"June, when I first heard the rumors of your return, I didn't believe it until Vin sent me a clip of your scene on the set of 'Lovely You'. I must confess, I was extremely excited." Miss A remarked.
"It's good to have you back. Yesterday, Tony informed me that you picked my script amongst countless others, and I just couldn't wait to talk to you. Thank you for deciding to work with me again." Director Vin added.
"I am the one grateful. I didn't think that I would be able to work with you, and Miss A again. Five years ago, my scandal nearly ruined the release of your project. I am sorry for that."
"This is Hollywood, we go through such things everytime. That's water under the bridge. What matters is that, we are able to work together again." Director Vin noted with a smile.
"June, apart from working with Director Vin, and myself. We have this project coming up. It's still in works, but we wanted you as a lead role. It is a similar to the 'Database'. This is between Vin and I."
"That would be an absolute pleasure, Miss A. To be the first choice for a series similar to the 'Database' is such an honor. I don't even need to read the script before I accept it. I will work with you two in a heartbeat, even in my next life." June said and made them laugh.
"June, you are a kind-hearted girl. You made it through the mud, and I am proud of you. Now that you have Luigi, I'm very certain that, 'that person', won't be able to influence the industry against you anymore." Director Vin said with compunction.
Although he knew Ziggy's behavior was egregious, he couldn't openly take sides nor work with June because he was under a contract and had to work with whomever the investors wanted.
"I understand, Director Vin, and I don't blame you. Let's put that behind us."
"June has such a mellifluous aura, that I admire so much. In this industry, it is rare to meet such few people who still haven't been changed by the dirty games in it." Miss A smiled.
The rest of the afternoon was spent discussing the script, and arranging schedules. June was excited to start another project. She didn't want to focus on unnecessary things and maintained a clear head through out.
After concluding her meeting with them, she came out to meet Sari at the car park.
"June, fancy running into you here? I see you had a great meeting with Director Vin and Miss A." Frank said, amusedly.
"You missed the part that said, you basically stalked her here." Sari got out of the car and tried to protect June.
"Come on, Sari. Are you not even going to allow June open her mouth anymore? She was speaking eloquently inside." Frank smirked.
When he got the call earlier on, he was a little skeptical, because June was now backed by Luigi. Everyone in the industry knew that. But so what? Now that Kareena herself was asking for his help in putting June in her place, he couldn't reject the offer. Especially, the money that came with it.
"Let's go, June." Sari turned to open the door for June.
"I just want to ask a few questions. Surely, you wouldn't mind that. Would you?" Frank asked.
"Yes, she would mind. June is not going to tell you anything." Sari snapped.
"What if it's about Carlos? You might not know this, but I heard that Carlos is interested in playing the male lead role in this joint project of Director Vin and Miss A."
Seeing the surprise on their faces, he laughed. "Oops! Looks like you were not informed. Or you are just too excited to speak. June, are you secretly happy that you and Carlos will reunite through this project?" He mocked.
"Sari, let's go." June got into the car without saying anything to Frank.
Sari joined her in the driver's seat. She rolled up the windows and drove away.
"June, this is just the beginning." Frank tapped his camera lightly before walking away.
.....
Mory Estates, Apartment 507.
"I'm so tired, my legs hurt. I'm not going to wear heels for a few days. I need to let my sols breathe." June sat down and removed her moon boots heels.
"You are welcome, my darlings. How was work today? My ladies, I made you fruit juice." Gita was in the kitchen when they arrived. She poured two glasses of juice and gave to them.
"Thank you, you are a sweetheart." Sari said after sipping the juice.
"This is good. Thank you, darling." June removed her phone and sent some money to Gita. "I sent you a gift."
Gita picked her phone and smiled. "You have a beautiful heart, my darling. I love you." Gita kissed June's forehead.
"Have you gotten any work done today for your mysterious boss?" Sari asked curiously.
"Yes, in fact I will be attending the wedding of Wanda and CEO Jackson to cover it exclusively. I don't know how he did it, but he managed to get exclusive rights to cover the wedding and guess who he gave the invite to? Yes, yours truly. Me!" Gita bragged.
"Wow! Looks like all of us are going to be there together next month." June commented cheerfully.
"I really underestimated this guy. He's more resourceful than I thought. Gita, have you considered getting to know him?" Sari was curious too.
"No! I love the mystery. I feel that if I try to get to know him on a personal level. If I try to get to know him, it might bring unpleasant things. Let's just keep it that way." Gita smiled and leaned against June.
"What I'm most curious about is how things are going between our June and Luigi." Gita teased June.
"I need some rest..." June stood up, trying to avoid the question.
"Sit down. I just want to live vicariously through you." Gita held June's hand.
"Unfortunately, I don't have a life for you to live vicariously through. Maybe, you should live vicariously through your mysterious boss. Goodnight, sweethearts." June picked her purse and went into her room.
"Did something happen? June looks a bit down." Gita turned and asked Sari.
"We ran into Frank."
"Frank? The reporter? What does he want?" Gita frowned.
"He's still obsessed with June. I've already reported him to Tony and the label will serve him a letter if he doesn't stop harassing June."
"I feel that, we are suddenly back, five years ago. I don't know if this second chance is a blessing or a curse. Why are all these unnecessary people suddenly interested in ruining June? She doesn't even bother anybody." Gita sighed.
"Beats me. But this time around, I won't sit back and watch them succeed. We were powerless back then, but we are not now. Tony has assured us of the label's full support. They will release a statement soon."
"That's fine. I don't want June to get drained too soon."
.....
Freeman Penthouse.
"So, that's what happened this week. But June is holding up. She's much stronger than I thought." Tony was face timing Luigi with his computer.
"Any news on Ziggy Owens?" Luigi asked.
"Nope. Since he pressured for the news of his dirty games to be trifled, he hasn't made any significant move, but I heard he's in talks with Kareena with the hopes of getting her to sign to his label. Since Kareena hates June, I think it might work out."
"It has to work out. I want that woman to sign to Ziggy. That way, I won't waste my time taking them out one after the other. A clean sweep will be enough to get them both out for good. Did you find out what I asked you yesterday?"
"Yes, I did. As of now, Carlos hasn't made an attempt to get in touch with June, but he's been talking to Director Vin a lot behind the scenes. Do you think he wants to work with June in this project?" Tony asked, and chuckled.
"That isn't far-fetched. The rumors of his breakup couldn't have happened at this time for nothing."
"What if June still has feelings for him? Bro, you might lose your girl to another man."
"June doesn't have feelings for him. She is mine, and no one will be able to take her away."
"Are you that confident?"
"June will never go back to a man that left her the moment she got into trouble. I'm never wrong in my judgement." Luigi smiled.
"Okay. Let me ask you, it's over two weeks since you left. When do you plan on returning?"
"I was supposed to return tomorrow, but I might take a couple more days due to some unexpected changes in the schedule. Does the label need me?"
"Not really, but we need to film the promotional material, so that June can focus on her next project. Director Vin will share the script reading schedule with me by the close of this week. My brother and Wanda's wedding is coming up. I have a lot on my plate."