365 Days with the Celebrity

Chapter 6 - Big News

"Girls! Did you not read the news?" screeched Camila, her startled eyes fixed on her phone.

"What is it, Camil?" Rita replied in an oh-no-here-we-go-again tone.

"Leon Waltz, the sexy, drop-dead, gorgeous Leon Waltz is seeking a personal live-in chef!"  Camila kicked her legs in excitement.

"So? What's your point, Camil?" Beth raised her brow with indifference.

Camila rolled her eyes at their reactions.

"Don't you get it? Apparently, this is a one-year contract with a winning prize of $1 million! Not only does his chef live in his penthouse with ALL expenses paid, he or she will also get to travel with the singer and look after ALL his meals!" squealed Camila, scanning the information as she scrolled her phone with her thumb.

Beth and Rita glanced at each other.

"Wow. Like that is so newsworthy," Beth said sarcastically.

"Camil, is there anything else you can talk about? There are more important things in life than Leon Waltz. At this age, you should've gotten over the boy-band phase," said Rita.

"Don't you guys GET IT? This could be Ariel's golden ticket to fulfilling her dreams and getting a better life!" Camila asserted, ignoring Rita's comment.

Rita and Beth once again glanced at each other, but this time they both turn their heads to Camila with a more serious look.

"Interesting point there, Camil," Rita rubbed her chin with her opened v-shaped thumb and forefinger, "So, how can she apply?"

"And what are the chances of her winning and competing against the millions of others applying?" Beth frowned with a blank look.

"Well, all she has to do is upload a video no longer than 5 minutes that showcases three of her best dishes and submit the video link to the contest page before the end of this month," Camila explained and checked her calendar, "which is ONE WEEK from NOW!"

"We don't have much time, it seems," said Rita. 

Beth checked the contest details on her own phone and shook her head, "She won't make it, it's just too hard. Too unrealistic. Besides, the competition doesn't say what kind of food Leon likes. Ariel will just have a frickin' hard time figuring out what are the best dishes she can offer that will appeal to his taste buds."

"We can google what food he likes, that's not a problem," said Camila.

"Toss it, it ain't working," Beth got pessimistic. 

Camila shot her a look, "Better she tries than not at all! If you guys ain't gonna help her, I will!"

"You know what? I'm in. We can use my phone to video her cooking," said Rita.

"And I'll edit her video. I learned it from an ex-schoolmate who studied film at the same film school as me," added Camila. "Just imagine if Ariel does win, I'll get to shake those manly hands of Leon Waltz and have him waltz me up in his arms!" she let out a dreamy sigh with clasped hands pulled to her chest.

Rita and Beth rolled their eyes at Camila's fantasy. She was fond of fantasizing romantic rendezvous with boys she fancied in school and with her favourite celebrities. They knew that her goal to study makeup and costume design in a film school was to work in the mega film industry one day and taste the glamour life that she so worshipped from day one. For now, she'd been trying to make ends meet by offering freelance makeup services at weddings, fashion events and for small independent films. She still had not received the big break that she craved for.

"So Beth, will you be part of the team?" questioned Rita.

Beth paused for a moment and finally relented with her hands raised in defeat, "Alright, alright, I'll help too! I can help set up the table and stuff, satisfied?" 

"Great! Let's break the good news to her when she returns from the park with Andy. Wait, I think I better call her to come back now! Time is short!" said Camila as she proceeded to make a call to Ariel.