The Substitute Actress [Slowly Editing]

1 - Prologue

To those who still remember how this story goes (highly doubt it since I haven't updated for 3 years, lol sorry about that), I'm afraid I'm going to do some changes because I'm not quite familiar anymore with how I'm supposed to continue this story. But I promise there are only a few that I'll change, you don't have to worry about anything. I'm currently editing all chapters and trying to get back on track on this one since a lot of you seem to enjoy it. Thank you again for your support on this one! And sorry for the delay on this story! :)

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"Ready in five!"

I sat beside my mom in the audience seats. I impatiently shifted in my seat, waiting for the play rehearsals to start.

"Come on everybody, get to your places! We are about to start!" Mom instructed. "Could you hand me my glasses, Cindy?" she ordered and I did as told. I looked at her with great awe. She's one of New York's best and most successful playwrights, winning Tony and Broadway awards every year, and I couldn't be more proud of her.

I quickly grabbed some snacks from the pile that mom packed. "Show's about to start, honey. You ready?" Mom asked. I eagerly nodded and glued my eyes to the two actors on stage. This is the best part of being a playwright's daughter - I get to watch the rehearsals and the actual play for free! Well actually, that's second best to meeting Hollywood actors and actresses. I met Orlando Bloom last week and it was a-m-azing!

"I won't let go," the man, sharply suited in a tux, promised.

The woman placed her head on the man's chest while they slow danced to Jon McLaughlin's, "So Close". A tear escaped from her eye, effectively making me cry as well. I heard Mom chuckle - she might have heard my embarrassing sniffs and sobs. I immediately composed myself and wiped the tears with my sleeve. I just couldn't help it, it's too emotional for me to handle!

"I will always look forward to the day we meet again. I will forever look forward to it." The man held on to the woman tightly.

The woman closed her eyes and his words were her undoing. She fell to floor, but the man swiftly caught her. He cried and held on to her until the curtains closed, indicating the end of the show.

My mom stood up and clapped her hands proudly. "Bravo, bra-vo!"

And that was when I realized what I wanted to be when I grow up. I want my mom to be proud of me as well. I want to win awards and get famous and succesful. I want to affect people with my acting. I want to be a theatre actress.

*

Two loud finger snaps removed me from my daydream, and an annoyed-looking Caroline came into view. "Hello? Are you still with us?"

I blinked a couple of times and placed down the box of props I was holding. "Of course!" I smiled at her but she remained frowning. Caroline was obviously pissed. "Don't be like that, Carol. Kate will be here in no time," I reassured her.

She blew air out of her nose and continued to glare at me. "It's been two hours, and the show's about to start in ten freaking minutes! So don't tell me to not be like this!"

I heaved a sigh. I give up. I'm not going to be able to calm her down. Who am I kidding? Whenever she's stressed like this, it's better to let her be and stay out her way. She's my best friend in the world, but at times like this, I get really scared of her.

"Why don't we just find someone to replace her for tonight's show?" Dylan, another friend of mine, suggested.

Caroline grinned at him, but with no trace of genuineness in it. "Yeah, okay. Let's go find some random girl on the street, make her memorize a 279-paged script, dress her, and pay her with tootsie roll and skittles!" she answered sarcastically.

Dylan frowned at her and I placed a hand on his shoulder. He looked at me and his face immediately softened.

"Why don't we just make Hamilton do it?" a voice inquired, making us turn to the voice's direction.

It was Stephen Crawford, the lead actor of the play. He was wearing a tux, and the sight of him made me drool. He looked dazzling and charming as ever! He motioned to my direction and it removed me from my thoughts.

"M-Me?" I stuttered. "N-No. That's n-not... That's not a good idea," I shook my head. Unfortunately, my dream of becoming a successful theater actress hasn't happened since I decided on it three years ago. Caroline, who always gets appointed as director, always assigns me as Stage and Props Manager. But I can't really blame her. There's always someone out there who's so much better in it than I am. Maybe I'm just not as talented as I thought I was.

He raised an eyebrow. "I've practiced with you once, remember? When Kate got sick? You were quite good, actually," he complimented. I felt my cheeks burn at his remark.

"Yeah, you'll definitely do for the part," Caroline agreed.

My eyes widened and I tensed. They're not serious, are they? "No, I can't do it. I most definitely cannot!" I refused. But I was too late. Caroline yanked me on my elbow and brought me to the dressing room. Make-ups, hair brushes, and lipsticks started flying around my face, and before I knew it, they had effectively pulled the gown over me.

I looked at myself in the mirror. Is this really happening? Has the day that I have been waiting for, finally arrived?

"What are you doing? You're up in thirty seconds!" Yanked and pulled out of my will for the second time that day, Caroline brought me to the stage, where Stephen stood waiting. He smirked at me, pulled me by my waist, and closed the gap between us, leaving an inch from my face to his.

I gulped nervously. I almost forgot how the first scene goes! I mentally scolded Caroline for even thinking of starting the play with a kiss.

The curtains started moving to the sides, revealing the two of us in an intimate position. A bright light was directed to us, temporarily blinding me.

Completely caught off guard, I felt something soft smack against my lips, knocking off every breath I had inside of me.

It's show time.