Every day Luke slept less, prepared more for shoots. Different hair, looks, maku up, and travel. All the 7 days he was away, he craved more to return back home. His sleeplessness started affecting his mood and he informed his manager how he needs a break.
"You know I cannot do it," Sammy, his manager replied back.
"But It's Christmas. It's holiday season, can I not get even a single break? I have not rested in past whole year and you know it. The agency even made me work on my birthday with a fan event and it was crazy. I ended performing for 4 hours, singing and dancing. Out of all the years. As if I'm a celebrity. I still nodded and remained quiet. And as a manager you did not even check with me. I'm not a slave Sammy. I need rest too. Tell them I need a break and that I'm unwell due to the weather. If you cannot even do that, I do not need you Sammy," Luke said straight to Sammy's face.
Sammy is older than Luke and has experience handling work but not a force like Luke. People remained obedient under him. But Luke is stronger, courageous, sharp tongued, and some times even arrogant. Sammy who handled many could not control Luke at all. And every time Luke said something, there was a point and eventually Sammy would agree to it and find a solution.
"Good Sammy," Luke would then give a smile and thank him.
"Please." This time Luke pleaded. "Don't you feel bad for me at all? Do you want me to lose my passion for this work?"
Luke had a point again this time. Agency has been making him run like a machine ever since he gained fan followings. Shoots, runways, events, everything taken back to back without having a concern. Luke tolerated as long as they paid him well but he could not continue to do it.
"Luke, you may leave, I will manage it," Sammy gave in. Luke and Sammy stood staring at each other. Luke had just finished the promo shoot for a clothing brand, wearing the exclusive collections.
"Thank you," Luke said looking at Sammy. He realised Sammy is equally feeling tired.
"Luke," Sammy smiled and called him. "Merry Christmas," he wished. "Rest well for a week. That's all I can get you. This is a busy time. I will try to book you less during the New Year Latern Festival next year. But Gala night appearance is must," Sammy promised.
"Thank you Sammy. This means a lot," Luke was surprised. Sammy patted Luke.
"Leave quickly. Don't answer the calls. I'm going to say you caught flu after the shoot in the pool and snow yesterday," Sammy shared the idea.
"That works and somewhat sounds believable," Luke appreciated it.
Luke was dressed in a pristine white jacket for the shoot, the sharp, clean silhouette making him look effortlessly striking. His hair had been dyed a soft sandy blonde this time, the warm shade catching the studio lights and lending an almost ethereal quality to his features. A sleek black choker circled his neck, adding a subtle edge to the otherwise elegant look.
His makeup was kept light but carefully defined. A soft wash around his eyes accentuated their shape, making his gaze appear deeper and more intense without taking away from his natural features. The combination of the tousled sandy-blonde hair, luminous skin, sharp eyes, and black choker gave him an almost unreal presence delicate at first glance, yet undeniably captivating.
"Change and leave," Sammy said and left the dressing room.
Luke took a deep breath and took of his jacket and top. He picked the round neck t-shirt and the knitted grey full sleeve sweater to wear on top. He hunted for a Grey sweat pants and and a black cap. He picked up a black face mask and put it on, to put on a show. Everybody appeared to be wrapping up the shoot.
"Good work everyone, thank..." he pretended to cough while speaking.
"Are you not well?" The art director asked.
"I caught cough and cold. I feel extremely tried too," he replied in front of the crew.
"Could it be because of the wet shoot yesterday?" One of the light crew member asked.
"Maybe, I don't know. I'm freezing. I will just go grab some food and sleep tonight. Bye everyone," he said and left.
It appeared to have worked. The director felt bad too, to have exhausted the model.
Luke calculated the time time drive back to the valley. He got inside his van. The driver was already waiting for him under Sammy's order.
"Take me back to the agency. I need to pick uo my car," Luke said. He picked up his phone and wondered whether he should tell Naila about his visit. 'No, let it be a surprise,' he decided. 'Should I be getting a Christmas present for her?' He wondered.
"Thank you," he thanked his driver and walked into the agency. He picked up his personal belongings and backpack. He stepped out immediately. He drove the car out of the basement and went straight to a mall. He walked into a watch showroom and picked a nice watch. "Do you think this is the right gift for a female friend?" He asked the sales person.
"Why don't you pair it with a perfume?" She suggested.
"You think?" He asked back and she simply nodded.
"Women love scents and fragrances. Come, I will help you pick one up," the girl was so happy to have hit her target for the day. He stepped out with two bottles of perfume and a watch. But he still was not sure if it was a good Christmas present.
"Let's get home," he decided and stepped on the accelerator. He did not take a break in-between. "I wonder if she has slept early," he wondered. "Nah, it's Friday, she probably might stay up late," he then told himself.
Around 10 p.m., he finally reached the community. He opened the gates himself, drove inside, and parked the car before gathering all the bags in his hands. Then he walked up to the house and knocked on the door.
A moment later, the door opened.
His eyes immediately fell on her.
For a brief second, he simply stood there, looking at her.
Her hair was neatly plaited, the braid falling loosely over her left shoulder. She was dressed in lemon-yellow gingham-printed pants and a simple white oversized T-shirt, the soft colors making her look effortlessly charming. She had dabbed on a light perfume, and its delicate fragrance reached him the moment she opened the door. A faint peachy tint colored her lips, subtle yet enough to draw his attention. It was barely noticeable but he noticed it anyway. There was something incredibly soft and endearing about the way she looked tonight.
"Luke" she looked really surprised. But he had no idea that she was actually panicking.
"Hey," Luke said and stepped. His eyes went straight to the coffee table then.