Roxie was still in disbelief as she walked toward the café where she was meeting Ryan. The sun was warm against her skin, the sound of traffic buzzing in the background, but all she could focus on was the fact that she'd just booked her first national commercial. Her thoughts swirled with excitement, her heart still beating fast from the rush of it all.
When she stepped into the café, Ryan was already sitting at a table near the window, looking as sharp and composed as ever. He had a coffee in front of him and was scrolling through his phone, but the moment he spotted her, a smile tugged at the corner of his lips. Roxie couldn't help but grin back, the excitement bubbling over.
Ryan gestured for her to sit, and as soon as she dropped into the chair across from him, she blurted out, "I got the role! I'm actually going to be in the commercial."
Ryan's smile widened, but his demeanor remained calm, almost as if he had expected this all along. "Of course you did," he said smoothly. "I had no doubt. You were the right choice from the start."
Roxie shook her head, still trying to wrap her mind around it. "I mean, I know I did well, but I wasn't expecting this. It's a national commercial, Ryan. I can't believe it."
Ryan leaned back in his chair, studying her for a moment. "This is just the beginning, Roxanne. It's the first step, but there's going to be a lot more after this. You're not just an aspiring actress anymore, you're on your way to building a real career."
His words hit her with a mix of pride and fear. Building a career. For so long, that had seemed like a far-off dream, something unattainable. But now, sitting here after landing her first role, the reality of it all was sinking in.
"I know," Roxie said softly. "It just feels... surreal. Like I'm finally getting somewhere."
Ryan gave her a nod of approval before sliding something across the table toward her, a sleek folder with the name Orion Talent Group embossed on the front in silver. Roxie stared at it for a moment, her pulse quickening.
"I wanted to wait until you landed something before we talked about this," Ryan began, his tone businesslike but warm. "But now that you've got your first gig, I think it's time we make things official. I want to sign you with Orion Talent Group."
Roxie blinked, her eyes flicking from the folder to Ryan's face. "Sign me? Like, officially? As my agent?"
Ryan nodded, his expression serious now. "Yes. I want to represent you fully, not just help out here and there. This way, I can push harder for bigger roles, get your name in front of the right people, and start planning your next moves. With Orion backing you, doors will open faster."
Roxie felt a rush of emotions, excitement, gratitude, and a little bit of fear. This was the moment she had been dreaming about, but it also felt like a huge step. Signing with a talent agency meant things were about to get real. It meant she wasn't just dipping her toes into the acting world anymore, she was diving in headfirst.
"You really think I'm ready for this?" Roxie asked, her voice quieter now.
Ryan's gaze softened, and he leaned forward, his voice steady. "You're more than ready, Roxanne. I've been in this business long enough to know talent when I see it, and you've got it. We've got momentum now. The commercial is just the first of many opportunities, but you'll need representation to make sure those opportunities turn into something real."
Roxie stared at the folder for a long moment, her mind racing. She thought about the journey that had led her here, the failed auditions, the long shifts at the diner, the endless self-doubt. And now, here she was, sitting across from Ryan, being offered a spot at a legitimate talent agency.
Her heart pounded in her chest, and finally, she nodded. "Okay," she said, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Let's do it."
Ryan's smile returned, and he slid a pen across the table. "Welcome to Orion Talent Group."
Roxie opened the folder, skimming the contract as Ryan explained the details. It was all straightforward, she would be represented by Orion for future roles, with Ryan acting as her primary agent. He would handle negotiations, auditions, and all the behind-the-scenes work to get her career off the ground.
She signed the papers with a mix of nerves and excitement. It felt like a monumental step, but one she was ready for.
When it was done, Ryan tucked the folder back into his briefcase and raised his coffee cup in a small toast. "To your first commercial," he said, his tone full of confidence. "And to the many more to come."
Roxie lifted her own cup, a grin spreading across her face. "To the future," she echoed.
They clinked their cups together, and for the first time, Roxie truly felt like she was on the right path. Ryan believed in her, and now, with Orion behind her, she had a real shot at making her dreams come true.
As they wrapped up their meeting, Ryan offered a few last words of advice. "You've got the commercial coming up soon, but after that, I'm lining up some auditions for TV spots. This is where the momentum starts, so keep your head in the game."
Roxie nodded, absorbing everything. "I will. Thanks, Ryan. For everything."
He gave her a genuine smile. "It's just the beginning, Roxanne. Get used to it."
As Roxie walked out of the café, the contract signed and her future beginning to take shape, she felt a surge of excitement she hadn't felt in a long time. This was real. She was officially represented, and her first national commercial was just around the corner. Things were finally moving forward.
She pulled out her phone, dialing Nick's number as she walked. When he answered, she could barely contain her excitement.
"Nick, you're not going to believe this," she blurted out, her voice bubbling over with energy. "I booked the Southwest Airlines commercial, and I just signed with Orion Talent Group!"
There was a brief pause on the other end, and then Nick's laughter rang through the phone. "What? Are you serious? That's amazing, Rox! I knew you'd do it!"
Roxie couldn't help but laugh along with him, feeling a swell of pride. "I can't believe it either. It's all happening so fast. I'm kind of freaking out."
"Don't freak out," Nick said, his tone playful but reassuring. "You've been working toward this for so long. It's about time things started paying off. I'm so proud of you."
Roxie smiled, feeling her nerves settle. Nick always had a way of grounding her, reminding her of where she'd come from and how far she'd already traveled.
"Thanks, Nick," she said softly. "I'm just trying to keep up with everything. But it feels good... really good."
"Enjoy it," Nick replied. "This is your moment."
Roxie hung up the phone, feeling lighter than she had in months. She had done it. She had actually done it.
That evening, Roxie sat by the window of her apartment, looking out at the city lights as the sun set over Los Angeles. The sky was a mix of deep oranges and purples, the kind of sunset she rarely had time to notice on busy days. But tonight, everything felt different, brighter, more hopeful.
The weight of the day's events still lingered in the air around her. She had landed her first national commercial, officially signed with Orion Talent Group, and shared the incredible news with Nick. It was a whirlwind, and now that she had a quiet moment to herself, Roxie felt the emotions swirling together, joy, disbelief, and a little bit of fear.
I'm really doing this, she thought, staring out at the twinkling lights of the city. For so long, it had seemed impossible. She had worked so many hours at the diner, gone through endless rejections, and fought through moments where giving up had felt like the easier option. And now, it was all starting to pay off.
She curled up on the couch, pulling her purple comforter around her shoulders, and let herself replay the day in her mind, the callback, the moment she found out she'd landed the role, signing the contract with Ryan, and hearing Nick's proud voice on the phone. It all felt like a dream, but the paperwork in her bag and the excitement in her chest told her it was very real.
Her phone buzzed on the coffee table, and Roxie reached for it, expecting another message from Ryan or maybe Nick. But it was a group chat notification from her coworkers at the diner. As much as she wanted to share the news with them, Roxie hesitated. There was still a part of her that didn't quite believe she was an actress yet. The commercial hadn't aired, the shoot hadn't even started, and she didn't want to get ahead of herself.
Instead, she sent a quick message to Janie, the only person at the diner who really understood how important this was to her.
Roxie: Hey, Janie. I booked a national commercial today.
A minute later, her phone buzzed with Janie's response.
Janie: No shit? That's amazing, kid. Told you something big would happen.
Roxie smiled at the message, feeling a sense of comfort in Janie's straightforward support. Janie had seen her at her lowest, heard about all the rejections, and kept pushing her to keep going. It felt good to finally have some success to share.
Roxie: Thanks, Janie. It feels surreal, but I'm excited.
Janie: Don't get cocky, though. You've still got to hustle. One commercial doesn't make a career.
Roxie chuckled, shaking her head. Janie was right, of course. This was just the beginning, and while the commercial was a huge step, there was still a long road ahead. But for tonight, Roxie allowed herself to savor the victory.
She tossed her phone back onto the table and leaned her head against the back of the couch, her eyes drifting shut. The sirens outside, the hum of the city, even the occasional noise from her neighbors, it all felt distant tonight, muted by the buzz of possibility that pulsed through her.
Tomorrow, she would be back at it, preparing for the shoot, thinking about her next steps, and trying to stay grounded in the chaos of building a career. But for now, she let herself rest, wrapped in the warmth of her purple comforter and the knowledge that, finally, things were starting to happen.
This is just the beginning, she thought, a small smile playing on her lips. And this time, she truly believed it.
That night, as Roxie drifted off to sleep, her mind danced with thoughts of the future. The next audition, the next opportunity, the steps she would take to keep moving forward. She didn't know exactly what was ahead, but for the first time in a long time, the unknown didn't scare her.
It excited her.
She had faced the auditions, the rejections, the doubts, and she had come out the other side with something real. And now, with Ryan backing her, Orion Talent Group representing her, and a commercial shoot on the horizon, Roxie felt like she was finally becoming the actress she had always dreamed of being.
Tomorrow, the work would begin again. But tonight, she allowed herself to feel proud. She had earned this moment.