Demons Beside You

Chen Zhao and Sharan drank at an open air coffee shop. Displeased, Chen Zhao said, “You want me to speak for you with just a three dollar coffee? Don’t you think it’s too cheap?”

“Are you trying to cheat my money?” Sharan looked at Chen Zhao in disgust.

“Whatever you think it is.” Chen Zhao took a sip of coffee.

“I’ll remember you! Just wait!” Sharan stood up in anger and left.

Chen Zhao looked at Sharan’s back. Free coffee was not too bad either.

Chen Zhao was about to get into his car when he heard someone say, “Are you Mr. Chen?”

Chen Zhao turned around and realized it was the saleswoman from the car store that time. He could not remember her name.

“You are…”

“I’m Palis. Do you not remember me?”

“Oh, Palis. I remember.”

Palis looked at the car behind Chen Zhao. “Mr. Chen, is this your car?”

“Yes, why?”

“Didn’t you buy an Aston Martin DB11 AMR from our shop?”

“Ha… Actually I was just buying it for someone else. I can’t afford that kind of car.” Chen Zhao smiled.

Palis’ passion was extinguished at once. She glanced at Chen Zhao, not interested in him anymore.

“I’m leaving now. Bye.” Palis waved her hand. Before Chen Zhao even replied, she turned around and left.

She had originally thought that Chen Zhao was a wealthy bachelor, but he turned out to be poor as well.

Palis was very disappointed. Although she was also not rich herself, she looked down on the poor.

When she returned to her car, her phone rang.

“Hey, Palis, where are you now?”

“On my way back.” It was her boyfriend. He continued impatiently, “Come back, quick. Change your clothes and be prepared.”

“Why? Be prepared for what?”

“I heard that Mr. Steven is recruiting actors for his new movie.”

Palis was surprised. “Is there a suitable role for me?”

She was not an actress and had also never acted before, but in Los Angeles, all women dreamed of becoming a star. This was of course true for Palis as well.

“No.”

“Then why should I be prepared?”

“Although there isn’t a role for you, I heard that the female lead has been decided. The film crew is now looking for a double for her. I’ve sent your photo to the assistant director. He’s very satisfied, but he wishes to interview you himself.”

“You mean I’ll be a body double for the lead?” Palis was hesitant.

After all, a body double surely would not have frontal and close-up shots. It seemed to be pointless.

“That’s right,” Palis’ boyfriend said in excitement. “If you get to know the female lead, perhaps you can ask her to find me a good role!”

Palis finally got it. Her boyfriend had just been thinking for himself and not for her.

“I still have my own job. How can I just go and be a double?” Palis said.

“Why are you so selfish? Why can’t you think about me? If I can obtain a role, even a small one, I can become famous. By then, you won’t even need to work. I can give you money.”

“But until now, I’m the one giving you money!” Palis said.

“It’s different. They were small directors, not Mr. Steven. That’s Mr. Steven!”

Perhaps the director was important for the leading actor, but it really would not make a difference for a person who could not even get an insignificant role in an ordinary movie.

Palis did not even know why she liked such a useless guy in the first place.

He could do nothing other than having unrealistic fascinations.

Nine out of ten times when he went for studio auditions, he would be chased out.

After he returned home, he would curse the directors, saying that they could not understand his talents and performance.

Palis had to pay for all his food, clothes, accommodation, travel and weed expenses.

“Palis, listen, if you can get this job, you’ll be paid fifty thousand dollars. I can get a new car.”

Palis was surprised. Fifty thousand was really quite high.

Were all doubles paid this much?

As for the last part of her boyfriend’s sentence, she ignored it completely.

A parasite who had been relying on her to survive complained about his car.

When Palis returned home, her boyfriend Rocco eagerly urged Palis to change her clothes and put on her makeup.

“Change your bra. Wear a sexy one,” Rocco said.

Palis suddenly turned her head and stared at Rocco. “What did you say?”

“What?” Rocco’s eyes sparkled.

Palis discovered that Rocco was trying to avoid her stare. “Is this really an interview?”

“Palis, help me! Just once, please! It’s fifty thousand!”

“Scram! Scram out of here!” Palis was furious.

She would not usually abstain herself, but that did not mean she was willing to be betrayed by her boyfriend.

Her trash boyfriend had renewed her understanding of the word “shameless.”

The thin Rocco was pushed back by Palis. Drugs had long sapped his strength.

“Palis, listen to me…”

The enraged Palis threw Rocco, as well as all his stuff, out of the house.

“Palis, please forgive me… Please forgive me…” Rocco kept knocking on the door.

Palis took out her gun from the drawer, opened the door and pointed it at Rocco’s head. “Scram. Never appear before me again.”

Rocco almost peed his pants. He quickly begged, “Palis, I’ll go. Calm down.”

Palis watched as Rocco dragged his tattered items and escaped. Only then did she close the door again.

When she returned to her room, she noticed the name card on the table.

Should I try?

What if I’m lucky and actually chosen?

It’s fifty thousand!

Even if the assistant director wants to sleep with me, I can just close my eyes and it’ll be over in no time…

Being sent onto another man’s bed by her boyfriend and making the decision herself were different.

At least, Palis hated being betrayed by her boyfriend.

As for betraying her own body, she did not mind it that much.

If the assistant director was rich, she might even form a long-term relationship with him.

After some consideration, Palis still took out her phone.

“Hi Mr. James, I’m Palis. Rocco recommended me to you…”