Page 4 of Billionaire's Second Chance

“Seven,” he said. “That’s you.”

I mustered a smile and walked to the door. He followed at my heel and muttered words of encouragement in my ears.

“That reminds me,” Greg said when we arrived at the door. “The 'shark' is in the jury. Break a leg.”

“And you chose to tell me now?” I spewed through my teeth, feeling anxiety take over what little confidence I had.

“Good luck.” Greg motioned me to the door.

I stepped into the spacious room. A simple stage patiently waited for its next talent, and a desk with three sets of probing eyes stood in front of it.

The casting crew was a team of three—two men and Agatha ‘the shark’ Smith. Her nickname came from her tendency to rip apart actors and devour them at auditions. Her lips were pressed into a straight line. She must have been bored to death from the previous auditions. I glanced around. Someone was missing. It was unheard of that he would skip an audition for one of his movies.

“Well?” I heard a familiar, deep voice behind me.

There he stood—Damon Alexander in the flesh. My heart pounded as my eyes met his blue ones. Streaks of gray hair wove through the dark mass of black hair on his head. They hadn’t been there three years ago.

However, some things hadn’t changed after all these years—his impeccable dress sense, the butterflies in my gut, and my resentment toward him. He cocked his head to the side. I had stared for too long.

“Good Afternoon, Sir. I—”

“I know. You’re a huge fan. You’ve heard a lot about me. Save it. Right now, I am part of the jury," he dismissed me arrogantly.

Egoistic asshole.

I tore my gaze away from his face. The other three people looked eager to get on with the audition. The 'shark' picked up a pen.

“Name?”

“Ava Sage,” I straightened up my posture.

“Role?”

“Rose.”

She looked me over, then glanced at Damon. He nodded. What were they looking for? Cup size?

“You got the script?”

“Yes,” I nodded.

“The stage is yours,” Agatha's eyes bulged and pointed to the stage.

Here goes everything.

I started slow, bringing every element of Rose’s character to life. My voice didn’t hold back either. It began as a gentle ripple, then built into a wave. My eyes found the 'shark's' expressionless stare. I tore my gaze away and landed on Damson. His blue eyes pierced right through me. Undressing me.

I walked across the stage and picked up a bag. His eyes followed me.

Has he recognized me?

“No,”I frowned at the imaginary character before me.“Don’t—”

I caught Damon’s eyes again. They hadn’t blinked. "You’re a natural, Ava. Don’t doubt anything I say."My mouth became dry.

“I mean, Thomas, you could—”I continued with my script.

Damon still stared. The lips he had kissed my breasts with held no smile. My voice faltered.

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