Memoirs of Elizabeth Montecarlo

Chapter Three: Getting to know Gale Montecarlo

Today is the first day of their rehearsals. Serena never felt this good because she had long and deep sleep last night. She was able to wake up early in the morning,feeling refreshed. With a light heart and positive mind , she went to commute to the Centrum Theater. It's where they are going to have their rehearsals for 2 months,and that's where the shows are going to be held.

Once she reached her destination,she found out that the doors are still close.She talked to the guard nearby and he said that the doors will be opened at exactly 8 in the morning. Serena looked at her wristwatch and it was only 7. She still have to wait for an hour.She thanked the guard and she decided that she will sit in the corner to practice her lines again. Few minutes have passed and she was already concentrating on her lines when she suddenly heard that "too familiar" baritone voice again...

"Morning."She looked up and just like what she thought, it was Gale.And there he goes with his cute smile and dimples again. Serena smiled back at Gale and greeted him.

"Hello.""As I remember,the call time's supposed to be at 9,right? Why are you here so early in the morning?" Gale curiously asked her.

"Oh,I was thinking that I should familiriaze myself first to this place....And I'm actually an early bird,so yeah...How about you?" Serena threw the same question back to Gale.

"Well,you can say that I'm an early bird as well."

"Really,huh."

"Anyway,would you care for a cup of coffee while waiting? We can also discuss something about the script,if you want." the man suddenly suggested.

Serena was trying to hold back her smile. If she smiles too much, Gale might think that she's like an awkward high school girl who gets all mushy just because of a cute guy.

"Uh,sure. Be prepared because I'm gonna ask you lots of questions."

"I'm ready when you are.Let's go."

AT THE COFFEE SHOP.

 "You must be thinking why I don't look like my Nana."

Serena puts back the cup of black coffee on the table and looked at Gale. Maybe she was staring at him too much,but yes,he's right. She was really wondering why he doesn't have any resemblance to Dame Elizabeth Montecarlo.

"Sorry for staring at you like that and being too obvious. Anyway,if you don't feel comfortable talking about it,you don't have to."

Gale just shrugged his shoulders as he smiled widely.

"Oh no,I don't mind. Well,I got all my physical features on my  grandfather's. I guess I can say that he got stronger genes than Nana."

"Why did you decide to create a Musical Play about your Nana?" Serena's curiosity went deeper.

"Since I was a child, Nana has been telling me her life as a Musical Actress.Whenever I visit her back home,she would always bring out her vintage jade box and she would show me the almost faded black and white pictures of her youthful days.And she was an exquisite woman back in 1945.She would also tell me wonderful stories and well,there's some bad stories,too. But overall,she said that she had a wonderful life adventure...Sorry,I might be boring you with my story----!"

"No, please,continue talking. I want to know her better." she encouraged Gale to go on.

"I really appreciate your curiousity,Serena... Anyway, I was already in College when she passed away,and it broke my heart because I was never home on her final day.I was able to come to the funeral,and after all the formal ceremonies,my Mom talked to me and she said that Nana left something for me." Gale continued.

"I assume it was the old jade box?" guessed Serena.

Gale nodded as an answer."That,and there's something else."

Serena stayed silent as she eagerly waited for Gale to speak again."Hey,early birds."The moment of suspense suddenly disappeared when their Musical Director,Michael came over to their table.

"Oh,hello,Mike." Gale greeted him.

"Good morning..." Serena greeted him as well,as she was trying her best to hide her disappointment. 

She was really looking forward on what Gale was about to reveal.

"Do you guys mind if I join you?" Michael asked.

"Not at all please have a seat." Gale and Serena realized that they talked at the same time. She started giggling, while Gale started chuckling.

"I'm so glad our team members are finally opening up to each other." Michael suddenly commented, while giving them knowing looks.

"Yeah...You could say that,Mike." Gale responded. 

FEW MONTHS HAVE PASSED.

The First Night of "This is Me,Elizabeth," the Musical Play has finally arrived. Everyone are busy as a bee backstage as they were all getting ready. Meanwhile,Serena was in her own dressing room,while looking at her reflection in the mirror. Her make up,her hair and her costume are all perfect. She's going to open the first show,and now trying to calm herself,mentally and emotionally. She waited for this moment for more than 7 years,and now,she's going to face the theater world as a musical actress.

"This is it,Serena." she whispered to herself,as she closed her eyes.

Her eyes suddenly flew open when she heard someone knocking at the door. Maybe it was their Director and Producer outside, and they're just dropping by to say hello and to wish her goodluck.

"Come in." she called out. When the door opened,she was surprised to see Gale entering the room. She automatically smiled and all of her worries magically vanished.

"Hey...Are you ready to start the show?"he asked.

"I've waited for this moment for seven years, so I'm more than ready." Serena chirped.

"Before you go onstage,I just dropped by to give you something."

Serena's eyes sparkled in excitement after she heard Gale.

"What is it?"

Gale walked towards her and he showed her a large-sized velvet box. Serena gasped in awe when she saw the sparkling necklace. The blue sapphire pendant adorned with small diamonds literally took her breath away.

"I-I think I've seen this necklace somewhere..." she breathed out in disbelief.

"Yes. This is my Nana's favorite necklace, and she always wears this in her after-party performances."

"I never thought I'd see this with my own two eyes.. For real. Can I touch it?"

"No."Serena tried her best to hide her disappointment after Gale's reply.

"Oh. I'm sorry,it was your Nana's prized possession,I shouldn't have asked."

Gale's eyes twinkled while looking at her.

"What I'm about to say is----you can't just touch it. You're going to wear this tonight."

Serena's eyes widened in utter shock. She felt like she won a million bucks and she felt like everything is just a dream. It will be a big honor for her to wear Elizabeth Montecarlo's necklace.

"A-Are you sure about this?"

"I'm sure as I am standing here. Now,look at the mirror and sit up straight. Let me put this on you."

Serena followed Gale's instructions. She softly gasped when she felt the cold diamond on her neck and her collarbone. She can also feel the weight of the necklace...But what made her senses go haywire is the fact that Gale's face is just a few inches from her face and if she moves a bit,then they could've kissed----

-"There. You were already beautiful awhile ago but now you look...Ethereal." 

Serena's fantasy world suddenly made a pause when she heard Gale's voice.

"I can't believe this! Everything is just so perfect. I can't thank you enough,Gale."

" Anyway,the play is about to start and just what we all say---break a leg,okay?" Gale finally wished her well.

"I will."

Gale gave her one last look and he left the room afterwards. She looked at her reflection in the mirror while touching the delicate diamonds with her fingers...

"I'll never forget this night..." she whispered to herself.

"----It's time,Serena. Let's go." one of the Assistants finally called her.Serena closed her eyes and whispered a little prayer and she wished for the success of the opening night...Then she stood up and prepared herself for the first show....