33: The Optimist and the Pessimist

It’s Drino’s debut party night at Montezales' residence, his parents' house. The film shooting will be done in less than a month, so it was possible to have an advanced debut party that his parents arranged.

Ashmille didn’t have time to bring and change her work clothes, so she came to the party with a backpack, blue pants, white sneakers, and a black polo shirt. Her shirt has the school’s logo and the school’s name on the upper part of it. She removed her ponytail and brushed her hair with her fingers to cover the company name. She removed her face mask. She grabbed her lipstick from her bag and dabbed it on her lower lip, then she pressed her lips together. Then she pulled up her face mask to cover more than half of her face.

While walking into the village, she saw some of the guests arriving in their cars. They wear cocktail dresses, glistening jewelry, and intricate watches. They speak in an expensive accent.

“Ma’am, please remove your mask,” a male guard told her.

She did what she was told to.

“What’s your name, Ms?” a female event assistant asked her.

“I’m Ashmille, Ashmille Feder.”

She checked her name on her tablet gadget and smiled. “Please proceed. You may take your seats and have some cocktails. Welcome to the party and enjoy.”

“Thank you.”

She went inside the house and saw a large house with a garden, an atrium, and a 5-foot swimming pool. There are high tables and chairs, grazing tables full of finger food, and a designed mini bar area for drinks and cocktails. The dancing lights complement the ambient background music.

A group of actors filled the living room. A group of film staff surrounded the dinner table area. Drino’s relatives arrived with gifts. Tim, Drino’s programmer, and some of his employees also arrived.

“Where are your parents?” Ritch, wearing a light purple off-shoulder cocktail dress, asked Drino.

His acting colleagues are here.

“Oh, they’re still in the airport abroad. They had their flight delayed and will return tomorrow morning. We were supposed to celebrate this party together, but they insisted on doing it anyway, not to embarrass you guys,” he answered.

Drino styled his hair with wax and wore a dark brown tuxedo with an embroidered abstract design, showing off his creative formal style.

“Your relatives are incoming,” his manager murmured in his all-gray tuxedo.

“Excuse me,” he said, walking away when he saw them at a distance.

After entertaining at least 50 guests one by one, the program started. The emcee is none other than Drino himself because he wanted to make his debut party intimate. He delivered an opening speech, expressed his gratitude, and gave a brief update on his life. For added entertainment, he hired live singers, musicians, and dancers. Ritch is one of the singers who sang solo. After his speech, they began eating and networking.

“Drino,” Anthasia called him. “What’s this about that you were seen dating someone? Who is this girl wearing a red hoodie?”

Anthasia looked sophisticated in an all-black pleated sleeveless jumpsuit, 4-inch black stilettos, and a black beaded clutch.

“You’re a few days late to be shocked by the news.”

“You didn’t even tell me.”

“I know you’re busy with your law school. It’s stressful already, so no need to add more stress to you. Besides, aren’t you congratulating me instead of reprimanding me?”

“Pardon my attitude,” they embraced each other. “How are you? It’s been a year since we last met.”

“Doing better than usual.”

“Congratulations on your role! I know you’ll fit to be a main character.”

“Thank you. This is my first acting journey, yet I became the leading man instantly. It was a whim decision of mine, but without it, I wouldn’t be holding this debut party. Oh, my parents initiated this to party, by the way.”

“I heard they’re stuck at the airport for a while and won’t make it here on time.”

“Yes, but they’ll be here tomorrow morning.”

“Then I should stay with you until tomorrow morning. We need to discuss my family’s business with you.”

“How’s Tita and Tito?” he’s referring to Anthasia’s parents, who are close with his.

“They won’t make it here tonight. So, they sent me not only for the party but also for your business matter.”

“Right”

“I don’t have lavish gifts as your relatives do, but I hope you’d appreciate this.”

“What’s your gift then?”

“Our firm is confident that we will win your case. It’s on the house.”

“Absolutely not, Anthasia.”

“It is possible. Don’t you underestimate my dad on this.”

“I didn’t intend to. What I mean is, I will still be paying you.”

“Take this as reciprocation for all the things you did for us. If not, my dad would be mad at you.”

“You got me there.”

“I’m a daughter of both lawyers, remember?”

“Right, you’re always right,” he chuckled.

“Going back, who’s the red hoodie girl?”

“Ah-”

“Excuse me, Alejandrino,” someone called him.

“You are?” she asked Ashmille.

“Oh, sorry,” Drino excused. He didn’t notice she was standing behind him.

“Hi. I’m Ashmille, one of your classmates in college,” she introduced herself with a brief description because it was obvious Anthasia had forgotten about her.

Ashmille interrupted on purpose because she overheard their last conversation about the red hoodie girl. This is to save Drino from further interrogations.

Anthasia’s eyebrows slightly met.

“Ashmille Feder, my thesis mate,” Drino added.

Anthasia’s eyebrows now met. “That Ashmille?”

“The Ashmille,” Drino cleared with a diction.

“Well, good evening. What are you doing here?”

She’s confused why she’s at this party. As far as she knew, they had not contacted each other after their thesis presentation. And that she is sure that there wasn’t anything suspicious going on between them.

She looked at her from head to toe.

What a lousy outfit for a party. I bet she wasn’t informed that this is more than just a commoner’s party. Anthasia thought.

“She’s my character partner. I work with her, she works with me, and the same agency I work with.”

“What? How come you’ve crossed paths? There’s not a single thing that connects you. Not your career, relatives, or friends.”

“Me, it’s me. The agency employed her for the job position that only she can do for me.”

“And that is? Wait, what does a character partner do?”

Uh-oh, it seems Anthasia can sense that it wasn’t an official or usual job position. It was a personal request of Drino for his career growth, and Ashmille invented the name.

“I-It is to help Alejandrino to be more comfortable with the on-screen role he’s acting. Basically, like his acting assistant.”

“Acting coach? Are you even an acting coach for real?”

“Something like that,” Drino intervened. “She possesses the skills, is qualified for the position, and she was our classmate. Who’s the best candidate other than her?”

Anthasia squinted her eyes. She’s not buying them. She’s soon to be a lawyer, so she can sense lies immediately just by looking at their expressions.

“How on earth did you two start working again…” she muttered.

Ashmille scratched her right eyebrow.

“Something’s wrong with you,” she glared at her.

“Everything’s well with us, Anthasia. Isn’t this like a reunion? Several psychology students under Sir Montey’s class are reuniting after three years!”

The triple As met again – Anthasia, Alejandrino, and Ashmille.

“Soon I will find it out.” She averted her gaze and turned it to Drino. “She was never part of our group.”

“I invited them, too, but they couldn’t make it.” He’s referring to Terryl and Savi’s group. “And hey, Ashmille might not be part of our group in college, but she is my group,” he defended.

“If you’ll excuse me. I’ll grab some food.” Ashmille would like to avoid additional questions.

“Brilliant! Let’s have some food, shall we? I’ll entertain some guests for a while. Enjoy the rest of the night!”