It's Just Ann

Chapter 5 - Advices

       “Tadaima!” I call the moment I walk in, taking off my shoes in the genkan after a long day at work.

Mum’s reply comes immediately, “Okaire!” And then she’s practically running to receive me, taking my big purse with all the papers I bring from the office; mostly actors’ portfolios. “How was your day, Ann?” she asks  as I put on my slippers and follow her to the kitchen. I’m starving.

“It was a long day. Meetings and more meetings but we are making progress,” I tell Mum, taking a seat in front of the plates she has set for me. “Itadakimasu!” I cry, clapping my hands once before grabbing the chopsticks and eating. Mum sits in front of me.

“Is it too hard? How are people treating you? Are you getting used to it?” she shots question after question, as usual.  I know she’s worried and I know that if she weren’t worried about Father, she’d come with me to TP and help me through everything.

I heave a tired sigh before taking another bite of my meal. Once I’ve swallowed I reply, “I’m getting used to it, Teru-kun helps enormously, but I think he’s the only one that takes me seriously.”

I can see Mum’s concern reflecting in her expressions the moment I utter the words and for a second I regret ever saying them; but this is all too new to me and I need someone to rely on. I would love to talk to Father but I don’t want to disappoint him by telling him how I’m failing. The fact that the people I work with don’t respect me and resent me is just a sign that I can’t fill in Father’ shoes.

“Why do you think that?” Mum asks next and once again I sigh.

“Today I was presented the script and I honestly think it’s not… good enough. It can be better. It needs to make justice to the book. When I told Paul that, his face told me what he thought about my opinion.” I stay quiet for a few seconds before continuing. Mum doesn’t say anything; instead she just waits for me to finish. “I think he hates me for giving him orders because I’m just a kid in his eyes. I mean, I’m a kid. I’m not even eighteen and I’m giving instructions to a recognised and praised screenplay writer?” I laugh humourlessly. Mum’s hand reaches out for mine and her eyes are sympathetic.

“It surely is difficult for him. It must be a blow to his ego, Ann. You ought to understand that,” Mum reminds me and I sigh again. Can’t I do anything else tonight?

“I know, Mum. If I were in his shoes I’d be the same, but it still hurts. I don’t have ill intentions. I really want the best for this film,” I say, looking at Mum with pleading eyes as if she could give me the perfect tip to deal with this situation.

“You need to give them time to adjust to work with you instead of your father. Once they learn that you’re as professional and invested as your father, they’ll respect you, as well,” she tells me with a smile that I try to return. “And if they don’t, then you fire them,” she adds as a joke and I can’t help it, I chuckle.

“If they don’t respect me, they might as well fear me, right?” I joke along, her smile widens and her grip tightens.

“Exactly. Now finish your food before it gets cold. Then you can see your father. I’m sure he’ll like to know what happened today in the office.”

I obey her and finish my meal and once I’m done, I take a bath to relax before going to bed. But before I actually decide to rest, I go visit Father in his room. I only walk in when I’m allowed to do so.

“Good evening, Otousan,” I greet him with a quick bow.

“Hello, Ann,” he replies with a smile. “Come, tell me how was your day. Distract me! Sol has been trying to teach me Spanish the whole day but I can’t make a sound and she’s ruthless,” he adds in a light tone and even if he is complaining, I know he doesn’t really mean it. I wonder if he’s using that tone to amuse me because I look tired.