LOVE WAS RED

CHAPTER 2

That same evening at a nice hotel bar, Bank was having drinks with his cinematographer, Black and Tune, a digital marketer.

The discussion was about Bank's new documentary.

"Having a premiere for your documentary is a good idea," Tune said as he leaned back in his chair.

"Well, I thought it would be a good opportunity for my friends and the sponsors to enjoy this extraordinary achievement," Bank explained as he looked from Black to Tune. He finished his cocktail and gestured to the waiter for a refill.

"A premiere is a rite of passage for every filmmaker," Black added.

"Are the tickets sold?" Bank asked as the waiter brought him another cocktail.

Tune looked up from his tablet.

"Yes, the tickets are selling. I think it will be sold out before the weekend. And it's because of all the promotions and press that we have been doing."

"I really liked the posters that you designed for the documentary. They really bring out the very essence of the film." Black complimented as he looked at Tune.

" I am grateful to all our sponsors too. They have been amazing. Do you think we can put it on a streaming service like Netflix?" Bank looked at Black.

"I don't see why not," Black replied rather smugly.

"How about we make it a black tie event,” Bank suggested as he looked from Black to Tune.

"I believe smart casual is best, but if someone wants to come in their black tie then we won't stop them either."

"We also need to get professional photographers since there will be a red carpet," Bank informed him as he looked at his smartphone.

"Good idea, I will work on that," Tune nodded as he typed away on his tablet.

"I have just emailed you a list of celebrities we should invite to the premiere," Black said, looking up from his smartphone.

"I will go through the list and send you my feedback," Bank said.

A smartphone started ringing.

Bank looked at the screen and saw a picture of Pitch.

"Hello," Bank answered.

"Baby, how are you? How was your day?" Pitch asked while he drove.

Bank smiled. " I'm fine, and I had a great day. Are you finished with the conference?"

"Yes."

"I hope it went well."

"It did." Pitch smiled. "Are you home?"

"No, I am having drinks with Black and Tune. We are planning my premiere. Will you be coming over? I will order take out?"

"No, I can't tonight. Ice has a fashion show this evening and I promised him that I would be there to support him. I'm sorry."

Bank was disappointed as he looked at his cocktail.

"Are you heading over to the venue right now?"

"Yes, I am," Pitch answered as he held onto the steering wheel.

Bank's disappointment increased with every passing moment, but he did not say anything.

"Bank I will have to hang up now."

"Why?" Bank asked desperately.

"Ice is calling me now."

"Who is calling?"

Now, Bank could not hide his frustration.

"Ice is calling." Pitch repeated.

Bank said nothing.

"I will call you later, I love you." Pitch said sincerely.

"I love you too."

Bank replied without much enthusiasm.

At the venue for the fashion show, Ice was in one of the backstage dressing rooms with the other models having his hair and makeup done before the show began.

He stirred at his reflection in the mirror for a while before picking up his smartphone to call Pitch again.

Pitch answered.

"Pitch, where are you?" Ice asked.

"I'm on my way. I will be there in twenty minutes." Pitch looked at his wrist watch.

"Please hurry up…... I want to see you." Ice pleaded into the phone.

"I will be there soon," Pitch reassured him with a smile. He liked that Ice needed him.

Ice began to relax a little. "Alright, I will be waiting then…. My nerves are acting up and I don't know if I will be able to walk down the runway."

"You have done this a thousand times, you will be fine."

"Please, please get here as soon as possible. I need to see you before I walk the runway." Ice pleaded again.

"I'm nearly there, I will see you in a little while," Pitch reassured.

"I will be waiting."

Pitch arrived at the venue and once he was inside, he went looking for the dressing rooms.

On entering it, he found it filled with models and fashion designers, hair stylists and make-up artists getting them ready before the show started.

It took a moment before he found Ice in a terry robe and fluffy slippers, getting his hair done while scrolling through his smartphone.

Pitch smiled and walked quietly over to him.

He leaned over and whispered, " I'm here."

Ice turned around and smiled into Pitch's eyes.

Ice got up from the chair and hugged him.

"Thank you for being here. How was your conference?"

"It went well."

Ice looked Pitch over. "You really look good in that suit." Then he touched Pitch affectionately on his arm.

"You think so," Pitch teased as he flexed his shoulders gallantly.

Ice only smiled sweetly at him. Looking down, he remarked: "I really like your shoes."

"Thank you." Pitch said, smiling clearly, loving all the attention that Ice was showering on him.

Ice stood up from his chair.

“Pitch.”

"Yes "

"Please, place your feet between my feet?"

"Like this," Pitch asked as he placed one of his feet between Ice’s fluffy slipper-covered feet.

"Yes, thank you." Ice then took a picture of it with his smartphone.

Looking at the picture on his smartphone, Ice smiled mischievously.

Back at his studio flat, Bank went into the bathroom to brush his teeth while looking at his reflection in the mirror.

After rinsing his mouth with water, he put a hydrating face mask sheet over his face. He came out of the bathroom and sat on his bed.

Picking up his smartphone, Bank leaned against the pillows. A sudden feeling told him to go onto Ice's ** page and look through his pictures.

Once on his **, a picture immediately caught Bank’s attention.

Bank clicked on the picture.

He looked at it carefully and recognized Pitch's dress shoes and socks. Bank sat up quickly and looked at the captions for the picture.

There were only three love emoji.

An uneasy feeling washed over Bank that he could not explain.

Then Pitch was video calling.

Bank answered as he held up the smartphone.

"Hello."

"Hello, what is that on your face?"

"It's a hydrating face mask. I wanted to look nice and fresh for my premiere. Are you home yet?"

"Yes I am home now." Pitch smiled as he took off his suit jacket.

"How was the fashion show?" Bank asked, just to be polite, but he could care less.

"It went really well, whenever Ice walked the runway there were always cheers," Pitch laughed as he took off his tie.

"Did you take any pictures?" Bank asked carefully.

"I didn't, but Ice took a picture of our feet together when I went backstage to see him."

Pitch now sat on his bed while still holding his smartphone up.

"I love you," was all Bank could say.

Pitch Smiled, before kissing the screen of his smartphone. "I love you more."