As the male lead and the character portrayed by Clara, Quincy, strolled down Main Street, the leading actress burst out of the corner café and gave Quincy a resounding slap, âDante, didnât you say you were in a meeting? And who is this woman?â
Clara, who had just been struck hard, felt a surge of indignation. The leading actress went for real, huh? It was just an audition after all; why the need for such force?
Rubbing her stinging cheek, Clara fired back with her lines as irritation colored her voice, âWho the heck are you? Whatâs this craziness about? Why did you hit me?â
âWho am I?â The actress pointed at the male lead, âIâm Danteâs wife and we were officially married and registered! Youâve got no shame by cozying up a married man, you homewrecker!â
Clara glanced at the male lead, her demeanor unshaken and defiant, âWhat does a marriage certificate count? He told me he doesnât love you. The one who isnât loved is the real homewrecker!â
Ivy, in the control room, watched the unfolding drama on set.
Claraâs performance in other roles had been mediocre at best, but she was convincingly detestable when she was acting as a mistress.
The actors Quinton had brought in for Ivy were professionals, and despite knowing this was just a rehearsal, their commitment to the craft was evident.
Tears glistened in the leading actressâs eyes as she glared at the male lead, âIs what sheâs saying true?
Iâm asking you, Dante! Now you said you donât love me, but have you forgotten how you begged me when you were courting me?â
Dante rolled his eyes at her, clearly annoyed, âCan you stop making a scene here? Itâs embarrassing enough without people watching. Iâm embarrassed, arenât you too?â
âEmbarrassed? Back when you couldnât scrape together a few bucks, I stood by you. You didnât seem embarrassed about me then,â she said as she reached out to tug at Danteâs shirt, desperate to see a glimmer of affection in his eyes.
Seeing this, Clara stepped forward and pushed the leading lady to the ground, âMaybe you should stop clinging to Dante! Sure, youâve been with him for years, and that wasnât easy. But that was then. He loves me now. If you really love him, youâd step aside and stop disrupting our lives!â
The leading actress stumbled backward and fell to the ground, âYou want me to step aside? Iâm his lawful wife! You, a young girl, should be working and living properly, not chasing after a taken man! Is this how your family taught you to behave?â
âThis is true love between us. He loves me, not you. Your marriage means nothing,â Clara squatted before her, her eyes filled with contempt. âIâd suggest you divorce him quickly so I might even get Dante to give you a decent settlement. Otherwise, youâll be left with nothing but the clothes on your back!â
Bitterness etched on her face, the leading actress looked at them both, and then, with a breakdown scream, lunged at Clara in a fit of rage.
This twist wasnât scripted for Clara, and it caught her off guard.
By the time she reacted, she was already tackled to the ground.
âBitch! You want to be a mistress, huh?â The leading lady slapped Clara furiously across the face, and only after the deed was done did Dante step in to pull her away, âEnough already!â
Clara got up, her face a mask of hurt as she turned to the director, âDirector, whatâs going on here?â