Take One

Cold Blue-Grey Eyes

Mira

Traffic jams in Sourin city are the worst. A while ago I was laughing my head off, but now life turned boring. I was in the passenger seat with Mr. Lee, or Uncle Lee as I prefer to call him is in the driver seat. He has been the driver s***h butler s***h main bodyguard of Charles ever since he was in high school. Did I mention my grumpy boss is not only famous as an actor but also comes from a wealthy family? Yes, no humble beginnings whatsoever.

“Who’s that guy?” Uncle Lee asked me.

“He’s just some random dude,” I said nonchalantly.

“Hmmm… Should I keep that a secret from Charles?” he asked again.

Oh boy, the old man knows who is his master. I turned my face and body towards him and clasp my hands together.

“Can you please do that one little favor for me?”

He looked at me and laughed a little shaking his head too in the process. Then, he went back looking at the road ahead. I did the same too.

“Charles wouldn’t like you talking to guys.”

“Ugh, don’t put it that way Uncle Lee,” I said exasperated as the people around me are assuming we have a romantic relationship. It looks like I have to make that clear.

“We don’t have any romantic relationship.”

“Really?” He looked at me like he can’t believe what I just said, but I didn’t dare reciprocate his action.

“Really okay, we don’t have a relationship besides employer and employee.”

“Then, why won’t you tell him about that fine-looking young man?”

“Because…”

“Because what?”

 Uncle Lee is getting on my nerves right now, seriously.

“Because he might think of it the wrong way.”

“Why are you concerned about that, I mean you said he’s only your boss.”

This time, I looked at him, but he was checking his phone.

Rrriiiiinggg… Rrriiiiinggg…

My phone began to ring loudly. Lisa’s name appeared on my screen.

“Hello?”

“Mir, where are you?”

“We’re nearing the set. What’s up?”

“Well, Mr. Charles, have been looking for you.”

What does my hot yet grump boss want now?

“What does he want now?”

“Well, he asked me to call you to say that you should go back quickly.

“Please tell him we’re in the middle of a traffic jam and he needs to chill out. I mean, if it’s not for his demand to have a Yakusha Sushi out of nowhere then I would have been there on set right now.”

I’m expecting Lisa to calm me down and tell me something like “I know right!” but what shocked me is the sultry voice on the other line.

“Say that to me again, Mir.”

“Uhm, Char—I mean, boss, I didn’t expect to hear your voice.”

“It’s a good thing little Lisa is an obedient girl and handed me her phone in the middle of your rant.”

“Can you tell me again what you just said? Word per word.”

This made me go for an eye roll again. I’m not going to do that.

“Miranda I know you rolled your eyes on me.”

I looked at my phone shock and put it back on my ear again.

“What? I didn’t do that.”

I said hoping he didn’t notice my change of voice.

“Don’t pout Mira, I might bite off your lip if you do that.”

Okay, this is freaky. How did he know I was biting my lip? I put again the phone in my ear.

“How did you ---”

Charles suddenly cut me off. “Be here in twenty minutes or you’re gonna get what you deserve.”

With that, he hung up.

Shit.

I looked at Uncle Lee and he looks calm as always.

“Uncle we need to be at the set again in less than twenty minutes,” I said with the panic clear in my voice.

“Calm down, he won’t do anything bad to you,” the old man said to me smiling reassuringly.

I don’t like any punishment Charles gives me. Wait, hold your horses. None are erotic so far, but it still inflicts me with pain. After the punishment, he always sat with me, offer me chamomile tea, and talk with me like I’m a little kid. I don’t mind, but if others know about this, they might find it weird.

---

We finally arrived at the set with five minutes to spare. I frantically looked for the guy who threatened me. I looked around running and spotted him seating on his mighty actor chair. Quickly, I sprung in front of him while trying my best to look calm.

“Here.”

He looked at his watch and I knew he saw I have still two minutes to spare. He looked at me again and something flicker on his eyes for a brief second.

“You’re flushed. Did you run back?”

Look at this prick, asking me stupid questions.

“Yes, I ran because you practically told me to,” I said letting go of my calm persona and trying to catch my breath.

“I didn’t say you have to run.”

That earned a ferocious glare from me. I looked him in the eye like I’m about to beat him up. He seems unfazed though. He just looks at me coldly as before.

“Okay, yeah, this is totally my fault,” I said with the bile of sarcasm on my mouth.

I knew that he knew when I’m like this I’m pissed off.

For the first time again in a week, he chuckled. I don’t know why but his laugh assured me that he’s all right. That’s why I couldn’t help but smile yet feel worried at the same time.

“Are you okay?” I asked him with concern.

This is the nth time this week I asked him if he’s okay and, like before, he simply ignored my question.

“Go drink some water on the craft service.”

With that, he left me. I figured I can’t push him now for answers as that might stress him out, so I have to wait until we get home.

I headed to the tent of craft service or the food table on the right side of the production. There are a lot of varieties of food, drinks in the craft service. Even so, there were food trucks dedicated to my boss that was sent by his celebrity friends and fans.

I am eyeing the donut which looks so delicious. I grab a piece that was labeled oreo-almonds because I love those flavors. I was eating it with a gusto not caring if someone sees me in a serious mess.

“That looks delicious.”

The comment came from a manly sound. I turned around and saw Ryan Cabrera, Charles’ co-star in this series. He plays the antagonist, but in real life, he’s a friendly and approachable guy. Everyone adores him as he was thoughtful to everyone, even me. Of course, Charles wasn’t the type to get all chummy with other people, so he leaves me to do that for him. And I don’t mind one bit. I like getting to know people.

“Yes, it is,” I said. “Do you want some?”

“Sure, why not?”

He got close to me as I get him a donut. I put it on a single plastic donut wrapper and handed it to him. He took a bite and let out a satisfying moan.

“Oh, this is really delicious.”

We both laughed and talked for a bit as we ate.

“So how are you, Mir?” there is a hint of sweetness in his voice. Maybe because he was used to pleasing and charming people as a celebrity so that also rubs off in normal conversation.

I looked up at him and he was eyeing me intently. He was handsome, but not as handsome as my devil boss. Nevertheless, for personality, Ryan wins.

“Do you really want to know?” I asked him with a sigh.

I’m exhausted and the last scene of the day wasn’t even filmed yet. We’re on standby as my boss’s scene needs to be in the night time. Well, it will be 9 PM soon.

“Yes, if that will make you feel at ease,” he replied.

He was always a sweet guy. I didn’t reply though and took the last bite of my donut. I gulped down a cup of water. Ryan put his right hand on my left shoulder and squeezed it lightly.

“Take it easy okay? You know you can work for me if the devil’s giving you a hard time.”

That made me laugh. Yes, the charming guy was asking me to work for him ever since we met. I think he pities me, but to be honest, my boss is not that bad really… or I’m just used to him.

“I got to go and check up on my boss. I need to prepare his things.”

Out of nowhere, Ryan suddenly leaned closed to me.

“I’m always here Mira,” he whispered.

“What do you think you’re doing!”

An audible shout sounded from behind. It was loud enough to make me jump and push Ryan away. Charles has fire in his eyes and he has a menacing aura to him. His hands and jaw were clenched tight. I’m confused, but afraid at the same time.

“Bro, we’re just talking,” Ryan said. His hands were in mid-air.

Charles looked deadly on Ryan. He was so focused on him that when I moved closer to him it looks like he didn’t notice me. We were in the same scenario before, so I know what I should do.

I was standing in front of him and with shaky hands, I reach for his folded hands and massaged my thumb on him.

“Charles, please stop now,” I firmly said.

It looked like it works because he transferred his intense gaze to me.

“Let’s go please,” I said with pleading eyes.

His eyes soften and gave one last glare to Ryan’s way. He took hold of my right hand and drag me out of the tent quickly.

I don’t know why, but I know him too well to know that whenever he’s angry or frustrated, I only need to massage his hands and soothe him. Yet, the intensity of his glare was different from before, so maybe I will get that consequence right now.