ROLE OF A LIFETIME (Patreon)

“You know what? In the future, I will become a famous actress, a great star! I will be surrounded by countless camera lenses, dozens of fans. When I become famous, I will marry a handsome actor husband and build a perfect family together!”

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I am Cloud Lynch, a famous actress, an A-list superstar who has acted in countless movies and achieved much success and fame. I don't say this to brag at all. I don't have any desire for this career of living against my ego, not even a little! Everything related to me is just a pit of lies. Even so, I still actively stepped into it and fell gradually, deeper and deeper.

People used to say, my best role is a 16-year-old idol girl, a role I played when I turned 32, twice the age of the female lead. However, I am still highly appreciated for my youthful face, dynamic acting, and innocent, pure cuteness.

If you've ever seen that movie and loved it, I'm glad you care about me. But… do you feel the same as them? Do you think, this is the best role in my actor life? I'm sorry to say, you're wrong, just like them! My biggest role actually started a long time ago and lasted through the years, in a movie I didn't want to play. And… it all ends today.

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In this world, there are many kinds of happiness. Happy to be born. Happy to be an adult. Happy to experience warm memories with family and friends. Happy to be successful in your career. It's hard to say which is the greatest happiness! But for me, the answer is not that difficult… The greatest happiness for me is to meet Cloud Lynch, the girl I love.

I am Ray Hall, originally from an artist family. My father was a world-class pianist. My mother is a leading opera singer in the country. Therefore, when I expressed my desire to be an actor, they did not object, and were happy that their son also walked on the path of an artist.

But… life is not a straight line. Unlike geniuses like my parents who were discovered by recruiters, my path as an actor was not smooth. I don't seem to have any artistic talent. I also do not take advantage of my parents' relationship to develop. Even if I succeed because of that, I can't be happy!

I look for every opportunity to act in the film, no matter how small the role, I sign up for casting. However, effort does not go hand in hand with good results. I cannot become a great actor. My parents had also given up hope on an incompetent son like me. Until that event happened, everything changed.

At a film set, when I was depressed because I didn't get a role, I met her. She came in front of me and gave me a cold can of soft drink, to my bewilderment. When I looked closely at her face, I was even more surprised. Ah... I know this person! This is the recently emerging actress thanks to her role as a flight attendant, Cloud Lynch. Even though she started acting many years after me, when I was still a tiny actor, she was close to reaching the door of giants. She thrives on herself. Hearing that to prepare for the role of flight attendant, she spent a lot of time doing practical research.

“Your face doesn't look so good! You didn't get the role you wanted?” - She asked me. Unexpectedly, a famous actress like her came to talk to an unknown person like me. I scratched my head: “Actually… worse than that! I didn't get any roles. Maybe I should give up, the acting path doesn't suit me.”

She was silent for a long time, raised her face to the ceiling, took a sip of water, and then began to say: “Your path is still long, is it too regrettable to give up now?” I sighed: “Unlike a talented actress like you, the path I took was not smooth...”

She smiled self-deprecatingly: “A talented actress like me? Don't compare you and me. You have much more passion and effort than me. I'm just a lost person in this world. Many times I often question myself whether I should continue, but in the end... that rope is still tied tightly around my legs, making me unable to resolve to struggle free from it.”

Although I didn't know what she meant, I found encouragement in her words: “So can you tie that rope to my leg? Maybe thanks to that, I will also persevere and never give up like you.” She looked at me in surprise, making me a bit confused. Then she closed her eyes with a gentle smile: “Then… you try hard!” I nodded constantly.

Miraculously, from that day on, my path as an actor seemed much smoother. There were many times when there were obstacles, but thanks to the invisible rope tied to my leg, I did not hesitate to overcome them. In the end, I also became a big actor, a familiar face in action movies. It was all thanks to her encouragement at that time.

One day, I saw her again. We starred together in an office romance movie. When she saw me again, she held out her hand in front of me and happily said: “Nice to see you again and happy to work with you!” I shook her hand and replied: “Me too… thank you so much!” From that moment, I knew that my heart was touched by this girl!

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“Hey, are you listening to me?!” The small, pretty girl was puffing her cheeks, looking like she was sulking at me. I said: “I know, you want to be a famous actress, right? I've heard it hundreds, thousands of times.” She smiled at me.

People often say that it is difficult to have a friendship of the opposite sex. This statement does not seem to be true for the girl standing in front of me. Sophia is my childhood friend. We have always been close to each other until now, when we were both in high school. There was one thing I always wondered, why a cute, popular girl like her was still playing with a dim, dark guy like me.

“When I become a famous actress, will you be my manager?”

“Why do I have to be your manager?”

“Cloud Lynch, you are so mean! Aren't we best friends?”

Sophia pretended to be sulky again. Indeed, I couldn't resist her lovely face. I nodded: “Okay! I'll be your manager!” I said so on the outside, but deep down in my heart I didn't want that. She has expressed her dream to me many times. One of her wishes is to marry a handsome actor husband and have a happy family. With her wanting me to be her manager, this meant that I was forever just a close friend!

People often say that it is difficult to have a friendship of the opposite sex. This statement is not true for Sophia, but it is true for me. I secretly loved her, but I knew, she didn't feel the same way.

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I've been rejected again. This is the fifth time I have been rejected by her. Ever since I realized my feelings, whenever I had a chance, I confessed to her and every time I got the answer “No!” Hasn't Cloud Lynch ever considered it? Or does she already have a lover? However, I am determined not to give up! Today, I asked her to go out for a drink to confess my love again.

Just two minutes after I arrived, she arrived too. Still that beautiful face, still that perfect figure. Even though she is over 30, she still looks as youthful as a teenager in her twenties. Since filming that office romance movie together, we have exchanged contacts and met up at the coffee shop many times. Although she rejected my confession many times, she didn't seem to hate me at all. Maybe I still have a chance.

After our friendly chat at the coffee shop, I plucked up my courage again and said: “Please be my lover!” Cloud Lynch touched her forehead with one hand, her face was somewhat helpless: “Again? I've said it many times before, I can't be your lover!”

“Could it be that you have a boyfriend?”

“No.”

“Or do you hate me?”

“Neither.”

“Then why? At the very least, you can tell me why. If so, I won't get my hopes up anymore!”

“You... don't understand! Can't you just give up? I don't deserve your affection.”

“You taught me not to give up. I think that rope is still tied to my leg!”

“Oh man... you didn't understand what I meant then...”

“This is the sixth time I confess my love to you, Miss Cloud Lynch! If you still refuse, I will definitely confess again! I won't give up!”

“All right… I agree.”

“You rejected me again? So next time... What?! Did you just say ‘agree’?”

“Yeah… I don't know if this decision is right or wrong, but it's not a good thing to go this long.”

I walked over and hugged her tightly, happily saying: “You made the right decision! I will love you for the rest of my life!” She seemed confused by my hug, her face a little red.

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It was raining heavily that day. The funeral, which was inherently sad, was tinged with sadness. Am I crying? No, it must be because the rain hit the corner of my eyes...

Sophia, don't you dream of becoming a famous actress? Then... why are you lying here now... in this cold, dark tomb? Open your eyes, get up and make your dream come true! If you don't become an actress, then whose manager will I be?

Sophia's parents came from behind, patting my soaked shoulder: “Don't be too sad, Cloud Lynch. She won't be happy knowing the person she loves is crying because of her death!” The person she loves? No, I'm just a little manager.

At the age of 16, the beautiful, energetic, beloved girl officially died of cancer. For the next two years, there was always a guy standing by her grave every afternoon. But since the third year, that guy no longer came... replaced by a beautiful girl no less than Sophia. At that time, no one knew who this girl was... only later did people know her as “A-list actress, Cloud Lynch”.

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The rain today is still as heavy as the day she left. Oh, good timing! This rain will send off actress Cloud Lynch from the world! It was time to put an end to the biggest role of my life.

Sophia, you know what? Before the day you left, I made a plan for you to become a famous actress. At that time, I thought I would be a talented manager. That thought is shallow. When I followed that plan instead of you, I knew how difficult the actress's path was! But thankfully, thanks to the help of many people, especially him, I succeeded! I became a top actress for you, but unfortunately, a man like me cannot fulfill your dream of “marrying an actor”, even though there is a guy who loves me very much!

Today I wore your favorite lingerie, your favorite nightgown. After sleeping tonight... it could all be over!

At this moment, the doorbell rang, he was already here. Although on the last day, I did not want to see him at all, but maybe it would be better to say goodbye to him to the fullest...

“Cloud Lynch, you are so pretty today! The first time I saw you in a nightgown!”

I didn't answer, rushed to hug him tightly. Ray Hall asked in confusion: “What's wrong with you? I've never seen you take the initiative to hug me.”

I stroked his cheek with one hand, smiling softly: “Thank you for everything! But after today, it will be over!”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Let's … break up!”

“Huh? Why? We haven't even… physical contact with each other yet!”

“Today the biggest role of my life is over!”

“I… I don't understand…”

“When I first met you, I told you about the rope that was fastening my legs, not allowing me to give up. It seems like... you've misunderstood what it means. That rope is the rope of responsibility. It reminds me to complete the plan set out for the most famous actress, Sophia.”

“Who is Sophia? Isn't your name Cloud Lynch?”

“Sophia... is the girl I used to love. A cute girl, full of life. You know what people often say is my biggest role? It's a 16-year-old idol girl. The reason why I can play that role is thanks to imitating Sophia's image. She is the prototype for this role! Sophia passed away when she was 16 years old. I love her, but I can't do anything for the person I love. So, the only thing I can do for her is to fulfill her wishes and dreams. I became as famous an actress as she wanted to be. Although I couldn't meet her desire to find an actor husband for her, I got to know you, who is also a handsome actor. Perhaps this has partly fulfilled her wishes.”

“So... you accepted my confession just for the sake of fulfilling your loved one's wishes?”

I shook my head: “No. Sophia is the person I have loved in the past. But right now, the person I love is only you. This love is the truest thing in the pit of lies I stepped in!”

Ray Hall took my hand, helped me sit on the bed. He said: “If so, why do you want to break up? We're still in love! The person I love is Cloud Lynch, not a famous actress, nor Sophia.”

“It was because I love you that I decided to end this role so soon! Do you know why we've known each other for a few years but I still don't want to be in physical contact with you? Since I'm not a woman... I'm a guy who's been swayed by your persistent confessions! I don't want to deceive you anymore! If you want to hate me, then hate me! But after today... forget about me and go on with your life as a famous actor. One day, you will find a girl who loves you as much as I do!”

Suddenly, Ray Hall put me down on the bed. He pressed on me, surprising me. He must be mad at me! Thinking about it is right, being deceived by a guy for so many years, who wouldn't be angry? I was prepared to hear curses and insults from him. I close my eyes.

“I don't want that!”

Surprised, I opened my eyes wide: “Huh? What did you just say?”

Ray Hall clenched his fist, said in a firm voice: “I don't want that! You are the destined girl of my life! The one who lifted me up when I was in trouble! It took me six times to successfully confess my love! How could I give up on you?!”

“But… I'm a guy…”

“The famous actress Cloud Lynch is a guy? No one will believe this! I don't care if you're a man or a woman, my feelings never change!”

Tears had appeared in the corners of my eyes. Probably not... it's raining! Those heavy raindrops can seep through this room and... soak my face... That night, we intertwined our bodies for the first time.

One day, I went with my husband to visit Sophia's grave. After lighting incense for her, I smiled and said: “Sophia... I have fulfilled all the dreams and goals you set. Are you watching me somewhere? My life is a series of false days, only two things are true: the love for you back then and the love for Ray now.”

The End