Zeno was out of it.
His ears were ringing, his heart pounding, and he felt like he was simultaneously in the Sahara Desert and the North Pole.
As a result, he wasn’t able to monitor the other vying actors’ performances… or maybe they just weren’t good enough to be remembered.
After Zeno finished his performance, Daniel tried right away. It became clear as day that although Daniel was significantly more popular than Zeno, his acting skills were very lacking.
Instead of a wise, unloved son, he portrayed Hajin as a rebelling, spoiled teen brat.
In the end, his performance was quickly forgotten.
Yuan was up next, and since the very beginning, his acting already felt quite resigned. He undoubtedly did a better job than Daniel. However, it felt like he had already accepted loss from Zeno.
“Who’s going next?” Daeshim PD asked.
Suho turned to Oska. He was supposed to go next. The two of them were similar in age, with Oska being only two years older. However, even then, Suho had debuted first since he started very young.
Oska was the one who suggested going by the order of their debut. However, it seemed he only said it because he didn’t want to go first.
In the end, Suho begrudgingly started. Somehow, that aggravation gave him more of an edge. However, he sounded too angry to be Hajin, making Daeshim PD purse his lips.
“It would be a waste to let him go,” he muttered under his breath. Risa heard him and smiled softly.
Then, finally, it was Oska’s turn. Even after the three other actors’ scenes, Oska could only ever think about Zeno’s audition.
Three months, that was what he heard. Zeno had only been acting for three months.
Oska had been acting for twelve years already. However, even then, he started taking acting lessons when he was four years old. He wasn’t a child actor because he wasn’t naturally good—a thought that left a bitter taste in his mouth.
However, naturally, with all of the money, resources, and time that he and his parents had invested in his career, he became a good actor. No, a great actor.
Oska aimed to become the greatest actor of all time, and in a few years, he knew he would be able to do it.
If there was one feeling he hated more than frustration, it was doubt. The feeling that something was uncertain. And, at that moment, that was exactly what Oska felt.
He cleared his throat and started his scene. He knew that his years of training and practice wouldn’t fail him. He began to convince himself that Zeno’s acting was only impressive because it was new.
Aside from that, there was nothing special about it.
“I saved you because the people still need you. And because I could not let the last chance for dignity die with you in the fire,” Oska ended the scene with tears brimming in his eyes.
That was one of his greatest strengths—to cry easily and naturally.
Of course, he was going to use it.
After he was finished, some satisfied hums were heard throughout the room, making him smirk.
Risa pursed her lips. As much as she hated this guy, she couldn’t deny that he was a good actor.
On the other hand, Shin felt ambiguous. He knew that Oska Baek was impressive; however, he felt that he, himself, was the one who had a problem in this scene. Why was it that he wasn’t able to feel the emotions of Crown Prince Wang Suk so intensely as compared to when he acted with Zeno?”
Meanwhile, Oska felt satisfied. There was still some uncertainty in his mind; however, he brushed it all away when he realized he had something that Zeno didn’t have—money and influence.
Oska’s family could eat at luxurious restaurants for the entirety of their lives, and they would still have some spare money for another life. That was how rich they were.
He glanced at Zeno to see if he had impressed him. However, much to his dismay, Zeno’s face was buried in his palms, and he did not even bother to glance at Oska.
A small frown appeared on Oska’s face. What the heck! Did he even pay attention?
“Thank you, everyone,” Daeshim PD said after a while.
Before the auditions, he was determined to choose the main role right after his prospects had acted. However, at that moment, he felt confused once again. He knew he was delaying the filming, but he knew he still needed some time to think about it.
He had gathered all of the input from the confirmed cast and other integral staff members. However, even then, he couldn’t come up with a decision.
“We will get back to you again,” he said, making quiet sighs of frustration fill the room. “We will be contacting your respective companies about the results in a week,” he added, giving himself a deadline.
The others nodded. Zeno was still out of it. All he knew was that he needed to wait some more before they got the results.
With that, he stood from his seat and bowed to the others. Risa watched him with furrowed eyebrows. He looked even worse than before. She wanted to go to him but decided not to in the end because he didn’t know she was a big fan.
Annie, too, followed Zeno’s movement as he left the room first. He appeared to be in a hurry, making her bite her lips. She wanted to talk to him about how he had impressed her. However, she lost her chance in the end.
Meanwhile, Oska quietly scoffed when he saw Zeno go first. “What an unpleasant attitude,” he muttered, shaking his head. Wasn’t he aware that leaving the room also required some hierarchy?
With that, the other artists started leaving one by one. Oska, though, stayed in his seat. Daeshim PD noticed this and decided to approach the actor.
“Oska,” he greeted.
Oska lifted his head and uncrossed his arms. “Ah, Daeshim PD. I was waiting for you to approach me.”
A small frown appeared on the director’s forehead. Then, he chuckled in response . “Yes, what do you need?” he asked.
Oska stood from his seat and gestured for Daeshim to head out of the room. The PD nodded and followed Oska to the empty hallways.
Daeshim stayed silent and waited for Oska to start the conversation.
“I’m going to cut to the chase,” he started off. “I honestly don’t know why you are dragging your decision for this long.”
“Pardon?” Daeshim muttered.
“Shouldn’t the filming have started by now if the drama is projected to air by the second or third quarter of the year?” he asked.
“Where are you going with this, Oska?” Daeshim chuckled out of awkwardness.
Oska pursed his lips and placed his hand on the older man’s shoulder, giving it a tight squeeze.
“I’m just saying this out of genuine concern for the production, Daeshim PD.”
“I believe that Daebak Entertainment has spoken to you already,” he continued, causing Daeshim to freeze.
“I want this drama to walk on a flower path, so I hope you hasten the process, hmm?” he said with a smile. Daeshim was unable to look into the young man’s eyes.
“For the better of everyone, I hope you make the right decision.”
