Minutes and minutes… and minutes pass. Still waiting for my turn to audition for the sequel everyone won't shut up about.
Yeah, well. The show is prestigious enough to make me sit here this long, but the faces coming out of that room aren't exactly inspiring.
I watch another auditioner — sitting two people away — get called in for her turn. Mine's coming. Making it to the final callback could mean the casting directors liked me well enough, or it could mean they wanted to see how well the stepdaughter of a wealthy businessman pulls off a competitive audition with no acting resume. Either way I'm here. That counts.
I am made for this. Not pack meetings. Not territory disputes. Not whatever Alexandra has mapped out for this week. This.
A loud cough from the girl beside me. She looks around my age and old enough to know not to do that in a public space.
I turn toward her, forcing a smile. "Can you please cover your mouth?"
"Why? You own the building?"
"You don't look like you do either," I respond, holding the smile like my life depends on it.
"Yeah whatever. Geez."
I close my eyes. God, not today.
My phone vibrates with a call, which saves everyone.
[Caller: my freaky clarke]
I answer, dropping my voice. "Hey baby."
"Benny bun! Did you nail the audition?"
I giggle softly, twirling my hair. "Chill… It's almost my turn. I'll call you when I'm done, ok?"
"Wait wait, I'm here too," another voice cuts in.
"Gabby? Where did you both go?"
"Errands, errands…"
I scoff, flipping my hair back. "Sure. Save me the details."
"Should we get you something? Snacks maybe?" Gabby asks. "We could stop by and pick you up after — you know, after you've nailed it."
"But my driver—"
"Ditch that dude, we're picking you up. Text us the location."
"You can't just—"
They end the call.
There's no helping it. I find my driver's number and dial.
"Good afternoon, Miss Marcel. How may I serve my madam."
"We won't be leaving together as scheduled. My friends will drop me home."
"Understood, madam. Please stay safe."
"I will. Bye." I hang up.
My phone rings again. What now?
[Caller: Alexandra]
Pack business. It's always pack business with her.
"Hello?"
"A client will arrive at the mansion this evening. I need you to attend to him. My hands are full, my personal assistant is occupied."
"Good day to you as well, Alex. Save your breath — it's not happening."
"What do you mean by that?" Her tone shifts. The one she uses when she's reminding me what family I belong to. "Benitova, tell me where you are right now."
"Somewhere prestigious, sorting out my future since you have yours all figured out, Alexandra."
"Hard to believe. You better not be involving yourself in something crazy. We are still in the middle of the mess you caused last month with Drevon's people. And you haven't wasted time jumping into another one."
Drevon's people crossed into Marcel territory. I handled it. She didn't like how — but the boundary held and that's what matters. She'll never say that part out loud.
"Aww… you'll still clean it up again and again and—"
She hangs up.
I put my phone away and quietly massage my temples.
The girl before me steps out of the audition room.
"Benitova Marcel."
My heart skips.
Finally,
I text my friends the casting location fast, do the sign of the cross, kiss my fingers, and head in — pack, wolf, Alexandra and all of it left outside where it belongs.