The next two weeks were hectic. I had meetings from nine to five, three live shows, the movie shooting, and whatnot. I was tired but energized at the same time. I did not have time to think about Ivy's misconduct. Rick was recovering at a miraculously rapid rate.
He was in a wheelchair but on calls, he told me that the pain had reduced greatly. Right after a week of staying at my place, he moved into a cozy penthouse in a well-branded apartment with a mystery girl. He didn't give me any details about her, and I didn't push any further.
But I was sure of the fact that she was rich because Rick had only worked as my PA for three years and the pay was not high enough for him to afford the apartment. Also, our parents had not given us our respective shares in terms of lands, properties, or businesses.
My parents were distant to let me focus on my work. I called them once in three to four days to check in on them but that was it. Alex and I met every alternative day. They taught me new methods to improve my singing. Ash was busy designing my costumes with the day-to-day rush and I met Tristan and Esha every day.
The rate was driving me crazy, but I was doing my best to keep up with it. I am at the peak of my career. I didn't do any more concert reviews and assigned the task to one of the investors instead. He gladly took it up and I was grateful. As usual, I worked out every day. Boxing was at the top of the list in my workouts.
Something that I find worthy to mention is Ivy gifting me a box of chocolates. She told me that it was imported. When I asked the purpose of giving me this, she said these exact words, "Don't freak out, but I have met someone. Someone that I really like."
I pretended to freak out, but I was digging for clues. I asked, "Name? Personality? Handle? When? Where?" She gave me a few vague details. However, she let me know that it was a guy who was younger than her and that he was one of a kind. It did not satisfy my curiosity but I did not want to question her way too much.
Today is the day that I will meet the male lead of the movie that I'm working on. His name is Era Novel. I have never seen him in real life, but I watched his movie. The movie was very famous during its reign, and he is well-known because of it.
This is just his second film but I'm no one to judge since this is my first. I reach the venue about five minutes late. I look at the grand decorations and loud music playing in the distance. Near the camera set up, I notice a young man. He has hazel-colored eyes with dark black hair and a lean figure. He crosses his long legs as he seats himself next to our director. That's Era.
Their mannerisms show me that they are close. I walk to them and introduce myself to Era. Then, I apologize for being late. The director tells me that it's okay and then explains the scene for the day. After the director left, Era said, "Be on time from tomorrow, we don't want you to get fired, right?" I shot him a dirty look.
He then said, "Since we are going to play rivals for a while, I think we should try to get into the role. I didn't mean to offend you." I laughed and said, "Okay, sure. Then let's start with fixing your messy hair which clearly complements your personality."
He chuckled and said, "Why do your comebacks sound like a twelve-year-old scripted them?" I said, "Oh, I was just doing that to meet your level of mental maturity." He seemed impressed. He said, "Well, nice to meet you too. I'm Era. Era Novel. Surely, you've done your research on me as have I on you. It would be a pleasure working next to the one and only, NYX." He bowed down. I said, "Oh no, the pleasure is all mine, Mr. Novel. Call me Cynthia." We shook hands and got on the set.
In the movie we are college students, so we were equipped with books, bags, and uniforms. The location was Frezonova College. The campus was huge, and my favorite part was the library, not because I love reading, but because of its spectacular arrangement. Era agreed with my point of view. But he loved the cafeteria because of the large variety of food. After taking a tour of the grounds, we went into the classroom, where our first shot began.
We had a lot of fun shooting together. He was good at his work. Me? I was okay, but I don't blame myself, it was my first time doing this. Many of our fans gathered around us while we took breaks. Pictures of us together were already trending across social media.
I was tagged in 100,000 pictures and videos by the end of the first day. Did that make me feel good? Yes, because it meant that Blaze would be getting a glimpse at those shots. The next day was the same and we went on and on for five more days.
These five days were a breeze. Era and I had a lot of fun; bonding as well as learning. Going through certain experiences together definitely brings two people close. He is very respectful. Not only with boundaries but also with his mannerisms. I'd be grateful to call him a friend. As for romantic relationships, I don't have the time or the right state of mind. NYX will have to stay at the top one and I will have to work to keep her there.
The media kept on barking about Blaze and his mysterious bride, NYX and Era's dating rumors, and some other idols' personal lives. Ugh! I love how our personal lives are more of breaking news than our work. The stuff in which we put actual effort seems to be blindsided.
Hans and I were bound to formalities and kept our frequent interactions business-like. Today, Hans called me, he put his ego aside, for once, and told me that the man seen in the CCTV camera was not Blaze.
I was relieved. He had never liked Blaze and didn't like him even more ever since I had told him about our marvelous date together. Hans and I played our parts and tried to bag in some companies, but it was harder than expected, I guess Hans was right, it will take over a month to oust her completely, she has grown all over the agency like algae.
At the end of the fifth day of shooting, Era suggested that we get dinner together as a part of team bonding. I agreed. He took me to an underground hotel. It looked like an old shack from the outside, but on the inside, it was decorated with fairy lights and low-lying chairs, with a vintage theme. The people who worked there were not the most hospitable, but it was fine. We sat down after ordering food.
General pov:
E: Do you like the place? I picked this because from what I've noticed in the past few days, I realize that you like to explore unfamiliar places.
C: Yeah! This place seems great, but the staff needs either better management or higher pay.
E: Yeah. It's the pay, I can't afford to pay them much as of now. Since I run this place along with one of my friends to satisfy our tummies with our distinguished tastes. I am planning to increase the payment soon.
C: Oh. I mean, the food's great! Don't worry, the place will get better soon. I really like the concept though.
E: Ha-ha...Yeah. I sure hope. That's why I brought you here. This might sound very straightforward, but would you like to invest here?
C: I will discuss it with my family and let you know, but I can't promise anything.
E: That's fine. Your consideration is appreciated.
Cynthia's pov:
I don't want to hurt his feelings, but even though the food is great. The location is not a good commercially viable because I know people of our kind, we like to, well, most of us like to show off our wealth and this would not be the best place. But it might be great for shady meetings which include money laundering, drug dealings etcetera. So, no.
There is no way I'm taking part in such things. I don't know if Era has such intentions but if he does, then I should keep my distance from him. This city is filled with masked criminals. Half of the celebrities that I know are involved in illegal businesses and there is nothing we can do against them, we are powerless.
That's why I am not friends with other members of the industry. They can pay the media to twist their rivals' words, shut people's mouths by shooting them, and whatnot. Those are the things that I stay miles away from. I don't want to do drugs, drink recklessly, or get involved in all these things.
Also, I respect people who are willing to help themselves. A human being always has a choice. It's up to us, how we cope with stress or get influenced by others.
We have the power in our hands. The power to control our minds. This control can change our life for the better if we know how to extract it in the right way. I don't want the youth who look up to me to walk on the wrong path, so, I have always been against these malpractices.
Them spoiling their lives because of me? Um, no thanks. I'd rather help someone succeed. Okay, I'm done with this speech. I always tend to get so lost in my thoughts, so much for mind control. I roll my eyes.
Era says, "Are you okay? You've been staring at the wall for two whole minutes." I say, "Oh yes. I was just thinking about tomorrow's schedule." He places his hand on mine and says, "It's okay, don't be stressed." I move my hand away and continue slurping the corn soup as though nothing happened. He does the same. I was not uncomfortable, but I only saw him as a friend, and I wanted to make my intentions clear.
We then walk outside after I paid the bill. He was hesitant to pay and so I took initiative. I was planning on splitting it, but it's okay. I said, "Thank you for the meal, it was great. I must get going now, my driver's already here." He said, "No, thank you for paying. I owe you. Let's meet next week for the shoot." I said, "It's not a big deal, you don't owe me anything. I look forward to next week since our characters are taking an unexpected turn in the plot."
He places his hand on my lower hip, and looks at me, he is observing my face. Especially, my lips. Okay, now I am uncomfortable. The unpleasant weather adds to my discomfort. I pushed his hand off and looked away.
I don't know if it was him or the alcohol speaking but he said, "I don't mean to make you uncomfortable, but I can't help myself, you are so beautiful." Is he being serious? What am I a toy in some store that he wants to play with so desperately? People who speak words like this make me angry. Why can't he take no for an answer? So, I decided to make it clear.
I said, "Look, Era, you, and I? Not going to happen. Besides, if you find someone beautiful, and they are not interested, it is forbidden to cross boundaries. I will excuse you this once because you seem to have misread me. I am not the least bit interested in you. And I am not the kind to play hard to get, if I like someone, I will make it clear. So, please, let's keep this strictly professional."
I walked away without wasting another minute. I stomped across the road to reach my car. I couldn't look at him right now. The driver drove me back to my house. I didn't think about Era. I divert my attention to my house. My bedroom is attached to the living room with no walls in between, but the discussion room is well covered up from both the hall and the bedroom with a dome-shaped wall.
I don't have a well-established kitchen because I don't cook. However, I have a breakfast counter in the room next to the bedroom. That's where I have a coffee maker and the place where I eat when family or friends come over.
I extract some coffee from the machine and sit on a bean bag near a window in the hall with the coffee mug in my hand. I look outside. The moon was so big and elegant tonight. The wisps of grass that touched the window frame on the outside were swaying with the soft wind.
Sexual harassment is so common that we tend to overlook it most of the time. It can happen to people regardless of gender, sexuality, race, color, religion, nationality, and whatnot. It horrifies me to know that despite media boasting about there being so much progress and transparency in the world, we let things like this seep into our lives and only realize how wrong it was after it takes place. Why? Because that is real life.
It might look like we have made it really far and that the evils have been abolished but it is important that we keep our eyes wide open to prevent such things from sliding back into the modern world.
With these thoughts, I doze off, on the chair.