Fan Fiction |
by Hibiscus
Ariel was shown into Angela’s office where Mike was already waiting.
Ariel sank down into a chair and smiled nervously at Mike.
“Morning.” Mike said.
“Morning.” Ariel replied. She fell silent, not knowing what else to say. Fortunately, the door opened and Angela rushed in, apologizing for being late.
“Am I right to assume that you want to discuss the approach to take with the media to avoid rumors?” She said addressing both Ariel and Mike.
Ariel nodded.
“I have a suggestion.” Mike spoke up.
Ariel and Angela looked over at Mike, interested.
“Please, do tell.” Angela said.
“I think that we,” meaning Ariel and him, “should take a direct approach this time around.”
“What do you mean?” Ariel asked.
“Be frank and upfront with them. If we are secretive, they will hunt for things, incidents and events to rehash and make a hullabaloo about.” Mike continued. “Do you know what I mean?”
Angela looked thoughtful.
“If they ask questions regarding the relationship between Ariel and me, we should tell them there is nothing except friendship and should they catch us somewhere together, we will not deny that we were together or that we are friends. The less smoke there is, the less they will look around for a fire.”
“What if they start making up stuff?” Ariel asked, still worried.
“They won’t.” Angela smiled in a rather feral manner. “I have contacts in the media who owe me a lot of favors. I’ll call in those favors. I gave you my word and I will keep it.”
“Thanks Angela.”
“No problem. Oh, I needed to discuss some changes in the script with you before you two leave.”
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The public venue that Angela had picked for the press conference was packed with media from all mediums. The newspaper reporters, T.V reporters, even bloggers from internet magazines had shown up. There were fans, with their cameras primed and ready and food vendors had set up stalls outside. There was a festival like feeling to the entire occasion.
Ariel stood backstage with the other cast. She had been happy to find out that Cyndi Chaw would be acting as her mother in the drama. After working with Cyndi in ISWAK 1 and 2, Ariel had a very good repertoire with her. Ivy Fan Xiao Fan would be playing her older sister and Tang Qi would be playing her grandmother. Ariel could hardly wait to start filming the drama, the familiar excitement sweeping through her once more; the excitement of a new character, a new life and a whole new world opening widely like a sleepy flower blooming late in the morning.
They were talking excitedly amongst themselves when the Wardrobe manager Clarissa came and took Ariel away to be costumed.
“You will be barefoot. Did you know?” Clarissa said as she led Ariel to the changing room.
“I what?” Ariel said. “Why?”
“This is Tuesday’s first appearance.” Angela said appearing out of the office. “We want you to be in character.”
“Oh, does this mean that Mike will be in character too?” Ariel asked.
“I am not wearing a leotard.” Mike said appearing out the changing room.
Everybody laughed.
“No, you won’t have to. You will be dressed as Daniel though. The entire cast will be in costume.”
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Outside the atmosphere of anticipation was increasing. Everyone wondered at the new collaboration of Ariel Lin and Mike He. Their explosive chemistry in Love Contract had been noted by all, as had their apparent falling out after the drama. And now everybody wanted to see, if this new series would flop like all the naysayers had already begun saying or find its way into peoples’ hearts.
The lights dimmed on stage and the audience held a collective breath. Accompanied by a lone violin, Tuesday walked slowly to the center of the stage. She was wearing a dress that very closely resembled the petals of a sunflower sewn together, only it was a shimmery white. Her feet were bare, and she had ballet slippers in one hand. She seemed to glow from the inside out. Tuesday reached the center of the stage and stood there in the spotlight, with her head bowed down. Then the other cast members came out. First Tuesday’s mother wandered in, then her sister and grandmother. They surrounded Tuesday, almost like mountains. They all looked at Tuesday without even glancing at the audience. Then Daniel walked in. Walking straight to Tuesday, he situated himself between the women. Then as a group, they all looked up at the audience and the MC spoke, “Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you the cast of Tuesday.”
The audience broke into applause.
Ariel slipped out of character with a shaky breath. It was exhilarating to be an actress. She smiled radiantly at the audience and settled into the seats that were being brought out for the cast.
Ariel and the others broke into applause as Angela, Stefan and Blanche were announced onto the stage.
After the preliminary informative speeches, came the media question time. Ariel glanced at Mike who was sitting beside her and he gave her a reassuring smile.
“Miss Lin, what made you decide to work with He Jun Xiang after your purported falling out after Love Contract?”
Ariel smiled and held on to her composure at the straight-forward attack. Hah. Belinda again. Belinda Wu had been almost single-handedly responsible for the bulk of the trash splashed over the pages of the various tabloids. As a freelancer, Belinda was not loyal to any one paper, preferring instead to sell her news to the paper that offered her the most money. Ariel despised her with every single cell in her body.
“I believe that Mike and I will be able to bring alive the beauty of Blanche’s words-“
“But what about the personal insults he-“
“Ms. Wu, we are all professionals here, yes?” Ariel leaned forward, maintaining her serene composure, “And as professionals in an industry which realizes dreams for people, it would be petty to hold on doggedly to supposed insults to one’s person. Do you not agree?”
Ariel smiled brightly at her and for once, had the pleasure of seeing Belinda Wu at a loss for words. Before, in the past, Ariel had not known how to react to such probing questions to the malicious pleasure of all reporters but most especially Belinda.
“Meet the new Ariel,” Ariel thought to herself. “Version New and Ready to Kick Your Ass.”
A few other questions followed; normal questions about the filming locations and costs which Angela and Stefan handled.
Then Belinda recovering from her set down from earlier fired a question at Mike. “Are you not afraid that Joe will be jealous?”
Mike grinned. “Wait, let me get this straight. Will Joe be jealous of me acting with Ariel or of Ariel because she’s acting with me?” He referred to the rumors that had sprung up after the explosive success of ISWAK 2.
“Well…” Belinda was once again struck down at her own game.
“You have to understand, we are colleagues, our paths often coincide and furthermore, we are friends. You will see us together many times. It doesn’t mean we are indulging in any illicit affairs. We are being very honest with you. Whether you,” and Mike gestured to the entire crowd of reporters, “choose to believe us or not, is your own prerogative.”
They then thanked everyone for coming to the press conference and reminded them to eagerly anticipate Tuesdays release and the Press Conference was declared ended by the M.C.
Ariel grinned triumphantly at Mike. “That was awesome. I wanna do it again.” She said.
Mike looked down at her and smiled at her exuberance.
Unbeknownst to them, Belinda was staring at both of them with a malevolent look on her face. “By the time I’m done with you two, you won’t ever try to mock me again.” She said very quietly to herself.
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Author's Note: How is this for an extra long chapter? And no cliff hangers either! I deserve a pineapple, eh Kettle? Thanks for reading, people. =)