1 A Casting

Irene showed a casting advertisement to Hana, who at that time finished the gym in her apartment.

"Can I join this?" asked Hana to Irene with a questioning look. Irene as usual just answered with a flat expression.

"You can do it because you've finished your acting school. You've also been in a few short films. Why don't you trust yourself?"

"But this time it is a film produced by Giant Production. This film is not just any film that an actress like me can play." Hana looked doubtful.

"I have word that the director is Kyle Marry Tracya."

"What?" said Hana surprised. Kyle is Aksa's former lover. And Aksa was her ex-husband.

"Are you not curious to play a movie with her, huh?" Irene asked trying to provoke.

Hana seemed silent because she felt unable to answer. All this time she had only heard her name and could only see her face in the news she had read.

She had never met her in person. Once at that time, the Stella Adler Academy of Acting & Theater where she studied acting brought Kyle as a guest lecturer, but at that time Hana was unable to attend due to other matters. And actually, she wanted to see Kyle in person. She wanted to know what kind of person once filled Aksa's heart.

"This is your way to become an actress, you must try!"

"I'm just afraid, Kyle laughs at my acting skills. She must know me, right, Sis?" asked Hana. Of course, Kyle would know her as Aksa's ex-wife. And it's possible Kyle must be displeased with her.

"You're pretty awesome!" said Irene. Hana heard it quite surprised. Because during these five years Irene lived with him, this was the first time he praised her in person.

"Is it true?" Asked Hana, quite touched.

"Even a Tom Hanks complimented your acting when he saw your short film?"

Hana then smiled. That's right, Tom Hanks had commented at last year's short film festival where she was the main character. Even though she hasn't received an award yet. But she felt that her path to becoming an actress seemed to be wide open.

"I'll prepare a video of your CV."

Hana then hugged Irene as a sign of her gratitude for Irene's help all this time. She was a substitute for her family while here. Mrs.Rika was really kind to send Irene for her. Even though Irene was paid by Mrs. Rika to accompany her, Hana is very grateful to have someone like Irene beside her.

"Let me go, I can't breathe!" said Irene in a deep voice.

"Sis, thank you for helping me all this time." Hana gave her thanks with her best smile for Irene.

"I only carry out orders and duties from Mrs. Rika, and I get paid, so don't overdo it like that!" Irene replied in a cold tone. But Hana doesn't care, she knows the truth that Irene is not just carrying out the duties of Mrs. Rika, but she also has sincerity. It's just that Irene didn't want to show it directly to him.

"Anyway, I just wanted to say a sincere thanks to you."

Irene turned around and left Hana for the equipment room while hiding her emotions that she didn't show. She would take out a camera and other equipment to video shoot Hana's CV for the audition or casting of the film.

*** ***

The casting of a film is looking for a female lead who has an Asian flair. This film project is actually a very high budget. So film producers and film directors are looking for professional actresses and newcomer actresses who have good acting skills.

Kyle Marry Tracya, a female director born in California who is one of the people in charge of the film to find the cast of the film. This film project actually existed five years ago, but because the first director to be appointed had a bad scandalous record, the film project was postponed. Have you guessed who the director is? Yes, Aksa Mahesa is the first director who will be invited to work on this film. Since the film producers put it off for several years. And in the end, he gave the film project to Kyle, who was Aksa Mahesa's ex-lover.

When Kyle held a casting for the female lead, she did not think that Hana was involved in the casting.

"What's your name?" asked Edward Producer, who was also casting.

"Hana Kaniana. You can call me Hana aniway."

Hana's answer, which seemed straightforward enough to make everyone's attention. Even Kyle met Hana face-to-face for the first time but was quite surprised by her presence at the casting.

"Where are you from?" still asked Edward.

"Los Angeles".

"I know who you are," Kyle said.

Hana only smiled faintly in response. Kyle definitely knows who she is.

"Who's she?" Edward asked, turning to Kyle, who was now very interested in Hana's presence.

"Show us what you had !" Kyle challenges Hana to show her acting skills.

"I will act in the script for Chapter 6 where Vivian Lien has a dialogue with Zao Chen."

Kyle frowned. Because the scene is quite complicated. It's not just the emotions of the cast that have to be total. In the dialogue in that scene, the female actor must be able to use English and Mandarin. Kyle wasn't sure that Hana would be able to act out that scene.

"Are you fluent in Mandarin?" asked Edward

"Yes."

"Are you from China, Hong Kong ....?"

"I come from Indonesia."

"Wow, that's it. You remind me of someone who also came from there," said Edward.

"Who?"

"He's a director. Aksa Mahesa."

Deg.

Hana's heart seemed to beat fast when Edward said that name. Hana also saw Kyle's face that Hana couldn't seem to understand.

"Forget it. Are you ready to cast?"

"Yes, of course."

Hana then got ready in the setting place that had been prepared by the committee. The attention of Kyle, Edward, and the rest of the crew committee was on Hana. Then Kyle gave the directorial signal. And Hana then showed off her acting skills as well as possible.

Everyone is stunned by the totality of Hana, who is like an experienced actress. Plus Hana's ability to speak both the accent and the dialogue feel right. Not to mention the emotions shown are very natural.

Everyone, there was standing applause as Hana finished her act. Hana's face appeared calm after completing her acting experiment in front of all.

Kyle's face showed a little bit of amazement. But he didn't clap.

"Okay, you look pretty good, looks like this role is perfect for you, don't you think like that Ed?" Kyle asked, turning her head towards Edward, who hadn't blinked at Hana.

"Eh, yeah. I think so."

Kyle then smiled. After that, she invited Hana to come back tomorrow with the other cast members for the script reading.

"Thank you, thank you." Hana seemed happy and excited. She did not think that she would play in a film.

Hana then immediately rushed in and hugged Irene, who was faithfully waiting for her in the waiting room.

"Thank you, Sis, thanks I escaped." Hana hugged Irene tightly. In her usual voice, Irene just answered.

"It's thanks to your hard work so far."

"Yes, of course, if only you hadn't advised me to take Chinese language courses, there would be no way I would have gotten this role."

Irene just smiled dryly. She looked happy but because of her expression that was too flat, the radiance of her happiness was not visible. Hana, who was used to Irene's cold and flat facial expression.

***