THE CALL TIME is early the next day so I need to get up early.
I blame myself for not being able to sleep all night thinking about what happened between Nicholas and me. I want to give him a chance but I don’t know where to get my feelings for him.
I glanced at Jacky who was still sound asleep in bed. She came drunk last night so I better not to wake her up.
“Jacky, I’m leaving. Will you lock the room?” I shake her shoulder. But that’s how I backed away when she turned around.
“Why did you just wake me up?!” she say while rubbing the swollen eye.
“You were so drunk last night, so I didn’t wake you up, I go ahead?” I say goodbye again.
“Wait, I’m coming with you!” she got up quickly and then ran towards the bathroom.
The morning fresh air greeted me, I filled my chest with fresh air before smiling broadly.
“It’s really nice here, it’s like Paradise!” Jackilyn, blurted out.
I smiled at her and pulled her to the shore where I could see our boat to the other side of the Island.
“Good morning!” I beamed, waving my hand to the staff and crew since Jacky and I could get close to them.
“Finally you’re here! Are you that unprofessional now? 5:30 is the call time, what time is it now?!” we both turned to Nicholas’s voice. I glance down my wrist watch only to find out, I’m thirty minutes late.
“I’m sorry,” I apologized.
“Sorry ?! Bullshit!” he shouted and kicked his shoe over the sand.
I pressed my lips together and fixedly stare down my feet. I didn’t have to glance around to know that they all heard what Nicholas said.
“Look, we won’t always adjust to you. You haven’t yet a name in this industry but that’s how you act?!” There was something in that shout… A pain behind it i guess.
I swallow everything I heard, I didn’t answer because it also doesn’t make sense if I explain more. What bothered me was that he shouted at me in front of the staff and crew.
I noticed the staff whispering and shaking their heads at me.
“Please, show some consideration to this project because you are not the only one who can compromise here as well as the whole team!” He tilted his head and put his hand around his waist.
I bit my lip and nodded, if I hadn’t turned away I didn’t know how I could get it. “I’m sorry! It looks like it’s my fault why you’re late.” I heard what Jacky said and I lightly shook my head.
“It doesn’t matter, come on!” I grabbed her palm to steer our boat to the other side of the Island. Farrah also approached me and took some of my belongings.
“Are you okay?” she asked. I nodded here and glanced at Nicholas who was already on board the boat.
“Yeah, I’m okay.” I whispered.
Since we arrived on the Island Nicholas has never spoken to me again. He focuses on work and giving instruction to staff which is I understand.
“Nicely done, Cherry!” the photographer said and raised his thumb finger at mine.
I smiled at him and changed my sitting position. I lift my chin, slightly open my mouth and make a fierce effort.
“Fiercer!” the photographer demanded.
I followed his wishes and slightly raised my hand to place a few fingers on my cheek and in the edge of my lip.
“Chin to your right, please!” he demanded again.
I did what he said, and those two swarthy eyes glared at me. He clenched his perfectly jaw, while thrusting his arm on his damn broad chest. I barely adjusted my seat and averted my gaze from him.
“Cherry! Focus to your right! Your angle wasn’t perfect!” the photographer said.
I cleared my throat then looked back to Nicholas’ direction. He is to tight, sitting on his chair, crossing his leg and touched his lips using his finger. It was as if I forgot to breathe for a moment, I couldn’t explain how I felt because of his stares.
The camera stopped blinking so I went back in disgust. “Okay, loosen up! We need more shots in this angle. You can’t get the right angle I want, Cherry.” the photographer exclaimed.
I immediately glanced at Nicholas who quickly got up from his chair. I frowned and slightly adjusted the dress I wore. Farrah also approached me to fix the hem of my silver gown. “Looks like you’re not okay, is there a problem?” she asked softly.
I shook my head and the air filled my chest before repositioning myself.
“I’m okay now,” I timidly say. My eyes also roam and looked for Nicholas. And I found out, he is with Jackilyn. They were having a chitchat for a while. Obviously, the two are comfortable with each other and it looks like they are something so I don’t have to worry.
I gasped, quickly averted my gaze from them and Farrah’s critical stare caught my eye. She furrowed her brows in front of me before glancing in Nicholas’ direction and then at me.
“I know there is something bothering you, but I won’t lead you,” she said.
“No it’s not that, but I’m really fine. Sorry for the inconvenience.” I refused.
“There is nothing to worry about, we understand, just do your best, okay?” she cheered me up.
I smiled and nodded, I was even more encouraged by what she said so when the photoshoot started again I did everything to make it look good when everything was taken. I felt better when I regained my focus and finally made it!
“These pictures were extremely good!” the photographer exclaimed and leaned his head to me.
“You’re so damn perfect, Cherry!” He adds to me.
I smiled at him and picked up a photo of me sitting on a turquoise bench, the scenery and the beach was breathtaking. It was a pictured-perfect shot. I was impressed with how well it took an angle.
“Thanks, Dillan. You’re the best.” I couldn’t help but hugged him. I feel like I want to keep this photo of mine facing the sea right and have a full sized copy to hang on my bedroom wall.
“You can keep it if you want, I still have a copy of that.” He showed off his smile then shrugged.
“Oh thank you,” I sweetly said to him.
“Gather all those photo and lets move to our next destination.” Nicholas said scornfully, he didn’t even glance at some of my shots and quickly turned away from us.
I followed him with my gaze and finally I just sighed and was forced to finish the job properly today.
Nicholas and I, never had much time to talked about what happened between us. If I weren’t for work I think wouldn’t bother to talk to me.
I felt so guilty and deeply regret what I said that night. If I could just take back what I said just so I wouldn’t hurt him, I would.
“Are we really going home? Can we stay here for one more week?” Jackilyn frown at me as she stretched out on the bed.
“I can’t Jacky, I still have a job left in San Gabriel.” I replied and I was focused on the things I was fixing.
“Alright,” she said to me after getting up to fix the things he was carrying.
“Why can’t you just talk to Nicholas before we go?” she questioned. I slowly face her and shook my head.
“Maybe in some other time,” I said with a low voice. I also continued to arrange our belongings so that we would not spend the night on the flight.
Eventually we didn’t have a sensible conversation with Nicholas, because he was too early to sail for San Gabriel. I can’t even admit I’m hurt. He means so much to me, and he doesn’t deserve any of these.