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He waved me off and looked like he wanted to grab a bucket of popcorn.
“Camillo,” Christoph said. He was obviously testing me.
I didn’t bother correcting him on his lack of title use. “I’m being let go?”
“No, no. Nothing like that,” he said. Fuck, I hated his voice. Smarmy piece of shit. “I think we’re going to go in a different direction, and we’d like to extend you an offer for a new role.”
“I told you I’m not interested in being on camera?—”
“Of course, and I heard you. I meant a role in the company. After some deep self-reflection, my team and I decided you were right from the beginning. This role really does belong to a person who can understand the experience of being wheelchair-bound.”
I cringed hard at the phrase, and my usual lecture jumped to the tip of my tongue. But I knew Christoph wouldn’t hear me. If he knew that phrase upset me, he’d only make sure to use it more. Gritting my teeth, I took a breath, and then what he was saying hit me.
“You want to let Aleric go?”
“It seems only right. We have time to reshoot the episodes we’ve already done, and I have a list of actors who came in to audition for the role. We’d love to have you work with casting to choose the right fit to play you.”
The numbness spread from my face to my chest. “He’s got a contract. You can’t fire him without just cause.”
“The just cause is your vehement objection to his casting and his inability to actually respect the disability he’s supposed to be representing.” Christoph’s words were sharp and cruel. He knew that by hurting Aleric, he was hurting me. Especially by offering me what I had wanted in the beginning.
What a bastard.
“I’m afraid I don’t have an objection though. Initially, I was disappointed in who was cast, but getting to see him work on set and understanding the work he’s put in to give my story life,I have to say he’s the perfect one for the job. No one has ever understood me the way he does.”
Christoph hummed. It was a trap. I just didn’t know what it was yet. “So you’re saying that as he is right now, he’s perfect for the role? You don’t think another wheelchair?—”
“I don’t think another wheelchair user could do better,” I interrupted. If bound came out of his mouth again, I was going to find a way to reach through the phone and punch him. “Aleric is perfect.”
“If that’s the case, then I don’t think we require your services. If he’s learned what he needs to know, then I think our business has concluded. Don’t you?”
Ah. There it was. I swallowed hard. I could either insist that I remain on set, which would allow Christoph the motivation to fire Aleric—and eventually me—or I could allow him to terminate my position.
“You’re absolutely right.”
Christoph was silent for a beat. “So…you agree?”
“I do. And if anyone questions Aleric’s integrity or ability to do this role, please let them know I am willing to speak on his behalf. Publicly. To anyone.”
Christoph cleared his throat. “I see.”
“I suppose I won’t see you on set again, but I appreciate the work you’ve put into telling my authentic story.”
He choked a little. “Mm. Of course, Your Highness. That’s always been my main priority.”
What a fucking prick. “Have a good night.”
I was shaking by the time I hung up the phone, and I spun my chair to face Erik, who no longer looked entertained. He pushed himself a little closer to me like he wanted to reach out but didn’t know if he should. Or could.
“Well?” he asked after a beat.
“I was just fired.”
His eyes went wide. “Youwhat?Canthey fire you?”
“I suppose they can if they determined that my services were no longer needed.” He stared at me, so I told him exactly what Christoph said.
“You should fight it. That’s bullshit.”