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Chapter Twelve
Cora was a tall, buoyant woman with a booming voice that silenced the entire breakfast room. It was how I was first introduced to her. The crew, Juan and I, and the few minor casts that arrived early in the morning were all enjoying our meal when she entered the room and greeted everyone.
It took her several rounds on other tables until she reached ours. Since I was signed too late in the process, I hadn’t had the opportunity to meet the key persons who were responsible behind the scenes.
Most of the main cast were said to be scheduled to arrive all throughout the next couple of days, but since Juan and I would have most of the screen time, our schedules differed a day or two from the rest. It was a good call to come here early, and for Juan to have already arrived a week prior since he was staying in his summer house in Mallorca. All he had to do was hop on a plane for a short flight to the other sister island of Minorca. He stated during the meal that he liked to get to know the area so he could easily get into his character before the shooting even began.
Each actor had their own way of “getting in the zone.” It was interesting to learn these eccentric behaviors from the people I worked with.
Martin Lombardo, who was the executive producer and director, wouldn’t be arriving until tomorrow, but I heard that the other director, Joshua Peaks, would be coming in sometime this afternoon. The other two producers would be joining him, as well.
Cora gave me her room number in case I needed her for anything. There were a lot of names and faces to remember.
Though I was still a bit haggard from the tiresome journey, I was ready to work with Juan. We agreed during breakfast that we’d do a few read-throughs after lunch. He promised to take me to this perfect location that was quiet with a magnificent view.
With a few hours to burn before Juan came knocking on my door, I decided to retreat inside my bedroom. The striking heat didn’t bode well with the tiny headache that began to rapidly form in my head.
Pulling a bottle of painkillers from my emergency travel pack, I popped two in my mouth and washed it down with a glass of juice. After a minute or two, I let out a satisfying sound as I got to my feet and strode towards the balcony. My sight was greeted with a wide expanse of gorgeous aquamarine waters.
I might be far from home, but I felt like I was in my element. I felt as though this was where I was supposed to be, in this moment in time, nowhere else but here. No matter what happened, I was committed to this until the very end, even if the critics ended up not liking me in the end. As long as I promised to do my best and do the character justice, I had nothing to fear.
For a few hours, I lounged and reflected. I thought back about what River confessed last night and how easily I could have handled that differently. But sense prevailed, and I took his side. And I supposed I didn’t need to know anything else but his truth. His truth was all that mattered … until proven otherwise.
I didn’t want to choke him and feel as though he had no room to move. I had shown him faith by letting him carry on hiring Willa as his assistant. The second was last night. I trusted him after all that had happened. I hoped he wouldn’t take that for granted. We were busy trying to fulfill our dreams. Here’s hoping that would we know better on navigating through the treacherous waters of adulthood and being in a steadfast relationship.
Thirty minutes past noon, Juan came knocking on my door as promised.
“Hola, Cara. Are you ready?” he asked with a lazy smile lighting his face up.
Juan wore cream chino shorts, tan loafers, disheveled hair everywhere, and looking every bit of a European playboy that he was known for. Come to think of it, he hadn’t mentioned his girlfriend. From what I could recall, his lady had killer abs. Well, it was what Anton and I found online at that time, anyway. Maybe things had changed for him. Given his fame and notorious womanizing ways, relationships took a different hold with these bad boys. I wouldn’t be surprised if that hadn’t lasted, either.
“Do I need to bring anything important? Like, extra sunscreen, water?” I didn’t want to look like a burnt peel in the movie. People were so critical with looks these days. I was sure I’d be sacked if I turned up looking like a half-ass semi-roasted human.
Dark eyes shortly scanned my skimpy outfit before shaking his head. “I think you’re dressed for the occasion. It’s hot outside, but the breeze is lovely.”
I wore mini shorts and a midriff top with my hair loose and free. I had my bathing suit underneath since I wasn’t sure if I wanted to take a refreshing dip in the sea after my reading session with Juan.
“All right, let’s going.” I plucked my purse that had all the things I needed, like the script. Juan had his rolled and tucked behind his shorts, cowboy style.
The blistering heat hit me hard on the face the moment we walked out of the hotel. I wished for a second that I had piled my hair high instead of letting it curtain my back. Beads of sweat began to come out of my pores as we walked side by side, strolling towards the direction where the cove was located.
We passed by the white sandy shore that littered blue and white umbrellas as people lounged, sun bathing and enjoying the beautiful waters of the Mediterranean Sea.
Upon reaching the dock, I was surprised to find there was a speedboat and a man waiting for us, who Juan introduced as Santiago.
“Where are we going?” I frowned at Juan as Santiago held his hand towards me, offering his assistance.
Juan casually pointed out to sea where a three-story powerboat waited. “There.”
Oh. Here I was, thinking somewhere on the island, where we could enjoy the view while we practiced our lines. But Juan liked to do it with a twist of Spanish flair.
I nodded as I grappled my purse and let Santiago assist getting me inside the speedboat.
Juan hopped on without difficulty. The man had lived in this country all his life. I was sure this lifestyle was something he was accustomed to. I, on the other hand, was having a new experience altogether.
The ride was short, and not before long, Santiago deposited us at our intended destination where a crew greeted us. Juan was warm as he fluidly greeted and instructed them in Spanish. I nodded and said “hello” when he introduced me.
When they scattered to work at whatever designated chore they were doing before we arrived, I followed Juan as he guided us towards the middle deck. We had to climb a short flight of lacquered stairs that glistened under the sun to reach the next level, where the comfortable looking chairs, loungers, a full stock bar, a breakfast nook were all at our disposal.
