The morning air at the small airport was crisp and carried a quiet energy. Ella stood near the departure gate, her suitcase beside her, and a soft smile tugging at her lips. Adrian, Jom, and Kai were there to see her off.
"You sure you got everything?" Adrian asked, trying to keep his voice steady.
Ella nodded, adjusting the strap of her bag. "Yeah. I triple-checked. Don't worry, Kuya. I'm not a kid."
"You're still my little sister," he said, ruffling her hair.
Jom stepped in, his hands stuffed into his hoodie. "Don't forget to shout us out when you're famous in the U.S."
Kai chimed in with a grin. "Or at least send pasalubong."
Ella laughed, then looked back at Adrian. "Thanks for letting me be part of this movie. I've learned so much. Composing for *City of Stars*... it's changed the way I hear music."
Adrian pulled her into a quick hug. "You did more than I expected. You'll do great in school. Just keep going."
With one last wave, Ella walked toward the gate, leaving behind an empty space that somehow felt heavier than expected.
---
Back at the studio, the trailer for *City of Stars* had officially gone live.
It was simple—soft fades, lingering shots of the cityscape, brief glimpses of the main characters, all accompanied by Ella's haunting piano melody. It didn't try to scream. It whispered. And people listened.
Within hours, film enthusiasts, local critics, and netizens were buzzing.
> "This trailer is... poetic. I haven't felt this kind of mood in local cinema in years."
> "That music? Chills. Who composed it?"
> "Adrian Rivera just set the bar higher again."
Even some known figures in the entertainment industry began to comment. A director from a major network tweeted:
> "Respect. No marketing stunts. Just art."
But perhaps the most surprising reaction came from Rina Velasco.
She sat alone in the editing bay of her studio, the glow of the screen painting her face in cool light. She'd clicked the trailer out of curiosity—but as it ended, she found herself speechless.
That melody. Those visuals. The restrained yet powerful tone.
She leaned back in her chair.
"He really made it work," she whispered. "Even with that budget... that team."
She didn't feel envy. Just a quiet motivation stirring. She opened her project files again.
---
Meanwhile, Adrian was at his desk, checking his emails. Among the usual updates, one subject caught his eye:
**From: Hiroshi Tanaka**
He clicked it open.
> *Adrian-san, it was a pleasure meeting you last month at the Tokyo International Film Gathering. I've seen your trailer and the music release. Very impressive. There is strong potential for City of Stars in the Japanese indie festival circuit. Would you be open to discussing future distribution or screening options? I can also connect you to a subtitling team we've worked with in the past.*
Adrian smiled faintly. He immediately composed a reply:
> *Tanaka-san, thank you for your kind words. I'd love to discuss potential screenings and partnerships. Your advice and support mean a lot. Let's schedule a call soon.*
After sending the email, he took a deep breath. The world felt a little bigger now.
Later that afternoon, Lance Villarta arrived at the studio. Adrian met him outside.
"You've got traction," Lance said with a grin. "Trailer's spreading fast. And the audio release? That was smart. People are humming that theme now."
"I didn't expect it to catch on this fast."
"That's what happens when art meets timing," Lance said, then turned serious. "Now we need to plan the release. You're not backed by a studio, so we go strategic."
"Like what?"
"First: small screenings. A couple private ones for critics, influencers, and respected film faculty. Let them build the buzz. After that, a select theater partnership. Independent cinemas willing to feature new voices. And maybe—if Tanaka's contact comes through—we prep a Japanese subtitled version."
Adrian nodded. "Sounds like a plan. We'll need to squeeze every bit of impact out of what we've got."
"You're used to that," Lance said with a grin. "By the way, once the film's out, you better prep your next pitch. People are watching now. I've got eyes on two young actors from Cebu with serious talent. When you're ready, I'll bring them in."
Adrian gave a tired but genuine smile. "One film at a time."
---
That night, as the sky dimmed, Adrian sat by the window with a warm drink in hand. The city below buzzed softly—honking cars, neon signs, laughter drifting up from the sidewalks.
He opened his laptop and watched the trailer again.
Ella's music swelled. The characters moved silently through the screen, eyes full of longing, hope, and memory.
His phone buzzed. It was a text from Gabbi.
> *Saw the trailer again. Can't believe we did that. Thank you for trusting me.*
He replied simply:
> *You earned it.*
Adrian closed the laptop and leaned back.
From a ten million peso dream to this. Almost there.
And soon, the world would see it, too.(End chapter)