The next day, I wear a black jogger and a white string top along with a black jacket and white sneakers. I knew there was going to be a lot of commotion today so I took my black cap and mask. I tied my hair in a ponytail and went to my car. The driver opened the door for me and I hopped in. He drove me to the first place I had to go. The hospital. I wanted to visit mom but when I saw the media that was outside I change my mind and headed to the theater for the rehearsals.
I find Ace sitting on the bench reading what looked like a script. He looks up and notices my arrival. Our eyes meet and I feel my heart rate increase again. I break the contact and head to the Director's Office.
I knock twice and I hear a reply from the inside. I open the door and slide my body in. "Ah, Jade. How nice it is to meet you again," she says with a gentle smile on her face.
"Miss Coreson," I say as I now show my respect.
She was in her late forties yet she still looks young. She was once a top-A actress but later decided to become a director instead. I don't understand why you would do that but I respect that because it's her training that got me to this level.
"Let's go and start," she says standing up and taking a pile of files. She gives me one of them and instructs me, "In 30 minutes you should be done memorizing this scene".
I nod and begin to read it.
After 20 minutes I was done and had memorized the whole scene by heart.
"What's with the outfit?" I hear someone ask me.
I turn around to see Ace looking at me up and done. Of course, he is the only one bothered by how I dress.
"Paparazzi," I give him one word as a reply.
"Met them?" he asks.
"Yeah, at the hospital. Went to visit mother," I say not even paying attention to what I was saying. My mind was just trying to calm my heart.
"Any calls?" he asks.
"Just a few," I say now looking at him and he looked annoyed, "What?" I ask confused.
"Why are you acting like that Gray Jade?" he asks.
"Acting like what?" I ask even more confused.
"Like you don't feel like talking to me," he pauses, "No, like you're talking to a friend…boyfriend".
I chuckle as I look at him, "Didn't you say we are dating…babe?" I ask sarcastically.
"Look it was a joke," he says.
"A joke? Do you know how far this joke has gone? Have you checked what the fans are posting on Instagram?" I say.
He pulls out his phone and checks his feed. He strolls down as he views all the posts with eyes wide open and his mouth curved into a frown.
"This..." he whispers.
"Exactly. Now how are you going to fix this mess, dear boyfriend?" I ask sarcastically again.
He narrows his eyes at me and says, "Stop that".
"Or what?" I ask.
"Or I'll make you," he shoves me to the wall.
I felt so vulnerable as his big broad body made me look tiny. "Don't shove me to the wall," I say trying to push him away.
"Or what?" he asks with a sneer on his face.
We hear a cough from behind and we both turn to see the makeup artist looking at us with surprise. "It's time to change," she says.
I quickly rush to my dressing room leaving them behind. Later the make-up artist enters and does my make-up. At least she didn't ask any questions because I wasn't going to answer. I finish and go to the rehearsals. We finish and I change back into my clothes. I put my cap on and head outside. Because of tight security, the Paparazzi wouldn't reach me. I enter the car and drive to where I was doing my photo shoot.
We quickly finish and I go home passing by the hospital to see mother. I bought her some flowers and a get well soon card. She was asleep so there wasn't much to the visit.
I enter my house and go straight to my room. I needed to remove these clothes. I take a shower and go downstairs. I get a call from Ace but I ignore it. He calls again and I still ignore it.
He sends a message saying, 'Answer the damn call'.
I roll my eyes and answer the third call. "What!?" I ask.
I was in no mood to talk to anyone. "Was it that hard?" he says.
"Say what you want Ace," I say.
"Could we meet at the new restaurant?" he asks.
"Why?" I ask, "Asking me out?".
What was he up to now?
"No. Never. We need to think of what to do," he says.
"We? You mean you need to think of what to do Ace. You caused all this," I say.
"I know but.." I cut him before he finishes.
"But what?" I ask.
"I just need you to agree on some terms with me so we can fix all this," he says. I think for a moment then I sigh. "What time?" I ask.
"Nine thirty," he says.
"Okay," I say as I disconnect the call.
I go back to my room and change...again. It was almost nine anyway. This time I put on a comfy elegant black dress with see-through sleeves. I tie my hair into an elegant bun and put on gloss on my lips. I like to go natural. Not too much, not too little.
I leave the room and go to the restaurant he had told me to come to.