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The loud sound of alarm clock rudely awoken me. Instantly I sat up on my bed, but as I did a rush of blood went into my head and I felt really dizzy. “What a weird dream… Though, I can’t really remember anything…”
I got out of bed and went straight to the shower. I tried so hard to remember what I just dream about, but nothing would come into my mind. Usually, I would just ignore my dreams, but that one was different.
Though I couldn’t remember exactly what I dreamt about, I could remember the feeling I got from it. All I know was that I was really happy in that dream, and that my heart… my heart was really contented… somehow.
I finished my shower and dressed up for work, while still trying to remember that dream that I had.
“Kyle… don’t tell me, you’re already going back to work?” Brent, my bestfriend ever since I can remember and my current flatmate, was clearly surprised when he saw me all dressed up for work.
“I can’t stay in bed any longer, it’s impossible,” I said as I joined him for breakfast.
“Hey, hey…You just fainted from exhaustion yesterday, you need to rest more.” Brent sounded really worried.
“It’s alright. I feel totally fine now,” I said with a smile.
“That’s not the point here.”
“Brent. I’m fine. I can work now,” I insisted as I looked at Brent seriously.
Brent sighed. “Your dad called last night. He’s really worried.”
“Which one? My real Dad, or my biological Dad?” I asked as-a-matter-factly.
“Uncle Daniel,” Brent replied. “He’s really worried. He said that if you fainted again, he’ll make you stop working in the production company.”
“Ha…” I sighed. “I guess I need to be careful from now on… Wait a second… how did he? You told him, didn’t you?” Brent only raised an eyebrow. “Ahh… Dad would just get overly worried over nothing now. What about Mom, does she know?”
“No, I don’t think so. Uncle Daniel said it’s better not worry her. Seriously, Kyle, you need to take care of yourself more.”
“Good. Because they’re supposed to enjoying Paris. It’s been so long since Mom and Dad had vacation,” I said with a smile. “And I’m taking care of myself, you know.”
“Yeah, right,” Brent retorted. “I’ll take you to work today,” Brent said decisively, it’s not like he’s giving me any choice. “I’ll also talk to Perry to take you home later.”
“Ehhh…” I complained. “You’re both treating me like a grade schooler.”
Brent drove me to the production office that morning and he wouldn’t stop nagging me about taking care of my body more. I left home because I wanted to try to live more independently, but I guess if I really wanted independence then I shouldn’t have agreed on sharing a flat with Brent.
Don’t get me wrong, Brent is my bestfriend, but he can be over protective. Most of the time that is.
“Don’t forget to eat, alright,” Brent said as he dropped me off.
“Yes…” I replied as I walked out of his car and walked inside the office.
“Oh… Kyle!” Mindy, one of the production managers of Diamond Sky Productions, approached me. “Are you sure you can go back to work already?” She asked. “We were all worried yesterday, you fainted all of a sudden in the middle of filming.”
“I’m fine now,” I said with a reassuring smile.
“It’s those bastard’s fault. We’re supposed to be co-producing, but they’re making us do all the leg work,” Mindy said. “Well, I don’t know if this would be a good news to you or not, but you’re being pulled out of that project.”
“Ehhh…?” I was shocked. “Why? Is it because of yesterday? It won’t happen again, so…”
“Relax,” Mindy said. “It’s not because of that. We got a newer and bigger project, and Mr. Anderson wanted you to be the head Creative Producer.”
“Really? Why the sudden change?” I was confused.
“Well, I’m not sure myself, why don’t you ask Mr. Anderson later, there will be a meeting with the director.”
“Mmm…”
“Be careful, Kyle, I heard that this young director is very vicious,” Mindy said.
“Vicious…?”
“Kyle! You bastard!” I heard a booming voice from the other side of the hall. “What are you doing here?! You should still be resting right now!” Perry sounded really angry as he approached me.
“I’m fine now…” I sighed tiredly.
“Fine?! Do you think your body made of metal?!”
“Ahhh… really? I already got a scolding from Brent, not you too…” I complained.
Perry looked at me and then sighed. “If you faint again, I swear I would tie you in your bed for a week,” he said. “Ahhh, right. You’re going home early today, understand? No over-time.”
“Tie…” I whispered to myself. Weird… Why do I feel that there’s something important that I’m forgetting about that word… about tie?
“Hello?” Perry said as he waved a hand in front of my face. “Why are you spacing out all of a sudden? Are you sure you’re feeling alright?” He asked.
“Oh… it’s nothing, I just remembered something… I’m really alright…” I insisted.
“I’m watching you,” Perry warned me.
It was just before lunch when the meeting for the new project begun. Mr. Anderson, the Executive Producer of Diamond Sky Productions was there as well. He explained to me that the reason why he decided to take me out of the previous project I was working on was so that I could focus on this new project.
Slowly, I was starting to grasp how big and this important this new project was. I guess I have to work really hard for it.
“He should be arriving any moment now, the young director,” Mr. Anderson said. He seemed really excited to work with this young director, we asked him several times but he refused to tell us who it was. A surprise, he said.
The door of the conference room opened and two people came in. “Sorry for the wait,” the woman who came in said. “Director is just talking with a client over the phone, he’ll join us in a little while.”
“Why don’t you take a seat first?” Mr. Anderson said. “I’ll introduce you.” He added as those two took a seat. “This is Jacquelyn Winston, Director Jovan’s executive assistant, and Oliver Cadger the assistant director.” After that, Mr. Anderson introduced us, his production team to them.
“That executive assistant is a beauty,” Perry whispered to me.
“Really… Behave, Perry,” I warned him.
The door of the conference room opened and for some reason the atmosphere became a little bit more tensed. “Is it just me or did it become colder here…” Perry said as he rubbed his arms.
“Let me introduce to you, this project’s director, Jovan Bellard,” Mr. Anderson said.
I couldn’t take my eyes off of Jovan Bellard. He was so handsome, it was like his surroundings became brighter. He was tall and had a good physique too. He… wait… what I am talking about?
Jovan Bellard just looked around with a serious expression on his face, then he sat down beside his team without even saying anything. “Can we start the meeting? I have another appointment after this,” he said in a rather cold tone.
“Now I know why it became cold here,” Perry said. “I can’t believe I met the Cold Prince here of all places.”
“Cold Prince? You know him?” Mindy asked as she moved her seat closer to Perry.
“We went to the same high school. He got the reputation of being cold and snobbish. He never talks to anyone not close to him, and he never lets just anyone close to him. I see that he hasn’t changed, he still has that unapproachable aura and look on his face,” Perry explained.
“Ehhhh…” Mindy reacted. “So the rumors must be true. You see, they said he’s really scary. They say that he never socializes with the production crew or even the actors, it’s all work for him. In other words, he only talks with them if it has something to do with what they’re filming. Apparently, he’s also a perfectionist, and if he doesn’t get what he’s expecting from you, icy words would start flying from his lips.”
Perry chuckled. “So leveled up huh, not just the Cold Prince, but the Ice Prince now…”
I was instantly intrigued by Director Jovan, because no matter how many times Mindy and Perry talked about him being scary or cold, I couldn’t bring myself to believe what they were saying. I just couldn’t see Director Jovan in that way. I don’t know why I was being that way either. It’s just every time I would look at his face, I couldn’t quite see the Cold Prince Perry was talking about.
That’s another thing, I can’t quite stop looking at Director Jovan.
It’s not just staring. I was actually in a daze as I stared at Director Jovan’s face.
I couldn’t stop thinking that he’s really handsome either.
It’s weird. I’m weird.
“Is that alright, Kyle?” I heard Mr. Anderson ask..
“Ehh?” I replied, confused. I didn’t hear anything that he said at all.
“I said; that you should talk to Ms. Emilia about the first draft of the script, then we can have another meeting,” Mr. Anderson repeated.
“Ahhh… Yes, I’ll talk to her,” I said.
How embarrassing… I was so out of it, staring at Director Jovan, that I missed almost the entirety of the meeting.
“Kyle,” Mr. Anderson called me again.
“Yes,” I answered attentively.
“Are you really alright?” He asked. “You should rest more. Go home early, alright.”
“But…” I actually wanted to stay at the office more. Start the planning for the new project and such. I didn’t feel too good doing nothing, I feel better when I’m working.
“That’s an order. Take care of yourself more,” Mr. Anderson said. He’s a really kind person, he’s more like a father figure to everyone at the company than a boss.
“Yes…” I sighed silently. Everyone is treating me like a little child…
The meeting ended, and there’s one thing I noticed about Director Jovan; he rarely speaks. Even though Jacquelyn and Oliver were there, they rarely talked, Director Jovan was the only one exchanging thoughts with whole production crew, it was as if he didn’t need the help of those two at all.
Also… the way he talked to the production crew… it was more like of an order, rather than a suggestion or opinion.
I finally get it, where the rumors about him originated from.
Director Jovan left without saying any pleasantries, right after the meeting ended, he stood up from his chair and then left the room without saying anything to anyone. It was Jacquelyn and Oliver who said their goodbyes and thanks for him.
I watched as Director Jovan walked down the hallway, there were a few who greeted him, but all of them just got ignored. He also never looked back, not even once. Always, he was only looking forward.
No matter where I look, it seems that Mindy and Perry are right. He really must be a cold and scary guy, but… but, why do I keep on feeling differently?
Perry did bring me back home early that day. “Be sure to rest, alright? I still need to finish some stuff at the office. Rest, Kyle, rest,” Perry repeated before leaving.
I did as I was told and rested the best way I knew how; by writing. I brought my laptop to living area and started typing while the TV was on mute. Well, it sort of became of a habit of mine. It’s one of those quirks I had in order to fully concentrate on writing.
After a few minutes of writing, my mind started drifting off. I don’t know why, but Director Jovan left a really a big impression on me. While everyone else was either afraid of him or careful around him, I wanted to get to know him more, to get closer to him.
I was thinking, that maybe I would get to understand him if I got closer to him.
“I thought I told you to rest early.” I heard Brent’s voice close to my ear.
I was really startled, I turned my head and Brent smiled at me. His face was so close, I could almost feel his breath. “Don’t scare me like that…” I complained as I got back to writing.
“Have you eaten?” He asked as he placed a hand on top of my head. It was heavy and yet felt really gentle.
“Not yet…”
“Mmmm… Then I’ll cook. Wait here.” Brent said cheerfully as he ruffled my hair before leaving. As usual, Brent is taking really good care of me.
We just finished eating and we decided to watch the news for a while. What I saw on the news that was somehow really surprising, and a little bit coincidental. It was a showbiz news.
The popular actress, Emily Green, was spotted having an intimate dinner at a fine-dining restaurant, and what made it newsworthy was the fact that she wasn’t with her on and off-screen boyfriend, Stephen Jacobs. Normally, I wouldn’t be interested in such news, even though I work in show business, but the man that Emily Green was with, was no other than Director Jovan Bellard.
At first I was thinking that maybe it was just a business dinner, but pictures of Director Jovan and Emily holding hands over the table and feeding each other was shown. The news concluded that Emily was cheating on Stephen with Director Jovan.
“How unbelievable…” I muttered.
“Since when did you become interested in such news?” Brent asked curiously.
“It’s not that, it’s just that I just met that Director this morning. He’s the director of the new project that I will be in.” I explained.
“Ohhh….” Brent reacted and then started typing on his phone.
“I am surprised. He didn’t seem like a guy who would do such a thing,” I said honestly.
“You said it yourself, you just met the guy today. You don’t really know him yet.” Brent said. “Anyway, I think that your new project won’t be that easy for your company. Look here,” he said and then moved closer to me and showed me his phone.
Brent showed me comments on the just released news. “What a bitch… How can she cheat on Stephen…?! I’m sure it’s that director’s fault, he must’ve seduced her, no, he must’ve bribed Emily with a good role. I can’t forgive that director! If Emily and Stephen breaks up, I would find that director and punish him myself,” I read.
“There are mix reactions, but majority of the netizens are hating on your new director,” Brent said.
“Ahhh….” I said as I rolled my head. “We’ll have to delay the announcement of the new project because of this. We originally planned to announce it as soon as possible to create a hype, but with this kind of bad publicity on the director, an early announcement would only cause negative effects. This news have to die down first before we can make our move… Ahhh! How troublesome…” I complained as I landed my head on Brent’s shoulder.
“There, there…” he said as he patted my head. “I’m sure everything would be fine… eventually…”
“Eventually… but, wait…” I said and then sat up straight and then searched something on my laptop. “As I thought… Look…”
“Aren’t those the pictures on the news? Ahhh!” As usual, Brent was quick to catch up. We used to play detectives when we were younger, we would investigate the gossip and news around our town and we usually get good results. “There’s no other customers but those two, in the picture. It’s very unusual.
“Also, judging from these pictures, the photos were taken from the inside.”
“I just remembered. I’ve been in that restaurant before. That restaurant is very private, there’s no way the paparazzi could’ve taken the pictures from the outside. So this could only mean, that someone inside took the pictures and leaked it.” Brent said.
“I don’t feel good about all this. I feel like someone leaked this picture on purpose, I’m not sure about the motive though.”
“Wait for a few more days, if another scandal regarding those three comes out, then we can have more clue to find out what the real motive for this leak is.” Brent said. “This feels nice… I feel like we’re young boys back in our home town all over again.”
I chuckled at Brent. “You’re right…” I said and then we both laughed.
The next day, I was able to schedule a meeting with the writer Emilia Hopkins. She was writing a new script and to be able to concentrate more, she booked a hotel room. After work, I drove straight to the hotel where Emilia was staying.
My meeting with Emilia went smoothly, she promised to send the first draft of the script first thing in the morning. I said my goodbye and left her room.
When I turned to the hallway, a surprising sight greeted me. I saw Emily Green and Stephen Jacobs walking out of the elevator, their managers and some bodyguards were with them as well.
I stepped back and hid from their sight around the corner. There was something weird about those two, they weren’t holding hands at all; in fact I even saw Emily glare at Stephen and his manager.
The group stopped in front of a room and rang the doorbell. To my surprise, Director Jovan opened the door. He too had a serious expression on his face. Emily, Stephen and their managers went inside, while the bodyguards stayed just outside the room, guarding the door.
Why are those people meeting there? Why do they need to have those men guard the door? For sure, the news last night has something to do with all this.
Well, forget about that… I feel hungry…
I decided to visit my favorite pub, The Black Bull, it was just near the hotel so it was not a hassle at all. Well, I don’t drink, I’m no good with alcohol, but The Black Bull serves the best cheese burgers, so I frequent it.
“Oh, Kyle, it’s been a while.” Dan, the bartender greeted me as I took a seat at the bar.
“I know, it was very busy lately…” I sighed.
“You look a bit troubled…”
“You can tell, well, I think there’s going be a problem on our new project…” I sighed again, thinking about the effects of Emily and Director Jovan’s scandal on our new project.
“I see… then why don’t try our new milkshake, it might make you feel a lot better.”
“Sure,” I said with a smile. “Give me the usual as well, with extra cheese.” I added.
“Roger!” Dan said with a smile.
The Black Bull’s cheese burger is really the best. The new milkshake was great as well, although I don’t really know what’s in it. Dan was right though, drinking it made me feel a lot better.
“How is it?” Dan asked when he approached me again. I was still eating, so I gave him a thumbs up and a smile. “That’s great then.”
“Whiskey on the rocks.” Someone ordered and sat beside me. The voice sounded familiar, so I turned my head a bit.
“Ahh…!” I quickly turned my seat around when I saw Director Jovan’s face. “What is he doing here, of all places?” I whispered to myself. “Wait… why am I acting this way? There’s no reason for me to be nervous,” I told myself and then faced the bar.
I went to eating, but I was also aware, very aware, of Director Jovan. He did turn his head to me once, I knew he saw my face, but he didn’t say anything. “I see… so he didn’t recognize me…” Well, it was a bit disappointing to me. We already met at the production meeting, but he couldn’t remember me at all.
As I ate my burger, Director Jovan ordered whiskey, glass after glass after glass. “Is he planning to finish the whole bottle?” I whispered to myself.
I turned my head to him, and my heart fell when I saw his expression. He looked really sad. I understood then, why he was drinking so much. He must be trying to drown his sorrow in alcohol.
Probably, just probably, it had something to do with what I saw at the hotel. Just what is going on between him and those two?
“This is troublesome…” Dan said. “He passed out…” He sighed. I looked to my side and saw Director Jovan resting his head on the bar. “Sir…? Sir…?” Dan called as he shoved Director Jovan a few times.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
“He won’t wake up. He was so quiet the whole time, so I had no idea he was already drunk.” Dan explained. “What should I do about this guy…? I’ll check his phone and wallet, maybe there’s someone I can contact.”
“Ahh… that’s fine, I’ll take care of him.” I don’t know what made me say that, but I just felt that I couldn’t leave Director Jovan just like that.
“Ehhh? You know him?” Dan asked.
“Well, we work together. We just started working together yesterday, so we’re really not that close,” I said.
“If it’s someone else, then I would be suspicious,” Dan said. The way I’m acting really was suspicious. Volunteering to take care of a stranger, surely anyone would think that I’m planning on doing something shady. “But since it’s you… Then, I’ll leave him to your care.” Dan said.
Dan helped me carry Director Jovan to my car after paying for my meal and his drink.
I was about to put my seatbelt on when Director Jovan moved and started murmuring in his sleep. I couldn’t make out what he was saying at all, but I clearly heard him mutter Emily’s name. “So it’s really because of her, why you got yourself that drunk…”
Director Jovan moved in his seat again, and I figured he must’ve been feeling uncomfortable, so I decided to recline his seat for him.
I leaned closer to Director Jovan and then reclined his chair. Being that close to him, made me somewhat nervous. He smelled nice, even though I could smell some hint of whiskey on him. “Wait… what am I doing? Why am I smelling him?” I muttered confusedly to myself.
I was about to move away from him, but Director Jovan muttered Emily’s name again and then wrapped me in his arms and pulled me closer. “Emily…” He muttered again.
“I’m not Emily…” I said as I tried to push away from him, but Director Jovan was a lot stronger than I am, and he just pulled me closer to him again.
“Emily…” He muttered again, that time in much sadder voice. Hearing him made me realize, that he must be in real pain.
“I’m here…” I finally said. “I’m here, so don’t feel sad anymore…” I don’t know what made me say that, I don’t what’s happening to me either. Because at that very moment, my heart started beating louder and faster. It was a feeling that I never felt before.
Hearing my words, Director Jovan finally calmed down, and I even saw a small smile on his face.
Director Jovan is really handsome, extremely handsome for me. When I first saw him at the meeting, I was awed. Even though he had that serious expression, I still thought that he was really handsome, but seeing his peaceful sleeping face that close, I think… that he’s even more handsome.
His embrace became tighter, if he wasn’t lying on that reclined seat, then maybe I would’ve embraced him back. I know, I know very well that I was being very weird, but I can’t stop myself from staring at his face.
“You… a smile looks better on you…” I muttered. For some reason, I couldn’t stop staring at Director Jovan’s face. And just like that, Director Jovan pulled me even closer until our chests touched.
His heart was beating so fast, probably because he was dreaming of Emily, and for some reason, feeling his heart beat made my own heart beat even faster and louder.
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