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“A company that has nothing to do with this industry wants to branch out with their investments and bring a new brand awareness to their products so they decided to give the movie industry a chance,” he explains.

“I don’t understand. Do we have to show their products in the movie? Or do they want something else?” I’m a bit confused.

“They want a percentage of the gross income, and they are okay with thesponsored byclause when we promote the movie. No product placement in the movie.”

“Okay. I can deal with that.”

“Good, because they dropped the entire sum that we need. Well, a bit more because I pushed a bit higher, but they didn’t complain, so I’m good with that.” He chews at a piece of sandwich and then he points to my plate. “Aren’t you eating?”

I shake my head. “I’m too nervous to eat. I can’t believe we found someone!” I hope he doesn’t get offended at thewepart of the sentence.

If it was up to me everything would have ended up in flames.

“Well, not we.Youfound someone.” He keeps chewing the sandwich without paying much attention to my puzzled face.

“What do you mean? I didn’t find the company.”

He waves his hand, dismissing my concern, and bites another piece of that damn sandwich. Isn’t he even a bit focused on this conversation?

“Harrison Bates was enthusiastic about what you told him about the movie and found this company that was investing in movies,” he explains like it’s the most normal thing in the world while I choke on air.

“He what?” I manage to spit out while coughing.

Kevin waves, grabbing the attention of one of his staff inside, and asks for a bottle of wine, not paying attention to me almost dying at his table. I have no idea what Harrison has in mind, but I’m pretty sure nothing good will come of this conversation. I humiliated Harrison Bates seven days ago. I bruised his ego and busted his balls. It’s impossible he found something positive about that conversation. We didn’t even talk about the movie. But I talked with Aaron about it. He was the one spilling the beans with his friend. God, I hate Hollywood.

“He was so excited he ran to me to find out more.”

“I bet he did,” I murmur under my breath. “What’s the catch? What did he want?”

“We didn’t sign with him, we signed with the company. They put up the money,” he says.

“Really?”

“I signed a couple of hours ago, so yes. I’m pretty sure it was the company name on the contract, not his.”

A mixture of excitement and doubt is running through my veins. The thrill I got at the news is becoming suspicion at a very fast pace. We fought, we were at each other’s throats, and now he is gifting me this movie? Like hell is he doing something out the goodness of his heart.

“So, what’s the deal with him?”

“He’s going to star in the movie. He will be the main character.” He drops the bomb chewing on a piece of cake.

“Like hell he is!” I blurt out.

“Yes. It’s in the contract. They give us the money, he’ll be the lead,” he continues with an angelic calm while I’m about to explode.

“We already have a lead!” I raise my voice.

“I beg your pardon?” He turns slowly and gives me his full attention.

I shrink in my chair. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to disrespect you, but we have the perfect actor for that part. How can we putPretty Boyin something so dramatic? We can’t take off his shirt!” I ask calmly, the opposite of how I feel inside where I’m smoldering with anger.

He chuckles and smirks. “Maybe it was a very bad fuck for you, but he enjoyed it and he gave us the money. So, suck it up and enjoy the ride.”

“I didn’t fuck him! And no, I don’t enjoy the ride. I’m the director and I have a say in the casting choices. I don’t want him in my movie.” I stand my ground.

I didn’t make it ten years in this industry by accepting everything they impose on me.

“Well, sweetheart, his role is included in the contract. No Harrison Bates, no money. No money, no movie.”