Ch. 2651..2660
The Day I Kissed An Older Man Chapter 2651-"This can't be happening. Why is there so much delicious food?!"
The fans were ecstatic. In all their years of fangirling over celebrities, they had never met one that was considerate enough to arrange such a lavish feast for their fans.
"Wow, Melody really cares about us. I love her so much," one fan exclaimed emotionally.
"More like you love all this food," another teased.
"There's nothing wrong with that!" came the retort.
"Roast duck, here I come!" S~ᴇaʀᴄh the FindNøvᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.
The fans spent an entire night at Melody's meet-and-greet. It was a treat to the senses, from the meticulously planned program to the delightful supper. Her fans spared no effort in tantalizing the taste buds of every social media user as they shared photos of the carefully prepared food that they were privileged to enjoy.
The chefs were even on standby should the need to replenish the food arise.
The supper was done extravagantly for the sake of ensuring that her fans left feeling satisfied.
Unbeknownst to all of them, Melody remained behind the scenes even after changing into more casual attire. Lucas quietly trailed behind her.
"Are you tired? Would you like to take a rest?" Lucas whispered as he tugged Melody's earlobe.
She shook her head and turned to hug him with a smile. "Not at all. I thought I wouldn't be able to go through all this, but seeing their expectant gazes just fills me with motivation. It's incredible." "You did fantastic. The event was a success!" Lucas praised, planting a gentle kiss on Melody's forehead.
She closed her eyes contentedly and asked, "Did that incident at the meeting startle you?"
"I wouldn't say I was startled. I knew she wasn't a genuine fan from the moment she spoke. People like that will come your way often," Lucas replied.
Melody understood what he meant.
"Even so, everything went smoothly, didn't it? Look at how happy my fans are. It's incredible to bring happiness to so many people, even if it's only for an hour or two."
Lucas turned and rested his chin on top of her head, nodding.
"I finally understand their perspective after sitting together with them. But they only get a limited view of you on stage. I have you exclusively to myself," he remarked proudly, leaving Melody momentarily speechless.
"You've always been different from them. Why are you making this sort of comparison? she replied with a smile.
compete for who loved Melody more.
Deep down, he knew his tove for her surpassed anything else, bat he"
understood that those who genuinely came to know Melody as a person would love her even more.
As the meet-and-greet drew to a close, Melody's monthlong efforts culminated in'a Fesounding success.
Lucas shied away from answering, as he occasionally indulged a childish comparison with the fans to ne'
The Day I Kissed An Older Man Chapter 2652-After a few days of rest, Melody would soon embark on her non-stop roadshow.
While previous meet-and-greets felt a little daunting to her, facing the roadshow brought a mix of excitement and trepidation. She eagerly anticipated the audience's reaction to her performance that year, but she was also very worried because it was her first time assuming a leading role in a film. The prospect of not being well-received by the audience as the protagonist gnawed at her mind.
Insomnia set in two days before the official roadshow. Night after night, she tossed and turned in Lucas' arms, unable to find some respite from her thoughts. With another sleepless night plaguing her, Lucas switched on the night light.
"Can't sleep? Would you like to talk?" Lucas asked softly, concerned by her restlessness.
Melody felt bad to have woken Lucas up because of her tossing and turning, but her anxiety was genuine and she hoped to get it off her chest. "I don't know how I'm supposed to face the audience. My fans are one thing because I know they'll support me no matter what, but it's a different story for other members of the public. My future in acting would be jeopardized if this doesn't go well."
Melody's concerns were of course solely rooted in her identity as an actress. As long as she and Lucas remained together, she vowed never to forsake her passion for acting.
Lucas cocked an eyebrow. "You'll have your pick of future roles for as long as you want to continue acting."
Melody put a finger to his lips and said, "I'm talking about earning it on my own merits. The director emphasized the importance of building my connections. I appreciate the help, but what's more important is for the directors and screenwriters to show a genuine willingness to collaborate with me. The connections you provide might not always be open to that. If the audience doesn't buy my tickets, they'll be even more unhappy with me. I don't want to impose on other people."
Lucas embraced her firmly. "You're underestimating yourself. Everyone is eagerly looking forward to the premiere of your movie. Your stellar acting will win over those who aren't your fans, and the box office performance will reflect that."
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Melody was still worried despite Lucas' reassurances. "But what if the audience dislikes my character? What if the movie receives low ratings because of that even though the whole production team invested so much effort in me? I'd feel responsible for letting them down if it flops."
Melody's apprehension seemed boundless, and it was as if every aspect of the upcoming premiere was fraught with concern. Though she felt that she was a burden to the entire film crew, Lucas viewed her as the cornerstone of the movie and believed no one else could match the impact she had in her role.
"Have you thought about why the in director came to me and insisted on taking you on for that role? It's because he admires your talent and the way you carry yourself. Your acting skills speak for themselves, and let me tell you this: even those who are biased against you will acknowledge your talent once they see you on screen," Lucas asserted. "Your talent is second to none."
Melody was born to act, that much was certain.
"Well, you're right. If you hadn't pushed me to strive harder, I might not have been, able 16 adcept the movie, so thank you. I'm also grateful to the director for his discerning judgment. I never
imagined I'd grow to love acting this much. I do hope this moc net
opportunities. If it falters, I probably wouldn't dare to take en another"
project! Nhe content is on En.novelxo.com! Read the latest chapter there!
The Day I Kissed An Older Man Chapter 2653-Melody mumbled to herself, blissfully unaware that Lucas had fallen asleep at some point. His company had been super busy with a major acquisition that kept him occupied throughout the day. As she gazed at the dark blue hue of his eyes, Melody felt a pang of distress. She touched his face gently and got up cautiously to switch off the light. After that, she settled down on the sofa to avoid disturbing his sleep. "The movie had finished filming, and there were no longer any points in regretting what had already been done," Melody muttered to herself.
Her worries were not unfounded, especially on the eve of her roadshow where the incident involving the disruptive fan resurfaced. Numerous paid accounts led to a charge that accused Melody of disregarding her fans' sentiments and failing to address a legitimate concern.
Melody felt a mix of relief and resignation as she observed the attacks. She had grown accustomed to them, and so did her fans. The purported fan could not have been a genuine fan, not after intruding upon her privacy and questioning her relationship with Lucas. It was the characteristic of a snooping reporter and a gross display of unethical behavior.
[That person should've at least tried to show some basic decency. A true fan would respect Melody's privacy, which she is entitled to even though she is a public figure.] Her supporters leaped to her defense, flooding the comment section with detailed screenshots from the event.
Social media users took no time in separating right from wrong, and many left comments expressing their solidarity with Melody.
One comment read, [Melody has ve been unfairly targeted lately, and it seems to me those people are being paid to do just that. I'm invested in her even though I won't call myself a fan, and I can't even begin to imagine how much more invested her real fans are. I'm sure they won't stand to see any of these baseless accusations.] [Now I understand why there's this movement to stander her. It's because her movie is going to premiere soon. Honestly speaking this must be the one and only movie that I'm excited to see in theater's this year. This is Shaun's 5-year genesis, and he roped in a newbie actress for the role too. can't wait to see the end product.] Many fans immediately posted snippets of Melody to the comment section, and those who wish to know more about her would naturally be curious about it.
They were all anxious because it was Melody's first- ever role, and the premiere was fast approaching.
If the movie turned out to be a hit, her journey in showbiz would be much smoother. Her fans promoted the movie, but everything else depended on her. If the film was net
good, the movie's reputation would speak for itself, and the generalm public puld spend money to buy tickets without having to be
persuaded by her fans.
LOh yeah, the Riveras will be watching the premiere of 'War Song' at then cinema Poyouthink that Mister Lucas used the company's funds to promote his wife?]
Are you looking down on Melody or Mister Lucas? He is financially m capable of inviting whoever he wants, Heck, he could even invite the entire country to watch the movie with him!]
The Day I Kissed An Older Man Chapter 2654-Melody's anxiousness grew as she scrolled through the comments on the Internet. After much deliberation, she finally decided to hand over her phone to Paige.
The next morning, Melody had newfound courage as she met with the director and the rest of the team. Their first destination was the university in the city where 'War Song' was filmed. The movie primarily revolved around a romantic love story between young individuals, so college students were their primary target audience.
College campuses were a vibrant venue. Having a challenging audience as her first stop was considered as 'the road less taken'. Melody was extremely anxious as a result.
As Shaun observed her paler-than-usual complexion, he smiled and said, "You weren't this nervous when you auditioned for the role of Athena. What makes it different today?"
Melody grimaced. "Aren't you nervous? I don't know if I'll have to face any spontaneous questions later. It feels like being in class all over again."
"Oh, they're just college students. They'll probably ask questions related to the plot. You're Athena, so you're our protagonist! You can't afford to have stage fright!" the director reassured her.
Other crew members rallied around Melody and offered words of encouragement. Nathan was the other newcomer, but his prior experience as a model allowed him to remain unfazed by the roadshow. For Melody, however, the transition from online criticism to facing a live audience was a very daunting one.
She was worried about how the audience perceived her, fearing they might still hold certain prejudices against her and might not be keen on acknowledging her work in the movie.
Lucas was the only person who knew about her inner turmoil, but he could not be there to support her in person.
"Have you taken the stage yet?" Lucas' voice crackled over the phone.
"Not yet. I wouldn't be able to answer your call if I had," Melody quipped.
"Don't worry. The past is in the past. I'm sure they judge you on your merits, so believe in yourself. Remember your debut? You gained eight hundred thousand followers overnight. Not everyone can achieve that," Lucas reminded her.
Melody sighed. "But they weren't influenced by online rumors back then. Ugh, it's so frustrating! Why does it have to be me? I don't want everyone to misunderstand me. I wish they could see the real me from the start!"
Lucas empathized with Melody's frustrations. "You're an actress, and your talent must speak for itself. Today is your chance to reintroduce yourself to them. Don't back downe Doing that will only let those
dictate the narrative. You just need to interact with them in a genuine manner and show the who you"
trulv are. Let them see the real you.
That is the only way for them to understand you."
"Okay. I'll do my best," Melody conceded.
As the lights dimmed, Melody settled into her seat to watch the movie. It was her first time viewing. theo m fished proddof of War Song Following the end of the filming, she only saw snippets, rather than the entire film.
The movie opened with two girls riding bicycles through the countryside, their laughter echoing iqyqus/ 48 they reached the campus, the sound of a bell signaled their entrance. "Are we going to our secret base today?"
The Day I Kissed An Older Man Chapter 2655-Maybe not today. I have a ton of stuff to do at home, and who knows when I'll be able to hit the sack? I can't even think about hanging out after class," Athena muttered, her head buried in her workbook. Despite her heavy workload, she did not seem to complain.
"Ah, that's such a shame! The sunset we saw last time was so breathtaking. I'd love to see it again," Tracey exclaimed.
Athena grinned. "We grew up by the sea, and we've seen so many sunrises and sunsets. Don't you get bored?"
Tracey rushed to her side. "Never! The ocean is such a magical place. Seeing the sunrise and sunset at sea is a whole entire experience. It's so different from
seeing it anywhere else. If I could, I'd spend my whole life by the seaside. What about you? Are you bored of it?"
Athena set down her pen and gazed into the distance. "I want to explore further."
Tracey frowned. "Does that mean you're going to leave me and the ocean behind? The ocean is like our second mother."
Children raised by the sea often treated the sea as their second mother. After all, the sea had nurtured generations of kids.
Athena shook her head and smiled. "Why would I? I just want to venture out and explore the land. Don't you think it's boring to stay in this fishing village forever?"
"As long as you're with me, I'll never be bored," Tracey declared firmly.
Melody took a deep breath. The brief exchange set the stage for the entire movie. Their perspectives on their hometowns would shape their choices later on.
Even after the movie was wrapped up, Melody-her position as a spectator still could not discern et el who made the right choice and who e the wrong one. Each made character had their own unique personality that influenced the paths they chose in life.
Around 20 minutes into the movie, the male protagonist, who stirred up Athena and Tracey's life, finally made his entrance. The director deliberately cast Nathan, a fortiel.net mixed race man, for the role. With his lively persona, he was the perfect fitofor a character who was brave enough to leave his hometown.
Athena, who yearned for the world beyond, was immediately captivated by the male lead's language skills l when he first appeared at their school, Her lively yet bashful nature made it a struggle to communicate with him, as she was unsure of Which language to use.
When Tracey saw her friend's dilemma, she took matters into her own hands and approached him first.
"Hello, do you speak the local language?" she asked.
"Of course! I grew up here even though my father is a foreigner. What's your name?" he asked.
"I'm Tracey, and this is my best friend, Athena," Tracey introduced.
Everyone thought that it was just another typical love story between young teenagers, perhaps with a little dasho romantic rivalry mixed in.
Little did they know that their expectations would be shattered completely as the plot unfolded.
The Day I Kissed An Older Man Chapter 2656-When it reached the midpoint of the movie, Melody even heard some girls crying in the back row. Her eyes turned red, too. After all, the audience's reaction was the best feedback for them as actors. While watching the movie, she felt like she had turned back into that girl who used to wake up on a bed far from home. In this unfamiliar world, the only person she could rely on was a 'foreigner'. Maybe she really did love him, or maybe she was just afraid of being abandoned. In any case, Athena's affection toward Dieter only grew stronger, but he had his own social circle, a life. He did not like her clinging to him.
In the small fishing village devoid of any entertainment, he enjoyed going up the mountains and down to the sea with her. In the big city, however, Athena's clinginess became a burden to him. Everything was so sweet when the two of
them first left the small fishing village, and they were in their honeymoon period.
As time passed, the first argument erupted between them.
Dieter did not understand why Athena would always ask where he was going or when he would be back. He felt like he had lost his freedom. It got so bad that he thought, 'If taking Athena out of that destitute fishing village meant trouble for myself, then maybe we should just end our relationship.' Athena did not understand what she did wrong. She just wanted to know when he would come back. What was so wrong with that?
She desperately needed his company in the lonely rented house. She missed her hometown so much and wanted to go back to Hailey's side. However, she had a falling out with Hailey when she decided to leave the small fishing village.
"Did you forget what you said to me at the beach? Did you forget what you said when you confessed your feelings to me? Were they all lies?"
Athena had lost all of her smiles. She was no longer the girl who used to love to laugh and wander around the island with Hailey.
"Athena, why can't you understand?
My love for you back then was real, but so is my annoyance for you now.
I wouldn't grow tired of you so quickly if you could just give me some space!
Could you please get a job? You shouldn't stay cooped up in the house all day.
Maybe you'd stop acting like this if you had a social circle. We're both adults now. You should learn to be more independent."
Athena laughed coldly. She did think about using her power to get herself out of this stupid mess, but at that time, it was Dieter who said he would take care of her once he brought her out of the fishing village. Yet, after bringing her out, he left her alone in the rented house while he went back to his life.
'And now he's blaming me for not getting a job?' "I don't want to stay here anymore. Take me back to the fishing village. I'm breaking up with you," said Athena after a long silence, but her request was not granted.
They had snuck out together.
Athena could go back because she belonged to that village, but he could not show his face again. He had secretly taken her out, breaking the taboo of the village. He would surely be beaten to a pulp if he dared to appear in that village aared to He was not that stupid.
"If you want to go back, then go by yourselt. I'm not going back to that backwater place, he replied.
This was the first time Athena got angry at him. She slapped hing hard across the gheek. 'That's not a bäckwater place! It's my hometown, where I was born and raised!"
"If you love your hometown so much, why did you want to leaye so Badly in the first plade?"
The Day I Kissed An Older Man Chapter 2657-Dieter pushed her hard, and Athena fell heavily onto the cold cement ground.
All she wanted was to see the outside world. What was so wrong about that?
Should she not have left her hometown in the first place? At least then she would not have been so lost in the unfamiliar city that she did not even know the way home.
Needless to say, she truly regretted her decision.
The latter part of the story mainly focused on Athena finding her way back home. For many college students in big cities, it might be hard to understand how someone could get lost in this era. For Athena, a gir who grew up in a backward fishing village, it was indeed difficult.
Dieter sweet-talked her, tricked her out of the fishing village, and abandoned her in the big city.
It was not just that he took Athena away for his own excitement. Perhaps in that fishing village, free from high-tech pollution, he did feel a momentary impulse toward this simple and passionate girl. Perhaps there was a semblance of love between them, but when he found himself in the bustling city, this 'love' turned into a burden.
He did not need someone so clumsy and foolish around him. Athena, who did not understand anything, became his burden.
The movie ended with an open ending. Whether Athena returned to her beloved hometown and reconciled with her best friend was left to individual interpretation.
Melody believed she did not return. After all, if she had, there would not be fresh tear marks on her face.
As the final credits of the movie rolled and the lights came on in the theater, everyone remained silent for a long time. They came expecting something lighthearted, only to be confronted with such a heavy story in the end.
Shaun mentioned that it took him a long time to prepare for this movie, not only in terms of raising investments but also in crafting the story. The entire plot was based on a true story, so everything depicted actually happened in the remote fishing village where the movie was set.
However, it was regrettable that even in the end, the audience did not know whether the Athena in the story or the real-life Athena returned to their hometown.
In that backward fishing village, similar incidents happened too many times. Athena being left in the big city, unable to find her way home, could still be considered lucky. In reality, many more girls were tricked into going to hell-like plâces, never to escape.
Initially, the screenplay given to Shaun was supposed to be more serious and cruel. However, from the moment he decided to produce the movie, he aimed to make it more commercial. He also wanted to contribute something to that remote fishing village.
The original version would have been more suitable for award om considerations. in this fast-food era, nột many audiences would be willing to spend two hours in a movie.
theater watching such a film.
The first half of the story attracted everyone's attention with a vague, youth romance, but the latter half brutally revealed what could happen to rural girls who ventured into big cities.
Was Athena wrong to aspire to the big city? No, she was not.
Was it wrong for Dieter to engage in a relationship with her? No, he was not wrong either.
However, he was wrong to recklessly take Athena out of the fishing yillage and cruely abandon her in the big city, leaving her lost and without a sense of belonging.
Even in the movie, Dieter was usually referred to as 'he' instead of his name to represent the countless men like him.
The Day I Kissed An Older Man Chapter 2658-Athena definitely would not be the last girl who could not find her way home.
Perhaps with the help of others, she would return to her hometown. After all, in the age of advanced communication, although it may take some time, she would eventually learn how to use a smartphone.
At the same time, there might come a day when she left behind her dreamy little fishing village as it had already become a distant memory for her.
As Melody, along with the rest of the cast, got up to the stage to sincerely thank the audience for their attentive viewing, she noticed tears in many of their eyes.
Even during the filming of the final scene, she could not detach herself from Athena's emotions.
Seeing such genuine feedback from everyone, she once again felt overwhelmed; this was the essence of being an actor.
The host timely interrupted the emotional atmosphere, saying, "Thank you all for your attentive viewing. Now, let's move on to the interactive session with the cast members. If anyone has any questions, please raise your hand."
Melody took a deep breath, readying herself. Nobody understood the character of Athena better than her. From the carefree youth in the first half to the despairing confusion in the end. Melody comprehended all of Athena's struggles.
The first question was directed at Melody, posed by a sharp reporter known within the industry. "Could you please share what inspired you to take on this role? As far as I know, you were a complete newcomer in the entertainment industry before your involvement in this film."
Melody smiled slightly as she picked up the microphone. "I believe the past two hours of the movie have provided everyone with the best answer to that question."
Her confidence was unwavering. Throughout the entire film, her role presented the highest level of acting difficulty, and her performance stood out the most.
The nuances in emotional expression and the subtleties determined the quality of this character, and Melody handled it exceptionally well. In fact, it did not seem like she was acting at all.
Shaun had said long ago that she was born for acting. Just by standing there, doing what she did, one would feel like she was the character herself.
The female reporter chuckled. "Very well. I know what you're trying to say, and I also know why Shaun decided to go with you, a newcomer. You truly surprised me."
Melody breathed a sigh of relief. "I hope my answer satisfies you as much as my acting in the film."
The second person eager to stand up was a tall, burly guy. He went straight to the point and addressed Nathan.
"I'd like to ask: did your character ever feel torn between Athena and Hailey?
During the movie, I seemed to sense some romantic feelings between you and Hailey, but it was very subtle. I'm not sure if I'm reading too much into it."
Shaun held the microphone, watching with interest from the side.
During the filming, they discussed how to portray the relationships between the three of them. They did not want to depict Athena and Hailey as having a hostile rétationship over romantje interests as it would tarnish their friendship.
At the same time, the period of adolescence was when one would be most curious about the opposite sex. Thus, it was understandable that it would be impossible for Nathan to completely avoid interactions with Hailey since he was courting Athena.
It was inevitable that there would be some different feelings betweenn them. It might notlnecessarily be romantic love, but that vague something that no one could define.
Nathan shared his thoughts with the The content isen
students; he believed there was no love between Dieter and Hailey at the time. In the movie, he was entirely!
focused on Athena. Of course, there were times when he was friendly to Hailey, but that was because she was Athena's friend. Not to mention, she also helped him in wooing Athena.
The Day I Kissed An Older Man Chapter 2659-Most importantly, he believed that Hailey had a kind possessiveness over Athena. Many people thought that possessiveness only existed in romantic relationships, but that was realistically not the case. Possessiveness could also exist in friendships, and oftentimes, it could be even stronger than those in romantic relationships.
"Yeah, I thought Hailey had a secret crush on Athena!" His words provoked laughter from the audience.
"Haha, well, that's one way to interpret it!"
The screening was much more successful than Melody imagined. Answering questions from the audience was also much easier than she had imagined.
Everyone was very kind, and the questions they asked were entirely related to the movie's plot.
There were rarely any sharp questions directed at Melody. However, what she did not know was that before the screening, Lucas had arranged for his men to filter out unsavory characters with a dark past from the audience.
Despite believing in Melody's charm, Lucas wanted to ensure the roadshow went smoothly. He would not allow anyone disruptive to be present.
Although he did not have time to be there in person, he closely monitored Melody through Paige's video. He felt genuinely proud of her when he saw how confident and eloquent she was on stage. He believed that Melody would surely skyrocket to fame.
"Mister Shaun, you mentioned that this film is the culmination of five years of preparation. What are your expectations for this movie?" Finally, a question was directed at Shaun.
He took the microphone and responded, "You hit the nail on the head with that question. We spent nearly a whole year in the fishing village for this fill to gain a detailed understanding of how the locals live. When we first heard this story, like most of you, we wondered, "Could there still be such backward places in this day and age?' "It wasn't until we arrived at the fishing village that we realized we had been too arrogant. Since then,! understood that to tell this story well, we had to be rooted in this net fishing village. We aren't here t expose any darkness; we're simply sharing the existence of the fishing village.
That there still exists such a backward place in this world.
"I, along with all the cast members, hope more people can know of this place.
After the movie finishes its run in the theaters, we'll be donating a portion of the ticket sales to eon fishing village. We hope that doing this, it'll be possible to ridge the gap between the fishing village and the big city so that backwater places like these will become fewer."
Shaun's intentions were very noble. His style for this movie was a bit more mainstream than his usual style, which was not what they had expected and would undoubtedly spark such discussions.
Since someone brought this story to their attention in the first place, they could not possibly remain indifferent.
Singe the movie had been made, they had to do their best to promote it. At the very least, they had to make that fishing village widely known.
He believed they could achieve this, especially with Lucas backing them.
With Rivera Group's support, he om.
believed the small fitting village would be transformed. Their main goal was to make more and more.
people aware of these fishing villages. Whether in tourism or fisheries, any assistance they could provide would be their success.
"Well, Shaun, if that's your goal, you've successfully captured myn attention. After this lands, I think lil visitthis fishing village. I also want to know what kind of place Athena and Hailey grew up in."
The Day I Kissed An Older Man Chapter 2660-"What kind of place was their hometown to make them miss it so much, even when they were in the big city? What does the ocean, which nurtured all the people of the fishing villages, really look like? Only by visiting that place can I find the answer."
Melody nodded thoughtfully. They had filmed in the fishing village, which meant they spent a long time there. No one understood that place better than the main cast members. However, compared to the local people, they certainly lacked a lot of understanding, so it would be better for these college students to visit the place themselves if they wanted to gain a better understanding.
"I strongly encourage you to go there yourselves. Only by seeing the local scenery can you understand why Athena is so deeply attached to her
hometown. It's not just homesickness; it's also nostalgia for her mother. I won't say more. Saying too much feels like I'm trying to trick you into going."
"Haha! We'll still go even if you don't say it, Mister Shaun."
The first screening ended perfectly, and the main cast members went for a celebration party afterward. It was Melody's first time attending such an occasion, and she was somewhat excited. Fortunately, she was surrounded by fellow cast members and crew members she was familiar with.
Paige sat beside her, ensuring that no one would force Melody to drink. This was a strict order from Lucas upon learning that Melody would be attending the celebration party. "Don't worry, I won't let Melody drink too much," Paige promised.
Paige wanted to say she would not let Melody touch a drop of alcohol, but Lucas tacitly gave his permission. "She'll definitely be happy today. Not letting her drink at all would be too restrictive. It's fine as long as she doesn't drink too much because she'll have a headache the next morning if she drinks too much."
Ultimately, Lucas was concerned about Melody's well-being.
"Okay, I understand. Don't worry about it."
"Mister Shaun, thank you for this opportunity. If it weren't for you, I might still be working in an office and living an ordinary life. I am truly grateful for the chance you've given me. It made me realize how much I love acting. I hope to work together with you again!"
Melody had not even drunk any alcohol yet, but she looked a bit tipsy.
Shaun raised his glass. "Are you sure you haven't had any alcohol? Why are your eyes so red? We do make a formidable team. You may think le discovered you, but I also have to thank you for agreeing to star in my movie. No one else could've played the role of Athena like you did. You're a pleasant surprise for our crew. Yes, let's work together again!"
Everyone listened to their conversation with joy. Melody was genuinely happy. She felt like she had achieved something significant that day. She also realized that the public did not dislike her as much as she had imagined, which made her feel content.
After finishing a glass, Melody poured herself another full one, wanting to toast Shaun once more.
Shaun quickly waved his hand. "I'm not going to risk letting you drink. You're already a bit tipsy. What if you black out after a few more sips? Is there someone who could take you home?" He was teasing Melody in front of so many people.
Melody waved her hand confidently. "Paige will take me home."
Shaun raised an eyebrow. "How about your husband? Won't he be worried about you?"
Although everyone knew about the situation between Lucas and Melody, since they did not deliberately try to hide it at all, this was the first time they had openly teased Melody about it.
Even though Melody was a very