Facts Bar
Luigi and June were the last people to arrive. Luigi had intentionally taken a longer route, to spend more time with June, although they barely had much conversation in the car.
When they arrived, there was a two-seater couch, which was left empty for them. Naturally, the two sat on it.
There were freshly cut melons, grapes and strawberries on the table for their palate, and a couple of drinks for them to choice from.
Luigi picked a slice of melon and gave it to June. "Eat this!" He said in a soft and calmly manner
With everyone's gaze on them, June immediately grabbed two grapes and stuffed into her mouth. "I prefer this." She managed to say.
Luigi smiled and bit into the melon himself.
"Tonight, we are bidding Luigi goodbye because he will be going to Ghana to shoot a Vogue commercial and tour some interesting places. Since he's done with his scenes, we will not be seeing him until he's back. Luigi, how long are you staying there?" Director Sun asked.
"Two months!" Luigi replied.
June's expression became complicated. She thought he was merely going for a week or two but hearing he was going to be there for two months, a part of her suddenly felt unhappy.
Why does the thought of not seeing him for two months make her feel sad? She has known him for just three months, that's even when they're on set. Apart from that they didn't have any encounter outside.
"June, are you alright?" Wanda asked when she saw June zoning out.
"Yes! Excuse me, I'm going to the washroom." June stood up and forgot to take her purse. As she walked out, Luigi glanced at the purse.
..
June splashed some water on her face and sighed. "June, what's wrong with you? You've only known him for three months. What are you unhappy about?"
June turned to take a tissue and realized she hadn't taken her purse with her. She cussed and went out.
Just as she stepped out, someone blocked her way.
"Miss, there's someone in the blue door that wants to see you." The man dressed like a bouncer said to June.
"And if I say no?" June asked.
"He said, if you don't want to be on the news tomorrow, then, you should come to him. His name is Ziggy Owens!" The bouncer replied.
June looked at the door she came from and followed the bouncer. Soon as she got to the blue door and was about to enter, Luigi came out, holding her purse.
He briefly saw her entering the blue door.
"Miss June, fancy seeing you here! I thought you weren't interested in places like this?" Ziggy asked and the two women with him laughed.
"Maybe, after not getting any work for five years, she has become complacent." The woman in red outfit scoffed.
"Why did you call me here?" June asked impatiently. The mere sight of Ziggy disgusted her.
"Drop that smug face, June. Do you think you are now free just because you got one gig? Let me tell you, until you properly atone for your sins, I will never forgive you!" Ziggy had his hands over the shoulders of the two women.
"Mr. Owens, she has suffered enough. Just give her some face." The other woman, in black mini-dress spoke.
"How about this? If you drink with me today, and be a good girl, I might forgive you. Who knows? I might even throw you some projects." Ziggy smirked. He was ready to humiliate June.
"Pouring of drinks is the work of waiters and bartenders. I am an actress, not a bartender or waitress. Why should I pour you a drink? Also, I don't drink, so I won't drink with you either. As for pleasing you, I think the services of these two women are enough! Mr. Ziggy, if there's nothing else, my colleagues are waiting for me, I shall be on my way."
Before June could get to the door, a glass of whiskey flew across her and hit the wall. The glass shattered into pieces right in front of June.
June panicked and stepped back.
"How dare you? Did the five years of joblessness not teach you anything? Or do you think that I won't be able to touch you because you've been messing around with Luigi?" Ziggy stood up.
He wasn't expecting to see her today, but someone tipped him about her presence in the bar with Luigi.
Over the past few months, he has seen reuters of them on set, and everyone was praising their chemistry.
He had never been infatuated with a woman like he was with June, yet, she looked down on him and didn't show him respect no matter what he did to stall her career in the last five years.
He was really curious, what made her so proud!
Ziggy walked to her side. "What? Have you become Luigi's woman now?"
"What if I am? Can't I be?"" Now that it had gotten to this point, she might as well use him as a shield. June looked at Ziggy.
Ziggy laughed. "Fine! Since you are his woman, let's see if he would still want you after he sees you moaning my name." He signalled the two women and they stood up and held June.
"What are you doing? Let go of me! I'm going to call the police. Do you think you are above the law?" June tried to free herself.
"Let her go!" The door kicked open and Luigi entered. He pushed the two women away and held June's hand.
"I've given you enough face. Since you are bent on messing with what's mine, then, don't blame me for what happens next." Luigi looked at Ziggy with cold eyes.
"She was mine before you knew her. Luigi, must you fight me over someone like her? She is not worth it." Ziggy said proudly.
"If she wasn't, would you be hanged over her for five years?" Luigi laughed.
"I've recorded everything. I'm going to expose you. Darling, are you alright?"
Gita entered the room with her camera in hand. She closed the door to protect June's image from others.
"I'm fine. What are you doing here?" June asked Gita.
"I came to get some scoop. I saw Luigi kicking the door open and I followed him. I thought I would find something juicy to report about. I didn't know I would run into this pig, harassing you again." Gita turned to look at Ziggy.
"You will soon know how dangerous it is to mess with June." Luigi said before going out. He pulled June along as he went.
"Such a waste of a life. You will regret this." Gita took a shot of Ziggy before running out.
Ziggy kicked the couch and cussed loudly.
..
Outside the bar.
"Did he hurt you anywhere?" Luigi asked worriedly while turning June around to inspect her body.
Gita cleared her throat to gain their attention, because it seemed they had forgotten she was still there.
June stepped back. "I'm fine. Thank you for your help."
"Mr. Oren, thank you for saving June." Gita tried to remain calm although she was clouded with excitement over meeting Luigi face-to-face.
"Reporter Gita, do you two know each other?" Luigi asked Gita.
"Oh? Do you know who I am?" Gita was surprised that Luigi even knew who she was.
Luigi chuckled. "Aren't you from the same company as Tatum? I'm familiar with him, and I remember he once came to my company with you some few years ago. I also sometimes listen to your podcast on Imusic."
"Oh my God! Luigi listens to my podcast? I can't believe this. I'm a huge fan." Gita couldn't hide her admiration.
"Thank you for loving my works. You and June are...?" Luigi turned to look at June, whom had suddenly become quiet.
"June is my cousin. Sari, June and I are cousins and also best friends." Gita held June's hand as she spoke.
"I see." Luigi smiled.
"Gita, did you come with your car? Take me home!" June asked.
"I did...." Gita heard Luigi clearing his throat subtly and she quickly changed her sentence. "Aht, I forgot. I actually came in the car of a coworker. She must still be waiting for me. Mr. Oren..."
"Just Luigi."
"Alright, Luigi, can I trouble you to take June home? I will go in and let Sari know, so she won't be worried. Darling, I will be home soon." Gita didn't wait for June's reply and left immediately.
June sighed. She knew exactly what the two were doing.
"Let's go!" Luigi offered.
June nodded her head and followed him to the car.
....
"Was it always like this?" Luigi asked after driving in silence for a while.
"In this business, running into men like Ziggy Owens is pretty normal. Some are good at hiding their desires and playing the long game. He just happens to not be in control of his emotions that's all." June turned to look outside the window.
"No wonder you are so guarded." When Luigi turned to look at her, he noticed she was struggling to keep herself from crying.