Chapter 74 A Favour

Chapter 74 A Favour
BLAKE

Once in my room, I fell back on my bed and stared at the ceiling, trying to take in everything that had happened.
Had I really lost Rylie this time? Was she really destined to be Asher's and not mine?
I stayed still in the same position, doing nothing but reliving all the time I spent with Rylie, until a call on my phone brought me back to the present.
I sluggishly crawled over to where my phone was and checked the caller ID. I was taken aback just a bit by the name I saw there. It'd been a while since I'd been in contact with this particular person. I could only wonder why she was calling me now.
After a moment of contemplation, I decided to pick the call.
"Hey," I sniffled, placing the phone against my ear.
"Wow! You'd think after knowing someone for years and literally being their best friend, you'd receive more than a 'Hey' after calling for the first time in months?" came the snarky response.
I chuckled softly, feeling all my anguish melt away. "Sorry about that, Alyssa. You're right. How've you been? What about Troy, Melissa and the others?" Alyssa was my manager when I was still a model.
"They're all fine and I've been doing quite well since you abandoned me," she accused pointedly. "What about you? You sound sad," she perceived.
I chuckled again, leaning back against the wall. Trust Alyssa to pick up anything.
"I'm not sad, Alyssa. I'm heartbroken but not sad. Anyway, why are you calling me?" I quickly diverted the conversation.
"Well, I'm actually calling in to cash a favour."
"Really Alyssa? Three months and that's why you're calling me because you need something? And you claim I'm the bad friend! Oh well, what is it?" I demanded with a sigh.
"Okay, I'll just dive right into it. I know you're kind of on a indefinite break from modeling but I was hoping you could help me out with your other talent: Acting."
"Acting? Alyssa-" I started to object but she jumped in. "I know you're not particularly into acting right now but you do have a knack for it. There's a movie currently shooting close to you in LA and I was kinda hoping you would agree to be the main lead. The director's an old friend and he needs a fresh but popular face like yours in his movie to attract people so what do you say? For an old friend?" she pleaded.
"I don't know, Lyssa. A movie? You know how I feel about acting and actors as a whole?" I grunted.
"Yeah yeah. Because of the one-who-shall-not-be-named. I get it and I really wouldn't ask this of you if it wasn't entirely necessary. So please! The main lead is practically yours if you agree," she added to sweeten the offer I guess.
I sighed heavily as I thought about it. I didn't particularly like acting and I preferred modeling but I did have a gift for it like Alyssa said so I guess it wouldn't hurt to give it a try. Besides, I needed something to do this winter break so what better to do than a movie?
"Okay Alyssa. I'll do it," I agreed.
"Really? Oh my gosh! Thank you Blake. You're an absolute lifesaver! I'll send you the address of the set so you can go meet him this afternoon and finalize stuff. Oh and Blake?"
"What is it this time, Alyssa?" I heaved a sigh.
"I heard about your grandma. How you holding up?" she inquired.
"I'm doing just fine, Alyssa. Thanks for asking. Later," I hung up and dropped my phone by my side. Minutes later, a message came from Alyssa containing the name of the director and address of the set where the movie was being shot. I would receive the script and get to know about the movie when I met the director.
Turns out, it wasn't so far from where I lived.
As I stared at the message on my phone, I found myself taking a little trip down memory lane.
Though modeling had been my main focus, I'd always enjoyed acting and I'd acted in some pretty big movies. Before I moved and decided to let those things take the back burner, I'd actually been planning to become a full time actor like my then girlfriend, Kristen.
I'd met Kristen on the set of one of the first movies I'd appeared in and we instantly hit it off. The main reason I'd been planning to shift from modeling to acting was because of her. And after she cheated on me, acting just became something I couldn't bring myself to do again. In a way, it reminded me of her.
I don't even know why I agreed to even do this particular movie. If I'd said no, Alyssa would have found somebody else. So why?
I couldn't think of any reason so I pushed the thought aside and headed outside to my car. Once in the car, I drove out of the driveway and onto the road in the direction of the movie set.
About forty five minutes later, I pulled up in front of a large building. The words Rayna Film Institute were written at the top in bold. After locking the car door, I slowly made my way into the building.
On stepping in, there were a lot of people walking about and a lot of activity going on. From the looks of it, they were holding auditions.
Eventually I was able to get directions to the stage where the director, Mr. Wells along with a few other people were judging performances. Tentatively, I approached him and told him who I was.
Almost immediately, his eyes lit up with excitement and recognition.
"It's so nice to meet you, young man. Alyssa had told me so much about you and I must say, you are quite the actor. You'll be perfect for the role. My assistant here will help you out with your script and shooting schedule," he signaled a young lady who approached us. He told her what to do and I was already walking away with her when the director called me back all of a sudden.
"Blake, if you don't mind, perhaps you'd like to meet the female lead. She's a pretty popular actress and it'd help to familiarize yourselves."
I groaned and turned back, intending to just introduce myself and walk away but I was not ready for the shock I received.
Turning back, my eyes fell on someone I never thought I'd see again, someone who's presence was so unexpected, I had to grab onto a chair so I didn't fall.
My eyes widened and my mouth opened with no words coming out. What. The. Hell?!