Love, Elie

Entry #2

INT. ELIE'S ROOM – MORNING

Elie sits on her bed, holding her phone, scrolling through photos. She bites her lip nervously before pulling out her pen and notebook again.

CLOSE-UP: LETTER

Elie (V.O.)
Hi Crush,

Sino yung babaeng kasama mo sa picture? Friend? Close friend? Special friend? Childhood friend? Best friend? Soon-to-be girlfriend? O... Secret girlfriend? 

Elie makes a face, looking nervous.

Elie (V.O.)
Huwag kang ganyan!

Alam mo bang sa sobrang kaba ko kanina, tiningnan ko agad yung status mo. Akala ko in-a-relationship ka na. Buti na lang at single ka pa rin. Please, huwag ka munang magkaka-girlfriend. Please! Wait for me, okay?

CLOSE-UP: ELIE'S FACE
She smirks.

Elie (V.O.)
Your Secret Admirer,
Elie

INT. OFFICE - EARLY MORNING

Earlier that day, the office is buzzing with excitement. JAMES and his team have been called to introduce themselves to the new hires. The room is filled with eager faces.

TEAM LEAD (aloud) Alright, let's introduce ourselves! One by one, tell us your role and what you do.

The team starts introducing themselves. When it's JAMES' turn, whispers break out among the female hires, smiling and giggling.

GIRL 1 (shouting) Ang pogi mo, kuya!

Everyone bursts out laughing, including JAMES, though he tries to hide his amusement. He plays it cool.

INT. OFFICE - LATER

After the introductions, the new hires gather for a group photo with JAMES' team. JASON, JAMES' friend, stands beside him, grinning.

JASON (whispers to James) Dito ka, pre.

JASON subtly pulls HANNAH, a pretty new hire, to stand next to JAMES. JAMES tries to move, but JASON nudges him back, making sure he stays beside her.

HANNAH (flirtatiously) Hi, James!

She flashes a playful smile, but JAMES remains nonchalant, barely acknowledging her. The photo is taken, and the group starts to disperse.

INT. HALLWAY - MOMENTS LATER

As they walk out of the room, JASON asks JAMES for his phone.

JASON Hey, James, pahiram ng phone mo. May gagawin lang ako.

JAMES (skeptical) Para saan?

JASON Makikitawag lang.

Unbeknownst to JAMES, JASON quickly posts the group photo, with JAMES and HANNAH side by side, on JAMES' Facebook account. JAMES is none the wiser as they continue down the hallway.

INT. PANTRY - LUNCHTIME

JAMES heads to the pantry, where he spots ELIE and NATHAN, another team member, having lunch with their group. JASON notices them too and quickly whispers to JAMES.

JASON (whispering) Mukhang wala namang relasyon sina Elie at Nathan, ah.

JAMES shakes his head, unconvinced, not saying anything. He orders lunch, still watching them from the corner of his eye. JAMES and JASON sit at the table next to ELIE and her team, close enough to overhear their conversation.