Annoying. Annoying. Annoying.
That girl was nothing but annoying.
These words were played on repeat in his head while taking a cool shower after his morning practice.
The water washed away the sweat, calmed his body, but didn't bring him peace.
That girl saw him break. That girl was close to bumping into Kayla. That girl had seen through him.
He felt exposed. Naked. As naked he was at that moment.
His mask and his costume were always on. Nobody should see beyond that. The girl's behavior was a problem. He said he wouldn't bother with her anymore, keep her at a distance.
But she was always around. Always popping up out of nowhere. Like Abby's post the other day. He felt guilty that he looked at her for that extra moment. Luca began subconsciously scanning, comparing. He gave himself a mental slap.
What was wrong with him? Was he getting used to her? He shouldn't. She would go away in a heartbeat.
He walked out of the shower and watched himself in the mirror. He was gloomy - as usual. Always so many things on his mind.
His fans always saw the mask he was wearing. The role he was playing. Nobody would be interested in a sad actor. An emotional singer.
Everybody looked at what he performed and the package. He still remembered the first thing Chloe had ordered him after their deal: 'Start working out! Hard!'
And so he did. From a skinny boy, he steadily built a strong male body with all the prerequisites for looking perfect on camera. His body was different soon after. Larger. Stiffer.
It wasn't that he didn't like it. It was that he lost something.
Back in Prime 5 days, dancing was his second reason for living. He loved the hours spent practicing their choreographies.
Now, even if he wanted to, he didn't have the time. He hadn't lost the ability to dance. He had lost the reason.
He put on some clothes and went to grab some breakfast. It was his day-off and he would enjoy it by staying home. All day. Alone.
Although someone had the nerve to interfere. Around eleven his apartment bell rang. It should be someone among the few people who could enter the building without asking him.
He checked his intercom. He would never make the same mistake again.
Chloe?
If she was dropping by, it had to be important.
"Good-morning Luca!" she said, smiling, once the door opened.
"Hello Chloe! What an unexpected surprise! Please, come in," he said with a smile that couldn't fool anyone as genuine.
"Sorry for interrupting your personal day. There is something I wanted to discuss with you and didn't want to drag you to the office," she explained as she sat on his sofa.
She had a certain ease at his place. Why not? She was the one who chose it, the one who was paying the rent.
"What could that be?" he asked as he served a glass of sparkling water with a slice of lemon—her favorite.
"I came to let you know that the nominations have been decided!"
It was about time. That surreal show Fisher was putting up every August. A week of events, parties and celebrations. Each night awards were given to all Groups activities. But his category was the cornerstone. La creme de la creme.
The second most important awards in the US after the Oscars. And it was getting close to being the first most important.
"How many?"
"Five."
Holy shit!
"Five? Are you sure?"
"Aren't five categories enough for you?" Chloe asked, raising her eyebrows.
"More than enough. The question is how many I'll win."
"One is certain. The second is still undecided."
As expected. Same thing every year.
"One of the categories is Top Male Performance," Chloe said.
He had two more nominations in that category before, still no awards.
"The Group doesn't think I'm still ready, right?"
"It's difficult this year. Archer is nominated as well."
Archer? That scumbag Archer Stone?
He gave a short, sharp laugh, shaking his head from side to side as if to shake the thought loose.
"For that stupid movie? Is it so much better than 'What We Didn't Choose'?"
"Try to see the movie. You'll get the point."
"I'm not watching anything that this shit is filming."
"Let what happened in the past. You couldn't stop him from leaving the group."
The memory of Archer's smug face the day he walked out on them flashed before his eyes.
And that is not even the main reason…
"Chloe, I'll never forgive him for everything that he did."
"Behave politely around him. I promised you won't have to collaborate. But let's jump to another urgent issue."
"So, the nominations were the appetizer. Now we are moving to the main dish! I knew you wouldn't drop by for something so trivial."
He had a very bad hunch about where this was heading.
"Nothing is trivial to our business. You know without this specific person, even the nominations wouldn't be easy."
His worst fear was verified. It was about her, and that stupid invitation.
"I'm sure you could have managed it by yourself alone!" he insisted.
"Listen. There is a massive opportunity. One I don't want you to miss. We need her!"
An opportunity? Was Chloe preparing something? Regardless of what it was, she had to stay out.
"What opportunity?" he asked.
"I am the one to judge if and when I tell you about the project. Right now I want to know why you refused the invitation."
"Did she come to complain to you?" he snapped.
"She came to let me know that it is a family gathering and you are no longer attending such gatherings."
"I don't have a family to attend their stupid gatherings!"
He was now yelling. It was like talking to a five year old kid.
"You choose not to have a family. She is your mother…"
"My mother is dead!"
A heavy silence fell between them.
They both needed a second. They both needed to stop gasping.
"Still Luca, she…"
"I don't want to hear another thing about her," he interrupted her.
Chloe nodded silently. "I won't say another thing. But you are meeting her tonight. At the gathering."
"I'm not going!"
"Honestly? Do I have to drag you there? You know I will…"
Her eyes were narrow, her voice a whisper.
She reminded him of her power. Of her status. Of the old times when he was literally escorted by security to events or other jobs he wanted to avoid.
After their deal, he gave in. He never protested again. Still this was one thing he wouldn't do.
"Did we come to that? Threatening me?"
"We come to any point required. We have to get the job done. You remember with whom we made an arrangement, right? He is not happy with the numbers this semester. If we don't act fast, there will be consequences. Worse than attending this stupid meeting."
He clenched his fists, gritted his teeth. There was no way out.
He laid back into the sofa's pillows.
"It all comes to numbers, right? I remember, when I confronted you about the intern, you were offended when I told you that you wanted to show off. I think I was right…"
"The figures are the key to our plan. But now I think it over, showing off is not that bad. I deserve it, right?" Chloe said, as she stood up.
"I'm going now. And I expect that you will be ready at eight o'clock tonight. Noah will come to pick you up."
She let herself out and Luca was left alone again.
His blood was boiling in a heat he couldn't cool down. Luca realised he was squeezing his legs way too hard.
Before Chloe came by his biggest trouble was the annoyance that Christmas was causing him.
He smiled. If all his issues were like Christmas he would be happy.
Chloe managed to remind him of his real problems. The ones he was powerless to solve by himself.
She also reminded him that she owned him. It was true.
Chloe built a career around him. And braided a rope to control him.
He went to the closet. There was a section with formal attire.
Tonight he would meet with the family.
_______________
It was around thirty minutes after midnight when he parked under her building. Noah drove him to the venue and when he got certain Luca entered he left, leaving the car behind.
He went up to Chloe's apartment. Jason would be sleeping. He couldn't ring the bell. He opened the door with his keys.
He found Chloe where she was usually at that hour of the day; curled on her sofa, her laptop on her knees, reviewing documents. Probably contracts or scenario outlines. She raised her eyes as he walked to her.
Luca yanked his tie loose and undid the top button of his shirt. He sank into the armchair opposite Chloe, locking his gaze with hers.
"How did it go?" she asked.
"As it was supposed to go."
"Is she satisfied?"
"She definitely seemed so."
Chloe rose and headed for the bar. She poured scotch in two crystal glasses, the amber glow enticing in the dim light. Luca watched, his throat suddenly dry. She returned a moment later, holding a glass out to him without a word.
He hesitated for a moment. Accepting the drink meant something he wasn't sure he could afford. He still couldn't shake the morning's fury.
Yet, he drove here instead of going home. He took the glass and drank. The liquid burned his throat, drowning the hateful words he was tempted to spit at her.
"Excellent. I knew I could count on you. Now, leave everything else to me. Cheers," she said, extending her glass.
"Cheers," he said, clinking her glass. "Now, please tell me. What is this opportunity?"
"Something I have been planning for a while now. I'm giving you the quality assignments you deserve."
Like Fisher gives a shit about quality. All he cares about is the bottom line.
"Like what?" He was curious.
"European stuff…"
European? For a strange reason when he heard the word, the first thing that crossed his mind was Christmas - the French gift.
Damn, she won't leave me alone, will she?