PHOBIA 13

"Ms. Megham, just a little to the right please," said the cameraman, urgently from across the room. I complied. It was freezing and the velvety red ball gown I was wearing did nothing to shield me from the cold. I glanced at the clock, across the room, which showed that it was 6:03 p.m. "Just an hour more to go," I consoled myself as the camera shutter clicked 3 times giving off its signature blinding lights, but my eyes had gotten used to it. It was hard being me, Alicia Megham, the most famous model in New York. The fame that I have is desirable to many but believe me, too much of anything spoils any desire. " Andddd.... Done, PACKUP!" said the assistant, his voice echoing through the walls. He had hardly done speaking when four men came running to help me out of the giant ball gown. I changed into more comfortable clothes, black jeans, yellow shirt and a brown leather jacket. I got out of the studio through the backdoor to avoid the bustling noise and questions of the paparazzi. "This way Ms. Megham," said my bodyguard, Hunter. I complied and moved the way his hands directed me to. Hunter has been my bodyguard from the start of my celebrity life, he is one of the very few people I can trust. Hunter had a very dominating aura, his biceps could be traced from the silken white shirt he always wears.                                         What  was most captivating about him was his ice blue eyes and a face that ended at a sharp jawline. Hunter was only two years older than me leading us to connect even beyond work. The glistening black Buggati Veyron was waiting for me on the street just beside the studio. "No paparazzi here, right?" I asked Hunter. "I searched, none in sight," he answered. Hearing that, I quickly got into the backseat of the car, the Veyron was much warmer than the cold snow outside. I peeled off my leather jacket and turned on the radio as Hunter pulled the car away from the street. Watching New York's skyline in the dusk and humming to my favourite song had become my favourite thing in the past few years. "So, how was your day?" asked Hunter, as he was driving. "The usual, Hunter, the same greenroom, same makeup and the same camera," I said as I exhaled noisily. Hunter chuckled as he heard that. "And here I thought girls love makeup," he said, his sarcasm dripping off his mouth like nicotine. I rolled my eyes, "Don't make me fire you." "Ouch, Alicia, would you throw the 5 years we spent together away that easily? After all we've been through?" he said, with a pout. I chuckled, "I sometimes wonder how I appointed you as my bodyguard anyway," I said. "You know that I am the best," he said, with a swollen chest. "And you know that I can't argue on that," I said as he laughed. Rest of the car ride was rather silent, as I looked out of the window, blocking out the rest of the world. Half an hour later I reached my apartment. I went inside and inhaled deeply to take in the rose scented fragrance, I specifically asked to be placed throughout the home. I switched on the lights, I took off my shoes and threw them on top of the shoe rack. I quickly went into my room, undressed, and hopped into the shower to take a warm shower. I let myself forget everything around me as the stress melted away from my mind and I slipped into what I can only describe as pure bliss. I don't know how long I was standing in the shower when the doorbell jerked me out of my peaceful state. I quickly wore my robe and dashed out of the bathroom.I peeped through the eyehole in hopes of identifying the person. I gasped at seeing my ex-girlfriend standing there. "Sa..Sara" I managed to blurt out after silently opening the door an inch. Sara was wasted to say the least. "Alllll howwww haveeee you beeeenn?" She said in a drunken fit as she stumbled forward and I instinctively pulled the door more to catch her. "What the hell Sar? what are you doing here?" I berated her, though my eyes softened at seeing her condition. "I lovvveeeee youu, myy Alll" said Sara, squirming which caused me to drop her. I held her up and took her to my room. As I put her onto my bed, I noticed her thick brown hair had fallen on her face and she was fast asleep, looking like a little baby. Flashback 5 years ago TRINGGGGG TRINGGGG "Ughhh, I swear I will kill this alarm clock!" I screamed while my hands searched furiously for the alarm clock to shut it off. "Oh no no no, get up you sloth" Sara, my girlfriend said I opened one of my eyes slightly to see Sara holding the alarm clock by my ear. " What the hell Sarr movveee" I yelled at Sara while pushing her off from bed. But knowing her, I knew she would not stop. Sara pulled away the blanket which was covering me. "Saraa nooo" I pleaded her in a baby voice "Its 27th December today you lazy bear" Sara reminded me. Within a fraction of a second I sprang up from bed and rushed to the washroom, and Sara went to the kitchen. " I made breakfast, come fast" Sara told me from the kitchen" " I love you" I replied feeling ever grateful her, whose answer was a faded chuckle. Sara... Sara Valcov, was my batchmate from college where we both studied English Literature. I never believed in first sight love, but Sara, she was something else, she is a wave of pure joy. I was so mesmerised with this girl that I could stare at her throughout the day letting everything else slide away from me. One day during recess she came up to my desk which was scattered with papers, Sara sat on top of the desk and allowing me to finally get a full view of her. Sara always tied her light brown hair in a messy bun and some locks of hair ran down her face, her cheeks were rose red, I noticed. She stared at me with her glistening silvery eyes. "Are you free tonight?" Sara's voice broke my trance "Huh? I...I... Yeah I am free why?" I could barely speak after this sudden encounter "Great, be ready at 7pm tonight I will pick you up. "Bu...ut why?" I asked curiously "Ummm... I want to take you out on a date." She said and hurriedly went back to her desk, as she sat there, she stole a quick glance and turned back again. After that night its been two years since we were together. Sara and I graduated, Sara joined as an intern writer in Huxley publishing, while I thought of pursuing my dream of becoming a model. And today is the day I am supposed to finally take a break in the modelling industry. ~~~~~~~~~~~~Present~~~~~~~~~~~ I came out of the room, took out my phone and dialled my manager's number. After 5 long rings, Zubin finally picked up my call "So typical of him" I thought followed by a silent smirk. "Hey Alicia," Zubin said. Zubin's husky voice kicked me out of my trance. Zubin has been my manager for not longer than six months, but he is the best at his job. Zubin is just 20 years old which makes me treat him like my younger brother. "Hey, Can you please brush me over my schedule tomorrow?" "Ahh yes! So at 9am sharp you have a meeting with Mr. Blair for the photoshoot, next at 11am you have star modelling for the Fashionista Magazine, then you have lunch with your associates and at 6pm you have been called for an award show," said Zubin, all at once, then exhaled to mark his finished monologue. "Gotcha, See you tomorrow Zubin." "See ya!" said Zubin and I ended the call. Ahh! I think I should go to bed too. I walked to my closet, changed to my navy blue nightgown and I was about to doze off in the couch when I got a call. I looked at name on my screen and it said Hunter. Why is Hunter calling me now? I swiped the green button on the screen, put the call on speaker when I heard Hunter quietly say " Alicia, I need to tell something" " Everything alright Hunter?" I asked growing worried due to his sudden change of tune. " I have to quit this job Al" Hunter said...........