Chapter 558: AFTER PARTY (I)
THIS had been a very successful night for the cast and crew of [The Sleeping God]. Winning eight awards, including three major awards – best supporting actor, best director, and best picture. That’s probably why the cast who attended the after party were the focused of the people.
Lauren wasn’t actually in the mood to attend the after party. He just wanted to go home, take a bath, and bask in his win. But since Astrid was attending, he felt like he had to as well to look after the other.
After all, with him winning the Rookie of the Year award, add that to his beautiful appearance, there would surely be a lot of flies who would flock around the other. Who knew if some toad would put some kind of drug on his drinks or something? As a friend and a senior in the same company, he should look out for him.
Even if Astrid’s agent was there as well, he felt like he still had to keep an eye on the other.
But to his surprise, Astrid managed to deflect all the advances coming his way. Either by politely declining any unnecessary invitation or by deflecting the conversation that the person he’s speaking to didn’t even notice it. But those who couldn’t be handled by simple words would, weirdly enough, suddenly puke or leave on their own because they’re feeling dizzy.
After 15 minutes of observing, Lauren came to the conclusion that Astrid could protect himself rather skillfully. Maybe even better than him. So, with peace of mind, he sat down on one of the couches in the corner and finally opened his Terminal.
He had been wanting to do that since winning the best supporting actor award. Heck, he actually still couldn’t believe that he won. He went to this award show with the mindset that it wouldn’t matter even if he lose. But when it was time to announce the winner, a corner of his mind hoped that he could win.
And when he did, he was almost beside himself. In fact, he almost tripped on his feet when he was walking towards the stage because of the overwhelming emotion he felt. He thought he would be able to remain calm, but he underestimated his own emotions. He didn’t think that winning this award would bring him that much happiness.
One thing was certain, though, this was a win that he would forever remember.
When Lauren opened his Terminal, out of all the messages he received, his gaze zeroed in on one particular message. The moment he saw Reas’ name, he quickly opened the other’s message.
[Congratulations! I told you, you will win. Just tell me what weekend you’re available, and I’ll take you out for a meal. Again, congratulations. You deserve it.]
It’s a simple and short message. But for some reason, it made him feel giddy with happiness. He replied before he could even check his schedule.
[Thank you. Winning this award, I guess my acting skills is better than I thought. LOL. Anyway, let’s meet next Saturday. Just tell me where and what time.]
He received a reply almost immediately. [Okay. Can I call you later? When you’re no longer busy?]
Reading that, the corner of Lauren’s lips subconsciously turned up. That giddiness he’s feeling seemed to bubble, like a freshly opened soda bottle, popping and fizzling inside him.
[Of course, you can.]
Astrid, who happened to glance at that moment, saw the expression on Lauren’s face. He raised his brow in curiosity, wondering what could have made the other show that expression. Like a teenager in love reading a message from their crush. The answer came immediately to him, though.
It must be from Reas.
Or at least, he hoped it was. Because if there’s some other person who could make Lauren show that kind of expression, then his brother should be nervous.
Astrid took back his gaze and get back to his conversation with Sienna. He was talking earlier with Miria but the other was pulled by her agent, probably to introduce her to some music producer who also attended the after party. After all, one of the main purpose of this after party was to network.
In fact, Ellis was doing just the same right now. The only difference was, she firmly believed that there was no need to drag him along and parade him like some kind of item for sale. That it was an agent’s job to do the networking, and not the artist’s.
“By the way, I heard that you’re friends with the young pianist working at Lapillus,” Sienna said, as if she suddenly just remembered it.
At the mention of ‘Lapillus’, Astrid thought of the piano lounge where Kiran worked as a pianist. Even though Kiran was now earning much more as a composer, especially now that the songs, yes, not just one, he composed had been slowly climbing up the music charts, he still continued to work at the said piano lounge.
According to Kiran, it was to show his gratitude to the owner of the establishment, who did not hesitate to hire him despite him looking so ‘shabby’ when he first applied.
“Yes, why do you ask?” Astrid admitted, feeling a bit curious. He wondered if Sienna had heard that Polaris had commissioned Kiran to compose songs for one of the company’s singers.
“I met him last time when I went to the lounge. He’s such a wonderful pianist. My older sister introduced him to me, and then he asked if the two of us were friends since we appeared in the same movie. Then I found out that you and him are actually good friends,” Sienna explained. “Oh right, my older sister is the owner of Lapillus. That’s why I go there whenever I have the time.”
That last part actually surprised Astrid quite a bit. “Wow. What a small world.”
“Right?”
As they were talking, a voice suddenly interrupted their conversation.
“Excuse me, I couldn’t help but notice that the two most captivating people in the room happened to be standing right here. Mind if I join you?”
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