I was about to turn off the lamp when I heard my phone ring. Groaning, I pushed my duvet off and walked to my nightstand to retrieve it, but it turned out to be a strange number when I checked, and I hesitated, for a moment before finally picking it up.
At first, I thought it was 'the unknown' and I was secretly eager, but when I heard a male pleading voice, I realized it was otherwise. Villains voices are supposed to be maniacal, I thought.
"Hello, Is this Catherine Collins?" The voice asked and on the other end, I could hear the sounds of some papers being rummaged, and I assumed they were from the press.
"Yes. It's me" I replied and the voice sighed before saying…
"Sorry for the inconvenience, I am Payne Martin, Edward's manager and I have something important to request of you. Please don't say no".
I was caught unprepared and for a moment was speechless before recovering half of my wits. Why would Edward's manager be calling me by this time? Is he even Edward's manager or an imposter? Why would he be calling ME? Those questions were floating in my head and I forced them down before clearing my throat.
"If it is within my capacity, then I will think about it." It wasn't a yes or no as I knew better than anybody to not put myself in a tricky situation.
"Sure, Sure. Eh so there is this show, 'Thirty days of Christmas' that Edward got signed up for early this year, and he was cool with it. But suddenly, tonight on the night of the show, he decided not to attend and even repeatedly threatened that if I were to disturb his sleep, he would leave the industry for good. No matter how hard I try to convince or reason with him, he just wouldn't listen. So am left with no other option than you. I know he values your friendship really much and would listen to everything you say. So can you please help me convince him to attend the show? Please just do me this favor, I promise to repay you whenever I have the chance".
I went silent and mulled over his words. First, I came to a conclusion that his words aren't entirely true, especially that friendship part and I have long thrown the suspicion that he might not be Edward's manager to the back of my mind. In fact, I was even wondering whether it was Edward who gave him my number and asked him to say these things.
After thinking for a while, I saw there was no harm in trying so why not? Plus I would even be able to discover what tricks they have up their sleeves this time. But the problem is do I really have the courage to call Edward? I think the answer is No.
"I'll try to talk to him, but don't expect much, especially since we aren't that close" I felt I needed to let him know that.
With a final thank you that he repeated for like a hundred times, he finally hung up.
...
Standing up, I opened the blinds and walked over to the balcony to sit. I looked outside and used the night view as a distraction before going through my contact list and dialed Edward's number.
Just when I thought he wouldn't pick, his line went through and almost immediately, a raspy, almost sleepy voice sounded from the phone. For absolutely no reason, my cheeks heated up and the words I was about to say got stuck in my throat.
"Hi" I greeted, and I heard him groan a hi back. I was suddenly short of words. Wasn't it supposed to be easy?
"Umm how are you?" I added and was sure he must have suspected something at this point.
"Am fine. Is that why you called? To ask whether am okay or not? Since when did you start to care" He didn't even leave a leeway for me as he bombarded me with questions and I couldn't help but curse him in my head. Shameless shameless and heartless.
"Umm, how should I put this. Oh! yeah you know that show 30 days of Christmas? Am a super fan and I heard you was going to be a part of this year's Is it true?" I tried to sound sweet. I know.
"Yeah" he drawled lazily like he was trying to say "Why wouldn't I be?" and I thought since he already plans on going, then my job is done here.
"OK then. Bye." I was about to hang up when he interrupted "At first, I planned on going. But now, not anymore" I almost choked on my saliva when I heard that. Didn't he sound like he was definitely going earlier? What's with the change in attitude now? I couldn't wait to smack that dirty attitude off his head, but I tried to maintain my cool and asked somewhat amicably.
"Why?"
"I can't cook. And Ham is too lousy" I was surprised that he would actually tell such a thing to me, and of course only him was capable of saying Hameemah Ryes is a lousy actress.
"Uh. You don't have to be able to cook. Since you work in pairs your partner would cover up for the part you can't do." I was also surprised at my own words and mentally commended myself for doing a good job.
"Never mind. I'll go" His voice sounded angry before he toned down and continued "But what is in it for me?"
OK, I almost choked on my saliva once again. How should I be the one to bear the brunt. Was the show supposed to boost my fame? No. So why should I be the one to pay for his appearance. I resisted the urge to hang up the phone right then and there.
"What do you mean?" I pretended not to understand, and that way he won't be so shameless to explain. Or would he?
"I mean what would you give me in exchange? "
I coughed awkwardly when I heard that he really dared to ask and wanted to tell him to go to hell and not attend it is none of my business. But the manager's voice rang in my ears. I will repay you when I have the chance.
I guess I will have to lose a little, I thought as I mentally made a long list of things I would get his manager to do for me.
"OK what do you want in exchange?" I wouldn't even mind if he asked me to call him Grandpa and I promised myself that I would be calm and say whatever he asks me to say.
"A kiss. On the lips." I was shocked at his words as it was completely unexpected, and I yelled furiously over the phone.
"Then don't attend. Just sleep at home then. Arr…" And I went on to insult and tell him about how I would only kiss him in his dreams and how shameless he was. But when I heard the last words he said before hanging up the phone, I almost fainted and held my cheeks in embarrassment.
"Fine. A kiss it is then. I'll decide when and where I'll get it."
....
Third Person P.O.V
Edward was surprisingly in a good mood today after the phone call, to the point that he was very obedient to his manager and even had apologized to the director of the show over the phone.
The director was the most shocked one as he was well aware of who Edward is. He is someone that would never bow down no matter what.
He was seen humming and dancing to a weird tune, as his stylist dressed him up. His manager's mouth was wide agape all the while, and he imagined how peaceful his days would be if he has Cather convince his boss instead.
He had eavesdropped the whole phone conversation and saw how the usually moody Edward had a wide grin plastered on his face through every minute of the call. As he had been with Edward for so long, he knew him better than anyone else and never had he seen him smile when talking to a female. Not even Juliana, the one who tagged herself as his best friend.
Due to Edward's sudden appearance minutes after refusing to come, everything went smoothly and even the director had a smile on his face all through the show. But when he thought about something, he couldn't help but frown.
If it took him many difficulties to invite him today, then what about tomorrow and the day after? He suddenly massaged his head as he felt a headache coming on.
The show was supposed to last thirty days, and if Edward keeps on giving him problems every single day then one would fear he, the director will not be able to live to the fifth day.
With that in mind, he immediately called Edward's manager aside and the both of them could be seen discussing with a serious expression on.
Unfortunately no one knew what they were talking about, but it seems to be quite related to...Cather?