Chapter 7

Francesca was lucky that she didn't have any classes on her audition day. She woke up after a peaceful sleep and did her own make up.

When Joanna had taken her home the previous night, they selected her outfit for the audition. It was a navy blue sundress with a light floral pattern, she looked young and fresh in her outfit as she twirled in front of the mirror.

She wore a pair of black four inch stiletto heels accentuating her long legs. Without her heels Francesca was already taller than the average woman, so she always stuck to heels between two and four inches as not to look like a giant.

She took out her phone to review the script Alvin had sent to her email the previous night. She had practiced the one paragraph script over and over until she was familiar with the lines and the emotions she needed to convey.

Two hours before her audition Alvin arrived in her apartment to help her practice. He gave her some tips as she read and acted out her lines.

"You have two auditions today, I only found out about the second one on my way here." Alvin explained. "The first is for a supporting character in a drama, it's a minor one so we shouldn't have any issues with that. The second audition is for a commercial for a shampoo brand, there are no lines, just some expressions they will ask you to act out."

"Okay, got it." Francesca said with a serious look on her face.

"I have to admit. I was surprised that you could act." Alvin said as he took another look at the script. "I thought you were another flower vase that the boss was hitting on."

"What?" Francesca asked.

"A flower vase, all face not errrr, skill." Alvin said with a laugh.

"Hey, I took acting, singing, modeling, and dance classes for over ten years. I can also play the cello and the piano!" Francesca informed her manager.

"I know. I read your file." Alvin said with a nod. "Taking classes doesn't make you skilled."

Alvin took a look at his watch and realized that it was time for them to head over to the auditions.

The audition was going to be held at a nearby studio, Alvin dropped Francesca off first to register before parking the car.

Francesca was greeted by an assistant who took her name and personal details, this wasn't Francesca's first audition, but she seemed to be more nervous than usual.

"First time?" A beautiful woman beside her asked.

"No, the conditions are just different." Francesca said with a weak smile.

"Leah, Leah. I'm so sure you'll get the part." A girl said as she approached the woman next to Francesca.

"Elaine, don't assume." Leah scolded.

"Oh come on Leah, they are all just pretty faces, no actual talent. If one of them gets the role over you I swear they slept with the producers or something." Elaine quickly accused.

"I'm sorry about my friend. She's just over confident." Leah said with a weak smile. "Leah Hilaro, nice to meet you." Leah said as she extended her hand towards Francesca.

"Oh, I'm Francesca Rocci." Francesca said as she quickly shook Leah's hand.

"Are you new to the industry? I've never seen you around." Leah said as she eyed Francesca.

"Yeah, I just got into an agency recently." Francesca explained.

"Oh, which one?" Leah asked.

"Ver Industries." Francesca answered.

"Ah, the one with a handsome VP." Leah said with a light blush.

"Of course, no one is as handsome as our boss!" Her friend Elaine boasted.

"Your boss?" Francesca asked.

"Ramon Abad, he is hot." Elaine said proudly.

"Yeah, we're from Lights Entertainment. We're new artists. We just finished our training camp, it was hell." Leah said with a sigh.

"Did you have training camp?" Elaine asked Franesca.

"No, but I took lessons before." Francesca said. She was quite embarrassed by the fact that it seemed everyone had done so much in preparation for their acting career while she hadn't.

"See, I told you. She's just a pretty face. Not a threat." Another female artist whispered to her companion. It made Francesca really nervous and insecure.

"Look, Francesca, we all take this opportunity seriously. So if you're just some mistress, or girlfriend, or some rich kid that thinks she can become an actress because of her connections I suggest you leave." Leah said as she suddenly turned cold towards Francesca.

"I am serious." Francesca insisted.

"Really?" Elaine said as she looked at Francesca from head to toe. "You didn't even make an effort to wear more branded items!" Elaine accused.

"Girls, girls, what's going on here?" A manager from Lights Entertainment asked. "Nevermind. I'm sure you're having fun with your new friend but you need to stay focused. Come, it's your turn soon." The manager said as she let the group of actresses over to a different room.

Right after Leah and her group had left, Alvin arrived to find Francesca in clear distress.

"Francesca? What's wrong?" Alvin asked as he placed a hand on her back.

"It's nothing. Some girls were just trying to bully me." Francesca said with a look of determination in her eyes.

"Well, that's good." Alvin said with a nod.

"I'll get this role and prove them all wrong." Francesca explained.

"Great, hopefully if the director likes you he will add scenes. Directors and producers can do that if they like the actress." Alvin explained.

Francesca and Alvin had to wait a few more minutes as the director and producers prioritized the talents for Lights Entertainment. Who was to blame them anyway, everyone knew how much investment the Abad family placed into their talents. It was no secret that just getting in was like an audition in itself.

Finally after over an hour of waiting Francesca spotted Leah and her group exiting the audition hall. They looked at her and turned away, Francesca was surprised at how quickly Leah's attitude had changed.

"Alvin!" The Lights Entertainment manager greeted Alvin in surprise. "I thought no more new talents for you?" She asked.

"Well it's a favor." Alvin said with a shrug as Francesca heard her name being called.

"Let's catch up soon." The Lights entertainment manager said with a wink to which Alvin nodded back.