I didn't return to my apartment that night. After the unpleasant phone call with Oliver, I had decided to spend the night at Willow and Oz's place. Cracking open a bottle of wine with my best friend felt like the perfect way to end such a successful day. Rose had drifted off again and was now resting peacefully in the guest room where we would be staying tonight, whilst Oz took refuge in his office for the night to clear up some rumours that were already popping up from thin air. Finally, for the first time today, I felt like I could let everything off my chest.
"Is it horrible to think he values his own success over mine? Like … I don't know … like I'm not worthy of it?" I mumbled, sloshing the wine around my glass.
"I think the fame has gone to his head," said Willow, frowning.
"That was one thing I wanted to prevent."
I sighed, placing the glass down on the coffee table and rubbing my hands over my face. Exhaustion was kicking in. I felt the sudden sensation of my phone vibrating in my pocket.
Giles wants to see you tomorrow. You need to pick someone to play Edmund.
Remember, B, think about the chemistry.
10 o'clock.
F.
Looking up at the clock on the opposite side of the room, ten in the morning seemed like forever away. But staying up and drinking my sorrows away was a bad idea and turning up hung over when I met Giles tomorrow was even worse. Downing the final gulp of my wine, I rose from my seat and bid Willow goodnight. She too downed the rest of the liquid and left her glass on the coffee table with mine, mumbling about cleaning it up tomorrow.
Without changing out of my daytime clothes, I climbed into the king size bed next to Rose. I rolled onto my side and watched my little girl sleeping peacefully. I hoped she would never consider joining the acting industry, aim her ambitions towards something more with a cause, and find something she was truly passionate about with all her heart. I hoped her Father wouldn't push her into anything she didn't want to do. I refused to allow it. Oliver would only want Rose to be in the industry so he could gush over his talented daughter and, as horrible as it sounded, to scam some of her money.
My fingertips danced along her smooth cheeks. I pressed a soft kiss to her forehead and rolled onto my back. A few moments later, I had joined Rose in a peaceful slumber.
"Thanks again."
"Honestly, Buffy, it's no problem at all," Willow replied.
I looked down at the outfit Willow had forced me to wear and prayed to God that I wouldn't stain it. I took the black blazer she held in her hands and shrugged it on, feeling extremely businesslike. She then passed me my handbag and my sunglasses.
"You're welcome to stay again tonight," she offered as she went to get my daughter from the bedroom.
"I hope it won't be necessary," I answered honestly.
Willow returned a few moments later, cuddling my daughter and smothering her in kisses. Rose giggled, her fingers tangled in Willow's hair, and wriggled uncontrollably in her arms. Wincing at the image of Willow dropping her, I quickly checked the time. Half nine. As if on queue, there was a knock at the door.
Taking Rose, I kissed Willow on the cheek and thanked her for everything, promising to bring the wine tonight if I needed to stay again.
I slid out of the door and was immediately greeted by Spike and Riley.
"Oliver rang me last night," said Riley as we entered the elevator.
"What did he say?" Curiosity laced in my voice.
"He was drunk."
If it wasn't for my daughter in my arms, who was playing with my hair in complete fascination, I would have cursed. What was Oliver thinking? He knew just as much as me that the media would have a field-day with the stories they could conjure up about his drunken antics. It was irresponsible and stupid, not to mention completely disrespectful to me and Rose.
"Idiot," I muttered.
Riley and Spike frowned, swapping glances with each other, before straightening up as the elevator doors opened. I pulled my sunglasses from the top of my head and placed them on the brink of my nose, hiding my tearful hazel eyes. Stepping out of the elevator, I was extremely relieved to find that no one was in sight and I could get to the black SUV in complete peace.
Riley, Spike, Xander and I travelled in complete silence, leaving only Rose and the radio to keep us entertained. I politely thanked Xander as I got out of the car and declined his offer for a ride home. After requesting that Spike and Riley had the remainder of the day off, I entered the familiar building and walked up to Jill the Receptionist.
"Hello Mrs Summers, nice to see you again," she greeted.
"You too, Jill. Is Giles still up on the sixth floor?"
"He is. Have a nice day."
I forced a weak smile in return, readjusted Rose on my hip, and headed towards the elevator. Something told me that today was going to be a long day…
The day seemed to drag, just as I had predicted, and even hundreds of untalented men couldn't keep me entertained enough. I had spent five hours straight reading various scenes from the film, trying to find a sizzling chemistry with the other actor, though no one yet had impressed me or Giles. It seemed like we had searched the whole of America for the part of Edmund.
"Just one more Buffy," Giles sighed, wiping his glasses on his handkerchief.
I nodded, bouncing Rose on my hip. She had been unusually good for me today, especially as she had only cried once, which impressed Giles so much that he gave me permission to bring her to set with me when production started.
"What's this last one called?" I questioned.
"Angel O'Conner," Giles replied, reading off his clipboard.
What an interesting name, I thought instantly. Just as I began to imagine what he looked like, there was a knock on the door.
"Come in!" called Giles.
The door swung open and my jaw dropped.
He was by far the most handsome man I had seen today, or in my life probably, and it took me a lot of strength to close my mouth. I swear I heard him chuckle softly as he shut the door behind him.
His eyes were a dark, soft brown that sparkled fiercely with passion and mystery. He had beautiful pale white skin, which was slightly ironic as he was auditioning to play the part of a vampire. His teeth were literally perfect and white, almost blinding me, and he had a beautifully structured jaw line with equally perfect cheek bones.
"Are you Angel?" asked Giles, standing up and shaking his hand.
"I am, sir."
"This is Buffy Summers… she will be playing the lead female role."
"Nice to meet you," Angel smiled, flashing his perfect white teeth.
"You too," I said, almost breathlessly.
"And who is this little beauty?" he said, nodding at Rose.
"This is Rose, my two year old daughter," I informed.
"May I?"
I passed Rose into his arms, finding no reason not to trust him, and smiled when she instantly started giggling. Angel tickled her under her chin, sticking his tongue out at her. Whilst he entertained my daughter, I grabbed two scripts and discussed with Giles which scene we should attempt.
"The scene where he first tells her that he love hers?" suggested Giles.
I nodded.
Passing Rose over to Giles, Angel and I took a place in the centre of the room. Handing over his script, I wished him good luck and a reassuring smile. In the pit of my stomach, I had a really good feeling about this audition and it felt as though Angel was the one.
"I've never felt this before," Angel whispered, sounding confused yet passionate.
"Felt what?"
"Like I'm actually truly alive, like my stone cold heart is on fire," he replied.
"I don't understand," I said, taking a step closer to him.
Taking a step closer to me, he said "I think…"
"Think what?" I urged, staring into his eyes.
He looked straight into my eyes, with not a moment's hesitation or any embarrassment. The look in his eyes convinced me that he was in love with me, that I was his world, like we were actual lovers.
"I'm in love with you."
With that, he dropped his head and pressed his lips firmly to mine. They were warm, moist. I couldn't control myself and began to kiss him back fiercely. He finally pulled away, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear.
"If my hands weren't full, I would gladly give you a round of applause," Giles grinned enthusiastically.
"Well done," I smiled at Angel, heading back over to Giles. "You're the first one today that's actually excited him!"
Angel smiled.
"He was perfect!" I gushed after Angel had left.
"I agree, he totally embodied the character," said Giles, nodding his head.
"He's the only guy I've actually felt the chemistry with, he's just utterly amazing!"
"And ninety five percent of actors take a step back when the other actor steps towards them… yet he took a step forward when you approached him!"
Giles collected his pile of paperwork and shoved it into his briefcase before snapping it shut. Grabbing my handbag and cradling Rose in my other arm, I followed him out of the room and towards the elevator.
"Would you like to cast him as your Edmund?" Giles finally asked.
"Definitely."
"Are you one hundred percent positive? Once I make the call, there is no going back," Giles warned as we entered the elevator.
"I'm sure, trust me. I think we have the right chemistry to make this film a success!"
Giles looked like he was about to tear up. "That's the exact thing I wanted to hear!"
A few minutes later, after the finalization of Angel playing Edmund was agreed upon, Giles and I departed the elevator and headed towards the reception. Giles gave me a quick thumbs up and promised to get in contact with me soon, though if I wanted to know anything about when production started then he advised it would be best to contact Faith first. I waved him goodbye as he exited out of the back of the building.
I began to walk through the reception, saying a swift goodbye to Jill, until I suddenly noticed a figure stood waiting near the entrance.
Oliver.
"Honey, I'm home," I muttered under my breath as I approached him.
OMG! HAS IT SERIOUSLY BEEN A YEAR SINCE I UPDATED? BLOODY HELL!
I hope you enjoyed this. If I still have readers and people who'd like to read this story, I'm definitely going to be updating more frequently! Lots of love,xxx