Rebirth of the Hated Character

With all her contracts finalized and dealt with, Keira focused mainly on building her strength and improving her skills.

Madame Hillary had accompanied her to the built-in gym, introducing her to someone she had become familiar with. Jenna followed after Rita and her once she found out about their termination from Giganta Corp. Her excuse was that she didn't want the workout plan she created to go to waste, and this caused Rita to have a good laugh.

Her first day on set for 'Revenge of the Fallen Heroine' would be in two weeks. She would occasionally see Austin watching her practice for the role, he would give her a few tips along with the snacks he brought.

"Your graduation outfit arrived just now. How about we have a look after you finish your pasta?" Rita walked in with Gina. They thoroughly enjoyed the outfit while she ate. "I can't believe you're graduating tomorrow."

"You will certainly be the most beautiful of them all. This V-neck bodycon cocktail dress is more than enough to turn heads!"

"Yes, it is quite mature looking. Those sleeveless straps are a bit worrisome. What if she feels cold?"

Keira glanced at the dress. Its dark blue color made the outfit look high-class, elegant, and mature. The V-neck wasn't deep enough to be raunchy and the length of the dress comfortably sat above the knees.

"The graduation gown will keep me from the cold wind." Keira enjoyed her pasta. It was a Penne all'Arrabbiata, something she had never had the fortune to try before. "Is this from the same chef as the pizza rolls with spinach inside?"

"Yes, do you like their cooking?" Gina answered while handing her a cup of oat milk matcha green tea.

"Very much so. Although the pasta is a bit spicy, I love how my tongue tingles." Although the proportion of her food was controlled per her diet, it all tasted wonderful, unlike the food she ate at Giganta.

"It's good that you're enjoying it. I'll let the chef know." Gina replied with a soft smile. She could see the sparkle in Keira's eyes, making her heart all soft and mushy for the young lady.

If acting was her ultimate goal, what kept her going now was the different types of food she never knew existed. Keira had been converted into a foodie by Austin and Gina's persistence in providing her with snacks and meals.

"Oh right! I almost forgot to give you this." Gina grabbed something from her purse and handed it to her. "Austin said that it will help." Gina had a look of anticipation as she opened the old-styled letter. She too, was curious what Austin had written inside.

The seal was stamped with his initials on it. The wax was dark brown, and decorated with vines and flowers. She unraveled the letter, only to find a handwritten recipe for egg tarts inside.

"This is really…" Keira let out a light chuckle. She found his handwriting to be very refined and beautiful. "Can a person be talented in everything?"

"If it is Young Master Austin, it's more like practice makes perfect. He worked hard from a very young age."

That's right. Skills are learned through practice.

"What was he like during his graduation?" Austin went to a private school abroad. Besides his projects and photo shoots, his personal life was filled with mystery.

"There's a picture in Madame Hillary's office if you want to see it. I have a work relationship with the Young Master, so I can't say for certain what he was like. Maybe Miss can ask Madame if you are curious."

"Yes, I'll ask next time we meet." Keira folded the recipe and put it in her purse.

I'll try baking them when I have time.

Once she finished her meal, Keira tried on the blue dress. The fabric was soft and easy to fit into. The way it hugged her body was intimate, like a tight hug one would receive from their best friend.

"I've been seeing some comments comparing your beauty to Selene's. People keep saying that Selene is the goddess between you two, but clearly, you are too stunning." Keira looked amazing in that dress, so much so, Gina felt her eyes sting from the brilliance of her features.

"Truly gorgeous, Keira…" Rita had seen many beauties as someone who manages celebrities, but none could compare to the young lady before her. Her body wasn't overly mature, it had the right curves and softness perfect for her age. "I should have seen you for what you are and not what you should be."

"Sorry…?" Keira didn't understand what Rita meant with those words.

"I've always thought that young adults and teenagers should only capture and show the innocence of their ages, just like Selene." She paused slightly, sighing, and reached for Keira's hand. "I hate to bring her up every time, but she is the exact representation of this. The soft and sweet disposition, and her doe-like eyes that scream naivety, all elicit a protective response from people who see her."

Keira patiently listened to Rita's explanation without interrupting.

"I pushed that image on you and wanted to debut you with it. Now I realized that I was mistaken. Your best qualities are the matureness of your responses and reactions. Instead of pushing a fake narrative, you would do best if you were just yourself amongst all the soft and innocent images of others your age."

Keira's lips tugged at the corners. A gush of relief swept over her when she heard that. She feared because of her current age, others would want to push her down that path.

She never wanted to walk the same road as she did before death. She hated being in Selene's shadow, a silly copycat who was jealous of her own sister.

"Thank you, Rita." Keira meant it from her heart. This was the first person brave enough to push her to be herself in the spotlight.

"I originally only accepted Director Liam's role for you because of your temperament and match to the character, but now I see that this is the path you should take. Although I can't stop worrying about the more explicit scenes you will have to film…"

"Explicit scenes!? I need to read the script!" Gina's ears perked up the moment she heard that.

"No nudity or sex scenes, just very suggestive situations." Rita wanted to stop Gina from getting overly excited.

"Ahem! Of course. Keira shouldn't play those roles. I just wanted to check the script to ensure it's safe for our star."

"I believe you," Rita said nonchalantly while rolling her eyes. From the times they had spent working together, she had come to understand that Gina was someone who loved steamy romance. She could talk all day about her current favorite books without the need for breaks.

The rest of the day went by with ease. By the time Keira realized it, she was already getting out of the car for her graduation ceremony. She felt refreshed and wide awake, it was all thanks to June's effort at providing her with herbal tea that helped her sleep through the night.

"Miss! There are so many people here today!" June exclaimed with excitement as she glanced around. This was the first time she had accompanied Keira to an event related to her school life.

As expected, they are here in this life as well. Let's make good use of the press and the public.

"It seems the press are here as well. Let's pray that nothing goes wrong." Rita also looked around but without the same excitement as June. Her eyes were sharp, taking note of every journalist and photographer in the area. "I heard that Selene is the visual of the graduation. They are probably here for her."

That's right. Selene should be praying to god.

The eyes and cameras of many followed after the girl in a blue dress and heels. Her long straight hair was meticulously tucked behind her ears, creating a sleek hairstyle. The only accessory she wore dangled around her neck, sitting perfectly within the V-neckline, creating a stylish yet simple look that was captivating.

Rita went ahead to the registration desk, fetching the light brown graduation gown and headpiece. With June and Gina's help, they secured the piece on her head and styled the gown against her deep blue dress.

The gown was in the shape of a mantle. After securing it at the neck, it flowed freely like a cape. The heaviness of the gown helped it stay in place. The headpiece was similar to a crown, wrapping around the head with a large diamond dangling on the forehead.

The color of the stripes that were on the shoulder indicated the students graduating grades. Yellow for passing grade, Red for the top 50 percent, Purple for the top 15 percent, and silver for the top one percent.

The graduation outfit of this school showed its prestigious status, this was a school for the elites around the world. With a glance, everyone could see the resemblance to that of a royal ceremony. It greatly captured the public's attention, making it one of the most anticipated events of the year. People were interested in the odd and out-of-the-world spectacle of the rich, tuning into live streams and news broadcasts just to watch for fun.

I thought that I would be more nervous…

She chuckled to herself, thinking of her in the past that never attended the ceremony. Her mother had bargained for her future as an actress with her staying home for the graduation. The silver stripes on her gown didn't make her feel good.

I feel nothing.

"This is as far as we go! We'll be watching! You look like a living princess." Gina squealed every time she made eye contact with Keira.

After saying their goodbyes, Keira entered the waiting area for the graduates. She could feel the heaviness on her shoulders, the long train dragged after her with every step she took. She could hear the gasp and awes of the others as she bypassed them to her class.

"K—Keira!?" Angela felt her vision blackened from the appearance of the other. She had never seen Keira dressed up before. Her eyes instantly lit up with worry as she studied the other's visuals. "You look…oddly stunning."

"Thank you." Keira felt generous today, smiling softly at her ex-best friend. She enjoyed the confidence in Angela dimming the more she stared at her.

Keira scrutinized Angela behind her gentle smile. She wore a dark green gown underneath the graduation gown. The satin dress greatly contradicted the khaki mantle around her shoulders. It was a good combination that worked in harmony with her sleek back bob. She wore her bangs up, showcasing her attractive appearance.

Well doesn't she look good?

"What are you thanking her for?" Jace approached the girl from behind. He had on an all-white suit underneath. He looked like a prince from the fairy tales.

Keira appreciated the men's headpiece that slightly differed from what the girls wore. Instead of a dangled jewel, it was embedded in the structure of the headpiece itself.

"Do you have to annoy me first thing in the morning?" Angela seethed with anger.

"If I could avoid you I would. Who wants to be near a squealing rat?" He ignored her and turned his gaze to Keira. "I thought you would wear something longer, like a princess gown or something."

"Should I have worn that?" It didn't come as a surprise that everyone had on long gowns and suits to match the royal theme of the graduation. Keira having worn a knee-length dress was already an anomaly.

"Then you'd look like everyone." Every time she interacted with Jace, she would often be left dumbfounded. He spoke in ways that didn't encourage one to reply, and that greatly confused her. "I like it."

"???" Silent confusion was the only thing she gave him. Jace noticed it immediately, lips pulling into a smirk as he continued to speak.

"Uncle should have paired me with you instead. I feel like we get along better."

What is he on? Is he okay?

"You say that now but wait until you see Selene! I bet my future that you'll be head over heels for her!" Keira's beauty halo had stunned Angela speechless earlier, but now that Selene was involved, she reverted to her old self.

"Drop dead in a river. If I don't like her every other time, why would I like her now? What a fucking idiot." His crude words were what made him so appealing to the other girls. His bad-boy aura tickled the fantasies of many.

"You don't like Selene?" Keira had suspected it for a while now, but hearing him say it directly was shocking to her.

No man had ever escaped from the effect Selene had on them, not even Austin Pierce…

She was briefly reminded of a passage from the novel. Austin had stated behind the scenes that he was greatly captivated by Selene's persona. Keira pondered over this for days, wondering what he meant by that.

"I—." Before he could answer, the Headmaster arrived with all the teachers.

"We will be going on the field soon. I will be saying a bunch of boring stuff on stage, and I know for sure none of you will listen. So I'll say this now before it begins. I am truly proud of this year's graduates! A lot of greatness will be leaving this school and entering the world of adults! I believe in every one of you students, you will make society a better place!"

Everyone clapped to the Headmaster's speech. They could see his eyes glinting with humor and mischievous as he scanned the students.

"ALSO! Alcohol at the after-party tonight. Drink with moderation!"

Whistling and cheering erupted from all sides. The students yelp with excitement at the prospect of drinking amongst their peers.

Keira frowned at the sudden announcement. As far as she knew, there was never alcohol involved in any school-related activities. 

She had never drunk alcohol before, this caused her mind to spin with worry.