked if the cast change rumors were true, but Travis said he hasn’t gotten any info on that. He also said he’s not sure he’d be able to continue the role if you weren’t the lead because he couldn’t do a chemistry test with someone else when his and Ayra’s was perfect."

I couldn’t believe he said that.

We hadn’t spoken at all, talkless of a chemistry test. But it felt good knowing that my on-screen partner had my back even without me having to ask.

"That’s insane," I said. "Well, more arsenals in my favor then. Goodbye, I need to binge-watch the series I’ve been putting on hold for months."

I tossed the phone onto the couch beside me, stretching out like a cat.

Maybe I’d even start that K-drama Raven kept nagging me about. Or finally clean out the closet I’ve been pretending didn’t exist. (Probably not.)

I deserved this moment of petty bliss.

******

That night, I had been trying to call the nurse who’s in charge of the private hospital where my mum was to let her know I'd be coming during the weekend.

When a name caught my eye "Boy Toy" and I couldn’t help the smile curling at my lips.

I hadn’t heard from Liam since that day.

Not like I was waiting for him to reach out to me. Besides, I was the one who told him off.

But seriously, how could he ghost me after dropping a bomb like "I want you, Ayra"?

Ughh.

I shook off the image of those honey-brown eyes staring at me and made the call to the nurse, letting her know I would be coming over during the weekend.

I had just gotten off the call when a message from Daniel, Matt's assistant, came in saying:

Since we have been trying to reach you and no response, Mr. Matthew has decided to pursue legal actions against you for breaching your contract. If you want to see him and stop this from happening, you have an appointment with him tomorrow by 10 a.m.

I rolled my eyes and said, "So he has decided to play dirty."