Hello there, this is the second chapter. Hope you enjoy it. Thank you for the amazing review :D
Chapter 2: The Empress
"Misaki!" A figure jumped on Misaki's bed, screaming in the raven haired actress's ear. The bed shook up and down as the person jumped excitedly.
"Misaki! Wake up." Hands took hold of her shoulders and someone desperately shook her.
"W-What?" Misaki asked groggily, using the back of one fist to rub her eyes. Her vision slowly cleared to see her best friend/ booking manager ,Sakura, jumping up and down on her bed, shaking off the covers in the process. The blanket was now in a messy heap on the floor.
"Get up! I have amazing news!" She yelled, shaking Misaki.
"Awesome. Tell me later." Misaki whined, smacking Sakura's hand and turning over.
"Misaki! Come on, this is important!" Sakura said as she climbed off the bed and stomped her foot on the floor.
"Sakura, we don't have anything booked today." Misaki groaned, flipping over towards the window, showing her back to Sakura. Sakura grumbled and walked over to the windows. She opened the blinds and let the sunlight through.
"Actually, we did have something booked today. But I cancelled it." Sakura announced, standing in front of Misaki with her hands on her hips. A mischievous grin appeared on her lips. She stared at Misaki as she shifted on the bed to hide away from the beaming rays of sunlight.
"Thanks. You're amazing." Misaki complimented Sakura, snuggling into the pillow. She slipped on hand underneath the pillow and one under her head. It was her signature sleeping move.
"Now we have another thing." Sakura said, her grin widening.
Misaki groaned, "You're horrible." Sakura laughed and reached for Misaki, yanking her pillow out of her hand. Misaki simply grabbed another pillow. Sakura rolled her eyes.
"Misa, come on!" Sakura begged, throwing the pillow at Misaki.
"No." Misaki simply replied, hugging her pillow closer and brushing off the pillow that landed on her head. She curled up on the bed, about to go back to sleep.
Sakura decided to use another tactic, one she was sure would wake Misaki up.
"Fine!" Sakura huffed. She crossed her arms and glared at Misaki. "I won't tell you that you got the confirmation to audition for Daiki Hashimoto's new production 'The Empress'." Sakura announced, playfully stomping towards the door. "And I definitely won't tell you that the audition is taking place today in a few hours." She turned and stared at Misaki's sleeping figure on the queen sized bed. "And I one hundred percent won't tell you that you might have a chance to get the lead role."
Misaki laid still on the bed as Sakura walked to the door. "Bye Misaki." Placing her hand on the doorknob, Sakura looked back at Misaki one last time before pulling the door open.
Meanwhile, on the bed, the sleepy actress took a few seconds to fully process what her pink-haired friend was telling her. Then it clicked.
"WHAT?!" Misaki shrieked, jumping off the bed. She looked around wildy for Sakura. Once she spotted her, Misaki leapt onto her. They both crashed to the floor in a painful heap.
"What did you just say?" Misaki screamed, all the remaining dregs of sleep chased away. She was fully alert now.
"You don't need to scream in my ear!" Sakura pouted, crossing her arms.
Misaki stared at Sakura, realising she wasn't going to relent. She got up, offering her hand to Sakura, who took it, leaping to her feet next to Misaki.
She looked at Misaki expectantly, cocking her head to one side. Misaki sighed, "Sorry Sakura." She repeated like a child, looking at Sakura with doe eyes.
"Good, you're forgiven." Sakura laughed, walking to the kitchen. Misaki stared blankly at Sakura.
"We'll talk over coffee" Sakura threw over her shoulder, "Get ready, take a shower, Subaru has already laid out your clothes."
Misaki groaned. "Sakura! I wish you would have told me before inviting everyone over." By everyone, Misaki meant Subaru, her dress designer and Honoka, her make-up artist. Misaki refused to have a whole team of people in her apartment every morning.
Misaki sulked off to her bathroom. She quickly brushed and took a shower. Walking into her room, Misaki dressed in her outfit for the day. Light blue denim high-waisted jeans with a black turtleneck topped off with a black blazer. For accessories, she had a black belt with a Gucci bag and dark sunglasses. Just as Misaki finished buckling her belt, Honoka appeared in the doorway.
"Misaki!" Honoka sang, walking into the room armed with a straightener and an eyelash curler.
"Oh no. Stop right there Honoka." Misaki warned, stepping behind her large queen sized bed, trying to use it as a barrier between her and her make up artist. Misaki absolutely hated putting makeup on. She had never liked taking it all off at night when she could be watching TV instead and eating until Sakura freaked out and told her to stop.
"You know I don't like those things." Misaki announced, backing up from Honoka who was slowly approaching.
"Come on Misa! You need to look nice for your audition." Honoka insisted, snapping the hair straighter in a threatening way.
"I look nice enough." Misaki replied, backing up with her hands in front of her. She hit the wall behind her. Honoka continued towards Misaki.
"Yes, 'enough' being the keyword. Not perfect." Honoka countered, stalking up to Misaki. Misaki grumbled under her breath, looking for a way for escape.
"Now sit." Honoka pushed Misaki down onto the chair at the vanity table, before Misaki could do anything. Misaki ungracefully fell in the chair.
"For a famous actor, you aren't very graceful." Honoka informed Misaki, messing with her hair.
"I'm not that famous." Misaki retorted, crossing her arms in a childish manner.
"Why don't you just get ready in the dress-up room?" Honoka asked. That was the nickname everyone called the room where the clothes and makeup were kept. It was impractical to get ready in a room that had practically no equipment, but Misaki still insisted that she would get ready in her room. Being surrounded by expensive designer brands and unlimited makeup wasn't Misaki's kind of scene.
"I don't like all the expensive stuff." Misaki shrugged, looking at Honoka through the mirror.
Honoka hummed as her answer. Misaki understood her lack of response meant she was entirely focused on getting Misaki ready. Honoka quickly straightened Misaki's hair and placed on golden hoop earrings. 15 more minutes passed and Misaki was ready with a face of light, natural makeup and straightened hair gliding down her back.
"Perfect." Sakura squealed as Misaki entered the kitchen. She handed Misaki a bagel and a coffee mug as she sat down on the couch, gesturing to Misaki to join her.
"Hey Subaru." Misaki greeted her green-haired friend who was flipping through TV channels with a coffee mug.
"Hey Misa." Subaru replied, turning off the TV and throwing the remote somewhere on the couch.
Misaki bit into her bagel, the flavours dancing over her tongue. She groaned with appreciation and her prep crew laughed at her antics. She sipped her coffee next and settled down on the couch, crossing her legs.
Sakura began speaking after sipping her own coffee. "Ok, so yesterday I got an email from Shizuko Kaga, Daiki Hashimoto's personal assistant. She said that we had the confirmation to audition for Daiki Hashimoto's new movie, 'The Empress' if we wanted. Of course I said yes. She sent us the audition details. The audition is in a few hours so we have to leave soon." Sakura finished, biting into her bagel. She crossed her legs under her, staring at Misaki. "That's the simplified version of what happened, unless you want to hear about how I turned my apartement upside down with my squealing." Sakura added.
"Really?" Misaki replied, ignoring Sakura's last comment. "That's amazing." Misaki was extremely happy. She was proud that Daiki considered her as a serious actress.
"Yes it is, we're leaving in 30 minutes so go finish whatever you need to finish." Honoka interrupted, plopping down next to Misaki on the couch with her own bagel and coffee. She fished around for the remote and turned on the TV, flipping through the channels.
Misaki moved towards her bedroom but stopped, turning to Sakura. "Wait, Sakura, didn't you say you cancelled something?" Misaki questioned, looking back over at Sakura who had pulled out her phone and was busy scrolling through her phone.
Sakura looked at Misaki. "Yes, I cancelled the interview for Mars today."
"WHAT?!" Misaki choked on her sip of coffee. Honoka stood up, patting on Misaki's back.
"Breathe." She commented.
"Everyone is going to be so mad, James will go crazy!" Misaki said, ignoring what Subaru had said.
"Yeah, but this is a once in a lifetime opportunity, he'll understand." Sakura said. "Besides, what could I do? Cancel the audition?"
"I know, but he'll still be upset, he's worked hard on Mars."
Sakura nodded sympathetically. "My hands were tied Misa. Either we miss the interview or we miss the audition."
Misaki felt a little guilty. She walked over to Sakura and gave her a hug. She knew that Sakura did what she thought best. Sakura smiled at Misaki.
After finishing her bagel and coffee, Misaki quickly rushed to her phone, dialing her mom. She told her about what was happening. Her mom and sister were beyond happy for Misaki, insisting they go out for a celebratory dinner. Misaki had told her family that she hadn't got the role yet but they had dismissed her comment, saying they had faith in her. Misaki felt lucky to have such a supportive family.
30 minutes later, the whole team was packed into the limo Sakura had called.
"Are you ok Misaki?" Subaru asked, seeing how Misaki was fidgeting in her seat.
"Yes I'm fine, just a little nervous."
Subaru laughed, "Don't worry, you'll kill it." She placed a comforting hand on top of Misaki's. Misaki smiled at Subaru, grasping her hand.
"Just remember to be genuine. That's all you need."
Misaki and her friends/ managers climbed out of the car, walking over to the modern looking building. One way glass made up some of the structure of the building. A glass door was fitted into one of the walls. The girls gaped at the modern building as a woman dressed in professional clothes walked up to them.
"Hello Misaki Ayuzawa." A woman said. She was wearing black, body fitting jeans and a black blazer. Under the blazer, she was wearing a white button up shirt. Her heeled shoes clacked on the pavement as she headed stopped in front of the girls.
"Hello." Misaki replied, smiling at the woman.
"Nice to meet you, please come this way for your reading for 'The Empress'." The woman said professionally as she smiled and walked towards the building.
Misaki and her team followed the woman. She opened the door for the girls and they entered the modern building.
Inside the building, everything was white. The floor was made of marble. The ceiling was also white with lights embedded into it. On the edges of the wall, LED lights were attached, glowing softly.
"This way please." The woman said, walking off to a hallway on the right. The girls looked at each other and followed the woman.
Multiple twists and turns later the group eventually stopped at a door in the heart of the building.
"This way ladies." The woman said, gesturing to the door. The girls nodded.
"Do you have any questions?" The woman asked, waiting patiently for her answer.
"No, thank you." Misaki replied. The woman nodded and walked back where they came from.
Sakura stepped in front of Misaki, grabbing the door handle. "Alright Misaki, on that side of that door is your future, are you ready to face it?" Sakura asked seriously. Even though Sakura was joking, Misaki couldn't help but be nervous.
Misaki nervously laughed, "Yes Sakura, open the door." Sakura solemnly nodded, opening the door.
The girls entered the large room. A multitude of couches were placed in a random but deliberate order inside the room. Misaki noticed there were already many other girls in the room. Some sat on the couches going over the script and others were pacing around the room, muttering to themselves.
"Madam." A voice spoke from Misaki's side. Misaki jerked back, already prepared to punch someone. It wouldn't be the first time someone (usually a fan) tried to jump her. A handsome young man stood in front of her, holding out multiple scripts in his hand.
"Thank you." Misaki said, relaxing her stance. She felt embarrassed. The man looked amused as Misaki took a script from his hand. Subaru, Saura and Honoka took one each as well, thanking the man.
"The audition starts in 1 hour, you are an auditionee number 31, the last person." The man informed Misaki, his face serious again. Misaki thanked him and he nodded, walking back to wherever he came from.
The girls headed towards an isolated couch in the corner of the room and read over the script.
The script talked of a young princess, Erina Elizabeth Odette, who was constantly neglected by her parents. Her parents were always focused on the kingdom of Ociria, a rival kingdom, and overthrowing them. The young princess desperately wanted her parents' attention and approval so she decided to escape her kingdom, Ilecia, to spy on the rival kingdom her parents were obsessed with. Erina had hoped to gather inside information on the kingdom so she could present it to her parents. She had thought this would get her parents to appreciate her and pay more attention to her.
In Ociria, Erina posed as a maid to the crown prince, Aaron so she could gather valuable information. Erina ended up getting closer than she liked the Aaron, and agreed to accompany him on a trip to the villages, who were constantly suffering.
Erina had been shocked by how many people were living horrible lives in the towns and villages. Aaron had explained to Erina that the Kingdom of Ilecia had been stealing their resources and kidnapping many people as slaves or to get information out of them. Erina had been disgusted and saddened by her parents actions. She ended up revealing her true identity and intentions and began training with Aaron, after some complications, in the war they were planning with Iliecia.
Misaki was shocked. The script was unlike any other script she had ever read or like any other production she had acted main female lead, Erina, had a wide range of emotions, more than any of her other roles had. Misaki wanted to act as Erina.
"Ok Misaki, who are you auditioning for?" Sakura questioned Misaki as she closed the script and folded her legs beneath her.
"Erina Elizabeth Odette. I love the wide range of emotions Erina has. Happiness, anger, sadness, love. It is way more than any of my other roles."
Subaru and Honoka nodded, also folding their legs.
"The storyline is amazing. It's unique. I've never read anything like it." Honoka commented, flipping through the script.
"Agreed." Subaru said, flipping through her own script.
"Same." Sakura added.
"I think so too." Misaki said as she got up.
Misaki started walking back and forth, flipping through the script.
"What do I need to prepare?" She asked Sakura, stopping in front of her. Sakura got to her feet and took out her phone.
"The email said that if you want to audition for Erina, you need to learn the scene where Erina realises the truth about her parents, how they have been stealing the resources of Ociria." Sakura told Misaki, putting her phone back in her purse.
"Ok." Misaki replied, flipping through her script until she got to the scene. She quickly read over it.
The next 45 minutes or so, the girls helped Misaki prepare her scene. She went over it until her tongue was numb and she had practically memorised everyone's lines in the scene.
"Misaki Ayuzawa. Please come with me." A woman wearing glasses appeared from behind the closed door all the actors were going through. In her hands were multiple folders. Her hair was short and black and she was wearing a professional uniform.
"I am Shizuko Kaga, Daiki's assistant." She informed Misaki, following her into the room.
"Nice to meet you Shizuko." Misaki replied, smiling at Shizuko. There were butterflies in her stomach, she was nervous and excited at the same time. She was auditioning for one of the best directors in Hollywood. Misaki was also extremely happy that Daiki had thought Misaki was a good actor and allowed her to audition for his movie.
Misaki entered the room, it was bare except for a table with 3 seats in the middle of the room. Opposite the seats, there was a raised platform.
In one of the seats sat a very tired looking Daiki Hashimoto. His hair was an unruly mess and his shirt was crinkled. In front of him, various papers were spread out on the table. He had a coffee in his hand and was sipping it lethargically while looking over the papers in front of him.
To his right, there was an empty seat. Misaki supposed that was where Shizuko sat. Everything was arranged neatly, unlike where Daiki sat. On Daiki's left, there was another empty chair. There was no indication who sat there except for the steaming hot coffee mug.
"Misaki, please stand on the stage." Daiki said, briefly glancing over at Misaki before focusing on the sheets again. He ruffled through the papers and pulled out one with Misaki's name on it.
Misaki gulped and nodded, climbing onto the stage. She stood there, staring at Daiki as he quickly scanned his papers and then the door on the other side of the room.
"Ok Misaki, you are going to be recorded during your audition. Is that ok?" Shizuko asked, fiddling with a camera at the end of the table.
"Yes that's fine." Misaki answered, redirecting her attention to Shizuko.
"Ok, Misaki, hello again." Daiki said this time. He smiled tiredly at Misaki and grabbed a script from below the scattering of papers.
"Hello." Misaki replied back, feeling nervous.
"Who are you auditioning for?" Shizuko asked Misaki.
"Erina Elizabeth Odette." Shizuko nodded, and wrote it down on a piece of paper.
"So, you learned the scene you had to, right?" Daiki asked Misaki, patiently waiting for her answer.
"Yes." Misaki said. Daiki nodded and looked back at the script, flipping through the pages.
"Well forget that." Daiki said, without even sparing a glance at Misaki. Misaki gulped. In all her auditions, she never had a last minute change in the scene she had to prepare. The butterflies in her stomach got worse. "Come here please." Daiki said.
Misaki walked over to the table where Daiki held out the script. He pointed to the scene he wanted Misaki to do. She took the script with shaking hands and read over the scene. It was the scene where Erina is introduced as Aaron's personal maid by the Captain of the guards. It was a simple scene.
"Do you want to keep the script?" Daiki asked as Misaki handed him back the script, retaking her position on the stage.
"No, it's fine." Misaki replied, mentally taking deep breaths whilst going over the scene and her lines. It was a fairly short scene.
Just at that moment, the door Daiki had been staring at opened. Takumi Usui strolled in walking closer to the stressed actress on the stage and the grumpy director sitting in the chair.
"Finally." Daiki huffed, "I said be quick Takumi." Daiki scolded. He gestured for Takumi to join Misaki on the stage.
"Sorry." Takumi replied with a smug smile as he looked at Misaki.
"Misaki, Takumi is going to be playing Aaron in this scene. I'll be reading in as the Captain of the guards. Is that fine?" Daiki asked Misaki as he looked at her questioningly. Takumi jumped onto the raised platform.
"Yeah it's cool." Misaki said casually even though she was freaking out inside. Misaki couldn't believe she was going to act with one of the best actors in Hollywood, even though it was an audition. If you had told Misaki she would be here a few years ago, she would've laughed in your face.
"Action."