Cut. Perfect.
Breathing a sigh of relief, I accepted the bottle of water from my assistant. "Where's Collin?" Taking a sip from the bottle, I stared around, searching for my manager.
"He was called over by the company. He said he will join us at the dinner party tonight." My assistant spoke, taking the bottle from me and handing me a towel.
"You were perfect out there," the director spoke while coming over.
"Thank you, Director Mars." We had just completed filming a movie series, and if all goes well, it is set to be released in a month's time.
"Working with you was great; I hope to do so well in another production."
"The pleasure is mine, Director. If you may excuse me, I've got a prior engagement." My schedule for the day was packed, and wasting even a minute would be a considerable setback. "Go ahead then. We are hoping to see you at the dinner party tonight." He smiled.
"I try to make it." After every filming was done, the whole crew usually gathered to dine out.
"Miss Kira, the car is ready." Saying goodbye to some individuals, I headed to my next appointment. I've got two different brand photoshoots and also my upcoming wedding photoshoot. I've been pushing it back a lot, but it can't wait any longer.
"Where's my phone, Lydia?" Entering the car, I turned to my assistant and asked,
"Here, miss." Taking the phone from her, I began typing a message.
If you're late to our photoshoot, you're dead.
Part of the reason we haven't shot the photos yet was because my fiancé was always busy. He would say he is free at this moment, but when it's time, he ghosts me all in the name of being too busy.
I kind of understand him; with our line of business, there are plenty of unexpected works. We barely have time for ourselves.
In the next eight hours I was done with the brand photoshoot. Due to my filming, I was not to take on such jobs. But the company says it essential to build my image as a new actress.
Headed to the place for my wedding shots, I glanced through my chat, and he still hasn't read it. What has got him so caught up? If he doesn't make it this time, I'm cancelling the whole wedding entirely.
Maybe it's a sign to say we're not yet ready for marriage.
On reaching the venue, I was ushered in warmly. "Your dress has already been placed in the changing room; the makeup artist is also on standby." The manager pointed out.
Heading to the changing room, I got dressed in my wedding gown and allowed the makeup artist to do her thing. All the while I kept checking my phone. Dave wouldn't be so careless as not to check his phone or inform us that he couldn't make it.
I was dressed and done, but he was nowhere in sight. I began calling his line. But it keeps going to voicemail.
What the hell is happening?"Lydia! Lydia! Please help me get ahold of Dave's assistant. They should have been here by now. Or at least inform me if they couldn't make it." Yes, ma'am." I watched as she took out my other phone and began dialing away. The phone rang for a while before being cut off. We tried again and same.
What the hell is going on? Why won't they pick up their calls?
"Miss Smith, everything has been set up; we're waiting for your go-ahead." The manager came to inform me.
"I apologize for the delay, but my groom has been caught in traffic. Let wait for thirty minutes." Smiling apologetically at her, I explained.
He better be stuck in traffic, or he's going to have it from me.
Ten minutes…fifteen minutes…twenty minutes…twenty-five minutes…thirty minutes…
But still no news for him.
Using my influence, I had managed to book the organizers, despite cancelling numerous times. And fixing the shoot at their closing hours, with the delay, I'm not sure that they would be willing to wait anymore.
This is the fifth time I would be putting this damn dress on and taking it off with no photos being taken.
"Tell the manager I'll just take one of myself only." If I'm going to call off the wedding, the least I could do is take a photo in this beautiful dress.
I'll frame it and hang it in my room. So it was like mocking him anytime he came to visit.
In an hour time we were done; my foolish heart was hoping he would make it in time during my shots. But I heard nothing from him.
"Great work, guys. I apologize for the delays I caused you all."
"Where to, miss?" Lydia inquired when I was done changing.
Looking at the time it was, the dinner should have begun by now. "Let's go to the dinner party." I need some alcohol in my system so I can face Dave when I see him.
I won't be scared by his sweet words anymore. As boyfriends and girlfriends, it was more fun. Adding marriage to the mix began to make things awkward. It was already a few minutes past twelve when I stumbled out of the restaurant, my assistant, and manager dragging me out as I slurred nonstop.
"Gosh, I pray no paparazzi gets a shot of you like this. It would be a hard mess to clean."
"Don't worry, I'm their beautiful and gentle actress. They would love me back after I cry a few tears on camera…. Hahaha" the company always made me do that to debunk rumors and whatnot.
They say a pitiful story sells better than a haughty one. I just want to act and make money. So I don't care much about this stuff. I was bundled into the car. As we drove, I kept feeling nauseous, and we had to stop several times for me to throw up. "I hate drinking."
We finally made it to the apartment.
"This is not my apartment." I turned to my manager, my legs wobbly and words slurred.
"It's better for you to stay with Dave for the night. So he can take care of you." Collin hissed. "Put in the passcode already; my family is waiting for me." He urged me when I stood still, staring at him.
"Okay, go, go. The both of you go." Waving them away, I turned to the keypad and began putting in the code.
I don't know how long I stood outside there trying the lock before it finally snapped open..
Stupid door. I kicked it hard before stumbling into the house.
"Anybody home?" Staggering around, I searched around, but there was no one.
Exhausted, I headed straight for the bedroom. I'll deal with Collin tomorrow.
Pushing the door open, shouts and groans filled my ears.
Rubbing my ears, I try to make the noise go away, and it stops. Better. Moving to the bed. I stumbled back, squinting my eyes. I tried to make sure I was not hallucinating. Two naked bodies were glued together.
Glued together.
Moving forward, I touched the one on top, and it felt warm.
They're real. "But Kira, two people can't be joined like so." I mumbled to myself while inspecting the two bodies. They both had still expressions. The top one looked like Dave. I must be dreaming. Stumbling to the other side of the bed, I dozed off.