"Let's go, Sari." Sari smiled politely at Alicia before walking away with June.
"She hasn't even started filming, yet she is this arrogant. See how embarrassing it is now? She didn't even spare you a glance." Renda said to Alicia.
"It doesn't matter. I still like her." Alicia smiled and walked away.
.....
Everyone gathered in the meeting room after getting a message from the director. This was a normal thing to do. Anytime, a new actor joins the project, he or she would be introduced to everyone before filming commence that day.
The director, Director Sun was quite strict but also approachable. Although he didn't have any favorable thoughts about June, he was still willing to work with her because he believed that someone handpicked by Luigi Oren would definitely have some talent.
June's outfit today also mimicked the character. As soon as Director Sun saw her, he felt that the role would suit her very well.
He decided to drop all prejudices against June and work with her to bring out her full potential.
June was feeling a bit nervous. This was considered her first full public appearance after five years. In the last five years, she had lived a rather low-key life, and didn't go out much.
Since her image was ruined, and no one wanted to work with her, she had no choice but to stay low accept her fate.
June wasn't yet sure if taking this opportunity was going to do her more harm than good, but she was willing to risk it all. She was in debt and risked losing her current apartment if she didn't have the money to pay off the rest of the mortgage.
After she lost her fame, she had to pay for a lot of damages, and even settle some lawsuits. It was the most humiliating part of her life. She had to swallow her pride and apologize for things she didn't do.
Luigi's eyes were fixed on June. He could tell she had a lot on her mind. She didn't seem confident like the day she came for the audition. He didn't know why but everything June did seem to attract his attention.
He couldn't help but want to break through the wall between them. Was it because she was pretty?
Certainly not! He's been in the presence of more beautiful women, but he didn't feel this kind of attraction towards them.
"Since everyone is here, I shall keep my words short, because we have filming to do. Today, someone is joining us. Most of you aren't new to her, but I will still do the introduction." Director Sun smiled and pointed at June, sitting next to him.
"This is June Dame, and she will be playing the female lead role. I hope that everyone will support her and help her get used to the set."
June stood up with a smile. She looked at everyone politely before sitting down again.
"June went through proper auditioning and got this role rightly, so I hope that no one will spread any unnecessary rumors of how she got in." Director Sun added. He wanted to make that clear so no one would cause unnecessary rumors later on.
Renda rolled her eyes. She didn't believe anything the Director said. She took out her phone and secretly took a picture of June.
After the introduction, everyone went to practice their lines while the filming set was being set-up.
June was taken to her changing room. All the outfits she went the other day for fitting were already put in the room and a makeup team was assigned to her.
Since June asked to maintain only Sari as her manager and assistant, the production team didn't give her an assistant, but they provided people that would run errands for her when it was necessary.
As she sat down for her makeup after changing clothes, June couldn't stop smiling and feeling nervous at the same time. This was her first filming in five years.
She didn't think such an opportunity would come her way, and the thought of being on the big screen again made her heart flutter. But she was nervous because she feared that she might make a mistake.
Since, this was her comeback, she had to put in a lot of work.
"Darling, how do you feel?" Sari placed the phone on the dressing table and leaned against the table while Gita spoke on the phone to June.
"I'm happy, I'm so happy, I can't believe this is happening to me. Gita, I have my own changing room and makeup artist. Everything here is unbelievable." June said, grinning.
"Of course! You are June Dame, and deserve all of that. Tell me, how's my husband doing today?" Gita asked, referring to Luigi.
June chuckled. "Your husband is very healthy and good looking as ever. When are you leaving for work?"
"Don't even get me started. I regretted telling my boss to let me cover the city council ongoing meeting. I met an irrelevant person there and my head is aching already." Gita was packing her camera into her backpack as she spoke.
"Who did you meet?" Sari asked curiously.
"Someone! You don't know him. I have to go. See you guys tonight if I don't end up in the police station by then." Gita sighed.
"This person must really be a pain for you to say such things." June commented.
"I will tell you guys about him later. Bye!"
"Bye!" Both June and Sari said before disconnecting the call.
"Who could this be? It takes a lot of effort to piss Gita up. I am curious." Sari remarked.
"Well, I guess we will know tonight. That's if she doesn't end up at the police station." June stated.
"Of course! We have to pray against that." Sari added.
Filming area, set-up 5- scene 3.
"Action!" Director Sun yelled and filming began.
Ethel (June's character) stood behind the man who stood at the edge of the bridge and asked. "Sir, are you thinking of jumping into the river?"
Putting her school bag on the ground, the 18-year-old Ethel placed her hands on the reels. "I come here anytime I feel sad. If you die here, then, I will be traumatized for the rest of myself."
Ziga (Luigi's character) frowned and turned to look at the girl. "Who are you?"
"Me?" Ethel thought for a while and asked back. "What about you? Who are you, Sir? Who said you could die here?"
"School girl, get going and leave me alone!" Ziga looked away.
Ethel sighed. Surely, she wasn't going to let this man die under her watch. She removed her necktie and tied it against the man.
"What are you doing? Are you crazy?" Ziga protested angrily and tried to push Ethel away, but accidentally grabbed her too hard and she lost her balance and fell into the river.
"Help me!" Ethel screamed before falling.
"Damn it!" Ziga dashed into the river to rescue her.
/
Ziga brought Ethel out of the river, and placed her on the shore. He looked at her white uniform that had now become transparent, revealing her purple bra. He quickly took of his shirt to cover her.
Ethel regained consciousness and coughed out some water just when he was about to breath into her.
"This is all your fault! Why would you try to commit suicide at my spot?" Ethel asked before coughing again.
"Nosy girl! Who said I was going to commit suicide?" Ziga sat down, panting for breath.
"You weren't there to die? Then, what were you doing there? Stargazing?" Ethel asked sarcastically.
"I'm a professional swimmer. I wanted to test a theory out before your rude interruption."
"Why didn't you say so earlier? I completely misunderstood the situation and tried to save you." Ethel sighed.
"You, trying to save me? When you can't even save yourself? Next time, don't go poking your nose into other people's business." Ziga stood up.
"Where do you stay?" He asked.
"Oxford street, Viewers Casino opposite. Are you going to take me home?" Ethel stood up. When the shirt fell off and she saw how she looked, she flushed and grabbed the shirt, putting it on immediately.
"It's getting late. I will take you home." Ziga began to walk away from the shore and Ethel followed him.
"Or we could go to your house." Ethel suggested daringly.
Ziga scoffed. "You don't look like a bad girl. What? Trying to be one?"
"Can't I?" Ethel stopped abruptly and almost fell when Ziga suddenly turned to face her. She blushed when he stared at her continually without saying a word.
"Why are you looking at me like that? Do I have something on my face?"
"Little girl, be careful of such words. A bad man might take your word for it." Ziga said in a dangerous tone.
"I'm not a little girl. I celebrated my 18th birthday a few days ago. Legally, it's not a crime." Ethel pushed further.
Ziga stepped closer and snatched the shirt out of her body.
Ethel panicked and shouted. "What are you doing?" She tried to get the shirt back.