CHAPTER 62: MISS FUTURE MOVIE STAR

That earned her a long, curious look from Soraya, who tilted her head. "You can act?" she asked bluntly. Then, realizing how it sounded, she added quickly, "I mean—sorry, but you are serious?"

Erisia’s lips curved in amusement. "Yes. I’m very serious. And about acting?" Her tone dipped lower, her words deliberate. "Let’s just say I’m very good at it."

Soraya let out a low whistle, crossing her arms with an incredulous grin. "You just keep giving me surprises today, don’t you? If Ciara finds out, she’ll lose her mind. She’s been obsessed with having ’a friend to fulfill her dreams’"

Erisia chuckled softly. "Too bad, I can’t fulfill her dreams. I can only fulfill mine."

"Well," Soraya said, leaning forward, elbows resting on her knees. "You came to the right person. I don’t work in the business, but I know plenty of people who do. So—what exactly do you want to know?"

"Everything you can tell me about how people actually start. The parts no one puts online — where to find real auditions, who’s scouting for new faces, the kind of managers to avoid... all of it."

Soraya laughed under her breath, shaking her head. "You don’t waste time, do you?"

"Not anymore,"

"You’re really serious about this, aren’t you?"

Erisia smiled faintly, leaning back in her seat. "Completely."

"Alright then," Soraya said, setting down her phone and crossing her legs. "Let’s start with the basics. The industry looks all glamorous from the outside, but it’s a jungle — especially now. Everyone’s trying to ’get discovered,’ but most people don’t even know how the discovery process works."

Erisia tilted her head slightly, listening intently.

"First off, forget what you see online. Ninety percent of those casting calls and ’agent opportunities’ are scams or low-budget students begging for unpaid labor. The real doors don’t open on websites — they open through people."

"I figured as much," Erisia murmured.

"Good." Soraya shifted in her seat, crossing her legs. "There are basically three ways to get noticed: one — agency auditions; two — production assistants or stylists who leak casting info early; and three — social media visibility. Since you said you don’t want an agent yet..."

"I don’t," Erisia said firmly. "I want to stay independent until I’m the one holding the leverage."

Soraya’s lips curved into an approving smirk. "Spoken like someone who’s done her homework. Agents can open doors, but they also chain you to contracts that eat you alive. So, here’s what you do. Start small — but strategic. Indie films, short projects, commercials. The pay is trash, but those casting teams talk. If you make a strong impression once, your name circulates."

Erisia nodded slightly. "And how do I even find these castings?"

"That’s where connections come in." Soraya leaned forward a little, lowering her voice. "Forget public boards. Real notices drop early in private Telegram or Discord circles — invite-only chats run by production assistants and casting coordinators. That’s where the first calls go out before official listings appear anywhere else."

Her expression softened slightly. "I’ll send you a few links, and a couple of names. People who don’t mind a new face — if she walks in with confidence and a decent portfolio."

Erisia tilted her head. "Portfolio?"

"Yeah. Simple stuff. A few clean headshots — no filters, no studio glam, just you in natural light. And a short acting reel, maybe a minute or two. Record it yourself if you have to — something that shows you can feel on camera. The rest is personality."

Erisia’s tone was thoughtful. "Alright. I can handle that."

Soraya’s smile deepened. "I don’t doubt it. Oh — and one more thing. Stay independent until someone credible offers you something you can’t refuse. Anyone who calls you first? Run."

"That’s already the plan."

Soraya chuckled, then reached for her phone. "In that case... there’s a director you might want to know about. Lennard Crewe. Bit eccentric, hates corporate media, but he loves discovering unknowns. Word is, he’s casting a small feature for the festival circuit. It won’t make you rich, but it’ll make people remember you."

Erisia’s eyes gleamed. "Do you think I should audition?"

Soraya met her gaze, a grin tugging at her lips. "If you’re serious? You’d be stupid not to."

"Then I’ll find out where it’s being held."

Soraya smirked. "I’ll make a few calls. If I get the details, I’ll send them your way."

"Thank you," Erisia said, sincerity in her tone.

Soraya waved her off. "Please. You’re basically handing me front-row seats to your debut story. I’m just investing early."

Erisia laughed softly. "Then let’s make sure your investment pays off."

Soraya leaned back, shaking her head with a small laugh. "You’re something else, you know that?"

Erisia gave her a calm, knowing smile. "So I’ve been told."

Ciara returned at that moment, Rita now out of the fitting room and holding a bag. "Did I miss anything important?"

Soraya grinned. "Just Erisia’s next career move."

Ciara blinked. "Wait — career move?"

Erisia stood, smoothing her gown and grabbing her latte. "I’ve decided to act."

Ciara’s jaw dropped for a beat before she broke into a grin. "You? Really?! You aren’t fucking with me are you?"

"Really," Soraya cut in, and Ciara broke into a wide grin.

"Why the hell didn’t I know you were this ambitious?" She whirled around and narrowed her eyes at Rita, "You knew about this didn’t you?"

Rita stepped back, "Uhh...Yeah?"

Rita stepped back, caught between guilt and laughter. "Uhh... yeah? Kind of? But in my defense, she told me not to say anything to anyone."

Ciara gasped dramatically, clutching her chest. "Unbelievable. My own friend doesn’t trust me to keep a secret?"

Erisia arched a brow and didn’t point out that she had just become friends with Rita. "You sound like I just confessed to being a spy."

"You might as well be!" Ciara huffed, but the grin tugging at her lips gave her away. "You seriously want to act? Like — for real? Cameras, scripts, emotional breakdowns, fake blood, crying under rain machines—"

"Pretty much," Erisia said, completely unfazed.

Soraya snorted. "You’re being dramatic, Ciara. Besides, it’s just preparation."

"Of course I am! That’s acting, babe," Ciara shot back before turning to Erisia again. "Alright then, Miss Future Movie Star. Just promise you won’t ghost us when you’re walking red carpets."

Erisia gave her a sly smile. "No promises."

Ciara clinked her sparkling water lightly against Rita’s cup. "Fine, then. Here’s to Erisia — actress, heartbreaker, soon-to-be tabloid favorite."

Erisia rolled her eyes but couldn’t stop her smile. "You’re all ridiculous."

Soraya leaned in with a smirk. "Ridiculous, maybe. But remember this moment when you’re doing your first press interview — because I’ll be the one saying I called it."

Erisia chuckled softly, picking up her shopping bag. "Deal."