In This Life, I Will Die As An Actress, Not As A Villainess [EN]: Chapter 81

The next day,

I checked out of the hotel and stepped onto the sun-baked street.

The palm trees lining both sides of the road seemed to converge in the distance, creating a vanishing point.

And there, at the end of it all, I could make out the iconic white letters spelling ‘HOLLYWOOD.’

It was a scene I’d only ever witnessed on TV screens.

My heart swelled with a mix of excitement and disbelief.

The city buzzed with a unique atmosphere—busy, yet somehow relaxed.

Unlike me, Kkot-byeol, who had already experienced the United States through school trips and family vacations, remained remarkably composed.

“I love how the trees are taller than the buildings in this neighborhood. Plus, the other areas felt so…suffocating,” she commented.

“Really? I feel kind of nervous, for some reason,” I admitted.

Kkot-byeol chuckled at my apprehension.

“Before we head back, we absolutely have to squeeze in a short beach vacation. I’m dying to play in the ocean.”

“Should we?”

The idea of ending our trip with a relaxing beach getaway before returning to Korea sounded incredibly appealing.

“Then let’s do it! I’ll take good care of you today,” Kkot-byeol declared confidently, taking the lead.

Watching her walk ahead, I felt a surge of reassurance and couldn’t help but smile.

When I initially decided to participate in the acting workshop, my biggest worry revolved around the specialized acting terminology.

I had managed to pick up enough everyday English to navigate daily life, but I was concerned that I would need an interpreter for the actual classes.

After I voiced my concerns, Min-young unnie [older sister or close female friend] recommended several interpreters.

While carefully reviewing their qualifications, Kkot-byeol and I simultaneously realized something.

The perfect interpreter was right beside me all along.

Kkot-byeol, who attended a prestigious private foreign language high school back in Korea, was fluent in four languages.

It seemed far more appealing to bring Kkot-byeol along than to spend days feeling awkward with a complete stranger.

Plus, an acting workshop would undoubtedly be a valuable experience for Kkot-byeol as well.

* * *

Workshop center.

The moment I opened the door, I was surprised to see several recognizable faces.

“Wow, I heard this class had an amazing lineup. I guess it’s true,” Kkot-byeol whispered, her eyes wide with surprise.

Richard, Mac, Daisy, Eric Kwon, and more.

Trying to mask my own surprise, I quietly found a seat.

To think that I was sitting in the same room as these established actors.

This particular workshop boasted a long and impressive history, spanning over 50 years in LA, and countless actors had honed their skills within its walls.

A workshop that had nurtured hundreds of outstanding actors in Hollywood.

My expectations for the instructors who were about to appear naturally soared.

“Wow, it’s Aiden Farrell!” Kkot-byeol suddenly exclaimed, barely above a whisper.

“Shh!” I smiled and gently placed a finger to my lips.

In truth, I had already noticed the actor earlier.

“Wow, I absolutely loved ‘In the Alley’!” Kkot-byeol gushed excitedly.

And that comment gave me a subtle clue.

I wondered how far along his filmography was at this point in time.

If it was ‘In the Alley,’ then this was before he had truly broken through and achieved widespread recognition.

Aiden Farrell had appeared in a string of generic Hollywood movies, often playing minor characters, before unexpectedly landing a villainous role in a superhero film that catapulted him to stardom.

Although he initially gained fame for his villainous portrayals, Aiden Farrell later showcased a remarkable range of acting abilities and solidified his position as a highly respected and versatile actor.

I had often wondered where his nuanced emotions and expressions stemmed from.

But behind that talent was dedication and hard work.

A talented actor diligently participating in a workshop and honing his craft.

I was itching to rush over and bombard him with a hundred and one interview questions, but I decided to restrain myself.

He was likely here to learn and grow as an actor, and he probably wouldn’t appreciate being the center of attention.

Suppressing my excitement, I glanced at the name tag on the table, which read ‘Sena Han.’

* * *

Meanwhile, in a corner of the workshop.

Aiden Farrell glanced in Han Sena’s direction.

He had the fleeting impression that his name had been called a moment ago.

Of course, there were quite a few people in the lecture hall who recognized him besides her.

However, everyone seemed deeply focused on acting and refrained from openly acknowledging him.

‘It’s my first time at a workshop. I wonder what it will be like,’ he mused.

Aiden rested his chin on his hand and tapped his foot, betraying a hint of nervousness.

Just then, two acting coaches opened the door and walked in.

“Hello, I’m David.”

“I’m James.”

Aiden raised his eyebrows in surprise at the unexpected pairing.

One was a model student who had graduated from a prestigious British private school and steadily built his filmography through consistent work.

The other was an unconventional talent who had grown up in Harlem and worked as an AV actor to make ends meet before being cast in a movie by chance and taking Hollywood by storm with his raw and unique acting style.

The two men came from vastly different backgrounds and possessed contrasting acting styles, yet both were highly sought-after actors loved by directors.

“We’re going to skip the theory. If you came here to listen to theory, head to the front desk on the first floor right now and get a refund—although there will be a penalty, of course. Too bad. Go apply to college or sign up for Jonathan’s ‘Just Listen and You’ll Debut!’ academy class,” James declared boldly, starting with his characteristic bluntness.

The students erupted in laughter at James’s rather aggressive tone.

Jonathan was a well-known actor academy operator and a longtime friend of James.

Aiden also rested his chin on his hand, looking intrigued.

David, who had been chuckling beside him, began to speak.

“Our theme is expression. We’ll be experimenting with expression, starting with the body, facial expressions, and language, and later moving on to swearing, gait [manner of walking], and even singing. This week, we’ll start lightly with physical expression.”

The students wore thoughtful expressions.

“Actors, like writers, are storytellers. Think about what kind of storytelling you can do using only your body. Who wants to try first?”

A brief silence descended upon the workshop.

“Well then, let’s start with someone famous. Let’s see how good they are. Aiden Farrell.”

James grinned mischievously and pointed at Aiden.

At that, the students all turned to look at Aiden and cheered.

Aiden smiled with a slightly stiff expression, looking a bit flustered.

Then, he stood up from his seat and stepped forward.

“Aiden, what’s your concept?” David asked.

“A vampire who loves a nun,” Aiden replied with a slight smile.

It was a skit he had prepared beforehand.

“That’s a pretty difficult concept. Okay, anyone want to volunteer to help with the nun role on the spot?”

At David’s question, someone raised their hand.

“Great. Come on up.”

A black woman stood up from her seat and approached Aiden.

“I’m Rachel. I’m a fan!” Aiden smiled and shook her hand.

“Thank you.”

“How can I help you?”

“I’m going to keep circling around you, but please don’t let me get close.”

Rachel’s eyes sparkled with interest.

“Okay, sounds good.”

“Ready, action.”

With David’s cue, the workshop classroom fell silent.

Rachel focused and calmed her mind.

Then, she slowly clasped her hands together and fixed her gaze on a distant point high above.

The bright lights of the ceiling reflected in Rachel’s dark eyes.

They seemed to hold hope and faith towards an almighty God.

Aiden stood about five steps away, watching her.

By chance, Aiden’s appearance, with his red hair and green eyes, created a striking contrast with the composed Rachel.

Aiden, who had been observing Rachel, also clasped his hands together.

The motion felt awkward, as if he had never brought his palms together before.

Aiden’s gaze never wavered from Rachel.

Then, Rachel closed her eyes and knelt down.

In response, Aiden bent down and knelt in an even lower posture, looking up at Rachel’s back.

Rachel was worshiping God, and Aiden was worshiping Rachel.

Rachel moved her lips and recited a passage from the Bible.

Aiden listened to the sound and began to approach Rachel on his knees.

As if being drawn into a forbidden area, little by little.

The people in the lecture hall held their breath as they watched Aiden and Rachel draw closer.

Very slowly, very slowly….

Now just within arm’s reach, Rachel sensed a presence and turned around.

Rachel and Aiden’s eyes met.

Rachel jumped back in surprise and stumbled to the side.

At that, Aiden prostrated himself even lower than the fallen Rachel.

It was a silent promise not to harm her.

He, who had been sitting at the top of the food chain, had assumed a posture of submission.

To a frail nun.

Aiden, still prostrate, removed his hands from under his chest and placed them together in front of his head.

Rachel covered her mouth and stared at the vampire before her.

Aiden slowly looked up at Rachel’s face.

But….

In Aiden’s gaze, Rachel wore a terrified expression.

Aiden’s brow furrowed as he noticed her fear.

Rachel squeezed her eyes shut and made the sign of the cross, reciting prayers frantically.

Like someone accepting their impending death.

Aiden averted his gaze from Rachel and looked at his own hands, which he had been holding together.

Aiden opened his mouth as if baring his fangs and bit his own wrist.

It was an act that conveyed his desire to end his existence.

Rachel, who had opened her eyes, screamed.

Aiden, who had been biting his wrist, lay on his side and looked at Rachel, who was recoiling in terror.

Rachel, as if witnessing real blood flowing, sat down and backed away.

Aiden captured the receding Rachel in his eyes and stopped breathing.

* * *

Immediately after the performance concluded.

The workshop erupted in applause.

“Awesome, I love the expression!”

“Great job, Aiden!”

People were shouting my name.

I dusted off my pants and returned to my seat.

It felt a little more nerve-wracking than acting in front of a camera.

People were responding enthusiastically.

David, who had been observing the performance while scribbling notes on paper, smiled and said,

“Aiden, that was great. I can definitely feel your experience.”

I returned David’s smile.

But inside, I wasn’t smiling.

Something felt unsettling and unsatisfactory.

I had clearly executed the expression perfectly in every sequence.

‘I’m not satisfied. It wasn’t a performance worth praising.’

And somehow…

James leaned his elbow on the table and remained silent.

As if he hadn’t felt anything at all.

I stared intently at his face.

For some reason, that expression made me uncomfortable.

As if my shortcomings had been laid bare.