The Rise of the White Lotus

The shoot went on and the set was wrapped up around 8 in the evening. Fortunately, Lexi did a great job on her first day of taping and all NG's weren't caused by her.

Meanwhile, Churu didn't come back the whole day -- Ethan as well. Hence, Lexi managed to focus on acting and memorizing her lines again.

"Sister Lexi, you did great today." Abigail Fan complimented as she handed over a bottled water to Lexi.

"Thanks," Accepting the bottled water, Lexi thanked her before opening it and gulped a mouthful of water to salivate her throat.

As they head towards Abigail Fan's car, her manager kept on prattling that Lexi couldn't properly understand as her mind wandered somewhere else.

"Lexi? Sister Lexi?" Seeing that Lexi passed by her car, Abigail Fan called out.

"Oh?" Upon hearing her manager calling her numerous times, Lexi snapped from her daze and looked back with a disoriented gaze.

"This is my ride," Abigail Fan slightly tilted her head towards her car. 

"Uh, yeah. Sorry, I was a little tired." Slightly shaking her head, Lexi briefly explained before she strode back on the car.

For a moment, Lexi wondered where did those two went. Though it was a good thing that they didn't pestered her again, alas, now that it was evening, Lexi could not help but think about it.

----

Since they were on a side country, far away from the city, everyone would have to spend three consecutive days in the most decent hotel in the town.

As usual, Abigail Fan drove the car and would dropped Lexi to the hotel before she'd go back to the city. After all, she was busy preparing to establish her own agency and Lexi assured her that she'd be fine alone.

"By the way, have you seen the news?" Without turning her head to her side, Abigail Fan broke the awkward silence.

"Hmmm?" 

"The Regal Entertainment was now facing a major setback after the prostitution scandal of its VP Victor Wang. *sigh* Who would have thought -- though this us a little benefit because your scandals were buried in an instant. Just a little longer and people will forget about it." Although Abigail Fan sympathized with the victims of the said man, she was also relieved that it also made Lexi's scandal lessen.

Also, Abigail Fan wasn't surprised about the news as she was well-versed that behind the glitz and glamor of the entertainment industry, there's this unspoken rule that existed.

She didn't want to think about it as Abigail Fan was disgusted with this kind of people. But, despite despising them, she would also have to mingle around them because that's how this industry works. Fortunately, Lexi came from a prominent family, hence, she won't have to experience this terrorizing experience.

"Is that so?" Lexi tirelessly mumbled, uninterested with the outside world. "Shall I thank the victims then?" She sarcastically added as Lexi stared outside through the window.

For some reason, Lexi didn't appreciate the fact that her scandals were being pushed back by this kind of news. Though she hadn't gone through such horrifying experience, Lexi could somehow feel how those girls felt.

She was an overly sensitive person and just having a male crossing her vicinity, her discomfort was enough to lash out on them. What more if she was forced to use her body to get a project? 

Just thinking about it, Lexi wanted to puke in disgust. Thus, the least she could do was be apathetic about it and shouldn't see it as an opportunity to wash her name.

Abigail Fan cleared her throat after hearing Lexi's sarcastic remarks. She knew for sure that Lexi didn't liked her statement, so, she kept her thoughts to herself.

Just then, Lexi's phone rang that made Lexi flinch. Searching for her phone on her handbag, Lexi's brows raised seeing Ethan's caller ID; M.I.A on the screen.

Still, Lexi answered the incoming call after several rings, "Yes?" 

"Hey… on your way back to the hotel?" On the line, Ethan softly inquired.

Lexi's shoulders relaxed and she was relieved after hearing that he was fine. Too bad, she could not ask if Churu was with him as he could not see the flying adorable dumpling that completes her day.

"Hmmm." Humming a tune, Lexi responded as she leaned her head on the front passenger headrest. 

A momentary silence dawned on the line as neither of them talked. Yet, Ethan was already satisfied with the fact that she was there; not hanging up like usual. 

On the other hand, Lexi didn't bothered to hung up as she patiently wait for him to talk about the reason for his call or whatever he'd say.

"Lexi…" Breaking the peaceful quietness, Ethan gently uttered as a subtle smile formed on the side of his lips. 

'I missed you,' He added inwardly.

"Hmm?" With a laid back tune, Lexi was somewhat baffled why her heart and mind felt so peaceful just knowing that he was there?

"Can I see you?" Mustering his courage, Ethan Lu inquired. 

"You're still here?" Arching her brows, Lexi didn't answered but instead, questioned back.

"Ah, yeah. How can I leave without treating you to dinner? So… will you grant my request?" Ethan paused as he nervously wait for her reply. Though he didn't expect that she'd agree, Ethan still tried as he could not go back to the city without spending time with her.

"But, if you're tired, I understand." Regardless of his desires to see her, Ethan could put that aside as he didn't want to pressure her. After all, Lexi was probably tired from the whole day of filming.

"Uh, no…"

"Huh?" 

"I mean, I am actually hungry -- make sure its a good noodle house. Don't pick me up, send me the address, I'll head there now." With that said remarks, Lexi immediately cut off the line as she bit her lower lip.

Meanwhile, Abigail Fan glanced at Lexi from time to time and could not help but wonder who was she talking on the phone? Earlier, she offered Lexi some food but she refused as she told her that she's full… but now, she's hungry? Also, who is she gonna meet?

Despite the questions that hovered on her mind, Abigail Fan didn't probe knowing Lexi's personality.

"Drop me off in this address." Lexi informed her manager of the location that Ethan sent and pursed her lips. She then fixed her appearance on the mirror which left another batch of questions on Abigail Fan's head.