The final preparations for the film festival were in full swing, and Adrian, Jom, and Kai were busy getting ready for the big event. The trio had worked hard on their short film, and the time had come to showcase their creation to the world. With the festival just around the corner, everyone had their roles to play.
Jom and Kai were at the mall, searching for clothes that would make them look presentable—stylish but not over-the-top. Adrian, on the other hand, was sitting in a quiet corner of the café, his phone pressed to his ear, deep in conversation with the scout.
"Just wait until after the festival. I'll let you know what kind of movie I'm making then," Adrian said, his voice calm but full of determination. He hadn't come to a final decision yet, but he knew that now wasn't the time to talk about it. The festival was a big deal, and the last thing he wanted was to get distracted by the pressure of making such a huge leap right after their success.
"Alright, Adrian," the scout replied, his voice slightly skeptical but understanding. "You've got your reasons, but just remember, this opportunity doesn't come around every day. When you're ready, you know where to find me."
Adrian smiled slightly, his mind already racing through the possibilities. "I know. I'll talk to you soon." He ended the call and leaned back in his chair, watching the passing people through the café window. *After the festival,* he thought. *Then I'll make my move. I have to be sure, and I can't afford to make any rash decisions.*
Meanwhile, Jom and Kai had just finished up at the clothing store. Jom, ever the one to find a way to save money, proudly held up their purchases.
"Check this out," Jom said with a grin, tossing a black suit jacket onto the bed in their cramped hotel room. "Expensive, huh? You guys look like real businessmen now."
Kai, raising an eyebrow at the outfit, smirked. "Expensive? Man, this looks like something out of a cheap knockoff shop."
"Not true," Jom replied with a laugh. "I've got a friend who owns a shop in Quiapo. Got it at a discount, plus a little extra for the 'VIP treatment.' So, yeah, it's cheap, but it looks great, doesn't it?"
Kai chuckled. "I don't care if it was made out of recycled plastic bags; we're here to make a statement. And I'd say this is looking pretty good for us."
Adrian, who was just finishing up his call, walked in and smirked at the two of them. "You guys are so full of it. You think I don't know how much that stuff costs? But whatever. As long as it fits the occasion."
"Fits the occasion?" Jom laughed. "Adrian, I think this *is* the occasion. You're walking around with two dudes who look like they could rule a small country."
Adrian shook his head with a grin. "Well, let's hope our short film does half as well as your discount suits are gonna make us look. But hey, it's your look, so let's do this."
---
The following week, the day of the film festival arrived, and the trio was ready. They had already spent the morning rehearsing their lines, checking the final details on the video, and making sure everything was in order. Adrian was dressed in his own sleek, tailored business suit—one he had purchased with his own money. He stood tall, confident, but still feeling the jitters. This was their big break, and he couldn't afford to mess it up.
As they arrived at the festival venue, the sight of the grand stage, the banners, and the sea of filmmakers and industry professionals made the trio stand a little taller. Cameras flashed, and the air was thick with excitement and anticipation. The event was buzzing with energy, and Adrian could already feel the weight of the competition bearing down on him.
Jom, ever the talkative one, couldn't help but comment as they walked into the main hall.
"Man, this suit feels like a million bucks! I should've worn this for my wedding," Jom joked, adjusting his jacket as he walked beside Adrian and Kai.
Kai laughed. "Are you serious? It looks like you're about to sell us a used car, not walk the red carpet. What is this, *Business Casual 101*?"
Jom grinned. "Hey, it may be cheap, but it's got that 'I'm rich' vibe, don't you think? Just wait until we start talking to the media. They'll think we're making millions."
Adrian smirked. "We might be making millions... if we're lucky. But, hey, look good, feel good, right?"
As they made their way through the crowd, all three of them couldn't help but notice the eyes on them. The other participants, industry professionals, and even random festival-goers were admiring them—especially Adrian. At six feet three inches, with sharp features and a well-tailored suit, Adrian stood out in the crowd. His presence was commanding, and it didn't take long before whispers began to circulate.
Before they could even make it to the event's entrance, a group of reporters surrounded them, microphones and cameras in hand. They were stopped for an impromptu interview.
"Excuse me, gentlemen," one of the reporters said, her eyes lighting up as she noticed Adrian. "You must be the creators behind the viral short film that's been trending. Can you tell us a little about your inspiration for the piece?"
Adrian blinked, momentarily caught off guard by the attention. But he quickly regained his composure. "It's all about storytelling, really. We wanted to capture something real, something raw. And the response has been overwhelming."
Kai, ever the enthusiastic one, chimed in, "We didn't expect it to go viral, honestly, but we're just happy people are connecting with it."
Jom, with his usual antics, leaned into the microphone and added, "Yeah, we were just three guys with a camera and a dream—oh, and some cheap clothes. But we're living the dream now, huh?"
The reporters laughed, clearly charmed by their candidness, but Adrian could feel the pressure mounting. The cameras weren't just pointing at him; they were capturing the beginning of something bigger. He had to make sure that their next steps were calculated.
As the interview wrapped up, the trio continued down the red carpet. But Adrian felt a strange chill in the air, as if someone was watching them—specifically him. He turned slightly to his right and caught the sight of a woman standing near one of the display booths. Her posture was stiff, her eyes locked onto him with an intensity that made his skin crawl.
The woman was tall, dressed in a sleek black outfit that exuded confidence and sophistication. She was strikingly beautiful, but there was something about the way she looked at Adrian that felt... almost predatory. Her gaze burned through him, and for a moment, Adrian felt as though she was sizing him up, measuring his worth.
Adrian's pulse quickened. It wasn't just that she was eyeing him—it was the way she was eyeing him. With an almost palpable sense of competition.
Kai, sensing the shift in Adrian's energy, nudged him. "You alright, man?"
Adrian nodded, trying to shake the unsettling feeling. "Yeah, I'm fine."
But the woman's gaze remained fixed on him as he walked past, and he couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning of something much bigger.(End Chapter)