Page 9 of His Cruel Billionaire Scorecard

“Oh honey, they haven’t emailed you yet, have they?” Olivia clicked her tongue sympathetically.

“Let me give you a hug,” Olivia said, getting up from her chair and pulling her friend in for a tight hug before going back to her seat.

Just last week, Avery had messaged her excitedly that her auditions went well and that the judges were impressed, but then they asked her to wait for a call.

“I was supposed to get the main role, but then I guess they found another favorite to pick,” Avery moaned.

Olivia felt bad for her; if anyone deserved the role, it was Avery.

“Perhaps someone related to the casting director…”

“Favoritism. Has to be it.”

“This has happened too many times,” Olivia said, swirling the straw in her drink, watching the frothy bubbles work their way to the rim of her cup.

For as long as she could remember, Avery had wanted to be an actress and worked very hard for it. She’d moved from the Midwest to New York to make her dream come true. They’d met in college at a drunken party blackout and had bonded immediately.

Olivia was her biggest fan.

“You know what pisses me off? It’s not so much that you got talent and all, but the fact that just being related to someone in the casting crew or a call for a few favors because they have influence, they get the role instead of you.”

“Olivia….”

“Look, you have to agree that you’re the best for the show and then all of a sudden there is nothing. I’m sorry Avery, I’m sure you’ll get something better.”

“Thank you for trying to cheer me up. But you know what works? Maybe we should visit my favorite store?” Avery began, hopefully.

Olivia laughed at the twinkle in her friend’s eyes.

“You mean the craft store?”

“You know exactly what I mean! Come on let’s go,” Avery said, pulling a giggling Olivia up to her feet.

Whenever Avery wanted to cheer up, she always visited a craft store. Acting was not her only talent; making things with her own hands was what she excelled at, but she preferred crafting to be her side hobby.

Olivia had lost count of the time she’d asked her friend to turn crafting into a small business, but Avery had always insisted on not profiting from everything that brings one joy.

“I’ll never enjoy crafting if I choose to profit off it.”

They took a taxi to the craft store, and there was Tim, the attendant who was at the register. He was in his late thirties, a friendly guy who ran a family store.

Immediately the electric doors beeped and slid open; Tim waved and gave a welcoming smile at the sight of both of them.

Olivia leaned over to whisper to her friend, “He has a big crush on you, you know?”

“Stop it, that’s silly,” Avery said, laughing as she waved back at Tim, who was already scooching from behind the counter.

There were only a few people in the store.

“Avery, Olivia, hi. If there’s anything you need, I’d be happy to help.”

Olivia, taking the hint, decided to play along.

“Okay, I’ll see you two in a bit.”

“Don’t tell me you’re leaving me here,” Avery began. “That’s not funny; it defeats the entire purpose of coming here.”

“Don’t worry about it, I think you’ll have fun, besides, Tim wants to help,” Olivia said, backing away and winking at him, and Tim shot her a grateful smile.

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