Scene: Many years later – Present day
A girl, almost 19, is riding her bicycle toward a tall building. She parks it quickly and rushes inside. She enters a cabin – the producer's office.
Ella: (breathing heavily) Sorry, sir, for being late.
Producer: So, you're Miss Ella?
Ella: Yes, sir. Here's the story. (hands over a file)
He starts reading. After a moment, he closes the file and looks up at her.
Producer: So, Ella… what happens next?
Ella: Next?
Producer: Yes. It feels incomplete.
Ella: No sir, that's the complete story.
Producer: I'm sorry, Ella, but I don't think I can invest in a film that already feels like a flop.
Ella: But sir, you can modify it if you'd like. I can extend it too—
Producer: Ella, it's an old tale. Two lovers from rival kingdoms who die for each other... (sighs) Stories like this have been told a hundred times.
Producer: Just tell me—why should I invest in your story?
Ella: (quietly, trying to hide disappointment) Okay, sir. Thank you for your time. (She stands up, takes her file, and leaves.)
She walks down to her bicycle. A cat is sitting on the seat. Ella smiles and gently starts cuddling the cat.
Ella: Your life is so easy.
The cat purrs and seems comfortable.
Ella: This is the third time. Maybe I was a fool… trying to turn my foolish dreams into a movie.
(pauses, looking distant)
Ella: It's not my fault I see this story playing in my head every time I close my eyes.
(She lets out a frustrated sigh.)
Ella: It's exhausting...
(Scene changes to a famous actor moving along the red carpet. He is almost 20 and signing autographs for his fans. He finally sits in his car.)
Manager (struggling to enter the car as the crowd goes wild, door locks behind him):
Why do I always have to hold back your fans?
Damian (checking his tablet):
Then hire more bodyguards.
Manager:
I already have seven on duty. But your fanbase is massive. These ladies are... well, they're pretty intense.
Damian:
So, what's the plan for today?
Manager:
Alright, first we head to the film shoot, then to the mall opening ceremony. You're the VIP guest.
(Damian looks out the window, still unhappy.)
Damian:
Alright, let's wrap things up quickly.
(The car drives away. Scene shifts to the next day — inside a quiet café. It's Monday, around 1:00 PM. Ella, working as a waitress, is sitting at a table, chatting with her friend on the phone. The café isn't busy; most people are at work and it was rainy outside.)
Friend (on call):
Hey, how was the meeting with the producer?
Ella:
Just the same...
Friend:
Rejected?
Ella:
Yeah 😭
Friend:
Again? How is that even possible?
Ella:
I think I should give up...
Friend:No way! Try again. Maybe next time it'll work out. Cheer up, girl!
Ella:
Yeah, of course... (Just then, the café door chimes. A customer walks in.)
Ella:
I'll talk to you later — duty calls. (She quickly stands up.)
(The customer is wearing a mask and a bucket hat, his face almost completely hidden. The café is nearly empty. He walks straight to the counter without glancing around or looking up.)
Customer (Damian):
One cold coffee with ice cream... and a side of chips.
(He speaks clearly, but never looks up — not at Ella, not at the menu. As if he knew exactly what he wanted before walking in.)
Ella (blinking, slightly confused):
O-Okay, sir.
(She notes the order and walks toward the kitchen, whispering to herself.)
Ella (to herself):
Weird... Who wears a hat and mask indoors? He didn't even look at the menu.
Does he think he's some kind of celebrity?
Whatever. I've got work to do.
(She hands the order to the kitchen
The rain poured heavily outside as Damian stepped into the café. A gust of wind pushed some rainwater inside with him. he chose the single seat closest to the entrance. It was quiet inside — just the low hum of soft music and the occasional clink of dishes.)
(Moments later, Ella approached with his order. But as she neared the table, her foot slipped on the wet floor.)
Ella:
Ahh—!
(She tripped, and the tray tilted — the cold coffee spilled straight onto Damian's white shirt.)
Damian (jumping up):
What the—!
Ella (panicked):
I'm so sorry, sir! I didn't see the water—!
(She placed the tray on the table and rushed to get tissues. She came back with the whole box and reached out to wipe his shirt, but he stopped her.)
Damian (sharply):
Stay away.
(He took the tissues from her hand and began wiping the stain himself.)
Ella (guilt-ridden):
Sir, I'll pay for your shirt. These stains are hard to remove from white fabric...
Damian (coldly):
Oh, really? Your entire year's salary is probably less than the cost of this shirt.