Freya's POV
I awoke abruptly, my forehead damp with icy perspiration...
Throughout the night, I was plagued by nightmares. One moment, I dreamt of the car accident from before, the despair of being trapped beneath the wreckage, unable to budge; the next moment, I dreamt of Kingsley accepting Tracy with a swollen belly as his mate.
A deep masculine voice suddenly reached my ears, "How are you feeling?"
I moved with stiffness and turned my head slowly.
Kingsley lay on his side beside me, his brow furrowed, seemingly displeased by the sudden interruption of his sleep.
Memories of last night flooded my mind in an instant, including how I had shouted his name at the top of my lungs due to his passionate thrusts.
Pretending not to hear Kingsley, I grabbed my clothes and attempted to rise.
Kingsley swiftly extended his arm, holding me back. "Where do you think you're running off to?"
"I'm not trying to escape! I just..." I was on my hands and knees, clutching the covers around my body, my face flushed and rosy.
Kingsley's left hand propped his head up, his eyes studying the marks he had left on my chest the night before.
I blushed and clenched my teeth. "I was intoxicated last night, and nothing that occurred should be taken seriously."
Kingsley narrowed his eyes dangerously. "Were you so drunk that you felt entitled to bring a man home for the night? Do you remember that you're my mate?"
I glared right back. "And what about you? Do you remember that you already have a mate? If you can't fulfill your duties, why should you seek them from me?"
Kingsley's face darkened. "What did you say?"
"Am I not correct? Furthermore, we're on the verge of rejecting each other, so what does it matter!"
I broke free from Kingsley's grip and made to leave the bed.
Kingsley suddenly rolled over and pinned me down, then forcefully kissed me on the lips.
I struggled fiercely, but the inherent physical strength of men proved insurmountable for me.
Gradually, Kingsley's strength waned, and he tenderly kissed me.
As Kingsley's lips brushed against my collarbone, I abruptly whispered, "Kingsley, why do you harbor such anger?"
Kingsley halted his movements and gazed up at me. Our eyes locked, and I posed the question, "Does this imply that you are enamored with me?"
Releasing his grasp, Kingsley sat up, his expression frosty. "You're not that attractive to me!" he retorted.
Afterward, he dressed himself and departed from the bedroom, leaving me lying beneath the ceiling, a wry smile tugging at the corner of my mouth in self-derision.
I grew weary of my heart racing uncontrollably at Kingsley's touch, weary of the foolishness of anticipating an outcome I already knew.
Shortly thereafter, Sarah entered unexpectedly. "Luna."
Startled, I turned to find Sarah already holding a bowl of darkened "soup" before me.
"Madam mentioned that this soup, when consumed after intimacy, enhances the likelihood of conception," Sarah conveyed, "and she asserted that everything will be fine once you have a child."
I had heard these words countless times over the years.
Initially, I believed that if we were to bear a child sooner, our relationship would gradually flourish.
However, Kingsley had no desire to have a child with me at all, and I gradually comprehended that a child was not a means for me to bind Kingsley to me.
Rather, a child was a new life that should come into existence through the anticipation and love of both parents, not a tool employed to salvage a faltering relationship.
Suddenly, Kingsley's voice emanated from behind, "Sarah, please tidy up the study. I inadvertently spilled water on the table, and the books became wet."
I had yet to ingest my medicine, and Sarah hesitated for a moment. "But..."
"Those books are of great importance," Kingsley uttered casually.
Confronted with Kingsley's unrefusable demeanor, Sarah dared not offer any excuses. She acquiesced and proceeded towards the study.
I cast a fleeting glance in his direction, and Kingsley suddenly asked, "Are you so desperate to conceive?"
My countenance darkened. "Kingsley, what is the matter with you? I didn't say anything about wanting to conceive?"
Kingsley glanced at the bowl of medicine in my hand. "Then why are you still imbibing this?"
Clenching my teeth, I retorted, "You reminded me," and handed him the medicine. "Keep it for yourself!"
With those words, I slammed the door behind him as he exited.
...
By the time I reached the hotel, Novia awaited me patiently.
The hallway was abuzz with twenty to thirty people, and the actresses, without exception, radiated stunning beauty.
I couldn't help but feel a surge of nerves.
Novia sensed my unease and whispered reassuringly, "Don't be too anxious; I'm certain you'll succeed in securing the role."
Her words eased my tension, and I responded softly, "I'll give it my all."
Shortly after, the room door swung open, revealing a competent woman who emerged with a stack of resume forms.
She proclaimed in a loud voice, "Those whose names are called, proceed inside directly."
The first actor was summoned, instantly filling the air with tension.
I remained on edge, ready to be called, but my turn still didn't arrive when there were only two people remaining outside.
Once the final actor left, I stood alone, but as time passed without my name being called, something felt amiss.
After a few more minutes, the door opened again, and the same woman from earlier stepped out, heading straight for the elevator.
Novia rose and hurried after her, asking, "Excuse me, why isn't the audition continuing? What's happening?"
The woman glanced at me and replied indifferently, "The auditions are complete."
Novia's mind whirled in confusion. "But Freya hasn't been called yet."
The woman's response was apathetic, "The individuals were called here based on their resumes, and if your friend wasn't summoned, it means we didn't receive her resume." With that, she entered the elevator.
Beside her, I remained silent.
The truth couldn't have been clearer—my resume had been replaced.
The competition for the roles in the movies and television plays directed by Michael Harper had perpetually been fierce. Novia could beseech someone to submit Freya's resume, but others too possess means to supplant her resume.
She stood as an unsigned neophyte, devoid of any contractual ties, and even if her resume was replaced, she couldn't do anything about that.
"As long as it's not signed, everything is uncertain, isn't it?" I spoke coldly, causing Novia to freeze.
"What are you planning?" she asked.
I smirked, "I want to take a gamble. If I get kicked out later, you can pretend you don't know me."
Before Novia could reply, I knocked boldly on the hotel room door.
"Hello, room service."
In an instant, the door swung open, inviting me inside.
Stepping in, I exclaimed, "Director Harper, I am audition actor number seventeen. Please grant me a chance to audition!"
The occupants in the room sensed that something was amiss and rushed to intervene, "The audition is over. Please leave!"
"Director Harper! Just give me one chance. Just five minutes!"
As we engaged in a heated argument, the door to the inner room creaked open, and Michael peered out, his brows furrowed.
"What's all this commotion outside?"
The staff prepared to explain, but I seized the opportunity, breaking free from their grasp.
"Director Harper, I am audition actor number seventeen. Please give me a chance to audition."