Hell's Actor-Chapter 67: Charity of Lust

Despite the unpleasant lady trying to get into his pants, Averie was in a pleasant mood.

’I feel young again.’

His appearance was truly making him feel like a new person.

He felt a youthful, adventurous energy surge through him.

He hated the unbelievable modern-day beauty standards, but he was not against fashion itself.

’Never thought I would find a new look so refreshing.’

It felt like the years of exhaustion from living in Hell was being wrung out of his soul.

’More people should do this.’

"Averie," In-Su Kim called. "Come on. Let me introduce you to some people."

Averie escaped the clutches of the lady thanks to the veteran actor.

"Who is she?"

"Patricia Kim, she is part of the Weisin Conglomerate. She is infamous among young actors." In-Su Kim glanced over his shoulder. "Don’t talk to her."

Averie spared her a glance, and she winked back.

’Unfortunately, that may be out of my hands.’

"This is director Kang. And this is..."

The older actor introduced Averie to several influential people. They were actors, directors, producers, comedians, models, and musicians.

Averie noticed a pattern in their behavior.

Most of them were glad to meet him. The directors and producers were certainly glad to have a capable new face in the industry.

The younger male actors, on the other hand, addressed him with less enthusiasm. Some of them were even outright hostile.

’The older actors and actresses don’t seem to have a problem with me...’

"Hey," Averie whispered in Peter Kang’s ear. "What’s up with these kids? Did I kill someone’s cat or something?"

Averie knew he wasn’t that messed up.

"Well," — Peter Kang glanced around to make sure no one was listening in — "they are like me."

"Envious like Leviathan?"

"Yeah."

’Would it have killed you to say it like that, then?’

"You are younger and newer to the industry, but you are already a way bigger name than them. You know how this goes; they are jealous and unhappy about it."

"Fair enough."

Just then, two men passed by Averie.

"What a show-off," one of them said.

"Ah, I wish I was that lucky."

"I don’t understand the hype. His acting was so awkward."

"I would have done a way better job. What bad luck."

"So much makeup, my god."

Averie looked at Peter.

"They don’t respect you, do they?"

"What are you on about?" He looked baffled. "They were talking about you."

"Me?" Averie sniggered. "There’s no way. None of those things apply to me."

"Most," Peter corrected, glancing at Averie’s getup. "You are a show-off."

Averie decided to overlook it.

He talked with Peter for a while before he was pulled away by Su-Jin James, who wanted to introduce him to some of his friends.

"It’s my friend’s daughter. She wanted pictures with you."

"Sure, why not." He sounded unenthusiastic. "I am like a panda. Everyone wants a picture."

Su-Jin laughed and paraded Averie around for some much-needed charity money.

When he returned to Peter, Ellie Arnold was there.

"Oh, hey. I didn’t know you were here, Ellie."

She looked nervous. "Yeah. I wasn’t expecting an invite either, but here I am."

She chuckled nervously and rubbed her arms.

"What’s the matter?"

"Nothing." frёewebηovel.cѳm

"Ah." Realization dawned on Averie. "Are these old men bothering you?"

"Y-yeah," she stuttered.

"Fun, isn’t it?" Averie smirked. "I am being leered at a lot today. Peter doesn’t have that problem, does he? Must be nice, being unpopular."

"Hey!" Peter yelled.

Averie laughed and linked arms with Ellie.

"Let’s see them leering at us now."

Ellie looked at him with surprise and gratitude.

"You are being very nice today. Did the new look change your personality too?"

"Wow, such ingratitude. Do you not like it?"

"I love it." She flashed him a smile. "It suits you."

Peter looked at the two with disgust in his eyes.

"Your manager should see this," he muttered.

He informed Averie about the latest and hottest news in the industry. Some rumors were especially spicy.

"And we will be visiting Tokyo soon."

"Again? Why? Do I have to go?" Averie complained.

"Yeah, man. The drama did extremely well in Japan, China, and India. So we are doing a little fan meet, some TV appearances, and all that stuff."

Averie made the fakest disappointed face.

"What a bummer." He shook his head. "If only I could make time. I am so busy—"

"Save the antics, man. It’s not up to me. Last time, we were able to leave early. But this time, we can’t. The show is really popular there. I can’t stress it enough."

He stirred his wine glass and took a sip.

"What are you complaining about, anyway? Any new actor would be happy about something like this. Give me one proper explanation for your busy schedule, Mr. Popular."

"I need to—um—donate to children who are dumb—I mean, not smart enough."

"That was pathetic."

Averie sighed. "I just don’t want to go."

He leaned on Ellie, who struggled to support his weight.

"I get bored without a project to keep me busy."

"The annual Mikoto Arts Festival is coming up. It might be worth it to come along. You will get to meet directors and producers from different countries. Maybe something exciting will happen."

"As if."

Averie was pulled away by Raymond Lee, who used the young actor to get hefty checks out of rich women.

Poor Ellie had to witness the sight of old women hitting on Averie from right next to him.

Women of her mother’s age were touching him all over. She found that more uncomfortable than men leering at her.

She even pulled him away from some of them, saving him in the process.

"You have it rough, huh."

"Yeah."

The pair returned to Peter.

"What else did you hear?" Averie asked.

"They are deciding something big for our Tokyo visit. But those are just rumors."

"Do I look like I care? Tell me something fun."

"I hear there will be a lot of nominations for BSPH at the annual Golden Lotus Awards. You will get a few nominations, I am sure."

He tried to recall some of the gossip he had overheard.

"Apparently, three of the top seven most decorated Asian directors are done writing their next works. I don’t know which ones, though. Top actors are excited."

This bit of information had Averie’s attention.

"Big projects, huh."

He was getting excited.

"Anything more—"

Right then, the same pair of actors as before walked past him.

"Who even allows such horrible acting on TV?"

"If they wanted someone to film naked, they could have hired a hobo."

"I could walk in the rain and call myself a gang member. What’s the big deal?"

"There wasn’t a single expression on his face. What a joke."

"He will go away soon."

"Yeah, I will talk to our team leader."

Averie inhaled a long breath.

"I will be back."

Peter and Ellie tried to stop him, but Averie continued following the pair of loudmouth actors.

"Shit."

They entered the restroom, and Averie followed them in.

In his eyes was bloodlust that could not be held in.

Quietly, he locked the door behind him.

New novel chapt𝒆rs are published on free(w)ebnovel(.)com