Ruby, reassured by her response, believed Elizabeth would soon rise again under her mentorship.
Two days later, Elizabeth was sprawled on the hotel bed, her eyes skimming over a book on acting techniques. As she turned the pages, her phone buzzed with an incoming call. It was Ruby.
With palpable enthusiasm in her voice, Ruby exclaimed, “Elizabeth, you won’t believe this—I’ve got an audition lined up for you! It’s for a major franchise, a high-profile series! They’re focusing more on raw talent than on past credits.”
Elizabeth perked up as she reviewed the details Ruby had forwarded. The project was an acclaimed urban drama, centered around a powerful female protagonist, with a plot that promised complexity and depth. The role was a stark contrast to Elizabeth’s real demeanor, offering a thrilling challenge. Embracing this opportunity felt like the perfect way to leave her past behind.
Elizabeth had moved on from her divorce and her life with Kristopher and Sandra, channeling her energy into preparing for this audition. She pored over the script, the pages becoming dog-eared from her relentless study. At night, the lines infiltrated her dreams, often causing her to wake mid-dialogue.
Before she knew it, the audition day arrived.
The tryouts were scheduled in a hotel conference room, which also doubled as one of the shoot locations. Elizabeth pulled up in a taxi at the hotel’s main entrance just as a Mercedes SUV glided in through another. A crowd of eager fans immediately surged toward the SUV, their excitement palpable.
As figures emerged from the vehicle, Elizabeth caught a glimpse and subconsciously tightened her lips. In such an unpredictable world, some encounters seemed surprisingly inevitable.
There was Sandra, stepping out into the frenzy.
Amid the clamor of adoring fans, Sandra was swiftly ushered into the hotel by her manager and a team of assistants.
As the driver accepted the fare from Elizabeth, he grinned broadly and remarked, “I wonder which star is stirring up all this excitement. Young folks are starstruck these days. Yet, I must say, none of those celebrities can match your allure.”
Flattered by his compliment, Elizabeth responded with a gracious smile and a warm “Thank you,” before stepping out of the car.
In stark contrast to the chaos surrounding Sandra, Elizabeth’s entrance barely made a ripple. Only a handful of onlookers glanced her way, their curiosity piqued as they whispered, “Is she a new face in showbiz? She’s stunning!”
Before any of them could approach her, Ruby, striding confidently in her heels, guided Elizabeth into the hotel.
“Let’s head inside and await further directions from the director.”
Inside the waiting room set up by the production team, several early arrivals were already mingling, exchanging casual banter as they awaited the lottery for audition numbers and script distribution.
