The Number One Star in the Interstellar Era

AFTER the script reading ended, Astrid, Ellis, Snow, and David - Snow's manager, decided to eat lunch together. They just arrived in the parking lot when Astrid saw a familiar figure walking ahead of them.

It was Charlotte Anderson.

Seeing the other's back, he couldn't help but remember the script reading they just had. It was a very enjoyable first script reading for him. Probably because exchanging lines with Charlotte was pretty fun.

Even if it's only a script reading, she showed the right emotion her character would be feeling at that moment when she read her lines. That commitment and intensity was very commendable. And Astrid liked that very much. He couldn't wait for filming to start because he knew Charlotte would be even more amazing.

Filled with confidence in his own ability to excel in the role, he found reassurance after the script reading as he witnessed the equally impressive performance of the other main lead. With both of them at the helm, the assurance grew that they would undoubtedly do justice to the original material.

It's probably too arrogant of him to say that, but he was just that confident of his skills. The skills of the other actors in the movie also added to the confidence he had for the project.

He shook his head to return his thoughts to the present.

Seeing that Charlotte and her manager still hadn't gone far, he told his companions, "Can we also invite Miss Anderson to lunch?"

David had no opinion and just nodded. Ellis also approved, thinking that this could help to improve their rapport as the two main leads. On the other hand, a complicated glint flashed in Snow's eyes. But he quickly covered it up.

It's not that he had a negative opinion of Charlotte Anderson. He just felt awkward around her. He knew that's unreasonable, considering that the only interaction they had was that brief greeting and that short exchanging of lines during the script reading. He couldn't really explain it, but he knew that he couldn't say that to Astrid.

So, he could only nod at the end.

Astrid smiled brightly and then called Charlotte Anderson.

"Miss Anderson!"

Charlotte and her manager stopped walking and turned in their direction. Astrid quickly walked towards them.

"Is there something you need, Astrid Townsend?" Charlotte asked in a blunt tone.

Her manager cleared her throat. Charlotte blinked, as if she was reminded of something when she heard her manager clear her throat. And that was true in a way.

It's because that was a little signal between them. Whenever Charlotte behaved in a way that's not 'conventional', her manager would clear her throat to remind her to correct her attitude.

It was the same with what's happening now.

Charlotte smiled and repeated what she said. "Do you need something, Mr. Townsend?"

Astrid almost raised his brow. The way the other did a complete 180 without even batting an eye was... surprising. She asked bluntly at first, and then she smiled and asked the same question again, as if she realized that her first approach was not right.

She didn't have to worry though, since he's not really offended or anything. But since he didn't approach her to discuss her attitude, he's here to invite her to lunch.

"Would you like to join us for lunch?" he asked with a friendly smile.

-----

Charlotte was questioning life at this very moment. She was sitting at a table inside a private room of a restaurant together with Astrid Townsend and Snow Bell. Yes, the three of them were alone because their managers were in another private room.

When Astrid invited her to lunch, she honestly didn't know how to answer. Because it's the first time someone actually invited her to eat out. Good thing she had her manager with her, so the other was able to answer for her. She just didn't expect that her manager would agree. Much more so that she would leave her alone here.

Krysta, her manager, never left her alone with people Charlotte barely knew, which was basically everyone, by the way. It's not just because Krysta was worried about her, but it was mostly to prevent her from making any mistakes.

Charlotte was very bad at understanding social cues. So Krysta was there to help her navigate through things. That's why she couldn't understand why Krysta agreed to leave her here.

Then she remembered how the other looked at Astrid's manager, or maybe that was his agent. Krysta looked at Astrid's manager/agent like she had seen her idol or something. Maybe that's why? Anyway, what happened already happened and there's really nothing she could do to change this situation. So, she just had to deal with it.

"Shall we order?" Astrid asked.

Both Snow and Charlotte nodded. They entered their order on the virtual screen floating on the table.

As they were waiting for their order to arrive, Astrid finally couldn't help but ask what he had been wanting to ask since earlier.

"Miss Anderson, may I ask you something?"

Charlotte raised her head and looked at Astrid. Although she was confused as to what the other might be asking, his friendly expression lowered her guard and she could only nod.

"How long have you been acting?"

Charlotte didn't expect such a question. If it's only that, though, then it's easy to answer.

"Since I was a child."

"Oh, you must really love acting," Astrid commented, seemingly happy by her answer.

"Hmm... I like it now."

Astrid tilted his head. "So... you didn't like it before?"

"I don't know. It was more of a necessity," Charlotte said with a shrug. "My doctor said that acting could help me become more human."

Both Astrid and Snow were startled hearing that answer. Charlotte didn't notice it though and just continued.

"My family agreed, and they enrolled me in various acting classes. My manager saw me acting in one of my classes last year and she introduced me to an agent, then my professional acting career started."

When she finished speaking and she didn't hear any response, she looked at the two and they were looking at her in a peculiar way.

Did she say something wrong?