Reborn With a Money-Making System: Ruined Actress to Nation's Treasure-Chapter 90: Audition Day

A few days later, the long-awaited audition day finally arrived. I’d been practicing my acting for several days and even sent my practice video to Marissa.

She admitted that she hadn’t expected much since I was just a rookie, but after watching the video, she said she could feel the emotions through the screen, as if she was watching a real movie.

Marissa wasn’t the kind of person who liked flattering others unless she truly meant it, so I believed she was genuinely impressed by my acting.

Even so, when the actual audition day came, I couldn’t help but feel nervous. I had practiced all of Mia’s lines over and over again, yet the thought that I might not be good enough for them wouldn’t leave my mind.

"Helcia, the audition will be divided into three stages," Marissa explained as we drove to the Green Leaf Production office. "For today, they’ll go through the applicants’ profiles and ask you to perform a monologue they’ve prepared."

Basically, the first round was meant to test how well the actors could express emotions through their facial expressions. Usually, they’d ask the participants to act out lines filled with intense emotions such as sadness or anger.

However, since Mia’s character was described as kind and gentle, they would probably ask me to use a soft, delicate tone.

"I know the first time can be scary, but trust me..." Marissa patted my shoulder gently, trying to calm me down. "You have great potential. I can tell just from your practice video."

I smiled at her. "Thank you, Marissa." Then I added, "Did my husband say anything when you told him I’d be auditioning at a production company under his family’s management?"

Lando had been extremely busy lately because I heard Zentra Media was launching its first dating game next month, so I rarely saw him at home.

Even when I did, he looked like a walking zombie who hadn’t slept in days, so I decided not to disturb him for a while.

Still, I was certain Marissa always updated him about me, since he was the one paying her salary for a while.

"Not really," Marissa said with a small shrug. "His relationship with his family isn’t great, but since Green Leaf Production is just a branch of Brix Entertainment, his brother probably won’t even notice your presence."

Besides, Brix Entertainment had so many films in production this year that a small teenage romance series wouldn’t really catch their attention.

"But he told me to keep an eye on you," Marissa continued seriously. "If anyone tries to sabotage you or do something bad, tell me or Mr. Brixton right away. We’ll always believe you."

My smile brightened at her words. It was truly comforting to have people around me who believed in what I said instead of trying to gaslight me into thinking I was overreacting.

"I will," I promised softly. "Don’t worry."

When we arrived at the audition venue, I handed over my registration form, my latest photo, and my CV to the Green Leaf Production staff.

"This is your queue number," the staff said kindly, handing me a small card with a number on it. "You can enter the studio once we call you."

"Thank you," I said, taking the card carefully.

The waiting area was only for the cast applicants, so Marissa couldn’t come in with me and decided to wait at the cafeteria instead.

Since it wasn’t technically my first time doing this, I told myself I wasn’t nervous, but that was a lie! Of course, I was nervous!

It had been so long since I’d done something like this. The pressure to get everything right made my stomach twist uncomfortably. Every time I looked around and saw others reciting their lines, I felt even more anxious.

[You’re really cute, Host.]

What the hell was that supposed to mean?!

How could Penny see me being nervous like this and think it was cute? Was this system programmed to be weird on purpose?

[You’re an experienced actress, yet you still get nervous every time you audition or do your work.]

I let out a deep sigh and muttered inwardly, ’First of all, I’ve been on hiatus for over a year. Second, this probably has something to do with my new body and situation.’

To be honest, it was intimidating to walk into an audition when I barely had any portfolio under my current name.

Most of the people around me had at least appeared in a few small movies. At least that was better than having nothing to show at all.

[But, Host. You’ve already starred in a commercial, and it’s going to be launched tomorrow. Doesn’t that prove that you’re already familiar with this industry?]

I sighed again. Maybe it would’ve been better if the advertisement had come out before my first audition. But I understood that ad productions could take time because they needed everything ready before launching, from editing to product distribution.

As my nerves grew worse, I tried not to drink too much water. The last thing I wanted was to need the bathroom right in the middle of my audition. So, to calm myself down, I decided to send a message to my husband.

Honestly, I didn’t mean to bother him, especially when he was probably drowning in work right now. But I couldn’t help it. I didn’t really have anyone else to talk to, and no one who’d listen to my silly nervous rants, except him.

I typed a few sentences and sent them.

[Me: Husband, I’m at the audition right now. I’m a bit nervous, but maybe I can make it... or maybe not? What do you think? Do you think I can make it?]

Usually, he would reply to my messages almost immediately. But when he was really busy, it could take a while. Just like now, it took him at least twenty minutes to reply. Still, the moment his notification appeared, a wave of relief washed over me.

[Lando: You can make it. Marissa told me you have potential.]

Not long after, another message came in.

[Green Leaf Production is a great place to start your acting career, but do me a favor, if anyone harasses you there, don’t stay quiet. Tell me immediately. Do you understand?]

Seeing how cautious he was, I became completely certain that Kai Brixton wasn’t as kind as he appeared to be. Still, at least he wasn’t malicious enough to make Lando forbid me from joining this audition.

[Me: I understand. Marissa told me the same thing earlier.]

[Lando: Good. I’m sorry, Helcia, but I have to attend another meeting now. I’ll try to come home earlier tonight.]

I replied with a heart sticker and turned off my phone to avoid any distractions, especially since I noticed that the number being called was already close to mine.

I took another deep breath and tried to focus. The sound of numbers being called one after another made my heartbeat grow faster.

A few minutes later, the staff’s voice echoed through the waiting room. "Number forty-three, please come in."

That was my turn.

I stood up, smoothed out the wrinkles on my dress, and picked up my script. My palms were a little sweaty, but I reminded myself that this was what I had been preparing for.

[You can do it, Host,] Penny said in a gentle voice inside my head. [Remember, your skills are your weapon!]

I smiled faintly. "Right," I whispered under my breath before pushing the door open.

The audition room was bright and quiet. Three judges sat behind a long table, with a large camera set up in front of them. One of the staff members guided me to the center of the room.

"Please introduce yourself first," said the man sitting in the middle. His tone was calm but firm, the kind that made you want to straighten your back immediately.

I bowed slightly. "Good afternoon. My name is Helcia Orszebet. I’m here to audition for the role of Mia."

"Alright," said the judge sitting on the left while jotting something down in his notes. "Helcia, we’re going to give you a random monologue, and we’ll ask you to perform it with different emotions. Do you understand?"

All of them looked so serious, and the lack of female presence in the room made me feel a little uncomfortable. Even so, I kept my smile as bright as I could.

"I understand!" I replied quickly.

The judge in the middle nodded slightly, flipping through a few papers before handing one to the staff. "Alright then, you may start when you’re ready."

The staff passed me a printed sheet. I took it carefully and glanced down at the lines. It wasn’t long, just a short dialogue.

I took a deep breath, letting my mind focus. The silence in the room was heavy, and the camera light blinked red, signaling it was recording.

"Okay," I said softly, mostly to myself. "I’m ready now."