Chapter 3
Hurting Inside
Ashley had barely enough time to settle down in New York. She got her own small apartment two blocks away from the theater. As she was walking towards the theater for the first day of rehearsal
"Ashleyyy, Ashley!" She thought it was the paparazzi again but she stopped when she recognized the voice. She spun around to see Lucas grinning and running towards her.
"Hey Luke! What are you doing here?" She asked puzzled
"I came for the first day of rehearsal for Legally Blonde!" He uttered smiling as they hugged
"I had no idea that you went to the auditioned too!" She said excitedly
"Well, we both made it. Good to be working with you again!" Lucas ushered her to the door.
"My pleasure, at least I have one of my best friend." She smiled at him
Two days after Ashley left Los Angeles, Zac flew to London to start filming the action movie. He attempted a few times to call Ashley but he was over powered by pride.
"She'll call if she can't take it anymore. She's the one who left me!" He thought to himself angrily but deep inside he can't deny that he misses her more than ever. Zac made sure that his shooting schedule was always full to make himself occupied.
Ashley focused her time to rehearsals which earned her respect from fellow actors and director. Each main character has their substitute just in case the actor cannot make it. They rehearsed for nearly a month before their most anticipated premier was announced
"May I have your attention please….. " The director announced "We are going to have our premier night on Monday at 7:30pm." After that we will have a three times a week schedule of performance!" He said excitedly
"I'm sooo excited Luke, at last we will perform in front of a live audience no cameras and directors shouting action and cut!" She uttered smiling at Lucas as they were walking home. They were both startled when suddenly camera flashes on them.
"What the he….." Lucas shielded his eyes as he grabbed Ashley's hand.
"Oh God this is gonna be big deal another paparazzi's field day." She said in frustration as they entered the building
Ashley and Lucas lives in the same building. Lucas is one floor below her but they usually hang-out together in a nearby park whenever their schedule allows. Ashley, Vanessa and Lucas were regularly burning the lines even Corbin would pop up once in a while catching up on each other.
"Thanks Luke for being a good friend! I'll see you tomorrow for our final rehearsal." She said as she ascended the stairs to her floor.
She was rummaging her bag for the key when her phone rang. "Hello! Hi Vanessa, we just returned from the theater! Guess what, we will have our premier on Monday!" She said plainly.
Vanessa and Lucas knew that Ashley was trying so hard to concentrate on her work. They both knew what happened between her and Zac before she left Los Angeles even though exhausted and drained she forced herself to perfect her part. They were both worried for their friend. She's happy and smiling when she's working but whenever she's alone she became a recluse.
"Really, Ash congratulations! At last your dream will come true to star on broadway!" Vanessa said happily
"Yeah, I guess so?" Ashley sighed
"Ok I promise to watch the show so that I can see you guys and we can hang-out together. I'll be there anytime for the record promotion." She uttered cheerfully
"Congratulations and good luck on your third album. Hope to see you soon!" She told her cheerily but the tone of her voice betrayed her intention
"Ash, are you ok? It seems that you don't sound so good?" She inquired anxiously
"Yeah, I'm just tired and exhausted. I missed home and my family." Ashley said miserably
"Aren't your folks gonna attend the premier night?" Vanessa asked
"Yes, they will be arriving Saturday afternoon. Jennifer is so excited to ride the carriage around the central park and visit the New York Zoo. Then Jennifer and I will go to the mall." She gladly told her.
PREMIER NIGHT
Ashley and Lucas together with their parents were driven to the theater by two identical limousines for the premier night. The entrance leading to the main door was draped with a red carpet. Celebrities, rich and famous people and even politicians were ushered inside the theater as media and paparazzi had a field day snapping photos and conducting interviews.
When Ashley, Lucas and their families arrived at the red carpet the media and paparazzi swarmed them with blinding camera flashes and random questions by reporters.
"Ashley, Ashley!" One television reporter poked her with the mike "Is it true that you broke up with Zac after nearly four years as a couple?" She said randomly
"I have no comment on that!" Ashley replied faking a smile. She knew that she cannot show her real emotions to them.
"Lucas, Lucas, is it true that you and Ashley are now dating?" Inquired one reporter
"There's no truth to that! She's like my sister and we look up to each other." He replied irritated
"So the photos taken the past few weeks did not mean anything?" A female reporter bluntly asked
"No comment!" He blurted and walked behind Ashley and their families.
Lucas and Ashley went to their respective dressing rooms after ushering their families to their reserved seats.
Ashley was pacing back and forth inside the dressing room psyching her self for the show when she heard a knock on the door.
"Come in!" She softly said. Lucas appeared on the doorway grinning.
"Ready, let's do it!" He uttered excitedly
"Yeah, I think so!" She heaved a sigh and smiled at him
They walked hand in hand towards the group of cast members who are now starting to warm up. They huddled together and prayed before the curtain rises
The show ended with a thundering applause. Ashley smiled at Lucas as they were introduced on stage. They were warmly received by thundering applause
"Thank God, for a successful show. Our blood, sweat and tears we're all worth it. I fulfilled my dream, I conquered the theater." She thought to her self
Ashley and the rest of the cast then proceeded to a large hall where the party was being held. Her parents and sister were already waiting at the entrance beaming with pride.
"Ash, we're so proud of you! What you did tonight was another milestone on your career!" Lisa embraced her daughter
"You did great up there Ash, congratulations!" Her dad proudly uttered
"We're you nervous before the show started?" Jennifer inquired grinning at her sister
"Of course, I nearly fainted!" She told her jokingly
After meeting old and new friends, Ashley and her family did not stay for long at the party. They went back to her dressing room to retrieve some things before proceeding home.
"Oh my God, who could have sent me these flowers?" She exclaimed
"It's a lot of expensive flowers Ash!" Her mother uttered wide eyed
"Who could it be? Oh wait there's a note!" Jennifer yelled as she reads the letter aloud
"Ashley
You got me blown away tonight
You are so amazing
AG"
"Who's AG, do you know somebody with that initial?" Lisa asked puzzled
"Could it be a secret admirer?" Her dad teasingly said
"I don't know? I really have no idea! As far as I can remember I have no cast mates with that initial either." Ashley shrugged her shoulder
Ashley was so happy when her parents spent a few days with her in New York. She felt ok whenever she's at work but when she's alone in her apartment often times she just cried her self to sleep. She felt miserable and depressed.
"Come on Ashley, let's go to the mall or the park or zoo wherever! It's our day off!" Lucas nudged her
"Luke, I'm sorry but I'm tired! I wanna rest for a while." She softly said
"You are becoming a bore! Where is the Ashley I had known for years! I gotta look for her somewhere!" Lucas desperately uttered
It's been two weeks since the premier night but her secret admirer hasn't revealed himself yet. Every time they are scheduled to perform her dressing room will be filled up with expensive assorted flowers and lately a cake.
"Hey Ash, are you planning to put up a flower shop here?" Lucas and her cast mates will make a joke out of her
"You're just jealous about my secret admirer! I don't know Luke but I'm getting anxious to meet him…… whoever he will be? I'm pretty sure it's not you because I know your taste!" Ashley teased him
One time Ashley arrived early on the theater. She was walking down the hallway towards her dressing room when she saw a guy dressed in a chauffeur uniform with bouquet of flowers and a basket of fresh fruits about to enter her dressing room.
"Excuse me! Who are you and what are you doing?" Ashley said intercepting the man who was about to open the door
"I was instructed by my boss to bring you flowers, cakes or fruits before every performance." The guy uttered seriously
"And who might he be? Have I meet him before, is he the one with an AG initial written on every note?' She asked randomly
"Yes, ma'am, but I cannot reveal to you his true identity not until he will do it personally!" The man informed her earnestly
"Well, I'm sorry but I cannot accept all these gifts from you since I don't know this person. Please leave, I have to prepare for the show." Ashley seriously expressed
"But I cannot bring this back! I will be in big trouble if he knew that you rejected it!" The man protested
"I'm sorry!" Ashley said
LONDON, ENGLAND
Zac was busy filming the crucial scenes. He was in full concentration with the stunts he requested that he do it himself not the double
"Cut! Great job Zac!" The director shouted on the mega phone. Zac was slowly lowered from the crane on a harness
"Hey…that was fantastic!" Claudia excitedly said hugging Zac. (Claudia was his leading lady on the film)
"Thanks!" Zac replied detaching him self from her
"So what are your plans tonight? I've heard from the crew that we will resume tomorrow afternoon!" Claudia eagerly informed him while they are walking towards his trailer
"Oh I don't know! Do you have any plans?" He said playfully faking a smile
"Why don't we have dinner and watch a movie or a stroll in the park!" She naughtily smiled at him "If you want we can order room service and hang-out in my suite."
Zac was trying his best to move on with his life. But like Ashley, he was also miserable and lonely whenever he is alone in his suite. He would smile whenever he reminisced the times when they were still together.
"Ashley, Ashley why are you sooo hard to forget! There are a lot of beautiful women around but you are so different! I miss you so much!" He sighed as he thought to himself
Claudia can be seen often times flirting with Zac. She will always invite him to dinner or a movie until they became an item on the set. The paparazzi often took photos of them together where Claudia can be seen hugging Zac.
"Come on Claudia, stop it!" Zac protested as she coerced him to kiss her in front of the cameras
"Zac! What's wrong with you? Don't you like what we're doing?" She said irritated
"No, I don't!" He muttered as he stood up and left the dinning table. Claudia gasped she wasn't expecting such a harsh response from him
"Zaaaac wait!" She ran and grabbed his arm; Zac turned around and glared at her "I'm your girlfriend right? Why are you doing this to me in front of them? Aren't you proud of what we have?" Claudia softly spoke
"You are not my girlfriend Claudia, you made it yourself. And please stop saying those things about us!" He sneered at her as the cameras and pictures captured every detail of that argument
The next day, pictures and short segment of that fight was shown on national TV and published on newspapers and tabloids in London.
NEW YORK
Lucas was waiting for Ashley to finish tidy up her dressing room before they left for the weekend. Suddenly there was a knock on the door. Lucas stood up and checked who it was. He was taken aback when he saw Mr. Thomas (one of the show producers) and a guy holding a three long stemmed of red roses and a box of imported chocolates standing at the doorway.
"Oh Luke, is Ashley in?" Mr. Thomas inquired
"Yes, she's here. Please come in!" He replied as he opened the door staring at the guy alongside Mr. Thomas
"Ash, you have visitors!" He hollered
"Hi, Mr. Thomas! What brought you in my dressing room?" Ashley curiously asked looking at the guy beside him
"Ashley I would like you to meet the son of one of our benefactor Mr. Giancarlo Giovanni. This is Alberto Giovanni; he's a student and model here in New York!" Mr. Thomas proudly stated
"Hi Alberto, I'm so glad to meet you!" Ashley and Alberto exchanged handshake
Hello Ashley! I'm so pleased to have met you at last!" Alberto stated cheerfully showing dimples in both his cheeks
Ashley scrutinized him from head to foot. "Hmmm, he's handsome!" She thought to herself as they both smiled on each other.
"He's been dying to meet you! So now that my purpose is accomplished Alberto, must I leave you now!" He told him sincerely
"Mille Grazie (a thousand thanks in Italian) Mr. Thomas!" Alberto nodded at him before he left the room
"Oh I'd like you to meet Lucas Grabeel, one of my bestfriends ever since HSM!" She said randomly
"Hey, Lucas how are? I thought you are Ashley's boyfriend!" Alberto smiled and exchanged a handshake with him
"Great man!" He grinned "Me and Ash here, our friendship had come a long way!"
"Can I ask you something?" Ashley stated Alberto nodded and smiled feeling comfortable in their conversation "Yeah, of course"
"I'm just curious I've been receiving flowers and chocolates from a mysterious guy with an initial AG written on every note? I happened to apprehend a guy on a chauffeured uniform but he won't tell me who it was?" She inquired seriously
"Oh I'm sorry but my people are not allowed to reveal any information regarding us not unless I instructed them to do so. Yeah it was my initial AG for Alberto Giovanni!" He said matter of fact
"Ohhh!' Lucas and Ashley chorused
Alberto was almost a regular audience every time Ashley performs in the theater. After each show he will visit her in the dressing room loaded with imported flowers and chocolates. Lucas would often time tease Ashley about the attention and gifts Alberto's showering her.
"Hey Ash, I think this Alberto guy is serious in his intention of pursuing you!" He said grinning
"How do you know? We had casual talks that often times happened here inside my dressing room with you!" Ashley glared at him
"I'm serious!" Obviously he likes you but he doesn't know what to do!" Lucas muttered
"I don't know Luke but I think I'm not yet ready for another relationship!" She stated sadly
Alberto invited Ashley to a dinner one night after the show. As they were getting off the car paparazzi swarmed them snapping pictures and cameras focusing at them
"Hey! What the….." Alberto shielded his eyes and grabbing Ashley's hand dashed to the restaurant door
"I'm sorry, Alberto I guess you're not used to this kind of paparazzi frenzy." Ashley said apologetically as they were led to their reserved table
"Oh don't worry, I'm used to that blinding camera flashes especially during photo shoot. I wasn't expecting it actually but now I know! Every time we go out I have to smile who knows paparazzi will snap our photos together!" He cheerfully uttered
The following day their pictures can be seen on the front page with the caption written under the photos "Ashley's new man! He's a model and heir to a real estate empire in Italy, lucky girl!"
Ashley heard a successive knock on her apartment door the following morning. She hurriedly checked on the peep hole. Lucas was outside her door holding some news papers and what looks like some magazines
"What is this Ms. Tisdale? Your face is plastered all over the papers today? I thought, you are just going to eat dinner with Alberto?" Lucas rapidly inquired
"Luke, it was just a simple friendly dinner but we got caught up by the paparazzi even before we entered the restaurant!" Ashley miserably uttered "Even Alberto was stunned by the frenzy."
"Ok, Ash I believe you. I'm sorry if I made it so personal about your date with this guy. I know he's nice and all." Lucas hugged Ashley "You're my friend and I care about you."
"I know Luke, I guess its bout time to try to move on." She heaved a sigh and looked out the window. Alberto invited Ashley to dinner dates twice or three times a week. But Ashley always insisted that it was just friendly dates nothing serious when being teased by Lucas and Vanessa.