Memoirs of Elizabeth Montecarlo

SERENA anxiously paced back and forth across the room while she was looking at her phone. She's been waiting for this one important call that can change her life forever as a Musical Actress...Well,as a newbie Stage Actress.

She bit on her lower lip as nervousness suddenly came over her. She kept on telling herself she won't be able to get the Principal role in this stage play and she even told herself she shouldn't let her hopes up so it won't hurt that much once she gets rejected.

But she can still proudly say to herself that she tried,even if she won't make it at the end.

"Oh,for goodness' sake,Serena! Can you please just sit down and chill? You're giving me a headache!" Britanny complained,who was sitting at the couch.

Serena stopped pacing as she heard Britanny's voice.She flopped herself at the couch and scoots closer to her bestfriend.

Britanny has been her BFF since their College days at the Performing Arts Academy. They became roomies right after their graduation and they've been together through thick and thin

They were the only ones who kept on chasing their dreams to become Musical Actresses.Most of their batch from the Musical Theater Arts group took different kind of jobs that are totally unrelated to their courses.

She and Britanny have attended thousands of auditions and while they're waiting for their big break,they are also doing many part time jobs. They wait tables,they work as babysitters and they do many other part time jobs as well...She doesn't want to say this to her,but lately,she's been thinking about quitting on becoming a theater actress,and focus more on having a serious working career like in an office or in a broadcasting network...

"Brit,I don't think I'm gonna get the role." she stated.

Britanny looked at her straight in the eye,after hearing what she said.

"And how can you be sure of that?I mean you said it yourself,you were in good form,you did great at the auditions so what's are you talking about now?"

"We've been in countless auditions and everytime I get rejected,I'm losing hope and reality suddenly hits me.So,I guess this is the end for me." Serena said,in a serious tone.

There was a moment of silence between them.Britanny was the first one to break the silence.

"I know you've been through a lot,girlfriend. And I know you've given it a lot of thought. You're the type of person who seriously thinks about everything,so I'll support you in anyway that I can."

Serena felt a lump on her throat as she was trying her best not to cry and get too emotional.She doesn't need any drama now.She reached for her bestfriend's hand to thank her.

"I really appreciate it,Brit.Thank you."

Britanny was about to say something when the phone suddenly rang.

Serena and Britanny looked at each other. They can see on each other's faces that they're both panicking.

"Answer the phone,Brit,please." Serena nervously pleaded.

"Wait,why would I answer it? You're supposed to do it! It's the call you've been waiting for." replied Britanny.

"Oh,stupid of me.Yeah,you're right.Wish me luck,girl."

Serena forced herself to stand up and she dragger her feet to work towards the telephone stand.She took a deep calming breath and with a shaking hand,she decided to pick up the phone.

"Hello?"

"Is this Serena Diaz?" the woman on the other line asked.

"This is she."

"Hello there,this is Amy from Hollywood Glimmer Productions. I'm calling to tell you that you've been picked as the Principal actress for "This is Me,Elizabeth" musical play. Please come to the office for a script reading on Monday,at 9 am-----"

Serena wasn't able to fully understand the rest of the call. What she only understood was the time for script reading and that----SHE GOT THE LEADING PART OF A MUSICAL PLAY.

Her thoughts suddenly stopped in a halt when she heard the dial tone.She doesn't have any idea on how many minutes did Amy talk before ending the call.She was still holding the phone receiver when she suddenly heard Britanny's voice.

"What was the call all about? Was it a prank call?"

Serena finally returned to phone back to it's cradle and walked towards Britanny like a zombie.

"What?What's with that look?"

"Brit...I-I got the part." Serena's voice trembled.

Britanny's eyes widened because of shock.She couldn't speak at first,but she quickly recovered after a few seconds.

"Goodness gracious,Sere! You did it! You finally did it!" she screamed as if there's no tomorrow.

They hugged each other tightly,while crying and laughing at the same time...

**********

Serena nervously looked at the people inside the meeting room.There were more than twenty people inside the room and they all looked so chic and professional. She had this "starstruck moment" when she met the other actors because they are famous and already made a mark in the musical theater industry. She suddenly felt intimidated because she's a newbie actress,and being in a lead role is giving her a lot of pressure right now.

The Producer of Hollywood Glimmer Productions was the first one to break the ice by introducing herself. Then the Director,the musical directors,the stage directors were the next ones,and then the actors and the actresses started introducing themselves as well.

Serena gave her full attention to Chelsea Torres,the understudy for the role of Elizabeth Montecarlo. They're both a newbie actress and she's silently hoping that they can get along with each other.

"Now,let's welcome our main lead for the musical play---Serena Diaz!"

She was welcomed with a warm applause.Serena forced herself to stand up and smile,eventhough she's trembling.

"Hello everyone,I'm Serena Diaz,and I can't thank you all enough for giving me this opportunity. It's such a great honor to relive the life of Elizabeth Montecarlo,greatest musical actress of all time." she tried to remain calm,but her legs felt like jelly.

The people started clapping again after her introduction. She was about to sit down when the door suddenly opened and there was this guy who's standing at the door while he was catching his breath.

"I'm sorry,I'm late.The traffic so terrible but I know it's not an excuse,but I promise it won't happen again." the man said it all in one breath.

Anastasia,the producer laughed and invited the man to sit down. The man shyly sat on an empty seat.

"So,let's give a big hand to our writer,Mr. Gale Montecarlo!"

They all welcomed the latecomer with an enthusiastic applause.

"I think some of you are not yet familiar with him,especially the newbies. Well,Gale here is the one and only great great great grandson of Elizabeth Montecarlo,and he's the one who wrote the musical play." Anastasia announced.

SHE secretly surveyed the man that is known as Elizabeth Montecarlo's grand grand grand granchild. He didn't get any physical feature from his great great great grandmother,but boy,he's pretty cute even with his nerdy glasses.His shy demeanor also added something into his charm...

"Whoa,you need to stop daydreaming,Serena. You're supposed to focus all of your attention to the musical play! Stop checking this guy out!" she silently reprimanded herself.

"Now that we've properly introduced ourselves,let's go down to business and start with the script reading."

Serena took a big gulp of water from the bottle just to moisten her mouth and throat. She then flipped her script booklet to the first page just like the others.

And after a few minutes,they started practicing their lines...

*************

When the Director called for a fifteen-minute break,Serena decided to go outside of the room to find a vending machine.She only had one small toast and tea,and now she's feeling a bit hungry. She was planning to get a granola bar as a light snack.

She heaved a sigh of relief when she saw a vending machine. She quickly got some coins and dropped it at the vending machine.

As she was about to open the granola bar,she suddenly heard a familiar voice voice from her back.

She turned her head,and there was Chelsea giving her a smile.It was a kind of polite,civil kind of smile that didn't reach her eyes.

"Hi there." she greeted her.

Serena stood up straight and smiled at Chelsea.

"Hello...Would you care for some granola?"

Chelsea raised her right hand in the air as if she was trying to dismiss her.

"Oh,thanks but no thanks.I only eat organic veggies."

Serena secretly counted from one to ten to calm herself. She needs to have a full control for herself even if this woman is bitching at her.She wouldn't want to ruin everything she has worked for just because of Chelsea.

"Anyway,I just wanted to see you without the others. I wanted to see it for myself on why they choose you as the Principal instead of me.I can't really fathom on why you got the lead role.Did you do something to win their favor?" Chelsea suspiciously said.

Now this girl is trying to agitate her. And of course,she's ready to fight her.

She was about to open her mouth to say something when they suddenly heard someone's voice.

"I was the one who picked Miss Diaz."

Serena and Chelsea both turned to look at Gale Reid,also known as the great great great grandson of Elizabeth Montecarlo.

He walked towards them while smiling.

"I remembered her walking at the auditions. She was not wearing any make up,and that's what my grandmother looks like without the lights and behind the stage."

Chelsea raised her eyebrows Gale.

"May I know the reason why I was picked?"

"Oh that... The other members of the production team.They said you had this resemblance to my Nana especially witb your make up on." Gale responded.

Chelsea looked taken back and she wasn't able to speak for a few seconds.Then,her face turned red,and she was clearly embarrassed.

"Let's just see how you perform well,Serena.Don't be too sure of your position yet.Now,if you'll excuse." she quickly walked away from Gale and Chelsea,without even looking back.

"Wow,I didn't know she this---gutsy." Gale stated,while shrugging his shoulders.

Serena forced an airy smile.

"That girl is on fire.By the way,I didn't notice you were in the audition room."

"Yeah,but I'm almost invisible.I wasn't sitting at the judges' seat,but instead,I was the one behind the camera,recording everything that day." Gale responded,and he obviously looked amused.

"Oh.You're good at hiding,huh."

Their laughter finally broke the ice between them.

"Just a piece of advice.Chelsea is a good musical actress.She's been on different theater productions as an understudy,so I also understand on why she's showing a bit of an attitude.She's been a substitute actress for a long time,and she has this thirst to become the lead actress.But don't let her get you. You just have to show what you've got and we'll see it from there."

Serena felt a lot better after she heard his advice.All of her nervousness suddenly went "poof!" and she's now more relaxed.

"That's fair enough. Thanks."

"---Hey guys,our fifteen-minute break is over.Let's go back to work,shall we?" on of the staff called them.

Serena and Gale smiled at each other before they walked back to the meeting room...