Scene of Eve

[ chapter 5 ]

It had been two days since the last scene. Two days since I had spoken to Ian. But those two days, I hadhave been restless. Drowning. Like I had not left the ocean at all. 

My thoughts keptgoing back to how Ian’s lips would gently touch mine. How his warm eyes would always find mine and calm me down. How he would smile, his nose scrunching along with his eyes. How he would tilt his head and poke his tongue on his cheek when he’s in deep concentration. How his black locks feel soft as I comb my way through them. I smiled at the thought of tying his hair in different ways. His wavy hair already hitting the top of his jaw just makes it more tempting to tie it up. Pretty much like that rocker hairstyle. A little messy. But just the right messy that covers his eyes perfectly when he is concentrating. And his body. Oh god. His arms. Every time I was reminded of his strength. Every time he would pull me by the waist, I could feel his strong arms around me. And when my hand landed on his arms, I could feel him controlling his strength just to be gentle with me. 

Suddenly the ocean was such a boring view compared to Ian.

A honk of a car reminded me that I was back to filming with Ian. We got our weekend to ourselves. In a way, I loved that I had time for myself. But I also hated how the two days passed by but I was still stuck in the thought of having to play the role of Ian’s lover. I felt deprived of attention. 

How can he not call? Or even a message? 

But of course, I knew that I should not even have thought that. I kept on forgetting how I was just but a piece that makes up a game. Ian did all those things to help me get into character. 

“Ms. Apple?” I heard Nessa from the other side of the door. A chuckle escaped my lips as I opened to a girl with unkempt hair and a popsicle stick that was nearly melting in hand. 

“Where’s Tiana?” I asked as I accepted the offered ice cream and Hazel helped me with my bags.

“Oh. Momma Tats is actually in a meeting with Mike. But she’ll be going straight to the shoot after. So I’m agent Nessa for a few hours.” She saluted and marched her way forward as she opened the door for me.

“That’s not how they march, dumb ass. It’s left, left, left, right, left.” Hazel came up behind me and sat beside me as she stole the popsicle from Nessa.

“Hey, that was mine. You said you didn’t want one,” Nessa said then closed the door, her arms crossed across her chest and her pouty lips even plumper as she pouted at Hazel.

The whole trip to the venue was fun. Nessa and Hazel kept up with their silly banters. I could see why Tiana was dubbed as the ‘momma’. She literally had to watch over two kids along with a talent. But that was what made me love them even more. They were so easy going. All other thoughts were forgotten once the two started talking. Sometimes a bunch of gibberish. Sometimes just plain giggling. Like they have no worries. I wouldn’t feel as lonely if only I had them since day one. Maybe I wouldn’t be doubting much of myself too if only I had their assurance. 

___

“Hey. So I know I kind of went overboard at the beach. So…” Ian approached me as I waited for him beside the car we were going to be using. His hands behind his back and his head low, but his eyes were on mine.

“Yes?” I thought I would find myself being awkward once I saw him again. But his smile is contagious and I just could not help it. One look and all my worries wereforgotten for the moment. 

“Uhm. You planning to murder me with a water gun?” I asked laughing as I pointed at the guns in his hands.

Ian then joined my laughter and handed me one of the toy guns. He explained how the water attack would be a gentler one today since I was not able to fully enjoy the ocean. He then apologized about how he did not mean to scare me,said he just wanted to play around but he felt inconsiderate without asking me.

I shot him with the water gun playfully and which made him shut up. 

“I am so sorry. Oh my god, Ian,” I apologized with a laugh as I wiped his face with my palms. He then scrunched his nose with a goofy smile and aimed his own gun at me. I couldn’t even hide my face as he was holding on to my wrists securely as he attacked me.

“Alright, you lovebirds. Don’t finish your bullets in one go,” the director said as Nessa came with towels for both me and Ian.

“So Momma Tats have good news. But I’ll tell you later,” Nessa whispered as she reached for the towels back.

“Tiana’s already in that meeting with Mike, then,” Ian said as Nessa left. I was about to ask Ian if he knew anything about it but then the director already called our attention to the scene.

Cameras were set inside the car and Ian and I got in. Him on the driver’s side, and I on the passenger's seat. 

I was giddy with excitement. Call me a child, but I always wanted to experience it again -  being inside the car while having it washed. It was a fond memory I had of my parents when I was younger. Every Friday after school, they would pick me up and we would pass by the car wash. My parents and I would then stay the whole process of the carwash inside the car. All the while, I would talk their ears off how my day went and their smiles so blinding that I keep getting distracted from watching the windows as our car is being washed. I would then whine how I was not able to enjoy the car wash ride yet again. But of course, my parents promised that we’d be back in just a week. I would calm down then with a new found excitement and wonder where my dad would take us for dinner. He knew so many hidden gems in our town. Little cafes or restaurants that no one bothered to take a second look at because of shabby exteriors or crabby waitresses that welcome you with a frown. But the food was exquisite. It was more than enough to make up for the exterior and the not-so-customer-friendly workers. After dinner we would drive around town aimlessly. Just a lazy drive out until I jumped in my seat and asked for ice cream.

“Hey. You okay? You seem dazed.” Ian’s warm palms were cupping my cheeks in an instant calling me back to the present. I smiled sheepishly and laughed it off. 

Why is it always Ian asking if I’m alright and never the other way around?

“Yes. Perfectly fine. I just had this memory of my parents,” I said as I pulled away from his touch. Who would want to hear a boring story from their childhood?Obviously not Ian. It had nothing to do with him nor his project. So I just looked out the car window as the director was busy setting up inside the car wash itself.

“Tell me?” Ian whispered as he nuzzled his cheek gently on my shoulder.

“Okay. But I’m warning you, it’s just a boring memory,” I told him as I lifted his face up gently. I told him of the memory, his smile just as fond as my parents while they listened to how my day went. 

“They love you,” he said gently after his thumb wiped a stray tear I did not feel, “and you miss them.”

“It’s been years since I last visited them.” I cleared my throat and adjusted myself in the seat as the director came out and signalled for us to be ready. Ian’s body was still awkwardly leaning gently against me. His stance was almost like he did not want to have an inch of space between us. His stare seemed more intense as his long locks curtained his eyes. But even with his wavy hair draped nearly over his eyes, I could see him. 

“Let’s visit them.” Ian surprised me with how enthusiastic he sounded. 

“I- I mean. Yeah. We can. But-” Even before I could wrap my thoughts around what he suggested, he added more into the confusion I was currently battling.

“Today. “ He was smiling from ear to ear as he held the wheel in front of him.

“Today?” Did I hear right? I gasped in panic, not hearing the director call out that the scene was already rolling. I was still staring at Ian, not hearing the director nor feeling the car lurch forward.

“Yes. Today, Ms. Apple.” Ian laughed as he shot his water gun right in the middle of my forehead. 

Getting back on track, I closed my mouth and laughed as I hit his shoulder and picked up my own water gun and aimed it at him randomly. 

“Why so spontaneous, Mr. Ian?” I asked as the car entered the wash and suddenly the windows were covered in white foam, leaving the car with little sunlight. 

Ian flicked on the light inside and our faces were illuminated by warm light. 

“You miss them. And I want to meet who gave me the apple of my eye.” He winked as he again cupped my cheek and placed his forehead against mine. He was leaning in slowly, his breath fanning over my lips. My hands gripped the toy gun tightly as I closed my eyes. In the dark I could hear the ocean. I couldcan feel Ian's lips. A little salty from his dip but still so soft on mine. 

Ian’s hands moved behind my head and suddenly I was back under the ocean. Under his spell. I couldn’t move. I couldn’t hear. It was as if water was in my ears and the water was pushing me down, deeper into the darkest depth of the sea.

I couldn’t breathe. 

Without intending to, I pushed Ian with too much power that he nearly hit his head on the window. This time I really dropped the gun as I tried to hurriedly grab for his hand and pull him to me. 

“I’m fine.” He startled me with his blinding smile as our faces were back from being inches apart. 

I was about to apologize when suddenly Ian was grabbing for the gun I dropped and started shooting me with his and my own gun. I tried to keep myself dry as I covered myself with my arms. But as the white foam was washed off, my hair was already dripping wet and my clothes were sticking as if it was my second skin. 

As we were back out, Ian opened the door for me as Nessa ran back with both our towels, her cheeks flushed as if she ran a marathon.

“Glad Mike kept you under his wing, Nessa,.” Ian said as he dried his own hair while Nessa was helping me with mine.

“I am to, Sir Ian. I thought I lost my first project since,well, you know.” I stared at Nessa as she giggled shyly. So it was not just Tiana who worked with Ian before, but my whole team did.

I raised my eyebrows at Nessa as she looked up at me after drying my hair a little. She was about to walk away but I held her wrist, my eyebrows raised even higher as I asked for answers. 

“I’ll tell you once we’re on our drive to your parents,” Ian said and laughed. “But for now, let the kid go. We have work to do. Oh, and Nessa? You owe me.” Ian added before Nessa scurried away even redder when she came.

I nodded and went back inside the car as the director instructed for some scene close ups. My hands were sweating at the thought though. There would be someone with me and Ian inside the car. It was no longer just a camera set up around the car. Instead, it was a person shooting us inside. I could see myself feeling awkward because of the extra pair of eyes. But of course, close ups were needed. Who was I to say that every scene taken was already good? 

As Ian went to the driver’s side, he looked back at the camera man with us. Gave him some instructions. I felt myself smiling. Ian really had this fire in his eyes, a fire that fueled him to keep moving. A fire that exudes warmth for those he works with. A fire that I wanted to treasure and light my own way with. 

“Ready?” Ian said as he turned to me, a playful grin on his face. 

“Ready,” I said as I held my water gun up and pointed at him.

___

Funny how I found myself back inside a car. The shoot was over, but the sun had not set yet just as Ian predicted we’d finish early. SoI was inside his car, fiddling with my fingers nervously as he talked to Mike.

“All set. Tiana knows where we’ll be. Said to just inform her once we’re leaving your parents’ place,” Ian said as he got in his car and fixed my seatbelt. He did it so fast I had no time to react as his fingers lingered on my cheeks before leaning away to fix his own seatbelt. 

I nodded with a whispered ‘thanks’ as he started to drive out into the street. 

The drive would take at least two hours from New York City to Tivoli so we decided to get snacks along the road.

“So. The meeting. How did you know?” I asked Ian and he chuckled as he bit into his sandwich while waiting for the red light to change.

“You know how Mike is not just my agent, right?” He chewed thoughtfully as he spared a glance my way.

“Yes. From my first meeting with him, he’s also in charge of recruiting talents and getting them signed.” I took a sip from my coffee, letting my hair fall over my left side, hiding my reddening cheeks from Ian’s stare.

“Well. He wants to offer you a contract with Genesis.” Ian drove as the lights changed but pulled over as we crossed the intersection. I choked on my drink as I had to make sure I did not mishear him. 

“I’m sorry. Contract? What-? How-?” As I was a blubbering mess after choking on my drink, Ian was patting my back gently and his eyes finally found mine.

“Nothing’s settled yet. But, yes. You heard right. Mike loves how our scenes came out. He wants to have you as a signed model under our management.” As I calmed down, Ian went back to driving but one of his hands were still caressing my back gently. He continued on how Mike believed that I could get big in no time with the proper promotion and connections.

I nibbled on my own sandwich as my thoughts went haywire with the revelation. Although I was honored with how Mike trusted me, a no-namer in the industry, I was still being held back by my own goal. 

I was only striving as a freelance model in the hopes of someone actually listening and genuinely taking interest with the stories I pitched to every director I worked with. I even pitched it to Joey, our current director, but his response was so-so, said that he would get back to me after the scene but we shot a number of scenes already and I had not heard from him again regarding my story. I knew then that Joey was just another failed attempt at me reaching for my bigger dream. I admitted that modelling had grown on me over the years and to some extent, I did want to be a regular, a name that people would pay just to have in their shoots. But compared to being a writer? Modelling is a mere pastime, a job that I had to do just to be able to feed myself and pay my bills. It was merely a ride for me to get me to my destination. 

The rest of the drive was silent. I assumed that Ian was letting the thought of signing a contract fully sink in. But to be honest, my thoughts were a mess. I was not sure how I should really feel. 

Should I accept it? Reject it? And if I do reject it? Would it be a lost opportunity?

I was thinking too much. About my team. About my own plans. About new plans. About where I currently stand. About my parents. About me. About Ian.

Nothing was settled yet. Anything could have happened in the meeting.

Drowning in my thoughts, I didn’t even notice we were entering Tivoli. Ian slowing down made me realize how silent I had been the whole drive. Regret was gnawing its way out my system. Anyone would be bored after driving for two2 hours without entertainment.

“I am so sorry. I’m just-” Ian patted my head as he stopped me midsentence.

“It’s cool. Besides, the view was interesting. It was like a silent movie. The conflict is there but I don’t quite understand how the character handles it.” He laughed and winked at me as he made a turn in an awfully familiar street.

Home. 

Normally my dad would be standing right outside of our home, an unlit cigarette in his lips as he waiteds for me. I would then bump my head on his beer belly before pulling the cigarette out of his lips and throwing it to the ground. It was not that he smokes. He just likeds having it between his lips, the bitter taste sticking to his lips ‘is more than enough to satiate the nicotine cravings’ as he would say so.

I tapped Ian as I saw my house outside my window. Curtains closed but I could see the vague reflection of the television behind it. I could hear my mom laughing at her usual sitcoms while my dad snored away beside her on the couch.  Just the typical lazy afternoon for them.

“Welcome home.” I didn’t notice Ian opening my door for me, my eyes still stuck on the window of our house. 

Welcome home indeed.

As Ian offered a hand to help me down the car, I saw the curtains move slightly. Just a few seconds after my dad opened the door just in his shorts and robe untied. He scratched his eyes. Obviously, he woke up from dozing off on the couch. I then saw a tuft of blond hair just behind him, curiously peeking.

“Dad, mom,.” I gently called out as I walked closer to them, Ian not moving from where he held the car door open.

“You didn’t tell me you were gonna visit with your boyfriend, dear,” my mom said as she pushed my dad out of her way.

“Boyfriend?” my dad asked gruffly, the cigarette he just put in his mouth dropping to the floor. His feet stomping as he made his way towards a lost Ian who was mouthing words at me to help him out. 

I laughed as I kissed my mom on the cheek before running after my dad and pulling him by the robe as I got in the middle of him and Ian.

“Dad. Mom. This is Ian. A-” I look at Ian not sure whether ‘friends’ was alright for me to say or colleague.

“Ian Miller, sir. Apple’s friend,” Ian said as he reached a hand to my dad to shake.

“Friend.” My dad pulled Ian for a tight hug instead as I looked back at my mom in surprise. My mom just shrugged and went to pull my dad away as he replaced him with a gentler and shorter hug before smiling up at him.

“How can I not recognize Ian. Apple’s been a fan way before you were this big of a name.” 

“Mom.” I was seething. Way to welcome me back home. 

“What? I’m just stating facts, dear. I remembered how you would sneak out on school nights just to catch him play.” My mom winked at me as she pulled Ian with her to our house. 

“Sure he’s just a friend?” my dad asked as I looped my arms with his and followed my mom and Ian inside. 

I nodded while my eyes remained on Ian’s back as he laughed at more of my mom’s embarrassing stories.

“Sure, hun. Let’s pretend your old man here believes you.” My dad patted my hand on his arm, and I realized that I was looking at Ian all along. I didn’t even notice how my mom’s hair grew longer than the last time I visited and how the corner of her eyes wrinkled more now when she smiled.

Inside, I heard my mom and Ian in the kitchen laughing. My dad sat across Ian who was looking at an old  photo album - my baby pictures? Of course. Always how my mom would want to entertain guests.

I rolled my eyes as I approached my mom and helped out with the plates while she continued telling Ian the background of each picture he was looking at. I swear my mom already memorized each of the pictures after showing it to every damned visitor we ever had. One disadvantage of being an only child was that there was no other form of entertainment for my parents. It was all me. Will always be me. 

“You know your mom would only stop talking about your baby pictures if you had babies of your own.” My dad interrupted as I arranged the plates on the table.

I sighed as I turned around, a blush creeped up my face. 

“When are we going to see little ‘Apples’ running around this house, dear?” My mom intentionally bumping my shoulder a little too hard and I nearly fell back on Ian’s lap.

“Too soon, mom. Not in my plans yet. I’m not even stable on my own feet,” I said after apologizing to Ian who held his hands open, ready to catch me. His eyes were gentle and understanding as he looked up at me.

“Apple’s getting there though,” Ian said gently as his eyes looked back down on the photographs then back up to my mom with a shy smile. “She might be offered a contract by Genesis Entertainment.”

My mom dropped what she was doing and sat on my chair. Her attention was all on Ian as he explained how the director liked my performance the last few weeks. 

“Joey said he sees potential. Talked to Mike. And now we’re just waiting for good news, I hope, from Tiana.”

“Don’t get your hopes up, mom. Nothing is settled yet. It could be no news at all.” I interrupted while I was leaning by the sink, arms crossed and my mind even more confused. 

I knew that it was what my parents would want. Something stable. But I couldn’t just give up and be a doll for someone. It was not the kind of stability I had dreamt of. 

 “Well. I’m not. But it’s also not bad to hope in general.” My mom stood up and patted my shoulder as she placed our dinner on the table.