*** Picture of this chapter, the busy and beautiful Los Angeles and the Hollywood sign. Song for this chapter California Dreamin' by The Mamas and The Papas***

International Studios wasn't too far from my hotel so in order to kill my nerves, I decided to walk there. As I made my way to my future, I got myself a Mocha Latte from my favorite coffee place and walked slowly, taking in this big city.

Los Angeles is a beautiful city, very modern, with heavy traffic and with light people, in a way is kind of similar to Rio, and my heart aches as I remember the Brazilian city.

I try very hard not to think about my past, or the audition, or the lines I had memorized. I've read the book already so the lines were easy to learn. I've been working with an accent coach for this interview so hopefully, my accent won't be noticed by the producers. However, English has been my second language ever since I was six years old because my parents always enrolled me in bilingual schools. I still have a slight accent, especially when I am mad or excited, the Latina in me resurges.

I got to the studio, a very nice teenage boy takes me to where the auditions are being held, I can see he is attracted to me because he keeps trying to look into my cleavage as we speak. He asks if I am from L.A or if I have a boyfriend. I smile and give him yes or no answers as not to make him feel that I am leading him on. As we got to a door with a piece of paper written Love the CEO on it, he waves me goodbye. I give a little prayer so to calm my nerves and enter the room. There were around five actresses waiting to be interviewed. They all fit the profile, brown middle length hair, blue eyes. And I was starting to feel nervous again. I take a seat that was available next to a water fountain and smile the girl sitting in front of me. She looks familiar, maybe she is a model or an actress, I can't remember where I know her from. A girl comes from the room where I guess the auditions are being held and calls, "Melanie Jordan", the girl across from me stands up and follows her inside the room. Now I remember her! She is a well-known model, she used to be a Victoria Secret's Angel! I go into panic mode, I have no chances against this girl! In order to calm my nerves, I take a sip of water from the fountain and decide to take a look at my phone and check my social media, sometimes reading other people's posts help me relax. I smile at the post my sister had just published, a new picture of my nephews playing soccer. That warmed my heart immediately, I love those boys deeply, they are my life.

"Macarena Santana?"

A woman asked and when I raised my hand she motioned me to follow her. As I stood up, I smoothed my dress and noticed that two of the girls were gone, I guess I zoned out watching my nephews' pictures.

The meeting room had a big round table where four people were sitting looking at me. I shook each of their hands and to my surprise, Jules Bennett, author of Love the CEO, was among the interviewers.

"How do you do, Macarena? I've been waiting for your audition. I hope you get the role."

I smile at Jules and nod frantically.

"Me too."

Then my eyes met Tom Stewart's, one of the producers, and by his expression, I knew I was losing my cool. I immediately tried to recompose myself and Raphe, the director, spoke softly.

"Ok Macarena, whenever you are ready."

I smiled and braced myself to read my lines.

The audition consisted of a scene, which by coincidence, it's my favorite part of the book: the first encounter between Jess, the protagonist, and the CEO. It is a smart meeting where the sexual attraction is present but neither characters show it. Steve, the other producer, was going to read the lines with me.

He started reading and I followed the lead, after the second sentence I was feeling as if I was Jess for real, portraying all her insecurities and attraction towards this mysterious man. After what it felt like an eternity, the dialogue was over and thanks to the Almighty, I didn't mess up with my lines.

A few seconds pass and nobody said a word, I saw them exchanging some glances and Jules was the first to address me.

"So, Macarena, I know you are from Peru, still your accent is almost imperceptible, I like you." She gave me another warm smile and I felt at ease.

"She still needs to work with an accent coach" Raphe stated.

"Her curriculum is very impressive, she's just graduated from Juilliard!" Tom looked impressed while nodding at Jules, and then all of them were having a conversation as though I wasn't there.

Jules kept defending me and saying how I could work on anything they had to say against me, so did Tom.

I didn't know what to do. If I should stay in the room, or leave them to discuss my future and let Jules and Tom handle it for me. I had a great impression of Jules, she was very kind and also very understanding. I guess she was the one person who thought I was the perfect fit to portray Jess.

So, after what it felt like forever, and thanks to Jules Bennett, I got the role. My very first movie and it was going to be a major one! Words couldn't explain how excited I felt at that moment. I couldn't believe my luck!

I always thought I was a regular looking girl. Dirty blonde hair with natural highlights, blue eyes, skinny and rather tall; not a supermodel, for sure. So I am always surprised at how my life turned out to be. I went from a teenage surfer to supermodel, and now an actress. I guess I have to thank my guardian angel.

The only request I had from the producers was to work on my accent since Jess is American not Latin but the guy who is supposed to be the CEO is Irish so he would have to work on his accent as well. That relaxed me a little.

Now I'm curious about this Irish guy. I hope we have the chemistry needed for this movie. 

*** Thank you to everyone of you reading this for the second time, how are you liking the new extended chapters? If this is your first time reading this, welcome and thank you for your support! This chapter is dedicated to 4thpowermama my dear friend who always supports me, Thank you babe! A special thank you to randomsweetstuff for making the beautiful covers for all my Filming books <3  :) Please let me know how you like my story and until next Monday! Xoxo-Z ***

Published on November 13th 2017

1214 words

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