ISEOP'S PERSPECTIVE
In one of the quieter rooms of the script production office, Iseop sat with his assistant, reviewing the scripts he had been asked to consider. It was supposed to be a routine visit. One of many he made to look for fresh, original content.
But the incident today caught his assistant's attention."Sir, I overheard something earlier," his assistant said quietly.
"It seems one of the scripts presented wasn't from the actual owner. There's talk that it actually belongs to someone else, someone named Luna."
Iseop raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Go on."
"Apparently, the manager dismissed the actual writer. There was… quite a scene," the assistant added.
Iseop frowned, setting down the papers he was reviewing "Luna you say, where is she". This wasn't the first time he'd encountered situations like this. He was tired of it. "Well she cursed the manager in Italian so he was enraged that she escaped". Iseop chuckled "oh I see, i'll have to look into it".
"Some are saying that they saw her entering men's washroom"
Hearing it, the encounter clicked his mind as if he remembered something and without hesitation, he stood up. "Luna parker- was she?" "Arrange my meeting with the manager right now" Iseop said, his voice cool and controlled. His assistant looked at him confused and wondered how he knew her full name since he didn't even mention a thing about it.
MANAGER'S OFFICE
By the time Iseop arrived at the manager's office, the tension was thick in the air. The manager, still red-faced from his earlier confrontation with Luna, was taken aback when Iseop walked in unannounced.
"Mr. Iseop!" the manager stammered, standing quickly and forcing a smile.
"I didn't expect you to drop by."
Iseop cut straight to the point. "I hear there was some confusion about the script you presented to me."
Victor's face paled. "Oh… uh, no confusion at all. Everything's in order."
"I've been told otherwise," Iseop said, his eyes narrowing slightly. "I don't appreciate being lied to. If you're passing off someone else's work as another's, you might want to reconsider how you handle your team."
The manager gulped, the power dynamic shifting rapidly. Iseop's calm authority was far more intimidating than any outburst could have been. "I-I… I'll handle it, Mr. Iseop. I'll make sure the rightful author gets the credit."
Iseop gave him a firm nod. "See what you do. I won't tolerate dishonesty."
END OF ISEOP'S POV
Luna trudged home after a long day at the office,And she barely had the door open when miso barreled towards like one women welcoming committee. Before she could even put down her bag, miso grabbed her, dragging straight to the living area. Luna released her feets from her heels as she drained her tension laying half on the couch. "Miso, slow down ,i just walked in"
"No time to slow down! We have outfits to pick, lives to change!" miso announced, sounding like a commander. "This is your cinderella moment,i am your fairy godmother with a credit card" miso winked playfully as she blew a kiss to luna.
Luna couldn't help but laugh at the dramatic environment finally hitting her. "A fairy godmother? Does that mean I get to ride a pumpkin carriage?"
"Honey," miso said, indulging in her character as she grabbed a bunch of elegant clothes from her wardrobe "we're going beyond pumpkins".
Luna's jaw dropped. "Did you raid a department store while I was at work?" although she expected it already,since it was miso the, upcoming heiress of the MK group, one of the fastest growing groups leading in the industry.
"I wish... But no. Few of these pieces I've been collecting for the perfect occasion. And the rest of these were bought by me. Heh , I took a leave today." miso said calmly, waving her off. "What do you think?" miso winks as if she encrypted something with it.
"Ahem" Luna felt a bubble of excitement rising in her chest "okay, let's do this."
Few hours of dressing up wore them both out. "How come your outfits don't end?"
"Did you forget, I am well heeled with deep pockets." Miso giggles as she gasps for air.
"I shall then escort you to your apartment miss richie… shall i, why won't you budge off my house" luna pokes her face.
"I won't go. Try dragging me out, I can't leave my wealth here." miso adds as she hugged Luna tightly since she was referring to her.
"Aahh get off miso!!" "I won't ehehehe". And it ends up with tickling and chasing each other in the apartment. Room was filled with a familiar joy and it grew to be more calmer as the night grew up.
The following day, miso was engaged in scrolling through Luna's laptop. Luna opened the fridge to grab water as she rambled in sleep. "It's the weekend , are you working?".
"You're awake darling, come here! hurry" miso grabbed luna by hand pulling her down on the carpet beside her.
"Is that Iseop? Is he going to be on the show!" Luna exclaims as she reaches out the cursor scrolling through the article.
"There were these rumors since someone leaked the photos of the shooting site of the show with him getting in…this is going to be a blast if he actually came, woohoo!" miso looked at the screen with her sparkling eyes.
"no , I don't think so, didn't you know he came to the office that day for the script, he must have a tight schedule with something" miso said stating the fact of disagreement.
"Ahh that can be, then these must be baseless rumors since he has been a hot topic. Well, if he won't, I will," Miso replies playfully.
Just when an email popped up, the subject read "The Masquerade Awaits—Instructions for Your First Appearance."
"Hurry open it," said miso, instructing her as she passes the laptop to Luna.
Luna's stomach flipped, a mixture of dread and excitement taking over. She opened the email and read it aloud.
Dear Luna,
Your journey begins tomorrow. Please wear the red mask that was provided to you. It is your key to unlocking the mysteries ahead. Attend the pre-filming event. Details are attached to this email. Be prepared for surprises. Remember, nothing is as it seems in The Masquerade of Hearts. Good luck.
Sincerely,
The Masquerade Team
Luna let a nervous laugh out. "see…even the email is cryptic… be ready for surprises. Are they going to kill me."
"Pfft,oh i forgot to tell you that don't worry about the mask…, it was delivered yesterday when you were in the office yesterday. It's in your wardrobe."
Luna scrolls through the attachment from the email."It says, it's in the evening!That event,I have to apply for leave in the office before they start filming the show this week."
"They won't dare to deny besides the fact Iseop himself showed up at the office." miso assured her as she scrolled the attachment."
"Yes , about him…he seems familiar,I think I have seen him before." she rambles,her voice barely reaching miso's ears.
FLASHBACK: THE FORGOTTEN ENCOUNTER.
It was raining, and Luna plodded to the bookstore she frequently visited. She just left the office after one more blow off. Rosalie was promoted instead of her even though she was a freshman. Luna was vying for that promotion. Manager Hart's words echoed to her "it's all about who makes a better impression luna." her hard work was overlooked and dedication didn't work against rosalie's charm. And how no one seemed to care. She sank down on the chair as she found no one around , resting her head in her hands. Her body trembled as she tried to hold back the tears. unnoticing the presence of someone.
ISEOP'S PERSPECTIVE
He was on his way to a nearby meeting when the rain forced him to take shelter in a antique bookstore owned by his family. He pulled his baseball cap lower with the intention of remaining unnoticed. He browsed for a corner to seek silence but it had already sought refuge. A woman sitting alone with her face buried in her hands at first he thought it was nothing until he heard a sound of faint sobbing. Although it wasn't his place to intrude, the vulnerability made it difficult for him to look away.
So he weighed him next to her.
END OF ISEOP'S PERSPECTIVE
Luna's tears eventually slowed down and she wiped her face down hastily. She turned to leave and bumped into someone. She looked up startled into the face of the man in the baseball cap, tall, his eyes barely visible under the brim of his cap.
"I-i'm sorry" luna stammered,embarrassed that someone saw her in that state.Man gave her a small understanding smile "here" he passed her a tissue, his voice was calm, steady and for some reason it was a little less exposed. She thanked her by nodding and hurrying out the door.
"young man" , the voice of an old lady who managed the bookstore came to him. "Do you know Luna?" Before Iseop could answer she proceeded "give this book to her later"
As Iseop inspected the book, the name was written on the slip 'luna parker'.
She unexpectedly smacked Iseop on his shoulder snatching the book back "did you make her cry"
"oww-" before he could answer she smacked him again on his back.
Iseop stood upon one of the tables to save his back.
"get down, little brat" she said
"Grandma, l-listen me just once-" Iseop stammered as he saw her grabbing the broom from the corner.
Iseop gulped down, he sign, his hands to stop her, it didn't help… he grabbed the broom to prevent the hit "I don't even know her!"
but grabbing the broom even enraged her more "then why did you accept the book, you little come here-" Iseop had to climb up the bookshelf.
"I-it's me, i-iseop grandma" he said as he removed his cap.
She calmed down and dropped the broom in the corner. "You should've told me earlier you brat, my eyesight is worse"
"Grandma even if it was someone else you would have killed him, i won't worry about you from now on"
She smacked him once again as he got down.
"oww-... but why are you here today"
"do i need your permission to visit my bookstore, come home for dinner… you don't miss your grandma? so busy already"
"how can i not miss you grandma" Iseop hugged her warmly "I'll be home today, i have to go to the meeting for now, bye grandma" he left as soon as he rushed outside.
END OF THE FORGOTTEN ENCOUNTER