The Truths Behind the Life of Maeve Sun Lively

46

AFTER CHINESE NEW YEAR'S COUNTDOWN and the four of us all spending time with each other, while Cameron and Klarise had fallen asleep playing cards in the living room, Mason and I decided to go on a walk outside together. It was probably around two a.m., but also meaning no one would really recognize me, so it was the best time for a walk. At least for us.

The street lights lit dimly as we walked around the block near Cameron's house, and none of us talked. It wasn't awkward, rather peaceful. Just the sounds of a few crickets in the bushes singing their hearts out, and the shining both the street lights and stars lit for us. But at some point, Mason stopped walking and suggested we go sit on a bench somewhere. So we did.

I haven't stopped smiling the whole night. "Mason, I think I haven't been happier than right now."

Under the starlight, his eyes looked happier than they usually did. "Well then, it's safe to say I'm happy too."

"Yeah, safe to say I guess."

He shifted in his position, his legs suddenly pointed toward me. And now, the lines under his eyes harden and become slightly more visible. Whatever he was about to say, something told me it was going to be important.

"You know, there's always been something I wanted to do."

My gaze never left his eyes, and all of a sudden I wanted him to know this: That I cared. And that even though it's been a while and I knew something had been bothering him, or just something keeping him behind, and I have been too self involved to ask him about it; now that he's telling me, I want him to know that I will listen. That I will be there for him like how he has for me.

"And don't get me wrong, being your manager, the day when Mr. Wang had put me as your assistant, it's been a pleasure. Like a blessing. And I love being your agent, and I also love that we, together, have made it this far. You're all over Hollywood now."

We both laugh as he points at a bus parked near the corner of the block that has an ad with a head picture of me.

"So you see, I love what I've been doing. But I want something more to it...and recently, or maybe for months now, I've been thinking what it is that I've been wanting to do. And Maeve, I think I got it. I think I know what I want to do, or what," the corner of his cheeks pull into a grin. "What you had said in Descending 99, a calling. I think I found my calling, or what that calling has been calling me to."

I let out a sigh, looking up at the stars. "That show, it's been a while hasn't it?"

"Yeah, really been a while now."

I looked back down, and my gaze once again macthed his. "So what is it?"

"A company. A film company." At this, I am trying to hold in my smile. "I want to create a foundation where there is equal competition. Seeing...seeing the last year or two with you in L.A. here, I don't want to see that for many others to come. I want to create a place, where without race, anyone who has the potential will get a rightful role." He took in a deep breath. "Where they won't have to...necessarily give up their own body in order to get a role."

I stop dead in my tracks, and now, even in the sort of dim lights, I can see the tears in the corner of his eyes. All Eyes On Us, Mr. Henreid, how I had landed myself that lead role. Oh god, oh god, what...I tried. I tried to hide it, but but, no buts then. I shouldn't have done it, I knew that, but I also knew there wasn't really a choice. But just oh, Mason.

"You knew?"

He nodded. "Yes, and I don't want that to happen to you again or anyone else." His right hand is balled up in a fist, tight. "I would have punched the guy if it wasn't...whatever, but Maeve, promise me you won't do that again. I think I can't handle it again if you did. Promise?"