Delivered By Mistake by Aliana Marie

This story is part of the Make it Bitter or Make it Better Writing Challenge, where we invited writers to explore the storytelling possibilities of a simple situation. We gave authors free reign to interpret the prompt as they see fit, provided that they give their story a clear ending.

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Note: This story has not yet been proofread.

Delivered By Mistake 

February. The month of love. It is the month where CineRomantic Production gets really busy because they always release a film at exactly Valentine’s Day. To be able to make a film, you need a script or a story. That’s where I shine. I’m considered as the brain of the film. The one who makes the characters suffer or have a couple of kids at the end. But lately, creative juices haven’t been pumping. I’ve been staring at this blank document for about an hour now, wishing that the laptop would type by itself. 

“So, how’s the script doing?”. My gay best friend, Toni, entered my vision as he sits on the opposite side from where I was.

I gave him a dreadful look. “It’s terrible. I’ve been having a staring contest in my laptop for a long time now and not a single plot or an idea comes to mind. I’m totally doomed!”. I said dramatically.

“Chill, the deadline is still far long enough, so, you still have time to get it together,” those words are exactly what I need to hear from someone. 

“Thanks,” I gave a smile at him. 

His mood suddenly changes from concern to somewhat mischievous. Oh! I know that look. The look that means he heard a rumor from somewhat credible enough to be true. Well, most of the time, the tea that he shares with me are true that’s why I trust him and his instinct.

“I just heard the biggest tea that I think will motivate you,” he said while wiggling both of his eyebrows with a wide smile attached on his smug face.

“Please, I don’t have time for riddles, spill!”. I ordered impatiently.

“Girl, this will make you insane,” I gave him a glare because of the suspense that he's giving me.

 "Oh, just say it!". 

"Matthew Cinco will be the male lead for the script that you'll be producing!". 

My jaw dropped at the table of Starbucks and I probably invited a fly to stay over at my mouth.

"No, freaking way!". I exclaimed with such excitement while gagging my eyes out. The attention of the whole cafe was on to us because of my exaggerated reaction. 

"You're kidding me! No! You're probably playing with me. There is no way on earth that I'll meet and get face to face with Matthew Cinco!". 

For context, Matthew Cinco is my ultimate crush since I was in college. He started as a humble actor who parts time at a diner. Due to his talent and charm he finally got his big break last year with his series Kill Me, Love Me. Jokes on you girls. I like him first and saw his full potential first. 

"Nope, no kidding here," he said with a grin. 

"Oh my God," I mouthed. I tried to call down my nerves to avoid making a scandal here at the cafe. 

"When did you hear about this?". 

"Just an hour ago". 

Inhale. Exhale. I closed my eyes to calm my nerves out. "Okay, maybe I just need a little caffeine to help me relax," on queue, the barista called my name for my order earlier before I started "working" on my script. 

"One matcha latte for Ligaya!". 

I motioned to my best friend that I'm just going to get my drink from the station. 

"Thank you," as I turn around to return in our table, I bumped into something hard that made me spill my drink into him. "Oh my God! I'm so sorry! I-I didn't mean to do that," I exclaimed my apologies at him. I unconsciously grab a tissue and tried to clean up the mess that I made. Panic and embarrassment suddenly surge all over my body because we are totally making scene here.

I’m absentmindedly wiping the stain on his t-shirt around his stomach while muttering endless apologies on my end. 

A chuckle escaped his mouth and grab my hands to stop me from cleaning it up. “No, need for you to do that, Miss. It’s okay”. 

Jolts came gushing through my veins as he held my hands. I shift my eyes to meet his and just like that, I have the privilege to witness such beautiful pair of golden-brown eyes. 

 Just like getting hypnotized, I can’t seem to find the right words to say now. Even those countless sorry earlier seems to put me on break.

“I-I-I... I’m sorry again,” all I can muttered.

I wasn’t able to see his whole feature because he is wearing a black mask but I can’t dump my gut feeling that this creature right here is 99.9% gorgeous. 

“Totally fine. I have a spare shirt in my car, so, all good,” he said in the warmest tone I’ve ever heard.

Something snap at me and broke me out of his spell. In exchange of ruining his shirt, I offered to pay for his coffee instead.

“Oh, right! That’s cool. Allow me to pay for your coffee, you know, just as an apology, please,” I insisted.

“No, it’s okay... It’s not entirely your fault. I didn’t see you—,” he tried to argue.

“No! Totally my fault,” I said with an awkward laugh. “So, please let me treat you. No buts. I take no for an answer,” and flashed that pretty smile to convince him.

His shoulders relax and finally let me pay for his order.

“Uhm... One iced americano with chocolate cream please,” he dictated his choice.

Hmm. Unique taste for a muscular guy like him. I couldn’t contain a giggle. He’s order is same as Matthew Cinco’s favorite drink, what a coincidence.

Maybe he noticed my subtle reaction that’s why he gave me a questioning look while I paid for his order.

“What?”. He asked curiously.

I shook my head. “Nothing. I just find your choice of drink...cute,” I just said that last line without thinking it too much.

There was a sudden shift in his eyes, it’s like he is teasing me. “So, you find me cute?”.  I can imagine him grinning behind that face mask.

“That’s not what I said,” I tried to defend my point as my ears started to boil.

“Eh, totally what you said. Tomato. Tomato,” he counter backed.

I playfully roll my eyes at him while having a smile on my face. Who is this guy? And why is he making me laugh on a random Monday morning in Starbucks? 

 “One iced americano with chocolate cream for Matt,” the barista shouted.

That paused the sudden moment that we are having and right on time my phone beeped signaling that I received a message.

While Matt was getting his order I checked my phone.

From: Director Andy

Ligaya, I need that script ASAP. 

Phew, so much for being motivated right now. 

To: Director Andy

On it! I will finish and send the script maybe after three days. Just to polish some things here and there.

Polish my ass. I haven’t even started yet.

I felt a presence beside me, “This drink never gets old”.

“Really?”. I replied, not taking my eyes off the phone.

“Is that the star in Kill Me, Love Me?”

“There’s no way that’s him!”.

“He’s pretty muscular in person!”

I heard a few whispers around me but I can’t seem to put my full attention to them because of my script problem.

“Oh my God! It’s Matthew Cinco!”.

Someone shouted hysterically and that caught my attention immediately.

“Matthew Cinco?! Where? Where?!”. I scanned the whole café, left and right, looking for him.

Until my eyes focused on what’s in front of me. Suddenly, the world stops spinning and I can’t pretty much hear anything.

Is this what they call the slow moment effect when you’re in love?

It’s Mathhew Cinco right at my face, giving me that million-dollar smile.

He held out his hand to me, “I’m Matthew Cinco”. I’m kind of sure he finds this moment funny.

I can’t speak or even move at this point.

Our moment got interrupted again when a bunch of girls went out of their way to be in front of Matthew to ask for a couple of pictures.

I can see the that he got caught off guard with the sudden situation but he nicely accepts the request of his fans.

With the commotion, a lot of people in the café recognized him and also asked for pictures and autographs from him.

Eventually, security got involved to ensure safety among all people before thing go out of hand.

But before the security escorted him outside of the café, he strides his way towards me while excusing himself from his fans. 

He pulled a tissue from his pocket and hand it to me. He got closer and whispered in my ear, “Call me”.

Those were his last words before leaving the building.

I stood there like a rock. Not until my best friend pull me out of the zone.

“Girl! What was that?!”.

I stared at the tissue he gave me. He wrote his number on it.

“What in the romcom world!” I exclaimed and shouted my excitement. Again, the whole café was onto us.

“He just gave me his number!”. I said half whisper and half shouting.

His reaction overpowers mine, “You little dirty flirt!”.

After that whole scenario in the café, adrenaline, caffeine, and full of ideas came gushing like wildfire. I locked in, stayed at my condominium for three days straight. I don’t think I even have a sense of time right now considering how focused I’ am on my craft.

That piece of tissue became my motivation. I promise myself that if I finished the script within the given deadline then I have the right and confidence to call him. 

Finally, after the countless coffee, sleepless nights and did a lot of polishing, I finished the script.

The next ultimate romantic comedy that you shouldn’t miss. 

Make Me Better.

I exhale as I look at the last part of the script, a happy ending!

I was about to pass the manuscript to the whole production team including the actors, when a message pop in my laptop.

Toni:

Girl, you should see this.

After that message there was a link attached to it.

I clicked the link and an article welcomed me. An article that made me feel that the heaven and earth is against me.

Matthew Cinco and His Soon to Be Co-Star Allison Mara Rumored to be Dating After Being Seen in a Birthday Party

“It’s probably just a rumor, you know showbiz and stuff,” I try to convinced myself but as I scroll through some photos, my heart starts to shrink.

There were photos of them being sweet, so close to each other and laughing.

Tears start forming in my eyes as I go through the whole article.

I know everyone thinks I might be crazy but come on, that guy asked me to call him not too long ago and now I see him being clingy with someone else. What a total trash!

On the second thought, it’s not like we are dating or something so I don’t have the right to be this upset and jealous.

I stood up and went to my fridge. Perfect, beer for my broken heart. Typical.

I went back to my laptop and scanned the script.

If I’m not going to have a happy ending, surely not this movie.

As the alcohol and I bond, I revised the whole script from having a rainbows and unicorn to something devastating and bitter.

Make Me Bitter.

Perfect, for those who got lead on and who didn’t get the happy ending that they expect or should I say perfect for me this Valetine’s Day.

I gulped the last ounce of beer and opened a draft on my e-mail.

Dear Matthew Cinco or Should I Say the Guy That Made Me Believe in Love Years Ago,

I regret to inform you that I’m not your number 1 fan anymore. Sucks for you to lose someone like me. You know I have a lot of good quality for a girlfriend material even as a wife material. I’m smart as hell, I’m kind as the dog on my street, Peggy, and I’m sexy when I’m doing my laundry. So, why? After asking for my number and just because I got busy as a bee you suddenly want a fake mannequin to warm you? Is that it? Okay, sorry for my words. I sound like a nagging wife, don’t I? Well, enough about that. Since, I’m signing off as your fangirl I would like to take you to my memory lane. Way back when I was a film student, I struggle to feel love or butterflies in my stomach. That’s why when I watched your short film, I immediately felt something foreign, something new. You inspire me to do my craft better. You inspire me to be humble. Working as an actor is no joke but juggling it with working at a diner as a server, you are totally an inspiration. That’s the first time I can say that I find the right person to idolize. You are the ideal boyfriend. Not until you asked me to call you then find somebody else after! I mean what was that?! You can’t even wait for me? God, I’m really not making sense right now but you... you disturbed my sleeping feminine side. That’s why you should own up to it! So, I’m asking you to date me! 

I resign as your fan because I’m applying as your girlfriend. 

With appreciation,

Ligaya Salazar or Should I Say Your Future Girlfriend

I hit send without even thinking and I let myself go to dreamland.

I woke up with a lot of notification bombarding my phone.

I hate hangover! While still half asleep, I reach for my phone. I receive a bunch of messages from different people but one caught my eye.

Director Andy:

LIGAYA SALAZAR, I NEED YOU AT THE OFFICE RIGHT NOW!

Oh no, what did I do? This doesn’t feel good.

Like the flash, I did my morning routine and got dressed.

I arrived at our building after 30 minutes and the whole production team was present. Even the potential actors for the movie are here which means that Matthew Cinco is present looking gorgeous at his seat. 

Weird enough, everybody seems to be staring at me. Some of them seems to find something funny about me while some of them roll their eyes at me.

“Ligaya, I like your story pitch and the script,” Director Andy commented. “But may I know what kind of delusion is this?”.

He flashed something on the screen. 

I was horrified in what I saw. It was the letter that was supposed to be in my draft forever. That was my unfiltered thoughts. My sacred moments.

“Didn’t know you were a die-hard fan, Ligaya,” somebody tease that triggered a laughing bomb among my colleagues.

I felt belittle and small right now. 

“I respect you as a scriptwriter but if this is the kind of attitude that you are going to show us especially to Matthew, I’m sorry but I have to remove you in this project”.

“I’m sorry...” I said with my head down as tears starts forming in my eyes.

When someone stood from the crowd.

“Actually, that e-mail was really meant for me. Only me. So, you don’t have to remove her in this project”.

I was startled with his comment. What is he saying? Is he trying to save me?

“So, are you guys dating?” Issa, our casting director asked with surprise.

“We had an argument that’s why she came up with that letter,” he walked towards me and intertwined our hands in front all of them. “And to answer your question, yes, we are dating”.

He said while looking straight into my eyes.

Gasp, surprised and giggles were heard from the room. I still can’t believe what he’s saying. 

After a very heated discussion with the whole production, we were the only ones left in the room.

“Thank you for saving my ass out there. I’m sorry about the letter. It’s not what you think,” I uttered while lowering my head.

A grin was evident on him, “Really? Because I was about to hire you”.

“What?!”.

 He went closer and closer until my back bumped the table. I can feel his hot breath lingering on my face.

“I’m not dating Allison, if that’s what you’re thinking. Because I’m very much interested in this specific writer”. He held out his hand. “Give me your phone”. 

Without a doubt I give him what he wanted. He typed something on it and gave it back to me.

“When you are ready, call me. Let’s clear something out,” he strides toward the door, looked back at me and gave me a warm smile.

I stare at the door and look at my phone. He put his number on it. 

I can’t contain it. My heart is beating so fast like it would explode. 

“Ah! Thank you, God! What did I do to deserve this?!”. I shouted at nobody in the room.

Later that evening I called him and he answered.

“I’m accepting it”. I said out of context but he understood it anyway.

“Really? There’s no turning back. The contract doesn’t have an expiration,” he teased.

“Well, I’m planning to stay for a very long time until I get promoted,” I said with my heart full.

“Then, you’re officially hired”.

I was all smiles the whole evening and we talked for hours.

I couldn’t believe that the letter that I delivered by mistake could lead me to the love of my life.

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