Filed to story: The Return Novel (Natalie & Bryce) PDF Read Online Free
Natalie pulled Tony over and said, “Just ignore them, let’s go.” Tony was confused about where she was taking him, but he followed her to the adjacent studio anyway. When he saw the camera equipment there, he asked her, “What’s going on?”
“Sorry, I forgot to tell you,” Natalie replied. “You’re here to recapture the feeling of being filmed again. We’ll get some promotional pictures of you to help boost your visibility.” Natalie gave him an encouraging smile.
She also hoped that the photo shoot would help him find his confidence again, and she believed that despite so many years of being hidden away, this guy would not disappoint her.
Tony nodded, but there was fear in his eyes. It had been a long time since he was in front of a lens. He wasn’t sure whether he could still perform for the camera. Sensing his concerns, Natalie said gently, “Relax. You did it all those years ago, and I trust that you can do it now. I believe in you. Now, go get ready for the shoot. We’ll start in a little while.”
Afraid Tony would be nervous, she went to speak to the photographer. When she returned, she saw Tony staring off into the distance like he was in a daze. Natalie gently beckoned him over, signaling that filming was about to start.
The photographer and the lighting technician were already in position. Tony was about to step forward, but he paused. Fear flashed in his eyes.
“You can do this. Believe in yourself,” Natalie called out in encouragement. Although her tone was very serious, there was also warmth and comfort in her words. Tony hesitantly stepped forward until he reached the position where he was to be photographed.
He looked good under the studio lights—an elegant guy dressed in a white shirt and black pants. Natalie looked at him, highly satisfied with his appearance. She then asked the photographer to begin.
But when the photographer raised his camera and started taking photos, he saw something that made him frown. He stopped clicking the shutter and lowered the camera. Natalie went over to the photographer and asked, “What’s up? Does Tony need to get some makeup?”
The photographer shook his head and replied, “It’s nothing like that. It’s just that he doesn’t seem to be in the right state of mind. It’s as if he’s subconsciously avoiding looking down the lens every time I take a picture.” Natalie looked at the images the photographer had captured and immediately saw the photographer’s point. Tony had subtly turned away from the camera in each of the photos. She hadn’t even noticed this happening from the sidelines.
She said, “Tony, try not to be nervous. Just act natural,” and cheered him on. “Okay, I understand,” Tony said haltingly, sounding soft and timid. He tried to smile but had an awkward expression.
The photo shoot restarted, but Tony was still subconsciously avoiding the camera. He became even more nervous than before. The darkness that had been creeping into his heart for such a long time had intensified as he felt the pressure increase. He felt like he couldn’t control his body and suddenly felt depressed.
After a few more failed photos, the photographer was starting to get impatient.
He stepped aside to drink water from a bottle and scrolled through his phone while he waited for Tony to shake off his depressed mood. Natalie’s anxiety levels were rising. She tried to think of ways to help Tony.
Suddenly, she thought of Tony’s performance in “Love Through Time,” which he had appeared in when he was starting out. His acting skills had needed polishing at that time, but he had still been able to play his part in that classic drama in a relaxed and attractive way.
She walked over to him and asked, “Do you still remember that character you portrayed a few years back? You were betrayed by the girl you liked, became crazy as a result, and then went to a kind of dark place mentally.” Tony nodded confusedly, then said, “Of course I remember, but this is a photo shoot. It’s not like I’m portraying a character in a show.”
Natalie said, “Yes, I understand, but actually, I think it is similar. Maybe if you can find the feeling you had when you were playing that character, you can try using it for the photo shoot.” Although Tony didn’t feel he had the confidence to do that, he decided to try Natalie’s suggestion to mimic the feeling he had back then when acting in front of an audience.
Natalie was a bit disappointed to see the difference between Tony’s acting skills back when he started and now.
He was able to act the part, but somehow his performance now looked forced and stiff. Just as Natalie was thinking this, Tony looked over at her with a bit more confidence and said, “I’ll try again. I might be able to familiarize myself with the emotions and the way to play this.”
Natalie nodded. She watched him try the poses several more times, but his acting was still very unconvincing. He was getting really frustrated as he failed again and again to capture what he wanted. He was so anxious that his palms were almost sweating. The harder he tried, the more he failed. It seemed hopeless.
Natalie looked at him worried that he maybe didn’t have the magic in him anymore after all. She thought, “Cruy, if an actor can’t act the role they’re supposed to portray, then they don’t deserve to be called an actor.” Sensing the change in her attitude, Tony felt scared. He was ashamed of himself and felt that he was letting Natalie down.
The photographer couldn’t wait any longer. He walked over to Natalie, shrugged his shoulders, and complained, “Listen, I have other appointments today. Can we get going again now? If not, then let’s reschedule instead of wasting everybody’s time.”
Natalie wanted to retain this photographer, who was one of the best in the business, so that she could get the best publicity shoots for Tony. Just then, she caught sight of Tony’s dull expression and suddenly felt like she had had enough.
She couldn’t hold back her frustration anymore. She snapped at Tony, “Why are you in such a daze? Where’s your spirit and determination? Are you only fit to sit in the corner, lower your head, and feel sorry for yourself? Was I mistaken in choosing you because I thought you had what it takes?”
Tony was shocked by this sudden harsh scolding. He opened his mouth to say something but then decided against it and kept quiet instead.
Natalie’s hopes that scolding him might wake him up seemed to have failed, and raging her even more, she said sharply, “Nothing to say? Okay, then let’s forget about working together and go our separate ways. If you want to be in this sorry state, then you’re on your own. I’ll speak to Gary Willis, and you can switch to another managing agent.”
There was a trace of contempt in Natalie’s anger, as though she had given up and no longer held out any hopes for Tony. He lowered his eyes and frowned.
His body was trembling, and he clenched his fists tightly. He looked like a drowning man who was struggling to stay afloat.
When the other people in the studio saw how furious Natalie was, no one dared say anything. Her intimidating manner really cowed them.
Natalie took a deep breath. She was ready to speak again when she looked up and saw Tony staring at her. His eyes were full of tears.
Interesting