Page 18 of Enemies Off Camera
It happened fast. One second I was pinned—the next, I heard a splat. His eyes rolled back, and he hit the floor.
There stood all five feet, two inches of Anne Park, holding a full glass water bottle like a weapon.
“He’ll live,” she said, coolly.
“I could’ve handled it,” I mumbled.
“I’m sure you could. But it won’t ruin my career,” she said. Then, cocking an eyebrow, “Let me guess—you’re an actress?”
Of course she was right. The man she clocked was powerful. But Rich was more powerful.
When I asked how she knew what was about to happen, I’ll never forget her reply:
“He’d been watching you all night. He’s done this before. Three women tried to report him. He denied it every time. I had a feeling he’d try again. So I waited.”
She saved my career that night. I would’ve fought back. That’s my red line. I don’t sleep with anyone—or let anyone take advantage of me—for a part.
While he groaned on the floor, Anne explained everything to security. He didn’t press charges. Didn’t even look at me. Just slithered out.
Then she turned to me and asked, “Do you have a job?”
“Yeah. I have to get back to work.”
“No. An acting job.”
“Not yet.”
That’s when she handed me an audition. Said if I booked it, she’d represent me. It was for Agent Laura Merton on the primetime dramaEmergency.
I booked it.
From that moment on, my life changed. I never thought I’d make it in this city. Not really. I thought I’d crawl back to Indio, defeated. But I didn’t. All thanks to Anne.
And so, to answer her question now, I say, “I’ll never forget it.”
She pats her chest. “Me neither. When I saw you, I thought: This girl has the it factor. But can she act? Then you booked that role, out of the gate. You’ve gone further, faster than any of my clients. So why are you self-sabotaging?”
“I’m not,” I say, sealing the weak denial with a sip of wine.
Anne shakes her head. “Roger’s worried. He thinks you’re a risk to Jaxon’s career. That’s why, after you left, he pulled Jaxon from the deal. That’s why I invited you here.”
My heart drops into my stomach.
“But,” she says—and I love her ‘buts’—“he called back after my meeting. Right before I phoned Jan Marshall, who’s producingNext In Line. Your spot is stillcontingenton your public image staying intact.”
“What did Roger say?” I ask, now leaning forward.
“Jaxon’s back in. Barely. You need him more than he needs you. According to the focus group, he’d be out of the doghouse if he’d picked Ashley—who, by the way, is still an option.”
I deflate. “Why didn’t he pick her? That would’ve worked better for both of us.”
Anne twists her mouth. She does that when she’s weighing her words.
“Truth?”
“Truth.”
“He didn’t want to commit to any of them. That’s what made you the perfect choice.”
