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I start to feel a little lightheaded as the gravity of the situation lands hard.
“What am I going to do?” I ask softly. “I… I love my job here.” I can even hear the heartbreak in my voice, and Teresa looks at me sympathetically.
It may be a rare occurrence in this crazily unbalanced economic set-up of this world, but I reallydolove my job. I love being in this movie studio every waking hour, and I love seeing all the lights, the cameras, the crew, the editing magic, the make-up artists and stylists working tirelessly with the actors and actresses so they can achieve the exact right look and aesthetic for the character. I love seeing everyone’s excitement, relief, and satisfaction when the movie wraps up production. And I really, really love dressing up and going to movie premieres and seeing the film we worked so hard on for so long, finally up on the big screen. It’s a lot of work, and it’s a lot of hours in the office and in sets, but I… I would do anything to keep doing it.
There’s no way they’ll hold this job for me for a whole year, and I don’t know that I’ll be able to find the same opportunity in the Philippines.
I leave Teresa’s office, fighting back the tears, when it’s clear that there’s nothing to be done. I don’t have long before my current visa expires, so I take a slow walk through the empty hallways of offices and rows of cubicles, the click-clacking of keyboards and low murmur of voices barely registering in my brain.
I find myself at the door that leads out of the administrative building and out to the sound stages.Camden Studiosis etched onto the glass doors, the lettering is quiet but full of gravity. Unlike some larger studios, Camden Studios doesn’t have a massive back lot choosing, instead, to film on location. Leo’s father always said it felt more authentic that way, anyway. But there are several soundstages and still plenty of activity, with small trucks and golf carts moving people around.
I barely notice it anyway, with the million thoughts swirling around in my brain. I never want to leave this place. I just have to find a way I can stay.
It’s not that I don’twantto go back to the Philippines. I love my home and my family, and they will always have a special place in my heart. But what I have right now is everything I grew up wanting, and it’s too good to give up.
I just need some time to figure this out. But I’m not naïve and can’t ignore the fact that I’m literally going up against the U.S. government on this one. This isn’t the same as the time the barista got my order wrong and I finally had the guts to say something.
Get a grip, Isa.Now I sound like I'm in an action movie or something. My life is decidedly not nearly as flashy as that. Maybe I have been spending too much time watching movies.
“Isa!” A familiar voice floating from behind me brings me back to the present. I turn around to see Cody, my co-worker and best friend, exiting the main building. “Where were you? I was just coming to find you! You missed the big shoot.” He flips through the pages of the script in his hand as if I forgot the scene they were shooting. “Wow, does Monroe Stratford ever have a way of hitting every single line perfectly. I was honestly in awe. He is such a leading man.”
I groan. “I’m sad I missed it. I was just – I had a meeting.”
Cody raises one eyebrow – I’m seriously jealous of that ability. It seems to come in handy for him so often.
Like now. He’s calling me on my bullshit without saying a word.
“I doubt that. Who would schedule a meeting with you during a shoot? Leo was there the entire time.”
My heart picks up at the sound of my boss’ name. If Cody noticed I was gone, Leodefinitelynoticed.
And God, for a person who is always around actors who pretend for the camera, I am exceptionally bad at keeping a poker face. But I can never hide anything from Cody.
“Well – I –”
“Girl, it doesn’t matter,” Cody stops me, probably seeing the uncomfortable look on my face. I appreciate that he knows not to overstep. “It sounds like it’s probably a conversation to have over margaritas later. But what matters is Leo is looking for you.”
“You could have started with that, Cody!” I shout back at him.
He’s waving goodbye, but still sending me off with confidence, "By the way, girl, you're lookin' smoking hot today. That skirt is hitting in all the right places!" Insert wolf-whistle. Thanks, Cody, as I roll my eyes.
I storm off in the direction of the main building, thankful I wore my comfortable flats today. I walk quickly, barely slower than a jogging pace, and boy, do I wish I jogged right now. Maybe I’d be less out of breath. No one in reception bats an eye at my frantic pace as I practically dive into the open elevator.
They all must be used to me by now, and honestly, I can’t even blame them. I’malwaysrushing around this place.
I tap my foot impatiently as the elevator takes its sweet time climbing the mid-rise building. I squeeze out of the barely-big-enough space while the doors slide open and bolt to Leo’s office. My desk, which is admittedly bright and spacious, is right outside Leo’s massive office. I usually look at all the movie posters that fill the wall across from my cube, but right now they're the furthest thing from my mind.
I stop in my tracks as Leo is inside his office with a few key studio leaders. I try to still my heart rate and keep myself from gasping for breath as I stand awkwardly outside his door. I feel the sweat dripping down my back from my impromptu workout, and I surreptitiously pull the synthetic fabric from my body, trying to let cool air flow over my overheated skin. I can feel my cheeks flushed and my long dark hair sticking to my neck and starting to frizz.
Great.
“As you know, reshoots take time and it’s a small scene.” Leo’s voice is authoritative and commanding. It’s deep, but in a clear, crisp way that demands you pay attention. He’s calm, rarely losing his temper, but he’s also serious. Anyone in a room with him is bound to fall in line, or quite frankly, fall in love. Because he’s also gorgeous and always impeccably dressed and well-groomed. Everything he owns from Armani suits to sweatpants is tailored to fit the exact proportions of his body.
And it makes sense: no one achieves his status in this industry without knowing how to present yourself.
From this vantage point, I'm able to survey the scene and appreciate him for him. He flies under the radar, being the CEO of the studio, but he has the looks of a movie star himself. He is lightly greying on his temples, giving him a distinguished look that apparently only men can pull off. His aura is just breathtaking. The continuing discussion breaks my trance.
“Is there no way to work around this problem in editing?” Leo continues.
