Love In The Spotlight

Chapter Two: A Nervous Beginning

TODAY'S the day to feel nervous.

Dumating na ang araw kung saan mami-meet ko na ang mga taong makakatrabaho ko for the next one month. Hindi naman bago sa'kin ang process ng pagset-up ng ganito pero alam ko ang dahilan kung bakit kinakabahan ako. It's because of Ethan.

In the coming weeks, we won't be filming yet. We'll just be preparing, practicing and getting to know each other. That's important, especially when working with different people.

Mr. Lopez also said that Director Vance Fitzgerald wants to meet me. He wants to get to know me and see how much chemistry Ethan and I have. To be honest, I'm not sure about the chemistry between Ethan and me. I don't really feel it. Baka maging awkward pa ako pero tulad nga ng sabi sa'kin ni Gwenn, maging professional ako and I hope this thing proves as effortless as it seems.

I was busy putting on makeup when my phone suddenly rang. I smiled when I saw a message from Jacob, my other American best friend.

Jacob:

good morning, lawrence. break a leg today! gwenns told me about the series, and i know you're going to rock it! sending you all the good luck vibes and can't wait to hear all about it. missing you both tons, ily!

He grew up here in the Philippines because his mom is a pure Filipina. He became our playmate ni Gwenn noong mga bata pa kami. We just don't get to see him that much because he's a doctor and he's always on duty at St. Luke's Medical Center.

I simply replied with a thank you and said we missed him too. Nothing's changed; he's still so caring. Such a sweet message. It really brightened my mood dahil matindi pa rin ang kaba ko.

I was feeling confident after doing my makeup kaya napag-isipan kong mag all-white for the day. It's such a crisp, clean look, perfect for feeling amazing. I slipped on a white blazer and just went with a simple black t-shirt and added some cool dark sunglasses. I paired the blazer with matching white pants, which made me feel stylish and to finish it off, I wore my favorite brown leather loafers and I applied a spritz of perfume to my clothing.

Before heading out, I took a quick selfie. I was happy with how it turned out, so I posted it on Instagram. Then, I grabbed my wallet and car keys and headed out to meet my new co-workers.

NANG NAKARATING ako sa building ng Teatro ng Bayan Foundation, agad akong sinalubong ng magiliw na pagbati at ngiti ng mga gwardiya at ng mga taong nakakasalubong ko. Para bang inaasahan na nila ang pagdating ko. Dahil sa kanilang kabaitan, ginantihan ko rin sila ng parehong pagtanggap. Nakarating ako sa ikatlong palapag at pumasok sa isang silid na ibinigay sa akin ni Mr. Lopez kung saan ko makikilala ang iba.

"Oh my god! Lawrence Flynn Harrison po, right?" napatulala ako sa gulat nang bumungad sa'kin ang boses ng isang babae pagkabukas na pagkabukas ko ng pinto. "Ikaw yung nanalo sa Men's Runways Shows last year! Hindi ako makapaniwala na nandito ka na po sa harap ko! Mas gwapo ka po sa personal! Pa-picture po ako!" Sa sobrang sigla niya, parang gusto ko na lang lumabas ulit.

She looked younger than me, beautiful, fair-skinned, and blonde. She was thin and sexy, with a perfect face. But her energy was so high, to the point na ako pa ata itong makakaramdam ng hiya sa kaniya. She seemed like the kind of person who could make you feel awkward because she's so full of life, nagmumukhang masiyahin siyang tao.

Still, i gave her a polite smile. "Thank you, it's nice to meet you. You are?"

Inabot niya ang kamay niya at nakipagshake-hands sa akin. "I'm Solene Yu. It's nice to meet you po! I remember my sister watching you noong nagpa-pageant ka pa at ang galing mo, sobrang gwapo! Pati po ako naging fan mo-"