"Does some product damage again?" Mira asked as they went inside the club room.
"No" Coco answered and got some papers.
She was hesitating, what if she was wrong, she didn't know when she first noticed.
She just ignored it, because why? Zohara never treats them badly, she can't understand.
"You seem down." Mira said while helping her
"You seem to be worried about yesterday's issue?" Coco ask normally
"Well…some people might have commented because of the heat of the situation. If they get arrested it would be too much. Is-isn't it?"
"But L-Line systems confirms if you want to comment or post something. Why didn't they stop and think about it." Coco said felt quite suffocated just remembering last night's events, especially the dirty comments.
Zohara was called slut, whore, used hole, easy, plastic, and fuck doll. Her name was dragged to the mud! She felt fucking disgusted reading it. How much more Zohara's family and herself.
The club was filled with silence.
"You didn't do anything right?"
A binder fall
"Why would I?!" Mira said quite defensively and picked the binder on the floor.
"How could you say that to me?!" She said angrily and look at Coco
"Really?" Coco asked and looked at Mira's eyes "Why do you look so scared then?"
"Of course! Being accused like this? Who wouldn't don't you know Hara would dragged me to death?!"
"Then why did you destroy Zohara's crochet doll! Don't deny it, I have a video" its a lie
"What? When!? No, I didn't!" Mira said with a hint of panic, Coco's heart dropped.
"Why?" Coco asked angrily
"I didnt…please Coco, I really didnt."
Coco just stare
"What else did you do? Did you tattle about Zohara and Nicht?"
"I said I didn't! Don't accuse me of something like that!"
"Alright, let Zohara decide."
"Coco please! I really didnt…" Mira said and tried to stop Coco who was about to leave.
Mira was beyond scared, she couldn't sleep yesterday because of what Zohara posted and remembering Hara on the internet, she'll be dragged to death!
"Coco" Mira sobbed "I'm sorry please, dont tell Zohara. I really didn't tell them about Nicht and Zohara. I only posted something! But I never tell a soul about Zohara's information! Believe me! We've been friends for months! I'm just pressured and I need to release some emotion!"
"Why?!" Coco shouted "Zohara didn't treat us badly!"
"Of course we are her charity" Mira answer back and wipe her tears, she knows Coco wouldn't say anything "Don't you think about it? Why did she befriend us? I was really thinking that she see me as a friend but would a friend treat us like this?"
"What?" Coco is confused
"Cant you remember when we're going to eat in the cafeteria, we needed to go first and order her food! and she always flaunt around her wealth around! Dont you know what people tell me when they see me?! I'm Zohara's maid! that Iam her charity case!"
"Are you listening to yourself? Zohara never asked us to order her food, Soren just wanted to! She flaunts her wealth to us? When?!"
"The scarf!"
"Shes thanking us! Why would you take it that way?!" Coco answer back, she never thought that way "Cant you remember that Zohara give you another ticket of the match when she heard it your brother birthday?"
"And so? She just wants to boast around!"
"Youre insane, you're just jealous of her"
"Jealous?! Why would I?! When she gets it from whoring herself!" Mira stopped, she was too agitated.
"What?! What have you been posting about Zohara! Let me see your account!" Coco said and grabbed Mira's phone on the table.
"Dont steal my things!"
Mira was about to grab Coco when her arm was catched.
"So-soren"
Soren got the phone from Coco and used Mira's finger to open her phone and L-Line account.
Soren's face became colder and colder. He snorted. He wanted to punch her. His grip tightened.
"Soren give it to me." Zohara said coldly
"Zohara" Coco said and Mira was filled with fear
"No" Soren answer
"Soren"
Soren's eyes redden and give her the phone and push Mira to the floor. Mira's hand trembles.
"Why does Zohara keep flaunting her wealth when it comes from opening her legs."
"Is she a free hole to all? Why does Soren like her? I can smell her nasty filth three miles away"
"Livestreaming in bed? Are you showcasing yourself Ms. Free hole to all?"
"Whore"
"Slut"
"I think you're even too loose to pleasure someone."
Zohara uttered coldly. Soren's eyes redden, Coco is crying. They felt beyond betrayal.
"I could read this all day, aren't you amazing?" Zohara said while chuckling
"W-what?" Mira asked with a cracked voice
"How can you smile and follow me around when you feel this way about me? You should become an actress."
"Babe isn't it agonizing, hating me so deeply?. You know, your words doesn't hurt me at all but I really treated you as a friend." Zohara said and squat.
Mira snorted
"Friend? Don't joke, we both know you treat me as a charity."
"You win, you hurt me, this is the first betrayal I ever experienced. I felt so fucking betray that I want to chopped you to pieces." Zohara said so coldly that Mira felt goosebumps. Soren, Coco, Nicht, and the man in the storage room all tremble.
Zohara rests her face on her hand while looking at Mira as if really considering it.
"Arent you afraid of authority?" Mira asked trembling and looked at Zohara's back asking for help.
"Youre right, I shouldn't dirty myself with this. You know what's scary?" Zohara asked and stand up. She walk to the storage room showing one of the club member holding a phone recording the video.
Zohara gets it, the member just trembles and gives it.
"Hmmm"
Zohara tilted her head and cut the video where she threatened Mira and posted it in L-Line with Mira's account link. Then she deleted the member copy and from the back up.
"What did you do?!"
"I made you famous" Zohara answer
"You don't have a conscience! HAVE YOU EVER THINK WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO ME? MY FAMILY?"
"Please Zohara, Im my family's future!" She sobbed
The four watching it felt disgusted. They might have felt pity before but now, all they felt was how Mira was so hypocritical.
"Should I care?"
Mira trembled in fear and gritted her teeth. She stood up and got a scissor and aimed it at her neck. She'll die the moment it was posted, if Zohara can say she forgives her! Everything will be forgotten! Her family wouldn't be affected!
"I'll kill myself, arent you afraid that people will talk about this? Delete the video and tell everyone we're just acting for our booth." Mira said with a hint of confidence
"You!" Soren and Coco, Nicht sigh.
Zohara laugh
"Go on"
"Wh-what?"
"I said fucking go on" Zohara uttered and grabbed Mira's hand. She deepened the scissor in her neck.
"LET ME GO!"
"Move it here, then stab it." Zohara said and deepened it again, blood trail to Mira's neck.
"Youre scared?" Zohara said and let her go, Mira's knees weaken and sat at the floor.
"Oh your brother is calling."
Zohara answered it.
"SISTER! WHY DID YOU DO IT?!"
"MIRA! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?! DO YOU REALLY WANT TO KILL US ALL?!"
"HAVE YOU SEEN THE INTERNET, THEY ARE TELLING THAT I DIDN'T RAISE YOU WELL?"
Mira's brother, mother, and father shouted.
"Mo-Mom" Mira's said with choked voiced and glare to Zohara
"Mira is with me, I didn't know someone took a video and posted it." Zohara said with a hint of pity, Soren immediately covered Mira's mouth.
"Sister Zohara?" Miro asked
"Yes, I'm sorry, I didn't intend to drag you into this. I'll ask someone to delete it."
"Ye-yes, thank you" Miro
"Sorry to our child" Mira's mom said, they watched the video and heard and read what their daughter posted. They felt Mira was a stranger.
"What would happen to Mira? Could you not sue her?" Mira's father
"I can… but my father wouldn't let Mira go even if I asked for it. My father is really angry." Zohara said
Their family hearing this couldn't say anymore, they felt they were cornered. They saw how wealthy Zohara is, if their family retaliated, they would die!
"Im sorry about this, I couldn't save Mira but… I can stop father from retaliating to you. I know you didn't know about this matter."
"I-its alright, I'm sorry" Miro said quite felt guilty, he knows how kind Zohara was, that's why he couldn't understand his sister! Does the capital really change her!
"Dont worry Miro, I know you mean well, you should talk to Mira."
"Mom! Dad! Miro! You're abandoning me!?" She felt scared
"Mira! Have you asked for forgiveness!?" Her mother asked
"Sister, what happened to you? Can you hear youself?" Miro asked
"We are not abandoning you, you place yourself in that situation. I'm sorry, as your father I couldn't do anything."
Then the call ends.
"You'll probably be behind bars for at least 4 years? Don't worry I'll give money to your family, I'm not that evil. You don't need to be indebted, it's my charity." Zohara uttered.
Coco didn't feel any pity for Mira. If Mira asked for forgiveness, owned her mistake, Coco will feel pity. But Mira didn't, she keep blaming Zohara and playing her own narrative as if she was victim. She didn't felt guilty or pity but she feel surreal, like how Mira would spend her years behind bars. It seems out of the blue and fast, you really didn't know what will happen.
Soren felt betrayal and deep hatred. Those posts! It's beyond disgusting! Zohara is much kinder, if he can decide he wants to punch Mira at least once!
Nicht feels it's normal, what was not normal was that Hara never noticed Mira's hatred. Maybe, Mira is too good at acting or Hara was never suspicious of Mira. Nicht is more worried about Zohara than Mira who seems to have lost her soul.
Nat, the guy in the storage room, felt very happy. He first liked Zohara when she fought back from her dirty rumors. Watching it in action, he felt blessed! Zohara even touched his phone and opened his account!
Zohara answers the call.
"It's deleted, the account, the video, and the names were already released, they'll be guided to the police station. I'm in the parking lot, come here." She heard her father's voice coldly.
"Yes, father." Zohara answered with a soft voice.
"Hmmm"
"I'll be leaving." Zohara said
"How about her?" Nicht asked
"Police are outside."
"YOU RE-"
Mira couldn't finish her sentence when Soren kicked her in her stomach. Mira gasped and whimpered.
"Oh, aren't you glad? you're kicked by someone you like?" Zohara asked with a tilt of head before leaving.
Zohara didn't mind the stare around the campus and went to the parking lot.
She found the car of her father and went inside. The car immediately left.
Zohara was immediately enveloped by a hug. Zohara gripped her father's tuxedo and buried her face in his chest and cried.
Zohara felt suffocated. She really treats Mira as a friend. When she learned that Mira might betray her and tell the press about Nicht and her. She felt betrayed but actually hearing it, reading it, those words doesn't hurt her but knowing the person who posted does. She trusted Mira. She didnt even notice that she opened up and let her guard down until she experienced the betrayal.
Zin rubbed his daughter's hair. He didn't say anything. He couldn't say anything, seeing his daughter cry makes him feel suffocated.
Zohara was a lonely child, she's close off and tries to push people away. Nicht was the only one who actually tried and succeeded, then his daughter began livestreaming. He saw her change, she became more talkative, and she is now actually doing what she wants. Then he saw her friends in college. Zohara is quite slow to recognize her own feelings but she feels much deeper than shown. That's why Zin always asks his daughter, her feelings, emotions, wants and needs. Zohara was ignored for a long time and learned how to keep things inside her. So, he was glad to see her open up.
After a few minutes Zohara already released her grievance. Zohara already comes to terms with her feelings. There's no point of regretting trusting someone, it's not her fault.
"Father" Zohara mumble with a hoarse voice
"Yes? Everything will be alright." He answered and rubbed her hair. Zohara jolted her backward and just rested her cheeks on her father's shoulder.
"Hmmm" Zohara answered and opened her phone. While her father was just rubbing her hair.
@Ohara
Stop harassing Mira's family, they didn't know anything and they already apologized.
I wouldn't stand idle if you harm them, the person who's at fault taking the accountability should be enough.
They arrived at her condo unit. Zohara hugs her father's arm while they get inside the elevator. The moment they exit, they see a tall man standing in front of her condo unit.
"Luther, what are you doing here?" Zin asked the uninvited guest as they walked towards the door.
"I'm worried about our little Zohara" Luther answered with a smirked "Here" Luther said and gave a white rabbit candy to Zohara.
Zohara receives it with furrowed eyebrows.
Luther seeing it smile a little, he also noticed Zohara's reddened eyes. As expected she cried.
"Zohara go inside"
"Hmmm"
Zohara mumbled and entered her unit.
"Dont you ever touch her." Zin uttered coldly
"I wouldn't, I still have my morals Uncle Zin. But…can I court her once she's old enough?" Luther asked
"You should check your age, Zohara is only 18, you're 32."
"Isnt it much better? I'm more mature and I wouldn't hurt Zohara. I think I'm the best in the market." Luther said with a hint of laughter and seriousness.
"She's just a child. I wouldn't say anything anymore, don't go near her until she turns at least 22!" Zin said coldly knowing he can't do anything about Luther's interest. More on, the more you push it away, it'll only grow.
He just wishes Luther's interest vanished before Zohara turned 22.
Zin didn't look back and entered the condo unit. Then he saw her daughter sleeping on the sofa. He carried her in her bed and watched her for a while before leaving.
•
Amidst Zohara's rest the internet was in chaos.
Even when the video and account was deleted, several people have a copy and post it. They also saw almost 100 people's names get called for hearing, and one of them was Mira's name.
Watching the video, they all felt betray and the video ended when Zohara was saying that she felt fucking betray that she-? the video stop, they wanted to know what she said and @ the others but no one answer.
:Woman's jealousy is so scary
1M Likes
:If she felt that insecure being Zohara's friend she should distance herself, why does she fucking pretend okay then write those disgusting shit about Zohara
:Moreover, even if I'm jealous of Zohara I wouldn't post something like that knowing what Zohara's character was! Just imagine how fuck up Zohara's felt!
:Im actually a member of Hara's club, that scarf, its a luxury scarf and Im so fucking happy receiving it. Beside receiving such a gift, what I felt more grateful for was being seen by Zohara. Im also happy in our cause…hearing that woman's word that it's a charity I couldn't fathom what was going inside of her head.
2M Likes
:What was scary was that Zohara never noticed…
:I want to cry
:When Zohara read those post about her I felt so fucking suffocated! I can't even fathom how Zohara felt!
:Zohara is really kind, she makes sure no harm was brought to that woman's family, and even donated the ransom money to Anti Cyber Bullying Campaign
900k Likes
:MIRA IS SO FUCKING SHAMELESS
:I WISH ZOHARA LET SOREN PUNCH MIRA ONCE
560K Likes
:Have you seen Soren, Coco and Nicht reaction after hearing the posts?
1M Likes
:It makes me cry, Soren doesn't even want to give the phone to Zohara…
:fuck
On the internet some people think what Zohara's done is too much, actually suing and putting someone behind bars just because of words is too much for them but most people think it's necessary.
•
After resting, Zohara left her unit around 8PM and went back to her dorm. She still needs to obey the curfew.
When she came to her dorm, the three was not in the living room but there's a note in the table.
There's an ice cream in the ref.
Zohara smiles and gets the ice cream. She ate it before washing her face and brushing her teeth.
Tomorrow morning, Zohara has already adjusted. The class proceeded as normal, but her classmates were all on edge including Coco and Soren.
But after a while, Soren reverted back and lifted Coco's mood. They needed to also energize the club later because the anniversary is nearing!
They took their lunch and attended their respective clubs. Zohara also went to a photography club, they were already scheduled to meet to finalize their booth.
What they came with was a photobooth and souvenir shop key chain that was a clear glass with a picture they photograph inside. They just finalized the photobooth design, assignment, and photos that'll be developed.
Days passed and it was now Sunday,
Zohara was staying in her unit and inserting the small photographs inside the box glass key chain. She was assigned to do this instead of helping in building the booth.
Yesterday, she also heard about the Silk Rebellion casting call. Based on what her manager said, Director Ayen will host an open audition this October 23 for the remaining position except the Male lead.
"Yes it's for our booth" Zohara answered the livestream. They are all well behaved and didnt ask about Mira which makes her want to laugh. These past few days, her followers continue to grow and its now 19.4 million in L-Line, 12 million in L-Videos which is not usually used, and 18.2 million L-Rest.
:We're finally going to see Zohara?!
:Im quite worried, what if the University was overcapacity because of people who will go for Zohara…
:Its basically a fan meet lol
"I heard you needed a ticket to enter the University? It'll be sold next week based on the official page announcement. The start of the Anniversary will be on Wednesday until Saturday."
: I hope I can secure a ticket!
:Please let me have this
:I want to buy something in Hara's Club!
When Zohara finished her work, she also ended the livestream amidst the people's complaints.
Zohara's days passed quite peacefully, she mostly spent her time reading novels and advanced reading. She was also called by the dean about her Ace benefits, she chose to just store it and just wish at the end of the year or when she's about to graduate.
Then it's the opening of the University Anniversary.
It starts in the opening in the auditorium before all the students are released and allowed to stay in their booth.
The photography club has 40 members, on Wednesday they are divided in half. 20 members would roam around the University to take photos, which they need, and they can also develop the photos and sell it under the club. The remaining half stayed in the club booth, they built three photo booths, just different designs and prepared props.
Zohara was roaming the University with Sam, a club member. Zohara was in front while Sam followed her around with a blushing face.
Zohara took several photos, some people panic while some take a pose. They also want to take a picture with Zohara and autograph, especially the outsider but Zohara declined because it wouldn't end.
Thankfully I didn't push it and just took a photo of Zohara.
Zohara went to Hara's club, and a lot of people were there.
"ZOHARA!"
"WOAH!"
"She looks amazing in person."
"The camera couldn't give her justice"
Zohara waves her hand which causes a stir. The Hara's did not try to jump towards her and maintain a respectful distance. She aimed the camera in their direction and took a photo. She also took a photo of Soren who was smiling happily and Coco. Then other Hara's Club members.
The University was filled with festivity and fun.
Zohara spends her time either taking photos around the University or stationing herself in their club booth.
In the Closing Ceremony, not all students are required to attend because there are also a lot of outsiders who want to watch the performances. So, before the anniversary started the student audience was told the volume of tickets for the Closing Ceremony were allowed to circulate.
Zohara opted for her participation and stayed in her dorm after doing her task until Saturday afternoon.
Zohara in her room was re-reading the Silk Rebellion on her ipad. If she wants the role of Lian Xue, she needs more substance, Lian Xue is a femme fatale. Even though she knows she loves the emperor, in the end she'll be able to kill him. Lian Xue's level of control of her emotions is quite terrifying.
Also, as a seductress, Lian Xue needs to make intimate contact with Emperor Xuanlie, they even have a sex in the novel but most probably it wouldn't be shown but still be perceived to.
Zohara was also thinking if she can act with someone to the point of that intimateness. When it comes to romance, she's totally clueless about it. She never likes someone nor gets physical. Basically, the most intimate thing she did was receive a kiss on the cheek from his father.
When she was reading about Lian Xue, she kept dissecting her emotions, she can embody the surface level of it but she can't on the deeper level. Calix's love was different from Lian Xue, Calix in her first drama was pure and her love was like a wisp, it was deep, hurtful but barely there.
Lian Xue was different, she recognized her feelings, she owned it and lived it. It's like a fire, fueled by hatred and love, it's constantly fighting and burning each other. It was too intense and conflicting, to the point the readers inquired how Lian Xue could continue to think rationally. Lian Xue was so sober and drunk at the same time. It's an obsession.
Zohara spends her days studying, writing lab reports and sourcing different materials about love, obsession and hate. Be it in academic terms or fictional terms.
Especially in fiction, some emotions are deeply hard to act on, like how can someone act in a phrase 'there is a fire in her heart' that is metaphorical and needs a deep understanding of the character. So that's what she did,
dissect
analyze
understand
embody it
She learns the subtle shift of emotion.
Then October 23rd arrived, it's tuesday and she was wearing white short sleeved top and long layered blue plaid ruffle skirt. Black platform shoes and white handbag with a horror keychain.
Her manager already got her a position to apply as Lian Xue, the casting call for the artist is held in Velin studio.
•
Zohara was in the back seat while advanced reading for General Microbiology.
"Zohara, Director Lux informed me that they were able to secure a cinema slot from February 10 to the end of the month. But it still depends on change once the movie becomes popular."
"Also, most artists want to get in the drama adaptation of Silk Rebellion, so the competition will be fierce especially in the female lead character and important characters such as Mei Lin and General Wei Sheng."
"I also saw a good endorsement offer, I already sent it to your email."
Manager Eli said once he noticed that Zohara dropped her notes. Zohara nodded and checked her email. It's an invitation to be on the cover of a magazine called
ICONIQ.
"ICONIQ magazine is a popular magazine that interviews new icons in the industry. They wanted to cover you and do an interview in their mini-issue called ICONIQ- Artist File. The ICONIQ usually covers emerging artists, so the payment is in the form of revenue share. This is on your side as an emerging artist with no previous works but has a lot of influence."
"How about the advertisement fee for the clothing I'll be wearing in the shoot?"
"Usually you'll wear their own brands based on your theme. They are offering a 15% revenue share and additional 5% share once most wardrobes are sold out. You'll be wearing at most 5 design "
"If you think it's the best offer they can give me, go with it."
"Alright, I'll settle with them and send you the schedule and contract."
Then they arrived at Velin Studio, its modern, multi-story structure and sleek building. It appears to span four floors, each defined by clean horizontal lines and a mix of light-colored panels and dark vertical accents.
Velin Studio was established 6 years ago, they first focused on buying different popular IPs and co-producing it. They are more focused on holding important directors, scriptwriters and editing teams than artists.
In total they only have 3 artists under their company and most of the buildings are used in the post production.
After passing the security, they went to the 3rd floor where the audition will be taken. Even though the building is not high, it's spacious. The 3rd floor has several rooms and they were guided to a room where a notice was posted.
'Lian Xue' 'Mei Lin' 'Wei Sheng' 'Scholar Yu'
Across several rooms, there's also some posted notice with the name of the 3rd line position. She received a tag with her name and number and went inside leaving the manager behind.
"Good luck" Manager Eli uttered, which was answered with a smile by Zohara.
Inside the room, all the contestants looked at the door once it opened. They scan for their competitors.
Maren, try to calm down her heart. She's been here since an hour ago and as the people enter, her confidence gets lower and lower.
She recently became popular and the entertainment company where she was signed was also an A-list Company. The downside was her company was known for producing Idols not actresses, but still they still have a connection. Once the casting call was announced in the insider, many people fought for the audition position which only had 15 seats for each role.
Her manager fought tooth for tooth for the audition position as Mei Lin but…she knows this is a S-tier drama adaptation and almost all the contestants were A-list or upper B-list.
When the Silk Rebellion adaption was announced, it caused chaos in the mainstream media because it was the 2nd best selling fiction book in Country C. It had a huge and dedicated fan base. So, people were not really happy when it was announced, the reaction was halved, because they were afraid that a bad adaptation would ruin the book.
Then it was announced that the Velin Studio will produce it. Some fans calm down, Velin Studio is quite new but the drama that came under them are all well produced and budgeted. Then, they heard its Director Ayen Ruo and Riujie. Most of the fans calm down, who is Ayen Ruo? She's one of the most prominent Directors and even won several awards domestically and internationally for best pictures.
Then there's Riujie. Riujie started as a child actor and has been in the industry since he was 10 years old. Now, 23 years old he's in the peak of his career, he already won best new actor, supporting actor and 2X as best actor.
Just by the studio, director and male lead, they knew this drama would bag records and revenue.
That's why Maren didn't want to let go of this opportunity, the quiet room became even more quiet as they heard the door closing.
Maren was beyond shocked, not only because Zohara looks so beautiful but also because why the hell is she here? Maren knows some influencers and micro-celebrity in the internet do try to enter the entertainment industry but they are usually bashed and attacked because of their poor acting. But why is Zohara here?
Even though Zohara is extremely popular but she doesn't have any work under her name and she was really controversial. Some artist knows her but some don't, they also heard her interest in Silk Rebellion but no one thought that she really would be here.
Maren couldn't help but to gasp and look at Lorelei also sitting in the Lian Xue section. They almost look the same but… Maren looked away.
When Maren saw the comparison of the two in picture they almost look the same but once they are in the same room. People could notice it immediately, who pale in comparison.
'Woah she really auditioned?
and to a S-tier list drama at that?
and female lead?
It's either idiocy or confidence.
People collectively thought.
Zohara once she entered the room noticed the silence, she didn't care. The room was extremely spacious and the chairs were divided into four seating arrangements. There are at least 15 chairs in each position. In front of the chair was a wide space, camera, and judge's table. There are different names in front of the table.
'Investor Yu'
'Investor Wang'
'Leox Hill'
'Main Scripwriter Ren'
'Author: Li
'Male Lead: Riujie'
'Director Ayen Ruo'
There are still 20 minutes before the audition starts. The room was filled with suffocating pressure.