Defying Fate: The Unstoppable Eileen



Eileen somehow found herself on Paulina's bad side without even trying.

During the afternoon drama class, it was a three-person scene with Chester, Paulina, and Eileen. But take after take, the scene just wasn't working, and Paulina finally lost her patience, snapping, "Can we get this right already?"

Her outburst seemed directed at no one in particular, yet everyone felt the sting, and the set fell silent.

Carrol, seated below with a megaphone in hand, barked, "I haven't yelled cut yet, what are you shouting for?"

Paulina frowned and retorted, "We've been at this eight times. What's the issue? Doesn't everyone know who's messing up?"

Chester quickly bowed and apologized, "I'm so sorry, Miss Paulina. It was my fault. I'll make it up to everyone with some lattes after we wrap." Paulina pushed Chester lightly, annoyed, "What the hack? This isn't about you!"

That comment turned Chester beet red, not knowing how to respond.

Chester, looking uncomfortable, tried to defuse the situation, "Miss Paulina, please, no hard feelings."

Paulina glared at Chester and then stormed off to the makeup room, saying, "I'm done," as she went. The atmosphere on set grew even tenser after her departure.

Carrol, frowning deeply, sent the assistant director after her and told Chester and Eileen to take a break.

Janice, carrying a cup of water, approached Eileen and said pointedly, "What's her problem? It's not on us. It looked like she was blaming you, Eileen. But the first couple of times, Miss Paulina flubbed her lines. Then it was Mr. Chester who cracked up. You haven't missed a beat, Eileen!"

Eileen frowned too, took a sip of water, and glanced Chester's way.

Chester walked over to Eileen to apologize on behalf of Paulina, "Miss Paulina can be a bit impulsive. She's not targeting anyone, Miss Lopez. Don't take it to heart."

Eileen gave Chester a long look and then smiled, "I'm not offended."

Chester, with a blush, said, "That's good to hear. You, uh, take a break then."

With that, he walked away, face still flushed.

Janice, still unsatisfied, grumbled, "Eileen, could you stop smiling at Mr. Chester like that?"

Eileen looked at her, "Why?"

Janice pouted, "Mr. Reed can't take it. He will be green with jealousy."

Eileen rolled her eyes and jokingly poked Janice in the forehead, "You're talking nonsense."

It took a half-hour and the coaxing of pretty much everyone before Paulina emerged from the makeup room.

When they finally resumed shooting, the scene went off without a hitch.

At the end of the day, Eileen changed out of her costume and saw Chester trying to cheer up a still-sour Paulina, offering to take her out for dinner.

At the thought of food, Eileen realized her own hunger. She grabbed Janice's arm, planning to head out for a meal themselves.

Chester noticed Eileen and called out, "Miss Lopez, join us?"

Eileen paused, noting that at Chester's invitation, Paulina's expression turned downright murderous.

But Eileen just smiled and accepted, "Sure, why not."

In the restaurant, Chester handed the menu to Paulina but kept his eyes on Eileen, asking eagerly, "Miss Lopez, what would you like?"

Eileen thought for a moment and said, "Let's go with seafood. I heard choosing it fresh from the tank is the way to go."

Chester immediately stood up, "I'll pick it out!"

And with that, he was off to the tanks.

As soon as Chester left, Paulina gripped the menu so tight her knuckles whitened.

When Paulina tried to storm out, Eileen held her back calmly, "Miss Paulina, take it easy. Can we talk?"

Paulina glared, "I have nothing to say to you!"

Eileen firmly held her down and said, "How would you know if we haven't tried?"

Outside by the seafood tanks, Chester was on the phone.

He pointed to a barely alive fish in the tank for the waiter to scoop out, then spoke into the phone, "Okay, I know what to do. Just remember, you owe me for clearing the lead roles for you."

Returning to the dining area, Chester was taken aback to see Paulina and Eileen, looking like they were sharing secrets.

Impossible. Paulina would rather eat Eileen alive!

Frowning, Chester entered with a smile, "What are you two gossiping about?"

Eileen moved away from a scowling Paulina and said, "Just girl talk, nothing much."

Chester teased, "What kind of girl talk? Can I listen in?"

"Not this time. Woman's business," Eileen replied as she stood up. "I'll be right back; just need the restroom."

Once Eileen was gone, Chester poured Paulina a cup of tea and leaned in, "You don't have to keep picking on Miss Lopez. I really don't have any interest in her."

Paulina was silent for a moment before coldly stating, "But you're my boyfriend!"

Chester soothed her, "Of course, I only have eyes for you. I'm just being polite to her, trust me."

Paulina remained stern, "Then why invite her to dinner? Didn't you know I didn't want to share a table with her?"

Chester gave a rueful grin and said, "I was just asking casually, I never expected she'd actually have the nerve to tag along. Alright, let's drop it, okay? No more hard feelings?"

Paulina's face was a study in thunderclouds, but she bit back any further comment.

A bit later, Eileen returned.

Just then, Paulina's phone buzzed. She glanced at it and stepped outside to take the call.

Acting as if she was guarding state secrets, Paulina even shut the private room door behind her.

Eileen was engrossed in her phone, scrolling absentmindedly.

Across the table, Chester suddenly spoke up, "Ms. Lopez."

Eileen looked up at him.

With a hint of a blush, Chester said, "Has anyone ever told you that you have beautiful eyes?"

Eileen was taken aback.Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.

She set her phone down on the table and laughed, "Really?"

As Eileen gazed at him directly, Chester seemed shy, touching his ear awkwardly as he stammered, "Your eyes... they're like stars."

Eileen crossed her arms and chuckled, "Mr. Chester, you have quite the silver tongue."

Chester hurriedly added, "I'm speaking from the heart!"

Not wanting to prolong the topic, Eileen said, "I heard from my assistant that the pen is quite expensive, over a thousand dollars. I should pay you back."

Chester quickly interjected, "No, no, there's no need for that."

Eileen insisted, holding her phone, "No, I must pay you back."

Suddenly, Chester's face revealed a hurt expression, "That pen...it's not something you can measure with money."

Eileen looked at him, puzzle, "What do you mean?"

Chester explained, "It belonged to my grandfather."

Eileen was silent for a moment, then said, "Why didn't you say so earlier? I'll have my assistant return it to you later."

Chester let out a wistful smile, his eyes locked with Eileen's, "But I wanted to give it to you."

Eileen raised an eyebrow, "Oh?"

Chester looked down and murmured, "I wanted to give this pen, which means so much to me, to... someone I have feelings for..."

Eileen was speechless.

Just then, the private room door burst open!

Paulina stormed in, her face dark with fury.

Chester's expression of deep affection vanished instantly, replaced by a look of discomfort as he glanced at Eileen, as if she was the one confessing feelings, not him.

Paulina grabbed her purse and turned to leave.

Chester was startled and quickly followed her out!

At ten o'clock that night, someone knocked on Eileen's door.

She shuffled to the door in her slippers, only to find a teary-eyed Paulina leaning against the frame, holding a bottle of wine, asking, "Care for a

drink?"

Eileen let Paulina in, took the wine from her hands, and handed her a tissue, saying, "He's just a player, why cry over it when you've seen his true colors?"

Paulina hugged a cushion on the sofa, wailing, "How could I be so stupid? I should've seen through this! Did you know that pen was one I bought for him? I gave it to him as a gift!"

Eileen was stunned, then she patted Paulina's back, consoling, "Then you're not at a loss. He called you 'grandma,' didn't he? Just think of him as the prodigal grandson you never had."

Paulina was silent, then continued to sob, mustering disbelief, "Why would he do this? Why are such people even in showbiz? He's supposed to be a big star!"

Eileen replied, "It has nothing to do with being a star. Some men just like to play the field."

Paulina cursed, "I've hit rock bottom! Thank goodness you figured it out for me!"

After crying for a while, Paulina made another grab for the wine bottle, but Eileen wouldn't let her drink. Instead, Paulina snatched the bottle and ran to Eileen's bed. When she turned her head, she saw Eileen's phone screen was lit up; she was in a video call!

Paulina looked groggily at Egbert's face on the screen and then at the text below reading "Call with Egbert for 68 hours and 24 minutes." Paulina was

confused.

Eileen came over, picked up the phone, and said to Egbert on the other end, "Gotta hang up now."

Egbert asked, "What's up?"

Eileen replied, "Paulina's drunk."

There was a pause before Egbert said, "Don't hang up, just mute it."

Eileen made a face but muted the call anyway, sliding the phone under her pillow.

Turning back, Eileen caught Paulina staring at her, wide-eyed and befuddled.

Eileen sighed, "Sorry, I know you've just been through a breakup, and I don't know if this will comfort you, but my boyfriend and I are really happy. We can't even sleep without staying on the call together."