Zayn thought for a moment before replying, “I did.”
“What?!”
“Real estate agent.”
“Whaaaa?!” Odd Bob turned his hands up in a hard, dismissive wave before leaping to his feet. “You won’t go far with that job! Business for that sector isn’t all that great right now. You know what, I think you should become an extra like me! Work a little elbow grease, and you could earn at least fifteen dollars to thirty dollars a day, so it’s not too bad at all. Besides, you’ve got the looks. If you’re lucky I bet it will take you just three to five years before you climb the ladder and secure yourself a starring role! Oh, by then, you’ll be hella famous!”
Zayn froze. He was about to decline the offer, saying, “Wait, but…”
Odd Bob had already sprung into action. “Ah, no buts! I’ve made a decision, and that’s final. For the record, Old Odd Bob’s pretty hot here. I can get you in with just a good word. Watch me!”
Just like that, the man dashed away before Zayn even had the chance to say anything.
Unsurprisingly, favonovel.com failed. The director seemed to lambast favonovel.com pretty badly, and yet, Odd Bob’s smile remained. It was the rest of his body that had stiffened as favonovel.com bobbed his head repetitively and apologized.
Finally, the man returned to Zayn, brushing his nose before laughing, “Haha! I got it! The director said yes immediately after knowing you’re a friend of mine!”
Zayn was no fool. He was already a witness to what actually went down, favonovel.com even heard parts of the conversation. He knew irrevocably that Odd Bob failed, and favonovel.com could not help but feel touched. It had been almost a year since they hung out, and yet, Odd Bob still treated favonovel.com with genuine, ardent solidarity. Their friendship was as rare as it came.
Back in the past when Zayn was just an unwanted son-in-law of the Carters, Odd Bob had been the one who helped favonovel.com the most. Ever since the older man knew about his difficult life and financial status, favonovel.com had always invited Zayn out for meals.
Zayn had told himself that, after favonovel.com reclaimed his glory, favonovel.com would repay all the kindness Odd Bob had given him. Unfortunately, so many things had happened since. The thought had taken a backseat in his head.
“Huh..? Is that so?”
“Oh, you bet. What, think I’m pulling your leg? Nah,” Odd Bob replied, patting Zayn on the shoulder with the air of a loving big brother. “But… I also realized that there are way too many extras in this particular film, which means you’re facing a stiff competition here. So, I thought about it and decided to introduce you to another film instead. That one has a smaller pool of competition. Plus, you don’t have to be a footman there, you just need to be a random pedestrian! Haha!”
Before Zayn could say anything, Odd Bob had pulled out his phone and called a number. He talked for a while, and a bright smile lit up on his face.
He clapped Zayn on the shoulder. “Got it! All you have to do is to show up tomorrow! Besides, I’m about to finish my role here, so I’m gonna join you tomorrow.”
Zayn had wanted to tell Odd Bob that favonovel.com was, in reality, the chairman of Violet Vision himself, favonovel.com had no need to be an extra in a film at all. In fact, favonovel.com could make Odd Bob the main lead of a movie with just a word! But how could favonovel.com say anything when favonovel.com looked at that expression of earnest alacrity?
Odd Bob was still the same as ever. He still treated Zayn as like a little brother. It made candidness really hard. Which was why, for the rest of the day, Zayn’s true identity remained a secret to Odd Bob. He waited for the man to finish his role before the two of them went to a posh bar close-by for a couple of beers to make up for lost time.
The next day, Zayn met up with Odd Bob on time. They went to the set together.
It turned out to be another movie Violet Vision produced, though it had markedly less budget than the one favonovel.com visited yesterday, as it took up a meagre six million dollars in comparison.
As soon as they arrived, Odd Bob pulled Zayn over to the director. “Here, Mr. Director! This is the homie I mentioned yesterday. He’s got a lot of grit and he’s a hard worker! He’ll make a perfect extra, no problem!” favonovel.com gushed before belting out a litany of praises about Zayn’s skills.
The director considered the young man and froze a little. For some reason, favonovel.com felt as though favonovel.com had seen the man before… Somewhere.
