In This Life I Will Die as an Actress Not a Villainess Chapter 81

The next day.

After leaving the hotel, I stepped out into the hot streets.

Palm trees lined both sides of the road, gradually narrowing the farther they stretched into the distance.

And at the end of that path, white letters spelling ‘HOLLYWOOD’ came into view.

It was a sight I’d only seen on TV.

My heart swelled with emotion.

The city atmosphere—busy yet leisurely—felt exotic.

Unlike me, Kkotbyeol, who’d been to various parts of America on school trips and family vacations, remained composed.

“This neighborhood feels nice because the trees are taller than the buildings. Though right next to it, other areas are suffocating.”

“Right? I’m somehow nervous.”

At my words, Kkotbyeol laughed.

“Let’s make sure to take a short vacation at the beach before we go back. I want to play in the ocean.”

“Should we?”

I also felt like ending with an ocean vacation before returning to Korea would be refreshing.

“Then let’s go! I’ll be your proper guide today.”

Kkotbyeol confidently took the lead.

Watching her back made me feel reassured, bringing a smile to my face.

When I’d decided to participate in the acting workshop, the thing I’d worried about most was acting-related technical terminology.

I’d learned enough everyday English previously to somehow use it in daily life, but for the classes themselves, I felt I’d need an interpreter.

Minyeong unnie, hearing my concerns, recommended several interpreters.

While carefully examining the interpreters’ specs, we both realized something simultaneously.

The fact that the best interpreter was right nearby.

Kkotbyeol, who attended a famous private foreign language high school in Korea, could speak four languages.

Rather than feeling awkward for days on end with someone I’d never met before, it seemed much better to bring Kkotbyeol along.

Plus, an acting workshop would definitely help Kkotbyeol too.

* * *

Workshop center.

The moment I opened the door, several unexpected celebrities came into view.

“Whoa, I heard this session’s lineup was good. It’s for real.”

Kkotbyeol whispered with surprised eyes.

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

I too quietly took my seat, struggling to hide my shock.

To think I’m sitting here in the same space as these people.

This workshop was an acting class with over fifty years of history in LA, with countless actors continuing its legacy.

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

My expectations for the instructors who would soon appear rose naturally.

“Whoa, it’s Aiden Farrell!”

That’s when Kkotbyeol quietly called out an actor’s name.

“Shh!”

I smiled and brought my index finger to my lips.

Actually, he was an actor I’d been keeping an eye on since earlier too.

“Wow, I watched In the Alley—it was so good!”

Kkotbyeol chattered excitedly.

But those words gave me a small hint.

I’d been wondering how far this person’s filmography had progressed at this point.

If it was In the Alley, that meant his true value hadn’t fully emerged yet.

Aiden Farrell had appeared in bit roles in several generic Hollywood films before shooting to fame after taking on an unexpected villain role in a superhero movie.

Though he initially became known for villain roles, Aiden Farrell later demonstrated a wide acting spectrum and established himself as a skilled actor.

I’d once wondered where the delicate emotions and nuanced expressions in his performances came from.

But behind that skill, this kind of effort had been hidden.

A skilled actor attending workshops and practicing relentlessly.

I desperately wanted to rush over and conduct 101 interview questions right now, but I decided to hold back.

He’d come here to learn too, so he probably wouldn’t want excessive attention.

Suppressing my excitement, I looked down at the name tag on the table that read ‘Sena Han.’

* * *

Meanwhile, in one corner of the workshop.

Aiden Farrell glanced at Han Sena.

He’d had the illusion his name had been called just moments ago.

Of course, there were quite a few people in the classroom who recognized him besides that woman.

Everyone maintained a serious atmosphere about acting, so no one openly acknowledged him, but.

‘First time at a workshop. Wonder what it’ll be like.’

Aiden tapped his chin and bounced his leg, looking slightly nervous.

That’s when two acting coaches entered through the door.

“Hello, I’m David.”

“I’m James.”

Aiden raised his eyebrows at the combination of the two, looking surprised.

One was a model student who’d graduated from a prestigious British private school and steadily built his filmography while strengthening his foundation.

The other was a rebel who’d grown up in Harlem, worked as an adult film actor to make money, then unexpectedly got cast in a film and took Hollywood by storm with his unique acting ability.

Their lives and acting styles were polar opposites, yet both were actors beloved by directors.

“We’re throwing theory out the window. If you came to listen to theory, go get a refund at the first-floor desk right now. Oh, though there’s a cancellation fee. Too bad. Then go write college applications or sign up for Jonathan’s ‘Just Listen and You’ll Debut!’ academy class.”

James boldly opened with his characteristic style.

The students burst into laughter at James’s rather aggressive tone.

Jonathan was someone who ran a famous acting academy and was James’s old friend.

Aiden also propped his chin on his hand, looking quite intrigued.

David, who’d been smiling beside him, also spoke up.

“Our theme is expression. We’ll experiment with expression starting from physical movement, facial expressions, and language, eventually expanding to profanity, walking styles, and even singing. This week, let’s start lightly with physical expression.”

The students each wore thoughtful expressions.

“Not just writers, but actors are storytellers too. Think about what kind of storytelling you can do using only your body. Who wants to try first?”

A brief silence flowed through the workshop interior.

“Then, well, let’s start with someone famous. Let’s see how good you are. Aiden Farrell.”

James pointed to Aiden with a mischievous smile.

The students turned to look at Aiden in unison and sent cheers.

Aiden smiled with a slightly stiff, flustered face.

Then he stood up from his seat and came forward before the people.

“Aiden, what’s your concept?”

David asked.

“A vampire in love with a nun.”

Aiden answered with a slight smile.

It was a scene he’d prepared in advance.

“That’s quite a high-difficulty concept. Okay, anyone willing to help out with the nun role on the spot?”

At David’s question, someone raised their hand high.

“Good. Come on up.”

A Black woman stood up from her seat and approached Aiden’s side.

“I’m Rachel. I’m a fan!”

Aiden smiled and offered a handshake.

“Thank you.”

“How can I help?”

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

Rachel’s eyes sparkled with interest.

“Yes, sounds good.”

“Ready, action.”

At David’s voice, the workshop classroom fell silent.

Rachel concentrated and calmed her mind.

Then she slowly clasped both hands together and fixed her gaze somewhere high and far away.

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

Hope and faith toward an omnipotent god seemed to dwell within them.

Aiden stood about five steps away behind her, watching her.

Somehow, with his red hair and green eyes, Aiden’s appearance created an atmosphere completely opposite to Rachel’s calm demeanor.

Aiden, watching Rachel, also clasped both hands together.

The hand-clasping motion looked awkward, like someone who’d never pressed their palms together before.

Aiden’s gaze never left Rachel for even a moment.

That’s when Rachel closed her eyes and knelt.

At that, Aiden bent at the waist and knelt in an even lower position, looking up at Rachel’s back.

Rachel worshipped God, and Aiden worshipped Rachel.

Rachel’s lips moved as she recited scripture.

Aiden listened intently to that sound and began approaching Rachel on his knees.

As if being drawn little by little into a forbidden domain.

Everyone in the classroom held their breath, watching Aiden and Rachel grow closer.

Very slowly, slowly…

Now at a distance where he’d reach her with just an outstretched hand, Rachel sensed the presence behind her and turned around.

Rachel’s and Aiden’s eyes met.

Rachel flinched in shock and fell to the side.

At that, Aiden prostrated himself even lower than fallen Rachel, pressing close to the ground.

A wordless promise that he wouldn’t harm her.

Someone who’d sat at the apex of a survival-of-the-fittest world taking a position of submission.

To one frail nun.

While prostrate, Aiden pulled his two hands from beneath his stomach and clasped them together in front of his head.

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

Aiden slowly looked up at Rachel’s face.

But…

In Aiden’s gaze, Rachel wore a face full of terror.

Discovering that face, Aiden’s brow furrowed.

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

Like someone accepting death.

Aiden withdrew his gaze from Rachel and looked down at his own clasped hands.

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

An act that conveyed the will to no longer want to live.

Rachel opened her eyes and screamed.

Aiden, who’d been biting his wrist, lay on his side and watched Rachel screaming.

Rachel sat frozen in place and scrambled backward, as if seeing actual flowing blood.

Aiden captured Rachel’s retreating form in his eyes and stopped breathing.

* * *

Right after the performance ended.

The workshop interior filled with applause.

“Awesome, the expression was so good.”

“Great work! Aiden!”

People called out my name.

I brushed off my pants and returned to my seat.

It felt slightly more embarrassing than acting in front of cameras.

People sent heated responses.

David, who’d been watching the performance while writing something on paper, also smiled and spoke.

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

I responded to David with a smile.

But inwardly, I couldn’t smile.

Something in one corner didn’t sit quite right.

I’d definitely executed each sequence’s expressions perfectly.

‘But it’s not satisfying. That wasn’t performance worthy of praise.’

And somehow…

James remained silent, elbow propped on the table.

With an expression as if he’d felt nothing at all.

I stared directly at that face.

Somehow that expression made me uncomfortable.

As if my inadequacy had been exposed.