June shook her head. Sari was completely hopeless.
"Wardrobe fitting will tomorrow. Filming begins on Monday, so you have two days to rehearse." Tony signed the contract and gave a copy to Sari.
"June will surely be ready by Monday. Darling, let's go!" Sari's mood improved drastically after the talk of money was over.
June glanced at Luigi before leaving with Sari. She had a feeling that things weren't as easy as it looked.
No matter what, she had to be alert and stay away from Luigi before things get messy.
.....
The news of a new actress taking up the role caused a wave over the internet. When it was officially announced that June Dame was going to play the lead role, people had a mixture of emotions.
Most of the fans of the original novel protested on the comment section of the movie's page, urging the director and producer to change the female lead.
Despite all of the commotion, a few were actually looking forward to seeing June play that role. Since she hasn't been on the big screen in the last five years, they were curious to see her performance.
Reading through the comments, Gita was so furious that she began to reply the ones that spoke negatively of June's acting skills.
"How dare they try to look down on my best friend's acting skills? Are they blind?" Gita became a keyboard warrior, defending June online.
"Give it a rest!" June snatched the tablet from Gita and gave her a glass of juice.
Gita took a sip and sighed. "These people are crossing the line. Babe, you have to put them to shame with a good performance. That's the only way to shut them up."
June smiled. "I will." She checked her time and asked. "Aren't you supposed to be at the city council by 14:00pm? It's 13:30pm."
"Shit! I almost forgot." Gita drunk the rest of the juice and stood up. She grabbed her bag and phone. "Darling, I will see you tonight."
"Be careful out there!" June yelled as Gita got into her sneakers and ran out of the apartment.
June shook her head and chuckled. She picked the script on her left to read. Since returning from the studio yesterday, she has dedicated all her time to reading and practicing the script.
This opportunity was heaven sent, and she was going to make the best of it. She was going to make sure she exceeds everyone's expectations.
June furrowed her brows when she read a part of the script. "Surely, he isn't the one going to do the kiss scene, right? He hasn't done any kissing scenes himself before. That's fine." June relaxed.
...
Vanity Estate
"Mother, I'm here!" Luigi entered the hall and saw his uncle Ziggy Owens, with his mother and sister, Willin.
Luigi's lips curved when he saw them. Surely, he knew the reason for this meeting. "I didn't know we were having visitors around?"
"Luigi, I just received a report from your uncle. What is going on? Why did you ask Tony to cast that woman?" Mrs. Oren asked. Although, she was trying to act cold, it just wasn't in her nature to cross her son. But one was her son and the other her brother.
She really didn't know whose side to take.
"Mum, what did I do this time? I really don't know how I offended uncle Ziggy." Luigi looked at Ziggy innocently.
"You don't know how you offended me? I found out yesterday that you personally asked Tony to cast that woman? Don't you really know the reason why she's been blackballed?"
"Tell me! Why was she blackballed?" Luigi asked curiously while putting a gum into his mouth.
Ziggy humped. "That woman was playing with a substance and even tried to set her friends up."
"Is that so? But what I heard seem to be different. I heard, a certain someone wanted her to be his plaything and she refused, so that person warned everyone against working with her. Mum, you are a woman yourself. Do you think it's fair to blackball someone simply because she refused to sleep with someone?" Luigi asked and shook his head.
"Nonsense! Who said that?" Ziggy panicked and shouted.
Luigi smirked and stood up. He knew just the right words that could make his mother take his side. He winked at his sister and she immediately shifted for him to sit next to their mother.
"That's the rumors going round. I found out recently and was filled with compassion. Mother, you've always taught us to be kind and help those in need. Besides, this woman is very pretty. You know I can't say no to a beautiful woman." Luigi said, pretentiously.
"Is she very pretty?" Mrs. Oren asked curiously.
"Mum, she is one of the prettiest in the industry. I love her." Willin jumped in.
Ziggy became increasingly uncomfortable. "Elder sister, this woman must not be allowed anywhere near our family. She has a bad reputation and is lose."
"Mum, this is our family business. Your last name is now Oren, not Owens. Why is he talking as if he is part of our family? Uncle, you shouldn't say such words outside." Willin said after exchanging gazes with Luigi.
"Besides, my brother hasn't shown interest in a woman in the last five years. Shouldn't you as his uncle give in to him? After all, June doesn't even like you. I bet you blackballed her because she refused to sleep with you." Willin added.
"Julia, how can you watch them talk to me this way? I am your brother!" Ziggy asked furiously.
Luigi stood up, this time, he was done giving him face. "Uncle, it seems that you still don't get it. Let me tell you this. I have my eyes on June Dame. If you try to mess with her again, then don't blame me for coming after you. I'm only this kind with you because of my mother."
"Luigi, that's not how you talk to your uncle. Ziggy, at this age, why do you still mess with small girls? I am not going to take anyone's side, but I will make this clear. You two can do whatever you want. This is not my business. I still have documents to study." Mrs. Oren glared at both of them before going into her room.
"You made Mum angry. Luigi, don't give in at all. June is a good woman." Willin glared at Ziggy before going after her mother.
"Very well! You really want to go against me? Luigi, don't forget who brought you into this industry." Ziggy warned.
"I still haven't asked you to give me all the money you stole from me when you were managing me. If you try anything funny with June, I will let my lawyer find you." Luigi warned.
"Are you threatening me? Very well!" Ziggy scoffed before leaving.
.....
Filming location
District X
"Is it true that June was casted as the new female lead?" Renda, one of the actresses asked the two that sat next to her in the lobby.
"My manager confirmed the news. I heard June will be coming in today." Zeren, another actress spoke.
"She still has the guts to act after what she did to Greta? If I was her, I wouldn't dare show my face again." Renda spat.
"If you have so much time to gossip, I suggest you practice your lines. Aren't you the one who messed up your lines the last time we filmed?" Wanda arrived. She was dressed elegantly in a green two-piece outfit while her assistant held her pet dog, following her.
The three actresses stood up immediately when they saw Wanda.
Wanda looked at them and shook her head. "If you mess up your lines again and waste my time on set, I won't forgive you that easily." Wanda stated before walking away.
"That was frightening. Let's stop talking about June and practice our lines." Zeren remarked.
"What is so good about her? She is only haughty because she is engaged to Cerin Caster. What makes her thing she can reprimand me? I will make sure I make things difficult for June later on." Renda said, with a sinister smile.
"You are really courageous, Renda. But I have to warn you. It's better to stay away from June." Zeren warned.
Alice, whom was quietly sitting next to Zeren stood up. "I'm going!"
"She also thinks she is better than anyone. They are only beautiful, but talent wise, that's still debatable." Renda continued to rant.
Her face changed when she looked outside and saw June arriving with Sari. "Look who we have here?" She said sarcastically.
Alicia turned and saw June. She wasn't far gone when she heard Renda's words and turned.
Alicia smiled and hurriedly went towards them. "June, I was waiting to see you. It's good to see you again."
"Just look at her! Already trying to butter up with June." Renda rolled her eyes.
"That's enough! June looks really beautiful." Zeren couldn't help but admit that June was indeed beautiful.
"It's nice to see you too, Alicia." June replied awkwardly.
"Let's go, Sari." Sari smiled politely at Alicia before walking away with June.