The final days of shooting were always hectic.
Armed with his positive vibe, he managed to wrap up his solo scenes quickly. And efficiently. The director was thrilled with the result. When Luca also saw the scenes, he realised that the way he felt that morning was depicted on screen. He performed better than usual. He looked stronger. More present.
While waiting for the rest of the actors and extras to get ready for the next scenes, he got a message. It was Jason, texting him a picture of the kitten. He smiled when he saw that cute furry face.
He should show it to Christmas when he would see her again.
The smile froze.
Was he doomed to automatically think about Christmas when it came to the kitten?
At least he felt relieved he hadn't thought of Kayla. She was a part of his life that was now officially over.
When the filming was completed, he left the set and drove to the office. There was a meeting with a luxury watch brand to discuss possible collaboration, and Chloe insisted that he should also attend.
Luca checked his reflection in the elevator mirror. He was tired, but he still had that dynamic and hopeful vibe. He should get some sleep that afternoon if he wanted to wake up early again the next morning. He yawned and exited the elevator. He greeted Anna as usual.
"Mr. West! There is something different today… Did you get a haircut?" Anna asked.
Luca smiled.
So, even others can tell…
Chloe was not in her office. The only person there was Christmas. It was an opportunity to show her the photo.
Shit… That idea popped uninvited into his mind.
In the end, he wasn't sure what to say to her after their parting last evening. And what he found out after following her.
Oh no... My vibe!
He went over to her desk, and said: "It's Lucky."
He was slightly trembling. Something wasn't coming naturally to him. Should he switch back to his usual attitude? Even though he decided to play nice?
Christmas turned to look at him. She looked tired too. She also must have not slept enough.
"What is lucky?" she asked, like she was really annoyed to be interrupted, pretending to have no idea what he was talking about.
He looked at her blankly. Then huffed.
"The kitten."
Luca stepped into Chloe's office without another word. He sat on her chair, to face Christmas. She had returned to her work, although she seemed to be seething silently.
His right leg was shaking intensely and he had crossed his arms over his chest.
There goes my vibe…
He closed his eyes and started some breathing exercises. She wasn't going to ruin his day.
When he calmed down he opened his eyes and Christmas was gone. He stood up abruptly, and she was nowhere around.
But why did he care?
He went by the window and looked outside. That office was depressing him.
"Good morning, Luca. Feeling romantic today?" Chloe said when she appeared at the door.
He turned and looked at her with half closed, menacing eyes. "Good morning... What are you talking about?"
"I was told that the morning scenes had turned out excellent, and now I'm catching you gazing out of the window with a strange look on your face. What has happened to you since last night?" Chloe said with a smirk on her face.
"Nothing. I just woke up with a positive vibe," Luca said indifferently.
"Oh, OK. Let's prepare a little bit for the meeting later today, ok?" she proposed and he nodded.
After half an hour, Chloe was done with her instructions. He had more than an hour ahead of him, so he went to grab something to eat.
He went to the food cupboard, as he called it, and took an instant ramen cup. He shouldn't be eating those…
Christmas was still not at her desk. In fact, no one was. How were they all working when nobody was at their seat? Chloe should be more strict with all of them.
He went to the break room. He spotted no one. He prepared his ramen and sat on a stool at the counter to eat. While stirring his meal, his mind drifted. To the future. To the unknown.
He wasn't sure he deserved a chance. But he wouldn't miss any more opportunities.
Suddenly a sound came.
A metal fork slammed onto a table with force.
He was startled. While turning around to see what that was, he somehow dragged the bowl and ended up spilling it all over himself.
Christmas was sitting at a table against the wall, partially hidden by a cupboard. She was stabbing at her salad without appetite, staring right at him.
A muscle ticked in his jaw and his nostrils flared.
He looked at his clothes - a complete mess. He looked at Christmas - her expression was thunderous.
Luca was so angry he pictured himself going to the table and spilling the salad over her head.
Why couldn't she just disappear from his life? Yeah! He could then find balance again, and move forward.
He took a deep breath and said it out loud: "I am asking you again... When will you get out of here? Out of my life?"
Christmas took a bite of her salad and chewed it well. She swallowed her food and said calmly: "How about... never?"
"You are a menace..." Luca said and walked out.
He went to the restroom to dry up whatever he could. He took some paper towels and began wiping his pants. Oh no! His shoes were ruined!
He should go over there and make her apologize, she should never have done that…
But she hadn't really done anything.
He spilled the bowl on his own. It was his fault, like everything. He was just so used to blaming others.
He had a feeling that after investing so much negativity in their relationship, it was now beyond repair.
"I'm sorry..." he whispered to the mirror.
The mirror would be the only one that would ever hear these words.
Before going to Abby he went to the kitchen, to clean up the soup from the floor. He could ask for someone to come and clean everything up, but it seemed right for him to do it on his own.
He had to clean up his mess - any mess.
He hoped that Christmas wouldn't be there. When he arrived, he felt lucky. She was gone.
He went to the stool and there he found... nothing. The bowl, the chopsticks, the soup on the floor, all gone.
Had a janitor already passed by? Or could…
No, no way.
He opened the trash can and inspected the garbage.
He saw a pile of paper soaked in something that seemed like his soup. He also saw his empty bowl underneath. And on top of that a bowl of half-eaten salad. A metal fork and a pair of chopsticks were drying next to the sink.
He took a closer look at the floor. A janitor would have mopped the area. It didn't seem mopped.
He noticed some splashes on the stool's legs, a few droplets that hadn't been wiped. He grabbed some paper and wiped them off. Finally, he threw the paper in the trash can. It fell right in the salad bowl.
Poor salad…
Luca found Abby in her precious showroom. "Hi Abby..."
"Hello! Oh no!" She took a look at him and instantly her gaze fell on his pants. "What happened to you?"
"I had an accident with some ramen," he replied. "Got anything I can put on?"
"A lot! I saw the kitten video last night. I thought you would be excited today," Abby told him with concern in her voice.
"The kitten... That seems ages ago. I don't know Abby. I end up always doing the wrong thing," he said.
Abby smiled at him and patted him on the shoulder. "Are you still hungry? I got chips."
"Yes. Yes please," he replied with a faint smile on his face.
He crunched on a chip. It was salty, dry, and exactly what he deserved.
His 'vibe' would have to wait for another day.