REPLACED

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Chapter 12 – Replaced?

Priscilla rushed over the moment she noticed her friend standing still like a statue after the director walked away. Something wasn't right.

Priscilla: "Hey… what's wrong? What did he say to you?"

Nifemi stood frozen, her lips slightly parted. Her throat was tight, and words failed her. She was trying—desperately—not to cry.

Priscilla: "Are you okay? Nifemi, talk to me."

Nifemi: (voice low and trembling) "Why would he replace me with someone else… at the last minute?" Her voice cracked, and she blinked fast to keep the tears from falling.

Priscilla: (gently pulling her closer) "What? Why would he do that?" She exhaled slowly and added, "It's okay… everything happens for a reason, right? You always tell me that. And you also say—every disappointment is a blessing."

Nifemi gave a small, broken smile. She didn't believe it completely yet, but hearing her own words back at her gave her a sliver of hope.

Priscilla: (cheerfully) "Now give me a second, I need to use the restroom. When I'm back, we'll pack up and go. It's just a school project after all, not a Hollywood debut."

Priscilla winked and walked off. But just as she stepped into the bathroom, her phone buzzed.

Priscilla: (picking up) "Oh, it's Zackary… Hi Zack."

Zackary: "Hey. How's Nifemi doing? I didn't want to call her directly in case she was still filming."

Priscilla: "About that… Nifemi got replaced."

Zackary: (voice sharp) "What? Why? What happened?"

Priscilla: "Nothing happened. She just… got replaced. No warning."

Zackary: (clearly irritated) "So they just kicked her off like that? Is she okay?"

Priscilla: "She was really hurt at first, but she's okay now. I think talking to me helped a bit."

Zackary: "Remind me again… what's the director's name?"

Priscilla: (hesitates) "Uhm… Director James. Yeah, James. Why?"

Zackary: (tight voice) "Just… take care of Nifemi for me, alright?"

Priscilla: "Of course."

She ended the call and headed back to Nifemi, who was now sitting down, trying to compose herself.

Nifemi: "What took you so long?"

Priscilla: "Sorry, I—"

"Miss! Miss!!" A crew member came running toward them, waving his hands.

Crew Member: "The director asked for you. You're to resume back on set."

Priscilla blinked in surprise, looking at Nifemi. Their eyes locked.

Priscilla: (to the crew member) "She'll be there in a minute."

Crew Member: "Alright, miss!" He spun around and ran off.

Nifemi stared after him, still confused.

Priscilla: (teasingly) "Maybe they finally realized your potential."

Nifemi: (standing up with a small smirk) "You're right—I do have potential."

They both laughed.

Priscilla: "Go on, superstar. You don't want to keep them waiting."

When Nifemi arrived back on set, she slowed as she saw Director James having a conversation with another girl—Tracy.

Director James: "Look Tracy… with the way things are now, you'll have to stop filming."

Tracy: (voice raised) "What?!" Her tone was sharp, disbelief written all over her face.

Tracy was another young actress, just like Nifemi—hungry for her big break. But as soon as she saw Nifemi standing there, realization dawned. Her replacement was right in front of her.

Tracy: (scoffing) "So you're replacing me because she has a powerful and rich boyfriend?"

Director James: (calmly) "I'm sorry, Tracy. This is out of my hands."

Tracy didn't reply. She snatched up her bag and stormed out, her footsteps echoing through the quiet set.

Filming resumed.

And Nifemi? She was phenomenal.

The cast whispered among themselves.

"She's good."

"Really natural."

"She's got something special."

Even the crew members smiled as her presence made things run smoother.

But Director James? Cold. Detached. He criticized every little thing—how she moved, how she spoke, how she paused.

Still, Nifemi didn't back down.

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(Scene change: Later that day at their usual coffee spot)

Zackary was already seated when Nifemi walked in, wearing baggy jeans, a soft pink crop top, and her hair swept back in a high ponytail that swayed as she moved.

Nifemi: "Hey… sorry I'm late, I was—"

She paused. Zackary was staring at her face like he was lost in thought.

Nifemi: "Heyyy… man, are you even listening?"

Zackary: (smiling) "Wait… let me savour the moment."

Nifemi: (laughing) "Savour what? You know if you keep staring at me like that, I'll turn ugly!"

Zackary: "Says who? You're getting punished for being late, by the way." His grin was playful.

Nifemi: (smirking) "Oh? I'm looking forward to that."

They both chuckled as she sat down.

Zackary: "So, how did filming go? First time on set—how was it?"

Nifemi: "It went well, surprisingly. The crew was supportive… but Director James was cold. Like, really cold. He picked on every tiny mistake I made."

Zackary: (eyes darkening) "He did what?"

Nifemi: (tilting her head) "Hey, are you okay?"

Zackary: (softly) "Yeah. Nothing to worry about."

Nifemi: "He almost had me replaced again, you know. If not for God stepping in…"

Zackary: (smiling) "God always comes through for you."

She smiled, her heart a little lighter.

Zackary: "Now, back to your punishment…"

They laughed and melted into easy conversation. The pain of the morning faded into something distant, something already overcome.

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