394 Bridgette's play

Over the years, the Dupont Underground circle has evolved to be a place that fosters creativity, whether as a workshop, exhibition space or simply a venue to host media productions. But, Ivy had now turned this hotspot into an assault trench for an action scene. There were traces of blood, which was now getting cleaned up after easily by the production crew. There were scraps scattered around earlier, which was gone by now. Despite many leaving, there were still a few who remained to clean up after the shooting. Bridgette was distracted by the visuals that it took her a minute to spot Ivy, who was busily going through papers in her director's chair.

It was the first time Bridgette saw Ivy in her position. For a second, she felt proudest. Both of them have come a long way to achieve what they dreamed of since they were young. The nostalgia moved her to tears. But before they came pouring down, she stopped herself voluntarily.

Walking towards the cause of her tears, Bridgette cautiously paced to make a surprise entrance.

"Hey, girl,

Remember me?"

Upon reaching the vicinity, Bridgette greeted. It was an underground tunnel, so her voice could easily reach its target.

Ivy's gaze went from down to meet her friend, Bridgette. A rush of shock reflected in her ashen face.

"Bri- dgette?" she could barely utter her name.

"Don't tell me you forgot about inviting me?" Bridgette remarked from far.

"Wh- what? No. Definitely not," Ivy retorted, jumping down from her seat.

By this time, Bridgette had come closer to see Ivy's panicked face clearly. She playfully threw her arms around in a punch a couple of times as the two battled in their usual vigor.

Ivy apologized instinctively for ignoring the friend she invited to hang out in her shooting spot. Bridgette already moved on from accusing Ivy to worrying about her current state. Underneath the dark tunnel with barely visible lights present, this woman worked after sending everyone to celebrate their night.

"It's New Year's Eve! Didn't you end your little speech a while ago?

What are you still doing?" Bridgette fretted, pulling another weak punch at her friend.

Ivy couldn't help but take the hit with a tiny chuckle.

"I have to. The movie doesn't make itself!" she exclaimed wearily.

Bridgette could see the tension always when Ivy is working. She knew that Ivy wouldn't rest until she finished her job to her satisfaction. Whether it was fortunate or unfortunate, the shooting process had to be held for the holidays so that the people working for her could rest with their families and come back with enthusiasm. No one likes to work on holidays.

Nevertheless, not anymore tonight. Bridgette knew what she had to do and was eager to work her magic for Ivy. She urged Ivy to wrap up, and Ivy listened, except she requested Bridgette to wait again and disappeared out of her sight.

It was her final instructions to the crew before signing off. She handed over the schedule changes and updates for the upcoming shoots. Ivy added a request to pass on all the information to everyone involved. She then hurriedly collected her things and dumped them inside her bag before returning to Bridgette's side.

Bridgette's act began upon seeing her ready to go.

Her face settled on a constraining frown, setting the emotion.

"What happened? I'm ready. Let's go," Ivy recalled in difficulty.

It was here that Bridgette began to stutter her words with excellent regret. Restlessly, she kept stammering her legs, looking away purposefully from Ivy's gaze.

"What?" Ivy called out again from impatience.

"You see- about that, I think we have to cancel for tonight," Bridgette hesitantly revealed.

Genuinely surprised isn't the way to capture Ivy's reaction because she was utterly shocked to hear her call off their night.

"What- Why?" Ivy tried to ask.

"You see-" Bridgette turned away from meeting Ivy's upset face.

She tried to search for an apt reason but failed possibly at every thought. Until the right one waited at the back of her mind. She contemplated herself a million times about this subject, whether to share it with Ivy or not. However, since the situation calls for, leaving it to fate, Bridgette said a little prayer before attempting her last resort.

"You see-" Bridgette uttered from where she left.

She started by reassuring the news about Adrienne's parents living in Washington, Dc. She added by imparting how Ivy knew that Bridgette came with her boyfriend to celebrate welcoming the New Year alongside his family. Only after informing all of these crucial details did she began to add her little twisted lie.

Bridgette informed how Adrienne's parents had unexpectedly invited them for dinner tonight. It is going to be a late-night gathering, Bridgette noted with an exclamation.

After laying out the critical card in front of Ivy, who appears to be silently listening, Bridgette curiously waited to see her reaction. Only upon how her friend reacts will Bridgette be forced to charge again or not.

To her praying, Ivy seems not to question further. Rather than feeling saddened or disturbed by this news, she appeared lost in thoughts.

"Isn't it too soon?" Ivy asked.

"I mean, meeting parents," she added in doubt.

"I know, right!" Bridgette joined to support.

She couldn't agree more. It was the only thing she could think at the moment.

The act worked, and Bridgette felt relieved somehow. Despite some part of her story being true, she knew bringing Adrienne into the conversation might silence Ivy. She only worried if it would be in a good or bad way. After noticing for a while now, Ivy appears comfortable talking about Adrienne. As far as Bridgette cared, Ivy seemed no longer bothered by her relationship. Although she could go mute sometimes, there was no other choice than this.

Bridgette followed with another prayer, apologizing for bringing up a sensitive topic to a friend who had once confessed her feelings. She appealed that it was for Ivy's sake and to help Ivy pursue her newfound interest.

It was a gamble, and Ivy fell for it.

Eventually, Ivy had no choice but to agree.

Bridgette finished her performance by mentioning how she was waiting patiently to inform in the end. She didn't want to interrupt when Ivy was shooting. Plus, she always wanted to observe the film shooting, and she had fun today.

Ivy couldn't help but feel both happy and let down at the same time. She was glad that Bridgette had fun today and let the incident slide. On the contrary, Ivy urged Bridgette to leave timely, asking if she needed a ride.

Bridgette panicked to decline. Instead, she asked Ivy to take it easy for the night.

"Who knows, maybe you'll meet someone tonight?" Bridgette added with a wink.

Ivy ordered her to leave at once.

"What? I'm just wishing for the best!"

"Oh- that's great. Just leave. Don't you have an appointment?" Ivy pushed Bridgette to walk out.

"Alright. Stop. Stop."

Bridgette battled her to a halt. She then added another request. Ivy looked tired and beaten down already. Having her plan canceled for tonight, the only thing she was hoping for is a good night's rest. So, she patiently waited to hear Bridgette's request.

"I'll go first. So, can you come out- like later?" Bridgette appealed awkwardly.

Ivy sure could see her friend in a new light, odd and unusual. Still, she agreed with tumbling exhaustion. It's as if she let it go and was in a state of unbothered.

Bridgette slowly walked out at first. With every step, she kept looking back at Ivy, who promised to wait.

Only after Ivy's stern assurance did Bridgette disappear swiftly.

Ivy obeyed to wait. She didn't know how long, so she looked around to find only two people in her company. They were going through the checklist to see if all the properties were back on the vehicle. Without hesitation, Ivy joined them. It kept her occupied for longer than expected.

Meanwhile, Bridgette rushed out to finally see the bright lights. She quickly scanned her surroundings to spot Lucy. There were now even fewer people, probably around five to six, scattered far away from each other, minding their own business. Lucy hid in a good spot where her silhouette was perfectly buried, leaving the head alone visible.

Bridgette could only guess because of the frozen head. Everyone else was moving with purpose except one, which stood like a statue. Walking towards it, Bridgette quickly reached. She stood close to Lucy that it startled both with a jerk.

Giving each their personal space, the ladies stood from a few inches apart.

"Hi," Bridgette initiated the talk.

Lucy was surprised to find a complete stranger greeting her. She assumed it might be someone from the production crew. Even so, she felt weird by this woman's unusual enthusiasm.

"Yes," Lucy replied with an expectation that this person would demand later.

Bridgette laughed at her response. She knew that it was their first meeting. Howsoever, Bridgette rushed in one long speech.

She introduced herself as Ivy's good friend, rather than close; She didn't want Lucy to misunderstand or consider her a competition. Bridgette then continued,

"This is the first time we're meeting, but I just want to say-

Thank you!

I'm assuming you're waiting for Ivy," she guessed.

Lucy's face blushed from the embarrassment. She began to stutter. But, before she could explode from the shyness, Bridgette stopped her.

"She will be coming now soon. I know this is sudden, but I think we'll meet more in the future. Anyways, I won't keep you too long."

Bridgette bid her farewell as Lucy stood in confusion. Everything happened too quick for her to digest, and just like that, Bridgette was rushing her goodbye.

Nonetheless, before actually leaving, she paused for a second to turn around and meet Lucy's gaze.

She could see Lucy's patience. She could notice the eagerness in her eyes.

"One last thing, don't be waiting out here all night. That fool wouldn't notice underneath the work, so-

Be more confident and go get her."

With those words, Bridgette finally left. She walked out of the location and soon disappeared from Lucy's sight.

Lucy stood there, silently hearing those words repeat themselves again and again in her head. Rather than focusing on how the stranger gave advice, she contemplated whether to follow it or not.

It was getting late, and Lucy worried if it should be her to approach Ivy.