Chapter 2: Hollywood Showdown and Sapphic Sparks

Besides, Ethan’s fans trashed me before, and now I’m supposed to play up a romance with him? Is she for real?!

Now he’s in the middle of a scandal—no way am I sticking around for the fallout. I’ll pass, thanks.

“You really have such—” The word “pretty” nearly slipped out, but I arched a brow and switched gears, “hands built for hard work.”

I let my eyes wander from Lila’s hands—hands that looked like they belonged in a museum—to the pile of tools by the door. I almost lost it. Every transmigration gig I’d ever worked, I was a wild female lead, but seeing Lila’s killer face made me want to start panting like a cartoon wolf.

Lila grinned, eyes sparkling. She grabbed my hand and gently patted the back: “Mari, your hands are so small and soft. Leave the heavy lifting to me.”

“You just stick with me and enjoy the ride.”

Then she held my hand and wouldn’t let go, her warm fingers tracing circles on my skin, looking like she’d just won the lottery.

Me: “…… ”

I haven’t even started flirting, and she’s already this smitten?!

Are all romance heroines this sapphic-coded now?

A few days ago, when she suddenly commented on my post, her fans lost their minds.

I scored a couple more trending topics. Before I knew it, our ship hashtag “MariLila” was everywhere.

At this rate, our imaginary kid would be fetching us coffee in no time.

Also, I couldn’t resist her relentless cuteness in my DMs, so I had my agent hit up the producers. The director saw I was trending and let me join.

In the original novel, Ethan and Lila caught feelings for each other on this show. But if I want to steal the heroine, I have to make sure they never get close.

In the living room, after everyone introduced themselves, we started talking about our claim to fame.

Suddenly, “Mariah, you got any standout roles?” a friendly Oscar winner asked.

What a joke—comparing credits with a roomful of Oscar and Grammy winners? What am I supposed to say?

“No big roles, but I can eat, drink, and poop, and I can walk myself home in the rain. How about it—want to keep one?

I can be everyone’s digital pet. Not $998, just $9.99—less than a Netflix subscription!”

After I finished, I threw a hopeful look at Lila.

After I spoke, everyone’s faces went a little awkward.

Oops, lost control of my wild persona again—another day, another cringe for the group chat.

(Is Mariah Lane off her rocker? Changed her name to Mariah Blanket, huh?!)

(Washed-up actress! Why’d you get so close to my idol? Trying to force a ship again?)

(Are you blind? Our Mariah is sapphic, not into sleazy dudes! Didn’t you see Lila Fox sitting right next to her?

Ethan Cross stans, stop trying to leech. MariLila is endgame.)

“Okay, I’ll Venmo you right now.” Lila suddenly played along, pushed Ethan aside, and slid in next to me.

“From now on, you’re my baby—no take-backs~”

She tapped away on her phone while leaning into me. I glanced at my notifications—she’d just Venmo’d me $999,999.

That’s, like, three Teslas!

The Venmo alert almost made me snort. I blinked, then stared at Lila, who just grinned and shrugged like it was nothing. Only in LA would someone flex by buying a digital pet.

Because I derailed the credits talk, the director quickly moved on: time to group up, assign rooms, and get to work.

Thirteen people, three houses, blind lottery draw. If you don’t like your group, you can use your startup fund to buy a spot.

I saw Lila draw House 2, Ethan draw House 2, and I drew House 3.

I sidled up to Ethan and whispered, “House 2 has a garden. Don’t you love flowers? Let’s swap.”

Ethan clutched his slip, eyes narrowed. I switched off my mic and hissed, “Come on, we’re both locals!”

But he just curled his lips, that sharp jawline catching the light.

“Not swapping.” He flicked his wrist. “Don’t think you can play me.”

Me: “…… ”

Gross~

I’m out. I’ll find someone else to swap!

(Mariah Blanket running away? Is my idol radioactive or something?)

(She’s just trying to get Ethan’s attention, and she calls herself a lesbian?)

(Y’all need to get your eyes checked! Didn’t you see Mariah wants to be in the same group as Lila?

Take my girl Lila away, she’s one of a kind—don’t mess it up!)

The next day.

House 2 had me, Lila, Ethan, Oscar winner Chris Mason, and popular actress Vanessa Kim.

Our group drew Garden Plot 1, and our job was to fill it with veggies.

Later, we’d have to live in the fields and win tools through games. With tools, work would be twice as effective.

Best two out of three—the winner gets first pick of tools.

My goal: get the tiller, tractor, water pump, seeds, drip hoses...

I have to win—for my girl Lila.

Last night, I stayed up watching her recommended stage clips and, wow, fell straight into the fangirl abyss.

I mean, who doesn’t love a woman in a black shirt, red suit, gold-rimmed glasses, bright red lips, dancing to “Flowers”!

And that waist—those abs—chef’s kiss.

Before the game started, my fighting spirit took a hit: Ethan refused to get in the mud for the flag.

The game only needed four people. No way was I letting him team up with my girl.

Now that his rep is in shambles, he wants to piggyback off Lila—who’s kept it low-key for years but has a ride-or-die fanbase—to hype a showmance? Dream on!

Ethan hated the mud—figures, he’s a trust fund kid slumming it for fun, pale as printer paper, family bought him into the show, and he’s got zero team spirit.

But Chris and Vanessa had already tied their legs together; it was clear they were dodging us newbies.

He refused to cooperate, but I wasn’t about to let him win.

I stomped up to Ethan, held out the rope: “You tying yourself up, or should I do it?”

Game rules: two-person three-legged race—grab the flag, win, pick tools first.

(He has OCD, everyone knows. Mariah Lane wants screen time and hype, so she’s got to stick to my idol.)

(Mariah Lane really can’t read the room—didn’t she see my idol wants to team up with Lila? Why must she butt in!)

(She’s just in love! She can’t stand to let Lila go in the mud—she knows my girl has OCD~ I officially ship this.)

Ethan pointedly glanced at the live comments, then at his all-white outfit.

OCD, huh?

Girl’s got a PhD in diva-handling!

He deserves it. After the show, I’ll buy him “An Actor Prepares” so he can learn what real acting is—and what professionalism looks like.

Him? Still wants to hype a ship with Lila!

I advise lazy frogs to quit daydreaming.

I shoved Ethan down, tied his hands and feet, then tied our legs together.

“Mariah Lane! Do you know my company invested in this show? Do you not want to make it to the next episode?” Ethan hissed, trying to untie my knot.

I ignored him—threaten me all you want.

Sorry, if Hollywood kicks me out, I’ll just go home and inherit billions. Ethan can enjoy his trust fund while I buy his company for fun.

“Contestants, get ready!”

The director blew the whistle, and I yanked Ethan forward by the arm.