The next morning Leah informs me that I have a meeting scheduled with Fuchsia publishing the next day. Right now, we're heading to shoot an advertisement for a fitness campaign. But there's one thing bothering me.
Ashton: Why're you so quiet?
Leah: Me? Quiet? Psh, don't joke.
What's up with her?
Ashton: Y'know if something's bothering you, you can tell me. We are cousins aren't we?
Leah: We're not blood related!
Oof, what's with that harsh denial?
Ashton: C'mon, tell me.
Leah: Is there anything YOU'RE hiding from me?
Hiding? Oh right, I haven't told her about how I met Claire and all. I don't want to complicate things since she might inform my parents who dislike Claire that I've been trying to get in touch with her.
Ashton: No, why do you ask?
Leah : Oh really? The Fuchsia employee who'll be interviewing you is Claire Blanche. Does that name ring a bell?
Ashton: Claire Blanche? What a coincidence, she used to be-
Leah: Your girlfriend for whom you went against Uncle and Aunt! And what did she do in the end? She drove you crazy! Are you trying to get back with that bitch?! I should've noticed something was wrong when you wanted to do an interview with them!
Get back together with her, huh? I never gave it a thought, what DO I want to do? Why do I keep chasing her? And that too after all what happened?
Ashton:... I don't know.
I look outside the car window.
Leah: What?
Ashton: I don't know what I want to do.
Leah: Ash, look I'm only saying this because I care about you. I don't want to see you ruin your life again for that lowly woman.
Ashton:....
She's right. But something doesn't settle right about any of this. She cut off contacts with me, she visually disappeared and when she finally appeared, she was a complete different person. 8 years is long time, but you still can't change so much unless someone or something made you, after I left... I know her getting back in my life will create chaos but I want to know what happened to her. I'll find out the truth regardless if she wants me to or not.
A few minutes later we reach the studio. I go through the script once again.
Staff: Get you make-up done Mr. Beckett! We'll start shooting in 10 minutes!
Just then, a tall man approaches me. That's Troy Anderson, the famous make-up and fashion expert!
Troy: I'm in charge of grooming you. I'll turn you from trash to smash. Shall we?
.... He didn't just call me trash, did he? Calm down. Angelic smile, angelic smile. I beam at him.
Ashton: Alright then.
He starts working on my face and frowns.
Troy: You minor actors don't really pay attention to your skin. How troublesome.
Ashton: 'That so? I'll be more careful.
I resist the urge to punch him in the face with all my might. Does this guy have a grudge against me or what? He really doesn't give me good vibes. Why is he despising me for no reason? After doing my makeup and hair he smiles, satisfied. Then he goes off texting someone on his phone.
The shoot ends without incident and Leah and I leave the studio with a sigh.
Leah: That guy was so mean! I wanted to give him a left and right right there!
Ashton: Same.
Leah strikes punches in the air. Heh, look at her pout; she's so adorable.
Ashton: What do we have planned after this?
Leah: You forgot? You have to audition for the male lead in 'Blood and Lust'!
Ew, that name gives me goosebumps.
Leah: What're you cringing for? We need to grab every chance we get!
Ashton: Fiiiine. Do you wanna grab something before we leave? I didn't really have breakfast.
Leah: Okay. You'll cause a commotion if you go out there, so wait here, I'll get you something.
Leah leaves the parking lot and get seated on a nearby bench and pull my phone out. I didn't really want to do this but... I take a deep breath and open Friends'Book. I type Claire's name and a number of results show up. Ah, there she is. Her username is 'Aloof_Blanche'. Status: Engaged?! So she isn't married yet. Let's see if she posted a picture with her fiance in it. I'm about to scroll through her posts but stop myself. Why am I stalking her? I sigh and look up from my phone to see two people standing awfully close to each other at a distance. One of them is Troy and the other is... Claire?!