Chapter 16

Chapter 16

Annalisa 

Cristiano was impossible. There was no other word for it. Sure, I appreciated that he cared for me, but his way of showing it was completely over the top. A part of me wanted to scream at him for meddling in my life, while there was this other part that knew that, deep down, he had done it because he cared for me.

I sighed, tossing my phone onto the bed as a yawn escaped my mouth. It was a new morning. Another day to face the world, and another day to try my best. I knew it was going to be difficult securing acting roles without an agency. That was why I had made up my mind to sign with one today. A real one—not Cristiano pulling strings in the background, not someone helping me just because of his influence that was backing me.

This was about me and my talent. I had to prove to the world that I could stand on my own.

Cristiano had agreed to drop me off. He had some meetings today as well, so it worked out. I made him promise not to get involved in today’s proceedings, and surprisingly, he had agreed, though the look in his eyes made me doubt whether he would actually keep that promise.

As the driver pulled up at the agency’s gates, I felt a familiar knot settle in the pit of my stomach. I opened the car door, about to step out when Cristiano caught my hand, pulling it back gently. Before I could say a word, he pressed a kiss to the back of my hand. His soft lips against my skin were so warm that I found myself blushing, embarrassed by the simple, yet sweet, gesture.

“Go knock ’em dead, babygirl,” he said, flashing me a half-smile that made my heart flutter.

“Thanks,” I mumbled, pulling my hand away and stepping out of the car. “And don’t forget what you promised,” I added, giving him a stern look.

Cristiano raised his hands in surrender. “Scout’s honor. I won’t get involved.”

I gave him one last look before walking toward the agency’s entrance. Of course, he had sent a bodyguard to follow me as promised. The bodyguard kept a safe distance though, walking about ten meters behind me, but his presence was still obvious. 

The agency was huge. It was a three-story building that looked more like a small academy for entertainers. The first floor was beautiful for a modern reception area, buzzing with many people. Thankfully, I had already sent my portfolio ahead, so they quickly directed me to the screening room where the other aspiring actresses were gathered. Yes, I was already an actress, but now with no label on me, I was no more than an aspirant to them.

As soon as I walked into the room, I felt everyone’s eyes on me. People were staring, whispering to each other, but no one said anything directly to me. Their looks said it all. They knew who I was—or rather, who my husband was. And they were scared. I could feel it in the way they avoided me, the way they looked away when I tried to make conversation. It was like I had a contagious disease.

I approached a girl standing near the entrance and asked, “Do you know where the attendance table is?”

She glanced at me for a second, her eyes wide in surprise, before quickly shaking her head and walking away without a word. I was too stunned to move away from where I was. No one was talking to me. No one even wanted to talk to me.

Great. This is what being married to Cristiano brought me. They all feared and avoided me because I wasn’t Annalisa anymore; I was his wife, and that label carried far more weight than I had known.

I sighed, trying to brush off the feeling of loneliness, and found my way to the registration area on my own. Once I got there, they handed out numbers for one-on-one interviews with the management team, but of course, I was the last one on the list. Even better. “You registered late,” the woman behind the desk said with a stiff smile that didn’t look genuine.

Waiting took the entire day as hours passed while I sat there, watching other girls go in and out of their interviews. Each one had different looks of excitement and disappointment on their faces, I couldn't help but imagine how it would be for me. I lost count of how many times my stomach had growled today. I should've listened to Cristiano and ate to my fill. But no, I wanted to maintain the perfect shape for the interview. Now, I was hungry and couldn't leave my seat because I could be called anytime soon. Thankfully, I found a snack I had shoved into my bag earlier this morning and nibbled on it. 

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, it was my turn. But as I walked into the room, the management team barely looked at me. One man scanned through my portfolio for about thirty seconds before setting it down.

“Mrs. Morano,” I could help but flush at the way he addressed me. I still haven't gotten used to being called that. “Unfortunately, we already have enough actresses for today.” one of the executives said, not even bothering to look up from her paperwork. “We appreciate your interest, but it’s too late, better luck next time.”

I stood there a while, too stunned to even form words. “But... I’ve been here all day.”

“I’m sorry, but the decisions have already been made,” Right, the decision not to recruit me. “You were late to register, and we have to follow our process. Although you have an interesting profile, it's a pity we have to let you go. Who knows, if there's a need for your talent, we can reach out to you. But for now, we can't accept you.”

That was it. No interview. No discussion. They just dismissed me.

I walked out of the room, feeling downcast. So all the waiting and starvation was for nothing. I didn’t even bother fighting it. What was the point? This wasn’t about my talent. It wasn’t even about me. It was about the fact that I was related to Cristiano. And the fact that he had sent someone to ruin those people’s careers yesterday only made things worse.

I stepped outside, the cool breeze hitting my face as I walked down the steps of the agency building. It was now I noticed the bodyguard’s presence. “All done, ma’am?” he asked.

I nodded without saying a word, climbing into the back seat when he opened the door to the car for me. As we drove off the building, I realized that maybe I was kidding myself, thinking I could do this without Cristiano. Maybe I should just give up, and be a housewife, like everyone expected me to be. That would be a good idea… right?

My thoughts were interrupted by the buzzing of my phone on my lap. I raised it only to find “mum” written on the screen. I wasted no time rejecting the call. Don't look at me that way, this was the same way she had just stood by when my father disowned me. Since we weren't related anymore, she shouldn't have to call me. At all.