Chapter 6: The Unemployment

Camila Almada's POV

Last night was the bomb. I cannot believe that I was a backup dancer for one and only Lisa Gonzales. It was like having a dream come true. But of course, like Cinderella, everything changed when the morning came.

I just got an email from Ms. Lily that I was to meet her at the theatre. I don't think it was about my performance or anything since I was not in the lead. I hoped I get promoted today. I'm feeling giddy just thinking about it.

"Hmm, hmm, hmm, Romeo take me somewhere we can be alone, I'll keep waiting, all there's left to do is run, is this in my head, I don't know what to think~~~," I was humming the last song from last night. It was magical and I loved it.

after taking the shower and get dressed, I went to pick my phone and wallet as I was trying to make sure that I was presentable. I cannot have Ms. Lily think that I was up all night and my body was sore.

I went out of the suite as I went to the elevator. There was a housekeeper that was coming toward me and I smiled at her. She smiled back before I pushed the buttons and I waited. The elevator dinged and I was hoping that I will get there in time.

walking in Lisbon was such a bliss. It was not that busy or hot or cold right now. Just the right temperature and it will do wonders to my sore legs. More aching.

I winced when I think about it. I shook my head when I was in front of the theatre and went inside to the usual room that we meet. it was dark and gloomy despite the day it was almost noon. I looked around before I stepped inside.

"Hello, is anyone here?" I asked in Portuguese as I was looking around before the lights were on. Ms. Lily was waiting for me as I was smiling at her.

"take a seat, Ms. Almada," her voice was cold, not the usual warmth that I heard whenever we were about to perform. I wonder what changed it.

"Lovely day, isn't it?" I asked as I was trying to make the heavy tension lifted away. I hoped it was working. Ms. Lily was giving me the stink eye before she slammed something in front of me. It has my name on the files and then I realized it was my contract. I gulped.

"So, Ms. Lily, why are you wanting to see me?" I asked her as I was smiling at her. She looked at me up and down as I was trying to flinch under her eyes. She was beautiful, no doubt, but right now, she was like an evil stepmother in Cinderella's story.

"well, where are you last night?" She asked me as she took a seat opposite me. I looked at her before I blinked at her.

"well, of course, I was in my house? We don't have any rehearsal or performance last night," I lied as I don't want to get caught that I was sneaking away to dance for Lisa. She arched her eyebrow before she snapped her fingers. A man came with an envelope in his hand.

"Well, Camila. Let me introduce you to this then, and let's hear your answer again about where are you last night, hmm?" She said as she was pulling something from the envelope. The man was gone. Ms. Lily pulled out and all blood drained from my face.

there were pictures, tons of pictures, of me dancing in front of the stage as I was smiling and beaming. Sweat was starting to form at my brows as I looked at the photos. I picked up a picture and I just laughed at it, nervously.

"well, someone looks a lot like me," I said before I looked at Ms. Lily narrowed her eyes.

"and of course, is this that same person's voice then?" She said before she played the recording. I gulped before I hear it.

"Hello?"

"Hello, hi. My name is Camila. I just saw this advertisement to be the backup dancer for Lisa Gonzales and I was wondering if you have any spots left?"

"hmm, what's your name again?"

"Camila,"

"Okay, Camila. Look. I don't know how you get my number but it must be because fate wants me to meet you and maybe let you get inside the backup dancer,"

"But, you have to audition like everyone else. The next one will be in 30 minutes. Can you make it here until then?"

"yes, I'm total can make it,"

"good, well we see you at the Raven's Club then. I looked forward to seeing you, Camila,"

the recording stopped as Ms. Lily put it onto the table. She was putting her hands together on the table as she looked at me.

"so, still think you wanted to play innocent, Ms. Almada?" She looked at me as I was betraying her and she was out to kill me now.

"look, I can explain—" she held her hands up as she looked at me. She flipped the contract as I don't know what she was looking for. Until I saw the words.

In case the employee was to perform for another company, he/she will be terminated from their contract with this company.

Blood runs cold on my spine as I looked at Ms. Lily and she snapped her fingers. Two men walked inside the room as they were carrying my stuff in one bag.

"I know that you will have a bright future, Camila, heck I even let you be the next female lead but what can I say? You have chosen the wrong move. Please take your stuff and your last paycheck on the table. I hope your endeavor will help you in the future but let's not get out hopes high because I will not recommend you to another company. You have to do it yourself," she said as she looked at me.

I was speechless. I cannot form any word even though my head was full of them. I just looked at the paycheck and the man that was holding my bag. I sighed before I took my last paycheck and my bag.

"I hope you will take your contract seriously next time, Ms. Almada. Have a good day," she said loud enough across the room before I looked at her for one last time. I went out of the room and theatre as the sun was shining on my face.

I looked up into the sky as it was clear weather and perfect for a picnic if you asked me. I tore the envelope off my paycheck and grunted.

"it did not pay that well, of course, what was I thinking?" I asked myself before I stuff it into my handbag and walked toward the hotel. It was heavy and my legs were screaming of pain. I need to get some medicine for my feet as I make a stop at the local pharmacy.

"Hello, what can I help you?" The pharmacist asked me in Portuguese. I smiled at her before I told her my pain. She nodded and she took out the medicines for it.

"that will be 40 euros," she said as I gave her my credit card. She swiped it before she put the medicine inside the bag. I thanked her before I went to the hotel and my room.

"Shit!" I said as I got up and went to take off my clothes before I put on the new shirt and jeans, paired it up with sneakers. I went to put my bag and checked for anything that I might need for the flight.

"Passport, ID, phone, wallet, check. I think I have it all," I said as I went to the night table to ask for a ride to the airport.

"hi, yes, I would like to have a cab ready for me now, the destination is Lisbon International Airport," I said in Portuguese as I was looking at the time. I have more than 5 hours for the prior check-in but I don't want to miss my flight.

"Okay, thanks," I said as I hang up. I took the backpack that I have for my stay over there. It was just one night so what could go wrong. I was about to have my friend's wedding and I will not miss it.

I ran toward the lobby as I was out in the foyer. The valet opened the door for me as I was getting inside the car.

"To the airport, please and fast," I said as I was looking at the phone as another email was coming in. The driver took off and I was reading the email as I was getting a headache for doing it in a moving car.

'make sure that your identity was not being known. Being a backup dancer last night almost give it away, please just stay low and wait for another instruction,' the email stated. I rolled my eyes as I mumbled,

"well, if they already know that Black Lily was a woman, then why am I not being caught yet?" I asked myself.

"What is that, Miss?" The driver asked me as he looked through the rearview mirror. I smiled at him as I shook my head before I looked outside. I'm going to miss Lisbon but not by much.