Scene of Eve

[ chapter 1 ]

“Good afternoon. Is this Ms. Apple?”

The voice was alarmingly strict. But there was a hint of hope? Damn. Maybe my brain was still processing s**t. What sane being would call at 7am? Obviously, people who have better things to do in life. Unlike me who was  constantly rotting in the battlefield for God knows how long already. But then-

“Hello, yes, speaking.” Suddenly awake, I sat up in bed. I pinched the bridge of my nose as I closed my eyes for a minute. The room was spinning with my sudden action. Hopefully, I didn’t sound rude. But I was sure though that my voice croaked.

“The hell. Why did I even get wasted last night? I was supposed to already have pitched my story idea to the directors at the party,” I thought.. 

I was blaming the fact that I had been sober for far too long. My doubts were catching up with me. Doubts that were enough to make me kneel over and just cry out for my parents, throw everything I worked hard for down the drain. 

But I couldn’t. Not when a new gig prospect was talking on the other end of the line.

“Great! Well. I am Mike, a manager from Genesis Entertainment. I called to ask if you are available for a series of music video shoots?”

I had a hard time keeping my cool once I heard that it would not be a one time gig. And Genesis is not a normal agency. Although they house small names in the industry, they are known to have kickstarted a number of huge names in the music and acting industry. That resulted in being the center of attention in the industry.

Other artist management companies tend to keep an eye on new names that Genesis releases. They are aware of how Genesis does not really offer contract renewal after a misunderstanding with one of their previous artists, Tyson. 

Tyson, one of the most famous singer-songwriters of my generation, now owns his own artist management. After his initial contract with Genesis expired, he called them out for ‘slaving’ the talents. As a result, he created a one-man talent agency, Lucid Entertainment.

Although Genesis and Lucid Entertainment started with bad blood between them, they have set aside their differences and created a joint label. With Genesis’ brilliant training techniques and the freedom to explore from Lucid Entertainment, they have created Garden Entertainment. 

I have always wanted to work under the joint label as their vision seems to support the life I chose.

An artist struggling to live through passion.

Maybe I was on the right path after all. Maybe this manager I just talked with could set me up with someone who would willingly work on my pitched projects. Maybe my works were rejected just to lead me to Garden Entertainment.

“Series? This is a joke, right? Genesis isn’t really hiring me for multiple gigs. I’m dreaming. Yep. I’m drea-” Thoughts kept running in my mind.

“Ms. Apple, are you there?” 

The voice was still there. 

“If it’s too early, I could call you back?”

Shit. No. Wait. Don’t hang up on me.

“Hello, yes, this is Apple speaking.”

___

I woke up to an email from Genesis Entertainment, excitement thrumming in my veins. With a smile on my face, I sent my confirmation to the schedule they sent. 

The first schedule was set on the upcoming Saturday with Mike. We met at his office in Genesis to discuss the contract and other information about the shoot. Turns out that I would be working with Ian. I was quite surprised to hear his name as he has been inactive in the scene lately. 

But it was more surprising once I was handed the final contract. It was all explained a few days ago in our call. Seeing it as an actual contract with Mike’s signature along with the CEO was a whole different thing. I still thought that I was dreaming, probably still in bed nursing a headache, but the only headache I was nursing was the lack of sleep.

I called my mom right after the call with Mike, but it was my dad who answered. 

“Your mom’s still asleep. What is it? Did you spend all your allowance again? I told you to lessen eating out. I can just cook for you. At least I get to visit you. Better yet, you visit more often, young lady.”

I laughed breathily at my dad. I realized then that I missed him. He was more of the pillar than my mom. Ironic because he ignored me for the first 6 months of freelancing, only talked to me to greet me on my birthday because my mom forced him to. I wondered, if birthdays weren’t a big deal for my mom, would my dad talk to me at all?  “No, dad. It’s about a gig. Well- gigs.”

“This is actually an experiment project.” I was suddenly brought back to reality, Mike’s voice slowly became  clearer once again.

“I’m pretty sure you know how Ian’s career experienced a slump after two straight years of working. The poor guy burned himself out just when he was reaching the top.”

Everyone knows Ian. He was one of Genesis’ rising stars. He was even called the new Tyson of the industry for rising at a fast pace as Tyson did. 

But then, the fall of Ian came. 

Nobody knew why he suddenly disappeared. No media was able to get news from Genesis Entertainment as to where Ian was. Rumors spread that he had the same conflict as Tyson did. Probably living up to the name of being the next Tyson of the industry. 

I felt a new wave of excitement because of the length of the project, I’d be committing to. It was a first for me as I always had short gigs listed. Another first for me was to work with big names in the business since most of the works I normally get were rather simple photoshoots for start-up brands or a short appearance on their ads. Nothing as big as Ian’s project.

Speaking of Ian.

I was quite iffy with him. I’m not usually the type to stick to rumours and impressions. But no warnings from Mike could mean that I had nothing to worry about.

Right? Right. I’m just being paranoid. 

Mike did say I have a temporary team helping me out. I was not entirely alone if anything would go wrong. I could at least have a peace of mind if Ian really did prove to be what the rumours say.

___

The first day of the shoot started at dawn. It was the empty tunnel scene where Ian and I would have to act so intimate.

What is being in love, anyway? I could act the girlfriend part out easily. But that was when my gigs didn’t require a partner. I usually just acted out alone in scenes. A phone in hand, pretending to call someone and ask where they are.

But this? Having an actual partner would be exciting if I wasn’t still debating with myself whether I should believe that Ian was a coldhearted bastard. 

Currently seated just a few feet away from the tunnel, my neck stretched over everything as I tried to locate Mike. 

What would I say though if I did see him? ‘Hey Mike? Is Ian really a coldhearted bastard?’ As if I would get an answer.

But mostly because I was an amateur, a no-name in the field. It was pretty  much already a sign that I should just keep my mouth shut and be thankful for the opportunity. 

I was a nervous wreck. 

“You’ll do great! We’re so excited.” My stylist team was chattering away as they dolled me up. They probably noticed how jittery I was in my seat. They mostly filled my silence. Hopefully, my light nods and smiles were enough for the time being to tell them that I appreciated that they were there with me.

“Me too,” I whispered and hid a smile by yawning. I had to hide my excitement at the thought of ‘my team’. It was not really supposed to be a big deal. I was working with Genesis after all.

“It would be too much on you without a team. This isn’t just one of your other gigs.” I remembered the urge to jump out of my seat while talking to Mike at his office. It was one of the perks that I have  lost access to since I decided to be a one-man team. Every burden is on me... alone.

But come to think of it, the burdens made me. I proved to my family that my goals are worth every scrape I get for falling down. I’m no lady where I have a handmaid that hands me everything on a gold platter. 

What’s life, after all, without burdens and regrets? 

“Ian, are you ready?” I heard the director through his megaphone and my head snapped up in attention. A few last touches and someone led me into the tunnel. The further I go, the faster my heart beat. After hearing how the scene was supposed to go, I could not help but overthink. How can I act all lovey dovey with someone I have never met personally? It was the same set of questions buzzing in my head. Questions that I was about to get answers to. 

During the briefing for the project, Ian was unable to come due to how he had to finalize things prior to his album release. Although I was able to breathe comfortably that day without him, the actual taping was different.

“It would always be Ian’s call on this project,” the director said as I arrived earlier. My heart felt heavy. I was already able to somehow build a connection with the director with the conversation we exchanged for days. But it would be a first to build any kind of connection with Ian. Though I did find him a little intriguing due to how considerate he was, considering that he was instructed to ask for my own input during the briefings. Now that just contradicted my worries of him being cold hearted. People must have misunderstood him. This industry is, after all, full of misleading rumours.

With my back on the tunnel wall, I closed my eyes and lifted my head up. Taking a deep breath, I let go of all thoughts. All I had to do was get into character like any other gigs I had. Nothing different, really, except for the length of commitment I signed up for.

I’ve honestly never had any romantic relationship in my life, only guys admiring the passion that I had. But it was never enough for them to really take a chance. They were also never enough for me. They did have passion. But it wasn’t in line with mine.

This is no different. I’ve acted out this girlfriend role before. What’s got me jumping out of my skin? 

“Okay?” There came a  soft whisper from beside me. 

The voice was warm. But was his face warm? 

Should I reach out and touch his face? Ah. f**k. What am I thinking? I should think of how to act like a girlfrie-

Wait a minute. A girlfriend can cup the cheeks of his boyfriend. Right? Yes, Apple, girlfriends do that. It’s normal. So just stretch your palms out...

“Hmm.” I hummed in confirmation, my eyes still closed. 

I should really come to my senses.

I couldn’t drag it too long. Any minute and I was sure to hear Ian’s impatience.

Without realizing it, Ian stood beside me with his back against the wall as well. His head turned towards my direction. 

Slightly panicking, I moved away from the wall with my eyes bulging out of surprise. 

Oh dear god he’s handsome. Apple, stop gaping at him. Don’t look stupid. Be professiona-

“Ian. Apple, right? Seems like you’ve got the hang of this more than I do.” He chuckled  at my reaction, his arms extended towards me, offering a shake.

“Apple, yes. Me. And I was just, uhm. Thinking?” I stammered out a greeting as I shook his hands.

“Thinking?” Ian quirked an eyebrow at me. His smile was friendly towards me. Not the cold hearted one I was expecting to open my eyes too.

“Yes. Of how to approach this. You, I mean. Since we haven’t really met.” And since I’ve never had to act with a partner as handsome as you.

“Ah. But I’ve seen other projects you were in. Quite a number really. So you must be a professional by now. You’ve been in the industry longer than I have.”

Professional? Me? I think you need to re evaluate my credentials with yours.

I laughed gently at that, but deep down there was a downward tug at my emotions. Yes, I had been in the industry longer than he was but I was still far from it all. I was just a  face to choose from among the others. Others who already made a mark somehow.

“Still just a last option, really. I know I wasn’t the first one casted for the role. Sorry you’re stuck with me.” My head bowed down, I sighed out the breath I didn’t know I was holding onto after meeting his eyes. 

Ian didn’t seem cold at all. I did wonder where others got the thought that Ian was cold. He seemed friendly enough. Or at least enough to be a considerate person towards those that he works with. I was expecting rude remarks thrown at me, but Ian’s gentle voice was comforting, Even more comforting because of his unexpected expectations from me.

“But I do hope I won’t disappoint. I know this is a big project for you,”  I added as I shook  all insecurities out of my thoughts for the meantime. 

“Rolling in a minute!” The director's voice from behind the blinding camera lights got both of our attention. Ian again stretched his hands out, asking for mine. We walked, hand in hand, towards the push cart that we’d have as props. His hands were gentle and warm against mine, also  firm enough to keep my head on the scene instead of my worries.

“Help me in?” Ian tugged at my hand and gestured inside the push cart. I held it steady as he rode it and lit the firework candles.

“In 5, 4, 3,..” The director started counting down and I took a deep breath. 

Get your head straight, Apple.

“Take it easy. Just be natural,.” Ian whispered as the ghost of his fingertips grazed over my wrist, my hands loosening its tense grip on the handle.

“1, ACTION!”

Here goes nothing.

I released my breath and opened my eyes. The image that welcomed me back was of the firework candles  in Ian’s hands, his eyes sparkled along with it. A giggle escaped my lips as I gently twirled him around. His laughter was contagious. I found myself smiling genuinely and actually forgetting that it was just pretend. All the nerves left my body and I just felt light. 

As the lights died down, I found myself looking down at Ian. He was smiling at the candles like he was the happiest boy on earth, like the lights were more than enough to brighten his day. I was enamoured by the scene. For the first time, I saw a boy and not a man in turmoil. 

“Cut! That was a good shot. Ian, what do you think?” the director called out and someone cleaned the mess on the ground. 

I had to forcefully drag my eyes away from Ian, away from the pretending. How could a scene, merely just seconds in the making, introduce a different side of this man?

“Uhm?” Ian stared at me and I laughed. He was holding his arms out like a child wanting to be carried up. I slowly circled my arms under his as the staff helped me pull him up. The push cart tumbled as Ian found his balance back. With a smile towards me and a whisper of gratitude towards the additional help from the staff, he ran towards the director to monitor the scene.

“Apple, come here,.” Ian called to me as I was idly standing beside the tumbled push cart, thinking that I could have a few minutes to myself at least. 

As I walked closer, the director smiled at me and pointed at the screen. The scene was played again. I found myself smiling again from ear to ear. Watching it, I felt happy. It was like the characters, Ian and I, had no worries in the world.

“So, what do you think?” Ian asked as he looked over my shoulder. His warm breath fanned over my neck, making the hairs on my neck stand. I shivered unconsciously and Ian immediately called for my team, asking for my jacket.

“Oh. It was nice. I felt happy watching it. The scene’s vibe was contagious enough to make me smile, too.”  It really was. But I felt my voice getting tinier with every word. Scared that I might’ve said something wrong or out of turn. I was even about to think of things to contradict my thoughts. Maybe I just didn’t have an eye for these things.

“I agree. You loosened up pretty well. I knew you were a pro at this. Wanna run it again? I want to get different angles for this. Still up for some little fireworks show before the sun comes?” 

“Of course. I mean, this is your project. How could I deny any request?” 

“Then shall we, Ms. Apple?” Again, he offered his hands towards me and brought me back to the scene, his hands led us to our position. 

After doing another round, Ian instructed to change places. Me in the cart, him pushing me around. This time, we were in the darkness. 

Our silhouettes told the story of two souls who were content in the shadows.