[Book 2] What If

Chapter 16

It has been more than a week since the press conference for Lea and Aga's movie was held. The premier and the opening days of the showing were all jam packed with viewers as the cinema tickets are all sold out.

Ligaya can't be more happy as the sales looks so promising. Of course, their goal is to have a profit to get back Ellie's funding but more importantly, they want to make sure the movie will be not be considered a flop as it would stain Lea's image.

Upon getting the sales report from her assistant, the elderly woman immediately called Ellie to tell on about the good news.

"Hello?"

"El, good morning. Did I wake you up?"

"Oh, good morning tita. Not really, I'm just about to get up anyways. What's up?"

"I just called in to tell you that we already reached the 50 million mark."

It was obvious on her manager's voice how happy she was. Why wouldn't she be, the movie is running for just a few days and it already grossed that much.

"Well, we're talking about Lea after all. What do we expect but greatness?"

Ligaya just laughed off with El's comment about her daughter.

"Oh well. I'll let you go on your day. I'll call Lei next to tell her about the news."

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Lea was together with her husband Rob and her brother Gerard, when her mother had called her phone. The musical director had been visiting her to hand out musical sheets he arranged for the Broadway star.

The two big man stared at her in anticipation as she finished speaking with their mother on the phone.

"What did mom say?" Gerard asked her older sister.

"Well, she just told me that sales from the movie are very promising. It already hit 50M mark."

"Wow! That's nice. Congrats." Lea smiled at his brother who were all grin and smiles as he heard the good news.

"Aren't we glad? It's just within its first week and it grossed that much already. I feel this is in need of a celebration, don't you think?" Rob suggested.

The Broadway star tried to think about her husband's idea as she also wants to gather her colleagues that helped her out with this project. Of course, the first person that came to her mind was no other than Ellie.

"It's a good idea, but rather it would be best if the gathering we'll come up would be to congratulate El instead."

"Oh yeah. Sis is right, I mean for her very first movie project, which she solely wrote and directed, this is such a record."

The couple can only agree to what Gerard had said. All the reviews given by the critics and regular moviegoers were all positive and full of commendation on the movie's cinematography and how it was incredibly written.

Even the Film Development Council of the Philippines have already been thinking about making their movie the country's entry for international film awards.

"But now the question is, where to hold this event. We might have to invite at least 30 people." Lea asks the two men.

Rob suggested to just rent another place that can accommodate that much, but the Broadway star doesn't want the media to get wind of this gathering before it even takes place.

"Well, if we're looking out for a big private place, it would be best if we just do it at someone's home. I mean, no paparazzi would be able to come close that way." Her brother suggested.

"And whose house would that be?" Lea asks as her tone makes it obvious that it won't be their own home.

Rob smiled as he just thought of a good suggestion. "If it's a big house we're talking about, how about Ellie's place?"

The siblings looked at the Chinese-Japanese American citizen as the thought sounded brilliantly. Lea then decided to call on her Familea protege later on to check if the latter would agree to lend her place for a gathering.

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Few days after being asked by her mentor, Ellie had been busy with all the preparations at her home. Lea had asked if they could use her place to throw a thanksgiving party for the success of their movie. Though its showing is still ongoing, the film had already grossed more than the amount they expected. Of course, this doesn't really concern Ellie even if she's the producer, as she has no interest in money at all.

And so, she had instructed her helpers to clean out the house; not just inside but outside as well, together with the pavilion and the yard area, as there will be a lot of invited guests that will be coming over later on. Aside from the ethereal love team of Lea and Aga, all of the cast members of TOTGA will be coming, as well as close friends of Lea from the entertainment industry. Even people from Atlantis Theatrical Group (ATG) will be attending as well.

As much as El would like to cook food for her guests; as this would be the first time she'd be inviting others outside from her own circle of friends, her body could not take the toll for preparing meals for such many. She then had hired the services of one of her friend's catering business to accommodate everyone.

The Salonga and the Chiens have come to her place early to help out the young woman. Robert and Gerard have been giving a hand in placing some seats on the yard for the guests who would be staying there. Nicole on the other hand, is gleefully playing around the house as her Ate El is busy on the kitchen trying to take out bottles of wine that they will be serving their guests later on.

Lea goes to her as she hands her a vinyl record that the young woman requested to borrow.

"Hey El, here's the record you've asked." The young woman reaches for it as she puts in on the kitchen top.

"Thanks! I've been wanting to test out the phonograph that I just bought recently."

"Are you gonna be using it later?"

"Yep! Unless, Kuya Gerard would be willing to play the piano." El laughed at her own suggestion.

After making sure that almost everything is all in place, El took her time to rest a bit as she tidies herself up. Guests have been arriving one by one and Lea together with her mom Ligaya, welcomes them as they come. Aga came in together with his wife and kids, so for Nicole to have playmates for tonight.

As most of the guests have already arrived, Ligaya made a brief speech thanking everyone who are present and happily announced how the movie proves to be successful in its continuing run.

People have been in awe seeing how elegant looking and how big El's place is despite its minimalist theme. From there, they have confirmed how wealthy the young woman is. Dawn Zulueta, who came in with her husband, have been conversing with Lea as they talk about how Ellie has been living independently alone here in the Philippines.

While other guests have been enjoying the food and drinks that are being served, Ellie had been fully occupied with Bobbi's company as the two talk about how their upcoming play would go on. Though the script has already been fully polished, the bearded man would still like to get the writer's input and to match both of their visions.

Their conversation were only interrupted when a shrill voice was heard calling Ellie's name.