Jack came looking for me after the meeting.
He scoffed before I could say a word, looking down at me with his usual arrogance. "Don't think being vice president is going to be that easy."
I pursed my lips. "Funny, considering someone with such mediocre skills has been sitting comfortably in that position for so long. I was starting to think just about any random stray could be a VP."
Jack's eyes widened in disbelief. He opened his mouth, but after a few false starts, he couldn't seem to come up with a retort. Instead, he shot me a condescending glance. "Let's see if you can even get the position first. Trying to make ten million dollars off some little production company? What a joke."
With that, he turned on his heel and left in a hurry, as if afraid I'd say something he couldn't counter.
…
I called Heather when I got back to my office. She rushed in half an hour later, looking exhausted.
"Jane, what's wrong?" she asked between breaths, her face lined with fatigue.
I asked, "What happened to you? Why do you look so tired?"
Heather let out a long sigh and slumped into a chair. "The first drama is in its final stages now. I've been overseeing everything in case something goes wrong. I was at the post-production company when you called, so I came straight over."
I felt both relieved and a little guilty. "Once the drama airs, take a long vacation. You deserve a proper break."
Her face instantly lit up. "Really? Yes!"
Despite being a lighthearted romance, the cinematography was stunning, the acting was solid, and the plot was refreshingly original.
Amidst a market flooded with repetitive tropes and formulaic scripts, this drama was a breath of fresh air. After it exploded in popularity, product placements and brand deals flooded in. Even the lead actors skyrocketed to A-list status because of it.
Upon seeing how calm I was, Heather's hesitation shifted into confusion. She eyed me warily before testing the waters. "Jane… Are you sure you're not just cracking under pressure? You look way too chill about this."
I let out a helpless laugh and flicked her forehead. "What nonsense are you thinking? I believe in my instincts, and more importantly, I believe in you and Ned. Go all in. Push the marketing hard. Don't hold back on spending. I've got your back."
When I said that, Heather's eyes turned red as if all her hard work had finally been acknowledged.
She sniffled, visibly moved. "Don't worry, Jane! I'm not taking a break before this drama becomes a household name! If I don't make this show a hit, I'll change my name!"
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Revenge is best served cold