1 Chapter 1: The Contract

Amihan Carlos' Contract

Title: Camp Avenue

Duration: 30 days

Site: Northern Province

Cast: Jake Pangilinan, Amihan Carlos, 3 individuals and 1 couple with a kid

Concept: Camp Avenue is a place for broken people to fix themselves and come out as refreshed individuals.

Jake and Ami goes camping to discover more about each other and 5 other people they will meet for the first time.

1. Jake and Ami enters Camp Avenue on day 3.

2. Jake and Ami has to make the stay of the other individuals in Camp Avenue interesting.

3. They have to make at least one individual stay until day 30, without them knowing they are in a show.

4. Random guests will be sent to the camp from time to time to add flavor/drama to the show.

5. Phones and gadgets are not allowed and will only be given to them if there is an emergency or the management has to talk to them.

6. No script will be provided to maintain purity and sincerity of the show. The management may, however, interfere if situation goes out of hand for the integrity of the show.

7. Editing of scenes will be up to management and the cast will not have a say about what gets to be shown on television.

8. Jake and Ami has to stay in Camp Avenue until the last day, and show up for the live finale with the remaining cast.

"What did I just read?" I said after putting down a 5-page contract on the table. Today was supposed to be an interesting day since my manager said I'm going to have a new project. Once I received her message, I got out of bed and took a bath immediately. I made some french toast and eggs, my go-to breakfast since I've been living alone. Whatever my breakfast is, it always has to be paired with brewed coffee to power me up. On days I'm not busy, I would put on workout clothes and bring my yoga mat with me to the rooftop for my routine workout. Since I was being called to a meeting today, I saved my routine for later in the evening. As soon as I finished my food, I brushed my teeth and looked for an outift. I've always been known as the celebrity who prefers comfort over fashion. Ripped jeans, ripped shorts, dyed shirts, oversized shirts, oversized hoodies, and sneakers are my go-to outfits for appearances that do not require a stylist. Since today is not an exception, I got my oversized gray shirt and black ripped jeans. After my morning skin care routine, I put on my clothes and then some light make up. I brushed my hair and grabbed a cap. I went down to the front door and wore my Jordan Air Max 200. I arrived at the office just in time after my manager's meeting. She shoved the contract at me.. and here I am.

"That's your promotional show for your movie," my mom replied and then sipped coffee. Have I mentioned my mom is also my manager? Since I started young in the industry, my parents could not affored to entrust my career and my life to other people. "It's going to run for a month just in time for your movie promotions."

"Yes, but I do not get why we are putting people on national television without them knowing?"

"Honey, it's been done in other countries without a problem. They won't consider this show if it's not allowed in the first place. Besides, we let the lawyers deal with it," my mother/manager replied.

"W-wait.. let me get this straight. You want me to live with people for 30 days and not tell them that the entire country is watching them?" I laughed at the absurdity of the idea. "It's like you're going to throw me into a boiling water and let me burn."

I thought for a moment. It's not like I really need this kind of desperate project right now. My career is sailing smoothly except for a little scandal my loveteam did. I have worked with Jake Pangilinan in one drama and two movies. The last movie will be shown in a couple of months. A few days after filming, a voice recording of Jake saying things about drinking alcohol and making out with random girls circulated the internet. Of course that created noise and outrage among our fandoms and haters. My loyal fans are enraged. Our fans are fighting each other. His management dismissed the issue by saying it's an edited voice recording, while my party chose to stay out of it. When I heard the recording, I knew it was real. That's definitely Jake. That's definitely something Jake would say and do.

I laughed, "So we're doing some damage control here, huh?"

I looked at my mom and she shrugged. Funny how I have to do things because of another person's wrongdoing. This is the price I pay for choosing this career path.

"Mom, there's no script!" I exclaimed at my mom.

"I know!" She shouted back at me. "Just act normal. Just do things you will normally do. Just... try to stay alive for 28 days on your own."

"Mom, I've been living alone for five years now."

"Well, you're going to live somewhere far from the city, on the beachside," she smiled at me.

She got me there. She knew I've been wanting to take a break and go somewhere nobody knows me. She knew the beach is my thing.

"Mom, it's not the same. I am going to be surrounded by cameras. How am I going to act normal?"

"Amihan, people love you for your acting, but more than that they love you for your behind the camera clips. Your fans live for your BTS moments!" We both laughed.

Alright. Maybe I can live with cameras following me around. But lying on people's faces like they're not being watched is not exactly something I think I can do.

"When is this starting?" I asked her.

"So you're signing the contract?!" She got excited.

"I'm just asking when the show starts!" I shouted at her. This is why sometimes people can't believe she's my mother - we act like siblings.

"On Monday."

"This Monday?!" I said horrified. "Mom, it's Saturday."

"What?! It's not like you're going there on Monday."

"Still!!" I slumped against my sit. "Why are you showing me this contract just now?"

"Honey, the show isn't going to push through if you don't sign. Just think about the employees losing their jobs. Think of that little town's hopes of booming their tourism through this show," she explains to me. Nah. She's guilt-tripping me now. I can't believe she did this so I can't say no!

My mom stood up and reached for a folder from her bag. She pushed it towards me. There's a big CAMP AVENUE printed on the front. "That's the profile of the people you and Jake will be with."

I held the folder without opening it. "How were these people chosen?"

"The network posted a notice about the camp and these people where signed up by their friends and families. Of course we needed the consent of at least their families for this to work. Anyway, there were a hundred people signed up, and the team chose five. Two men, a woman, and a couple with a kid. Yes, the child is with them. You are all in your 20's so you're going to get along just fine," she explained. "Why don't you open the folder and check them?"

I stood up and prepared to leave. I sipped from her coffee and collected the contract and the folder. I started walking away.

"Amihan! Where do you think you're going?! You haven't signed the contract yet!" My mom shouted as if we're the only people in the office.

"Give me time, mom!" I shouted back without turning. I waved my hand holding the folder while the other opened the door.

Once I got out of the office, I started walking fast to the elevator. I need to breathe fresh air. The carpark will give me just enough. Just as I entered the elevator, I ran into my co-celebrities.. which is something I do not look forward to everyday.

"Hi Lexi, cute dress," I greeted the closest to me.

I mean I have friends in the industry but you can count the real ones with your fingers.

"Hi Ami! Nice... shoes!" She complimented me back. She didn't have to, you know? I'm already aware of my cool shoes. I smiled at her.

I went right away when the elevator opened for the carpark. I clicked on my key so the sound of my car can direct me where it is parked. Yes, I seem to always forget where I park my car. As I was opening my door, my phone rang. I reached for it from my pocket and lo and behold, Jake is calling.

Jake and I are friends. We're okay. As my mother said, our fans live for our BTS moments because we two get along well. I knew, he knew that I knew the scandal is real. I'm the first person he called when the issue came out. He did not admit to it but he just said sorry for dragging me into this. We're a team, his issues will be thrown at me as well. I chose to keep quiet about it because I do not want to be entirely involved with the issue. We laughed it off and he promised to be more careful next time. See that guy? He never admitted that was his voice but promised to be careful next time. He's not being careful right there. I sighed upon reading the name on my screen and answered the call.

"Hey," I greeted him.

"Hi Ami. How's it going?" He greeted back trying to sound enthusiastic.

I leaned on my car while hugging the folder. "Cut the crap. Get to the point."

"Heeey, easy little Ami." I hate it when he calls me that due to my height. "I heard you were informed about the show already."

"Yes, the damage control show, you freak." This is just how I normally talk to him, don't get me wrong. "Since when did you know about it?"

"Two weeks ago," he admitted.

"Wow, you are so ready for the show, you can hide things so well."

"Hey, I was instructed not to tell you. Your mom was waiting for the perfect timing to show you the contract."

"So.. do you think I should sign it?" I teased him.

"Well, it's up to you alright? No rush. It's just that..." he stopped mid-sentence.

"What?"

"It's just that the show's supposed to start on Monday and the management is waiting for your signature so they can give the entire crew the go signal to get everything ready including the camp owner, the cameras -"

"Okay! Okay! I get it." I stopped him. "Just... give me time to digest this okay?!"

"Okay. Just... think about it, Ami."

"Okay Jake. Gooodbye," I hang up right away. I opened my car's door and threw my phone and the folder to the other seat.

***

As soon as I got home, I changed to my workout clothes and brought my yoga mat with me to the rooftop. I've been doing yin yoga for an hour now to help me clear my mind. The yoga breathing technique has been particularly helpful in stressful situations. In my mind, I have been convincing myself why I should sign the contract already and these are some of the reasons I have thought of:

1. This will really do some good damage control to our love team and help us promote our upcoming movie

2. This will help the economy and tourism of the little town

3. I can help the broken people whom I will stay with get back up to their feet and heal again (this is my ultimate goal)

4. There's no script. I do not have to memorize long lines and I am on my own. I can show the real me and those who appreciate can stay while the haters can hate.

5. It's by the beach.

Those are pretty good reasons I think. I just have to hope for the best that these people I will be with won't hate me for the rest of their lives, or worst, kill me for lying to their faces.

I wrapped up my practice with a bow. I got up and collected my mat and water bottle. I went for the fire exit to go back down to my unit since it's only two floors away. I prefer the stairs since there are less chances of running into people.

As soon as I got into my unit, I got a pen, opened the folder and signed the contract. I closed the folder again and went straight into the bathroom.

***

The first episode of Camp Avenue will air in a few minutes and I am watching it with my mom. At the end of the episode, they will reveal that Jake and me will be the celebrity campers who will enter the show. I am bound to watch the first two episodes so I can have an idea on how they will broadcast our interactions, the look of the camping site and the people I will be living with for the next 28 days.

The show opened with the sound of beach waves. The sea looked crystal clear and so inviting. Then they showed the Bali-Indo huts that will serve as our rooms. One hut for each cast member and there are a couple of extra huts for other guests. The common restroom and bathing area is situated on one side of the camp.

They interviewed the couple who owns the camp. They are in their 30's with their first baby at around 8 months old. They live in the house which is within the camp as well. It has an office, a kitchen, a dining area and a living room. Their house will be our common area. I'll probably play with the baby everyday.

The first cast members were shown - the married couple with a kid. They look really young but one can easily say that they look too stressed for their age. The boy is around four or five years old and is a bit active.

The next cast member was shown. He's a good-looking guy with a shy smile and cute dimples.

"Woah, the team really went for the visuals here," I laughed. This guy could easily build a fandom with a smile.

Turns out he has a soft voice as well. I wonder if this guy can sing.

The episode went on showing random conversations of the guests and the owners. Damn, I already feel bad about watching them without them knowing. What more adding to the insult by living with them.

The episode suddenly ended while I was still deep in my thoughts. "That's it?"

"The other two cast members will arrive tomorrow," my mom informed me.

"I already feel bad watching them without consent."

"Baby, just enjoy it okay? It will be over soon," she tried to console me. It did not help at all.

"I'll get going now. You better start packing your stuff," my mom bid goodbye and kissed me on the cheek.

"Bye, mom!"

"Don't forget to pack nice dresses, alright?"

"I'm just gonna bring bikinis."

"Yeah, just wear a bikini under your hoodie so you can run to the sea any time you want." What a supportive mom. I love her.

"See you tomorrow?"

"I'll pick you up here at midnight and drive you to the office. Your team will ride in one van to get the location."

"Okay, momnager! Take care!"

***

I just finished packing today since I went straight to bed last night after my mom left. I'm bringing two luggages with me and a backpack. I settled into my sofa to get ready to watch Camp Avenue's second episode.

A tall and skinny lady was introduced and on her first TV appearance, she showed a lot of skin right away. The woman ran into the beach and soaked into the sea in her white 2-piece. I am now thinking of taking my bikinis out of my luggage because I am in no way competing with that summer body on national TV. I'm pretty sure hate comments on me shaming my body will be on the roll again.

While the woman was swimming in the sea, a tall guy with sunglasses arrived. He's wearing a summer button-down shirt with short sleeves, but the first three buttons are not done. I'm not sure if it's just really hot there or the man wants to show some chest skin. He's wearing a hoop on his right earlobe which makes him look like a bad boy. He's the complete opposite of the gentle guy who arrived yesterday. He doesn't even smile for a second.

The episode went on featuring random activities the cast did. Now, the challenge is on us to make the show interesting. I don't know, maybe help them open up and create a bond among us. Jake and I do not really have a plan. I think we're screwed.

***

A few hours after the second episode, my mom came to pick me up. He drove me to the crew's meeting place. There, I learned that each cast member is assigned a staff member. They will hold hidden cameras when we go to places that are out of reach by installed cameras. Staff members are wearing a blue pin so that Jake and I can easily recognize them. We were briefed about some rules and stuff we should know about. There was not really much since we agreed that they just left us out on the details of the show so that we don't have much information to slip on. All the cast members' phone are left with the couple owner including ours. The owner is our only connection to the show's team and our managers. As soon as we surrender our gadgets to them, we won't have any access to the real world.

The entire trip to the Northern Province, I was just sleeping. I think I am scared of what's going to happen.

The van stopped in front of a sign saying Camp Avenue. I am on my own now and what's gonna happen is bound to affect my future.