LOVE/TEAM

PROLOGUE

Lia's POV

"Mandy, ayusin mo naman ang kilay ni Lia, ano ba? Tingnan mo yung kabila o sobrang kapal. At saka, yung buhok, curl it. Straight hair na siya last guesting, make it different this time," utos ng Manager ko kay Mandy, na personal assistant ko. Natatarantang sinunod ni Mandy ang utos ni Mimi, ang tawag ko sa manager ko na pinsan ng Mom ko.

"Andy, lakasan mo yung aircon! Pagpapawisan itong alaga ko susko! Pakidala na rin dito yung susuutin niya. Make sure na branded, well-ironed, at fit na fit kay Lia 'yan ha kung hindi sasabunutan talaga kitang bakla ka." utos niya sa isa pang staff, and yes, my manager's gay.

Pumasok na ako sa loob ng dressing room at sinimulan nang magpalit. I'm wearing a long-sleeved polo tops with collar and a black necktie. Tinernuhan naman ito ng black and white plaided short skirt. Pinagsuot rin ako ng long black socks na abot hanggang tuhod and a pair of black and white sneakers.

Mukha akong J-Idol with my get up. I scanned myself in the huge mirror infront me. From my well-curved black eyebrows, pointed nose, a pair of sparkling cat-eyes with a black pupil, pouty-lips, poreless glass skin, and a symmetrical jaws. Hinawi ko ang mahaba, curled, at itim na itim kong buhok, then I half-smiled. I can see my mom's face. Marami rin ang nagsasabi na xerox-copy ko ang mom ko. My mom is none other than Ellaine Winters. A well-established actress at sobrang sikat niya despite being in the industry for 23 years, her fame didn't descend at all. Hindi siya nalaos despite being in the industry for that long period of time.

I fixed my black necktie.

Currently, my mom's in Hollywood, filming for her upcoming movie. Ganun ka-influencial ang mom ko. Kaya sobrang matunog ang pangalan niya sa Philippine Industry.

I planted my right palm on the mirror infront me. My smile fainted. Since my mom is a well-respected celebrity in our country at maraming tao lalo na sa industriya ang tumitingala sa kanya, hindi maiiwasang maikumpara ako sa kanya, ang kaisa-isang anak niya. People's expectations for me were too high. They expected me to be as excellent as my mom when it comes to acting. Hindi ako manhid at hindi ako mangmang para hindi malaman ang masasamang judgements na ibinabato sa akin ng mga kapwa ko artista. They're disappointed with me because I didn't become as good as my mom.

I tried auditioning for lots of roles since I was 11, ngunit mga side-roles lang ang natatanggap ko, minsan nga naiisip ko, tinatanggap lang nila ako because of my mom. Kahit na hindi niya sinasabi, I know my mom's disappointed in me. But that doesn't stop me from reaching my dream.

I aspire to become like my mother. Gusto kong patunayan ang sarili ko. I wanted to redeem myself. I want my mom to be proud of me.

I want her to say to the world proudly that I am her daughter.

Kaya ibinuhos ko ang lahat ng meron ako sa movie project na 'to. Ang unang role na ako ang female lead.

Isang highschool lovestory movie na pinagbibidahan ko, at ni Liam. Ang male lead ko sa movie na 'yon.

Actually, sikat siya e. We worked together for months but we never clicked at all. We just remain casual with each other. And it's fine with me. Siguro he's expecting a more famous partner so the movie would become more anticipated. Unlucky him, it's just me.

Bumukas ang kurtina ng dressing room na kinatatayuan ko, bumungad sa akin ang mukha ni Mimi. He looked at me from head-to-toe. Tumango-tango siya pagtapos. "You look fabulous my dear alaga. Ellaine Winters version 2.0, pak!"

I pouted. "Ellaine Winters nerfed version you mean, Mimi?" biro ko, but at the same time, medyo nasaktan ako.

"Gaga! It's not yet your time. Trust me, my dear alaga, when the perfect time comes, you'll become one of the most famous celebrity of all time just like your mom. I can feel it. Kaya wag ka ngang nega! Lumabas ka na jan, magsisimula na yung guesting niyo ng screen partner mo. Make sure na magpapansin ka ha! Get lots of screentime as much as possible!" hinigit na ako ni Mimi palabas ng dressing room. Ilang linggo na naming pinopromote ang movie before it's release date. Ito na ang huling alas na meron ako, kasi pag hindi pa ito nag-work, baka mahirapan na naman muli akong makakuha ng lead role.