Alan stays for the shoot until afternoon. Though he doesn't usually monitor the shoots, yet this drama is really making an uproar.
Even some other directors and producers called him to congratulate. That's why, he decided to pay a visit to encourage the young and promising actors under his company.
It has nothing to do with Fred. But somehow all other cast and crews are convinced that the CEO is here to see if anyone is treating his sweetheart wrong ! So, they are extra polite with Fred today.
Even when Fred asked to change his drink for the fifth time, the co-workers did it.
Ben was standing aside watching the scenes playing one by one. He has no more shoot left. So, literally to the public he is not a part of this drama. Yet, he just can't go back home.
His boyfriend Luke is still in the office. So if he goes back, an empty house will greet him. That can kick his break down. He would rather gain experiences by watching others than going back alone.
He looks at how Fred cries like a lover boy to save his heroine, how the heroine acts to push him away.
"CUT !"
Ben looks at the director.
"When the heroine pushes .. you must fall back Fred. Why are you still over her ?"
"She didn't push me hard enough. And I am the hero, it will be funny, if I fall just by her little push. Change the scene." Fred complains.
Ben frowns.
"The heroine will sacrifice her life to save the hero. This is the scene." Myra explains on behalf of the director.
Fred rolls his eyes "Then don't shoot fall. Focus on her face when I move back."
"We need to show the pain in your eyes."
Fred smiles at the director "Do I look like I am in pain ?"
Ben frowns harder.
"Does he always do this in the set ?"
Ben looks at his side. His eyes go wide "Mr. Scott! When did you come here ?"
"I saw your angry face from my seat."
"I .. I am not angry. I am sorry. I didn't mean to judge."
"I never said that you were judging and no need to be sorry."
"Thank you, Mr. Scott."
"So, does he behave like this in the set ?"
Ben shakes his head "I have never worked with Mr. Fred. I just had a small appearance as the heroine's friend. So, I have no idea."
Alan studies Ben's face for some time. Ben doesn't have that exceptionally cute and girly face like Fred. Neither his lips are pink and loaded with lip gloss.
Yet, Ben has a submissive face. Ben is not cute but he is not handsome either. Doe eyes , pointy nose, thin lips , average jawline. Just an ordinary but remarkable face. Like those faces which once you see, you will never forget.
Ben in the meantime panics hearing no reply from the CEO. Did he offend Mr. Scott ? Shit ! He should have gone home. "Mr. Scott !"
"How long have you been in this entertainment circle ?" Alan asks finally.
"T.. two years ?"
"You got a fanbase ?"
Ben lowers his head. He shouldn't have judged Fred when he, himself is good for nothing. "No.. I got some followers on social media but those are passers by. Not my fanbase."
Alan looks at Ben again "why ?"
Ben bites his lips. How can he say that he never got a lead role , he never appeared in more than two episodes in any series. He is just a passer by in dramas, that's why his followers are passers by too.
"You can cook ?" Alan changes the question as he didn't get any reply from Ben.
Ben looks confused with this sudden change of topic "cook ? Yeah .. I can."
"As Zoom entertainment owes you one, I am putting your name in an upcoming cooking show called "The Celebrity Chef !" Alan explains. "But, I will just put your name there. You need to pass the audition to appear in the show."
"Cooking competition?"
"Don't worry ! This show is limited for celebrities only. So, most of the participants cook on an average level. Decent cooking skills will be enough. But I wouldn't force you. You have your right to deny !"
"No no .. I will do it. I can cook decently. I can pass the audition." Ben replies hurriedly. Something is better than nothing.
"Then just be there at the audition tomorrow. You will get the invite tonight."
***
"How did I do ,today ?" Fred asks Alan as soon as he finishes his act for the day.
Alan stays silent. He didn't like the attitude that Fred showed today. But as he pampered Fred like his own family.
"Nice. Next time, don't ask them to change the scene like that. They can't change the original story."
"You are too serious ! By the way, I have to go shopping for my upcoming press event. So, will you drop me at the mall ?"
Alan nods "Hurry ! I have a meeting."
Fred walks out of the set circling his wrist on Alan's arm like a lover. The cast and crew breaths a sigh of relief.
Ben who was also in a happy mood bids his good bye Myra and leaves for the home. He is not going to have a break down in sadness tonight. But what should he cook tomorrow? Maybe, Luke can suggest him something !
He dials his boyfriend's number with a big smile on his face. The call got picked up after third ring.
"Hello, Ben .. I am really busy right now."
"Oh ! I just had a question to ask."
"What .. can we talk tomorrow?"
"No no !" Ben hurriedly replies before Luke cuts the call. "I just need to know what I cook ...
"Sir, your order ! Two margarita pizza . Two cold coffee with cream."
Bean frowns "Luke ! Pizza ? Coffee ? Where are you ? Luke ...."
"Yes ! Yes ! Ben .. baby .."
"Where are you ?"
"At the office. These are the orders from my boss. I need to deliver it as fast as I can na .. please , we will talk tomorrow, ok ?" Luke cuts the call before Ben could reply any further.
Ben looks at his phone.Two sets of food for one boss ? He sighs. Now what ? What to cook ?
He opens his reddit account where he is under an annoynomous name. The only way out.
Dish suggestion for cooking competition?
"Help folks ! I need advice. So, there is a sudden cooking competition which I have to attend tomorrow. I don't have time to practice at all. But, I really want to make a good dish. Can anyone give me any suggestions?"
Ben locks his phone after posting the update. He decides to visit mall till the suggestions come. He has no list for groceries. But, he will buy all kind of sauces first.
***
Alan reaches his office after dropping Fred at the mall. He walks into his cabin followed by his secretary who saw him in the lobby.
"Sir, you don't have anything scheduled ..."
"The celebrity chef' invite that I asked you to keep for Fred ?"
"But sir, you said Fred sir refused to participate. He can't cook."
"Yes I remember but you still have that invite, right ?"
"Yes sir." The secretary searches the mail in his tab. "We have it."
"Send it to Ben Arnold. He is an artist under our company."
The secretary looks up in shock. Ben Arnold ? He never heard this name before. Celebrity chef isn't for new commers !
Alan looks up feeling a stare on his face "He is a senior artist. Not a newcomer."
The secretary nods realising his rudeness "Yes sir , I will send the invite to him as soon as possible."
Alan nods and excuses the secretary before turning his phone on. Some reddit notification pops on his phone one by one like a strom.
He groans. How many times has he told his sister not to use his phone when her phone is on charge? He proceeds to click "clear all" but his eyes falls on one of the headlines.
Dish suggestion for sudden cooking competition?
He clicks on the post unknowingly. He reads the short post asking for a dish suggestion. He clicks on the comments.
@ not so me
How can it be a sudden competition? Don't you have to submit your name beforehand ?"
@ I am a human
"If you don't have time to practice, make the dish that you can cook the best."
@ Walmart bag
"Last time you said you were an actor , now you are chef ?"
@ Who am I
"Make something with chicken. It always works."
@pee in the Sea
"Look for the judges and make one of their favourite dish."
@Sammy
"Best of luck, dear. Cook something simple and delicious, don't try to experiment."
Alan reads all 48 comments one by one. A smile appears on his face. The author of this post is an actor ?
"What are you smiling at ?"
Alan jumps hearing a female voice.
Alina looks at his big brother with a frown "Are you watching porn ? Oh my god !"
"Shut up !"
"Tell me , tell me , what were you looking at ?"
Alan shakes his head and looks at his sister with a serious face "Are you ready for tomorrow?"
"Yep ! Nobody can be a better judge than me when it comes to food."
"Really ? Then what kind of dish are you looking for ?"
"Edible dish !" Alina sighs "I don't trust these celebrities a bit. I just hope I don't get sick."
Alan shakes his head "still... You can't say that you don't have any preference?"
Alina thinks hard "umm... If I count the taste of all four judges then I guess .. a good Italian dish will do."
Alan nods "then I hope you get at least one Italian dish !"
***
Ben pushes his trolley through the grocery section while reading the comments on his phone. Nothing useful. Use chicken..chicken what ?
He was about lock his phone when a comment pops up "A good Italian food will do."
He frowns. Italian food ? Pizza ? Pasta ? Nah !.that's too simple.
He locks his phone screen. He has decided to make a spicy Chinese dish with chicken.
He pushes his trolley again and buys the ingredients and chicken.
" Your total is 2500 /- . Do you need a carry bag ?"
Ben nods.
"Wait a minute."
Ben smiles and looks around while waiting. Soon the smile disappears from his face. He looks at the cafe just opposite to grocery store.
Luke is sitting there facing the glassdoor. There is a boy sitting in front of him.
"Sir .."
Ben blinks "huh ?"
"Here .. your products and receipt."
Ben takes the things with trembling fingers. No. His eyes are playing tricks . That man isn't his Luke. It's someone who looks like Luke.
Ben walks out of the store in a daze. That isn't Luke. Luke is in office. Ben stares at the glassdoor blankly until the man picks up a slice of pizza to bite.
Two pizzas , two cold coffee ? Ben bites his lips. He hurriedly dials the last number on his phone. The phone rings.
The call gets picked up at the same time the man picks in the cafe picks up his phone.
"Ben , I am really busy. I am switching off my phone. Don't call me."
The call ends at the same the man in the cafe puts down his phone.
Ben's face turns red. He finally breaks down. He should've gone home ! At least there is nobody at home to give him weird stares !
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