Her Pleas

3

Instead of having an awkward and full of rage conversation with that jerk, I settled myself to have relaxation before entering the battlefield. I need food. It is essential to me. I went to the cafeteria to buy some snacks when my eyes saw a man wearing a leather coat, black jeans, and a white shirt. He’s also wearing a hat and shades. I don’t even know why my eyes stopped at him and checked him out. I mean, I’m not the type to do that. At least, I don’t have much time in the world to think about my love life. I’m too preoccupied with my plan, and having a lover is the least thing that I’ll mind.

Okay, I admit it. He’s oozing hot and the charisma that he holds will surpass everyone in the entertainment industry. No one could be compared with him. It’s my first time saying that to a man.

I want to see his eyes, but the thing that he’s wearing prevents me from seeing them. After a minute of looking, I was awakened by the sudden tap of the cashier. I nearly cursed myself for being overly distracted because of a guy that I totally forgot that I was in line with for a salad and a fruit shake.

I sweetly smiled at her and said my order. She processed it out and instructed me to wait at the table with my number. I said my thanks and went to the nearest one, in front of the cashier. I checked the time on my wristwatch, and I still have 15 minutes until the call time.

Instead of focusing on the phone that I have in my hand, my eyes just won’t stop. The table where I was was set perfectly for me to see the handsome man across the table. He’s sitting not far from me, leaving me the luxury of seeing him. I don’t care if he sees me staring at him. I’m shameless when it comes to him. Fudge, did I say that? Oh, you’re smitten, Prun. You’re seriously in danger, and you need to stop.

My number was called, and my eyes averted away from the guy. I walked towards the counter and picked up my order. After that, I went back to the table and was disappointed when I couldn’t see him anymore. I missed my chance, and I don’t think I can see him again... under any circumstances.

Instead of eating it in the cafeteria, I brought it to the shooting room. I lost my appetite and I’ll just give this to Gaylene. It’s a waste if no one eats this.

As I was in the middle of my walk, Gaylene’s face was the first thing that I saw. Not now, please.

"Where have you been? I’ve been looking for you everywhere and you’re not even answering your goddamn phone! Pru- hey, what’s the matter? What’s with your face? Did something happen?" His face went from ballistic to perturbed. I know he’s worried; he knows me well. I’m aware that I can’t let him think that I’m okay, but I will still try. I tried to lighten the atmosphere and showed a fake smile at him.

"It’s nothing, Lene. I just bumped into Stefan for the second time. Let’s go?"

Knowing him, I know that he’s suspicious of me, but I don’t care. I don’t have that much time to think about what he feels or thinks of my actions.

The staff started to do their things for me. They did some make-up that suited the theme of the photoshoot as well as preparing the outfit that I’ll wear. It ended after a few as they didn’t put on heavy make-up or such, and plus that I have great skin too. I’m not overdoing it, or I am a narcissist. It was based on their comments about me. I’m not that desperate to receive such comments from them. I know myself, and I am totally aware that I’m close to perfection, except that I have scars from the past, physically and emotionally.

"Jody! Come up here now. We’ll start after Stefan finishes dressing," said Leina, who happens to be the director and hated me because of my connection to Stefan in the past. She likes him.

I couldn’t help myself mimicking her and it didn’t free me from the eyes of the staff. They giggled and looked at me, as if they were saying that I needed to be patient when dealing with this woman. I smiled at them and went to the center.

Stefan didn’t take long and went out of his tent. You heard it right, his tent. Hello, we’re indoors. I don’t see the reason for setting up a tent. His overflowing love for himself is showing. Yeah, he has issues. A clean freak that isn’t clean at all. I mean his conscience… no, his overall existence.

"I’m sorry if I kept you waiting. Should we start?" Gosh, I hated how he said it so cool. As if he’s the star of this event.

"No, no, Stefan dear. You came at the right time." I could see how Leina’s eyes changed. It is sparkling and visible that she’s into him.

The whole room became quiet after she said that. I bit my lip to refrain from laughing, but my laughter betrayed me, and it slipped out. All eyes are on me, and I don’t give a damn. I cleared my throat and turned my back on them.

"Let’s start. In position, please. Team!" I heard Leina say, followed by a clap and the sounds of people working.

"Can you stop that?" I put my hand behind me and looked at the guy who had the balls to talk to me.

"Stop what?" I asked back.

"Even if you do that, I won’t come back to you." Come back? What was this jerk trying to imply? Duh! Even his name makes me sick.

"Don’t be naïve and clueless, Mau. We both know what I am talking about." Wow, the confidence that he has in himself is unbelievable.

"Let me get this straight, Stefan. I don’t like you, and I’m not doing anything to make you notice me or whatever you’re thinking now. I don’t want any trouble to happen, so please, let’s be professional... even if you’re not. You impotent jerk." Of course, I lowered my voice in the last part. But I think he heard it too and it made him silent for the whole duration of the photoshoot.

I’m glad that it ended without any conflicts. Even the truth that I wasn’t comfortable throughout the whole duration because of his charisma. I’m not talking about Stefan; I’m talking about the guy that I met in the cafeteria. Is met the right word? I mean, I saw him, but I don’t think he saw me. He’s wearing sunglasses.

Gaylene discussed with me the next photoshoot that will be on in the next few days, but my attention isn’t with him. My thoughts are flying, and I don’t think it’ll stop... not until I see him again and have an interaction with him. I may sound despondent, but I badly need to know who he is. There’s something in him that fills me. It feels… it feels right.

"Can you stop the car, Lene?" I need to buy something from the grocery store. I don’t want to be a nuisance to you." I said, out of nowhere. I’m tired of hearing what he’ll say. It’s all the same and it will run through before the photoshoot, so I don’t see any reason to listen to it all over again.

I may be a brat, but only to Gaylene. He knows me well, and I can act like myself when I’m with him. Except when Stefan or Timothy, or worse, Dante, my worthless father, I don’t think I can stop my attitude when I’m with them. I’m building an image of an angel and it was ruined by Stefan when he made such an issue without basis. And people believed him just because he's been here in this industry before me? Such a joke! And because he's more popular and has already had an image that couldn’t be destroyed because of his large fanbase? Oh, give me a break!

"I could drop you off there. The nearest grocery store is still far away. Do you have cash with you?" He asked while his eyes were deposed to the road.

"No, but I’ll find a way. Don’t worry about me, Lene. Stop with that expression and fix your eyes. Nothing will happen to me, okay? I’ll go home after this. I need to be alone. I hope you understand."

Even though I told him that I'd find a way to pay for the transportation fee, he still gave me a large sum of money. I can’t believe that he’s carrying so much cash. We lived in the world of credit cards, so it took me aback when he gave me ten thousand.

"I know, of course, I’m your best friend. Please call me after you visit her. And if she tries to harm you again, please have mercy on yourself. Don’t settle for that and start looking after youself, Prun. Take care. I’ll go now," he said after I got out of the car. I waved my hand at him and took a deep breath when his car started to become smaller and vanished.