Love Contract

Chapter 38 The Temporary Substitute Actress

It was afternoon when William received a call. The wedding photography studio called and informed him that the photos from the wedding had already been sorted out and could be claimed anytime. Originally, it was Timothy who had the idea to have photos of their wedding taken professionally. Nevertheless, William couldn't help being a little excited when their photos came out.

He hung up the call and thought about his remaining appointments for the day. If he went to get the photo album before picking up Mary at the shooting site, he would have enough time to show her the photos.

He wrapped up his work and bid a quick goodbye to Kevin before he rushed to the wedding photography studio.

On the shooting site of the Past of Republic of China.

"Director," Summer's assistant approached the director and said, "We have an appointment tonight. Would it be possible to leave now?"

"Let me check it first," the director flipped through the script and said, "Alright. You may also tell her substitute to go. The rest are all men's scenes." "Noted. Thank you, director."

"Okay." The director dismissed her with a wave of his hand. He then turned around and shouted, "Hurry up, next scene!"

Mary was sitting in a corner and having a conversation with Victor.

"You don't need to come to me several times a day," Mary grumbled. "Why don't you use your breaks to rest instead of coming to chat with me?"

"I was afraid you'll get bored." Victor smiled charmingly.

"I'll never be bored," Mary answered. "As a supervisor, it won't seem right if I'll be seen chatting with you often. If the director sees us and decides to punish me, my bonus will be on the line."

"He won't punish you because I'm with you." Victor did not take her warning seriously; he then asked, out of the blue, "You told me your mother was sick the other day. How's her condition now?"

Mary slightly lowered her head, a sad smile on her lips. She tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear and said after a short pause, "She's still the same."

Seeing how sad she became, Victor inwardly kicked himself for being too insensitive. Just as he was about to apologize, he heard someone calling him.

"Then... I'll get going now."

"It's alright. Go ahead." Mary nodded.

When William arrived at the studio, the staff recognized him even without introducing himself.

"Mr. Lan, please follow me."

"Okay." William nodded in acknowledgment before following the assistant.

"Here is your photo album. Please check it to see if we have left out anything or if it would be up to your satisfaction."

With his big, strong hands, William picked up the thick and heavy photo album. On the cover was a photo of him and Mary.

He gently caressed the faces of the two people in the photo with his slender fingers. They were both gorgeous. He opened the album slowly, perusing each page of beautiful and festive photos one by

one. Now, he felt like he finally understood the need to take photos of their wedding day. Seeing these photos was like looking back at the sweet memories from the past.

"Mr. Lan, are you satisfied with the album?" The shop assistant couldn't help but ask when he saw that William's attention was fully captivated by the photos. "Yes, I am. Well done." William closed the photo album and nodded gently.

"I'm glad to hear that," the shop assistant politely smiled. "When will you be available? There are three outdoor photo sessions that need to be shot."

"I'll confirm with my wife when I get home." "Okay."

Bearing the photo album in his hand, William walked out of the studio under the appreciative gaze of a group of pretty saleswomen. He was excited to show the album to Mary.

What expression would she have on her beautiful face while looking at it? Shy? It was improbable, because a simpleton like her would be shameless enough to say 'good job' after seeing it, wouldn't she?

"Ha, ha." William chuckled to himself at the mental picture that he composed of Mary. He stepped on the gas and sped towards the shooting site.

The site was in a bit of chaos when he arrived. The director shouted, "You little bastard, why were you running around?! You can take a look. Look at what you've done! You ruined everything, it was such a good scene!"

The group of people were trembling in fear. The director continued to reprimand the young man, a choreman, and said, "This scene needs to be broadcast tomorrow. What can I do now?! Do you want me to put a mask on the scene? !"

When Mary took a look at the scene, it was apparently a scene where Victor and Summer were face to face. It was supposed to be a heartwarming confession scene, but when the two of them hugged each other, the choreman ran over from one side so the scene was ruined. It was no wonder the director was so enraged he jumped to his feet.

"Go and find Summer for me. Then I won't give you more trouble than you already have!"

"Director, director, I really didn't mean it!" The choreman apologized with an agonized look on his face. He seemed sincere.

Mary involuntarily rubbed her nose. She shouldn't interfere with other people's professional work. Moreover, she understood that it was necessary to keep the quality of her company's work. It was really difficult to deal with such a big dilemma.

"Director," Victor spoke up just when everyone was losing hope. "It would only take a few seconds, we can shoot it again."

"That's easy for you to say. Where can I find a substitute at this time? !"

"We have a substitute right here." Out of nowhere, Victor pointed at Mary.

All eyes went to the direction where Victor pointed. Mary was suddenly scared.

"What are you talking about? Are you crazy?" Mary burst out angrily, "I don't know how to act. You... Are you kidding me?"

"What?" The director looked at Mary from head to toe. Apparently, he was satisfied with what he saw, so he clapped his hands and said, "Okay!"

"No, no, no! I can't do that!" Mary quickly waved her hands in refusal.

"It's just a few seconds. Your face won't even appear in the camera." The director instructed, "Adjust the camera angle and we can start soon. Mary, look around you. You're the only woman who is as elegant as Bella out of all the women on this site!"

"Yes," said Victor. "You can give it a try. It's funny."

"Yes, yes," the young man who was in trouble looked at Mary like she was the life-saving straw and said, "Mary, please do me this favor. I will forever be grateful!"

Under the keen gaze of the people passing by, Mary nodded her head slowly, almost like a puppet.

"Okay, let's do it!" As soon as she agreed, the director shouted, "Change your clothes, put on make- up. Prepare for the lights of the camera!"

Mary felt like she was cheated. She was tired to the core of her bones when she was changing her clothes and putting on make-up. While her hair was being coiffed, she decided to read through her lines on the script.

After reading it, Mary was perplexed. How could the general say such sweet words realistically? Maybe only a playboy like Victor could pull off such a romantic role.

'What should I do? I don't want to mess it up, ' Mary thought to herself.

She was made to wear a lady's embroidered ancient clothes. Her hair was combed and a fake fringe of hair was attached. Their preparations were finally finished.

Standing under the spotlight, Victor looked up and saw Mary as she walked out of the darkness. Her face was flushed, and she looked at him shyly and awkwardly.

That scene would forever be engraved into Victor's heart and memory.

Just now, he asked Mary to be the substitute on purpose. He had a selfish motive for doing it. He mentally tapped himself on the back for such a wise suggestion.

The staff around them also couldn't help sighing over and over.

"Awesome!" When the director saw Mary come out of the changing room, he said in a rush, "Victor has good taste. Come on, come on!" Bella Su sat on a stone bench in the garden, a book in her hand and her back to the camera.

Jimmy Duan had just returned from the battlefield. He hadn't even changed out of his military uniform but he directly came all the way to the garden, the smell of gunpowder hanging around him. When he saw Bella, a smile instantly lit up his face.

"Bella," he called her.

Victor was about ten steps away from Mary. With her back to him, Mary couldn't hear him clearly.

Pleasantly surprised, Bella turned around and quickly stood up. "General?"

Jimmy rushed to Bella in three steps and enclosed her in a hug.

Thump! Thump! Thump! Mary's heart beat faster than a drum.

"I miss you so much." Jimmy let his head rest on Bella's shoulder.

"General?" Bella was confused. Before he left for the war, he had treated her coldly.

"Yeah." Jimmy snorted, knowing the cause of her confusion, and said, "I can't hold back my feelings for you anymore, and it only becomes stronger and stronger now."

"I can't hold back my feelings for you anymore, and it only becomes stronger and stronger now." "Cut!"

Just as Mary was absorbing the meaning of that sentence, the director broke into her thoughts with a shout, "Great! Well done, everyone! Mary, I never expected that you'll have a talent for acting. Great job!" Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

Mary thought that it would take at least a few takes before she got the scene right. In a trance, she said, "I'm glad you like it."

Victor stood in front of Mary and smiled, praising her, "Well done."

Mary's mood darkened. She didn't seem to know what to reply so she just said, "You taught me well. "

As soon as William stepped out of the car, this was the scene that greeted him when he looked up.

Victor and Mary were standing under the spotlight. One of them was free and unrestrained, the other one was smiling like a blooming flower. They looked like the perfect match, but they annoyed him too much!

When Mary raised her head and took a casual glance around her, she saw William standing straight in the distance. 'When did he arrive?! Why did he come here? Did he see everything?'

She just stared at William, not knowing what else to do. She just watched him walk towards her, closer and closer, step by step.

"What's wrong?" Victor asked Mary. Following her gaze, his eyes fell upon the dark-faced William.

Mary's facial expression had transitioned from shock to guilt, as if she had been caught cheating on her husband.

"Oh, why is the CEO here?" The director was a man with sharp eyes. He greeted William immediately as soon as he saw him.

William and the director were very close. But instead of looking at the director, he stared at Mary and said, "I came here to pick up my wife.

Hearing this, Mary felt that there was an ominous aura of foreboding, like a great storm was coming and the wind was whipping the building.

"Wow, Mr. Lan is such a considerate husband." The director continued, "She's over there. You'll find her there."

"Okay." William walked directly up to the two of them and asked, "Mary, have you acted in a scene?"

"Yes, I have." Bowing her head slightly, Mary couldn't bring herself to look him in the eye. She thought, 'Oh my God! He must be furious at me for filming without his permission and insulting his authority as the CEO.'

"Victor, let's go and get changed out of these costumes!"

"Yes, I'll join you in a few moments," Victor replied. He looked at William then at Mary. "Mary, I need to go now. That scene just now... You did an amazing job."

"Wait, I'll go with you to get changed!" Before Mary was able to dash to the dressing room, she was stopped by William by grabbing her arm.

"You're suddenly leaving me here?" Frowning, William stared at her.

"William, we are just going to change our clothes, " Victor said to William. "Let go of her."

"Umm?" With a sneer, William narrowed his eyes dangerously and asked, "Mary, do you want me to let you go and let you change your clothes?"