Olivia
I returned with Javier where I saw Karen and Heidi together. Karen turned her eyes at me and her mouth was opened wide. I knew what’s coming as both me and Javier walked to where she stood. “Hello. You must be Karen. Javier Ronan, it’s a pleasure to meet you,” he introduced himself by reaching out his hand.
Karen accepted his hand. “Karen Wilson, nice to meet you.” Wow, she sounded so professional.
“I’m Heidi, her manager. We’re looking forward to the amazing photoshoot.” And then Heidi shook hands with Javier.
“Me as well.” As soon as he introduced himself, someone called out to him and he excused himself. Karen immediately threw her arm around me. I was just there accepting that and waiting for her interrogation.
“How did you meet him?” she asked excitedly.
“I was in the toilet. I heard someone was talking outside and then I bumped to him. He said he was talking to his girlfriend and she dumped him.”
“Seriously? Not with that physic, no,” she said while casting her eyes to where Javier was.
“Karen, a model is a human being as well. Sometimes it’s useless just by being handsome and beautiful.”
“Oh, right. I have to agree with that.” She looked at me. I knew what she meant. She was referring to Stewart. A handsome face with a sick personality.
“But Javier is known as the gentlest model,” Heidi informed.
Karen scoffed. “Well, we will be the judge of that.”
“Karen, you’re up,” someone called as Karen let me go. “Wish me luck so I won’t be getting a nosebleed, babe.” I laughed at her statement. I touched her arm and she walked to where Javier was. He was topless already and he was wearing jeans. Karen was wearing a tight black dress.
They began the photoshoot. Although it was just a photoshoot, I was like being made stunned by Javier. He literally hypnotized everyone in this room by his performance. They were like a real couple there. His arm was at Karen’s waist. Pulling her closer with his mouth on her cheek. Like a man marking his territory on his woman. Karen wrapped her hands around his neck. Slightly pushing her red lips on his neck.
This was…so sensual.
They looked fit together, sensual, and intimate. Even I could feel my cheeks warmed up with their performance. And for a second, his dark eyes were on me and my heart jumped a bit. What was that? Javier broke the eye contacts first as I tucked some of my hair behind my ear.
Once they were done, Karen hugged Javier and they went separate ways, probably changing their clothes.
“You have any plan with Karen after this, Liv?” Heidi asked.
“Um, I don’t know. Maybe we’ll go straight home.”
“Well, it’s been a long day for Karen and you as well just by sitting here and watch. I’ll be heading home as soon as I finished my meeting here. And Olivia?” she paused. “You still have time before your graduation. Take your time and you will soon figure out your path.”
I smiled. “Thank you, Heidi. I’ll see you soon.” Heidi walked away from me and I saw Javier was approaching me.
“Did you enjoy it?” Huh?
I blinked for a few seconds. He meant the photoshoot, right? “Y-Yes, I did. You’re amazing.”
He chuckled lightly. “Thanks, but being a model is only a part-time job for me.”
“What’s your full-time job?”
“Personal trainer at a fitness club called Premium Soul.”
“Oh, I know that club. It’s one of the prestigious fitness clubs in the city, right?”
“Well, you can say that. Do you do the gym?”
I laughed nervously. Did I look like I would be running on a treadmill or rising a heavy dumbbell? “No, I don’t.”
“You should do it. You’re still young and you should take care of your health.”
“I’ll think about it.”
“Great. Here.” He pulled out his wallet from his jeans pocket and grabbed a card. “If you’re interested to join, you can contact me.” He handed the card to me. “I will be glad to be your PT.”
“Thanks.”
“Are you free after this?”
Before I could answer, I saw Karen was walking towards us. “Hey, sorry for making you wait. I got caught up talking with a colleague in the dressing room.
“It’s okay.”
Karen turned to Javier. “Would you like to join us for some coffee?” she invited as I looked at her.
“Sure, if you don’t mind me tag along.”
“It’s fine. Right, Liv?” I couldn’t exactly say no to that. In the end, the three of us walked out of the building together and headed to Starbucks. “I’ll be ordering. What you guys like?” Okay, she did that on purpose. Karen knew exactly what I always ordered here.
“Vanilla Bean Crème,” I told her.
“Cappuccino, please,” And Javier mentioned his.
“Okay, you guys can search a table.” I walked away first and when I turned around to see if Javier was following me, he was nowhere. Instead, he was still beside Karen. I saw him giving her cash. Oh, boy. He was treating us. Javier then followed me as I led both of us out of the place. Karen and I loved to be outside especially on how cold the weather now. Winter would be coming soon.
I sat opposite Javier. “So, how long have you been Karen’s friends?”
“Since junior high.”
“Wow. It must be nice for having a friend for that long.”
“You don’t have one?”
“I have few friends but not that long. After we’re busy with our activities, we just lost communication. Either busy with themselves, their jobs, their hobbies, even their families. Adults’ life is rather complicated but if you two are true friends, I’m sure you will stick together and maintain the communication. Everything starts and finishes with communication.” That was…deep. Communication was indeed the key to …everything. Either with friends or with a boyfriend.
“I wish I will be like that with Karen. She’s my best friend and she always supports me. No matter how bad my choices are.”
“Well, that’s what true friends are, right?” We smiled at each other. I could conclude that I enjoyed talking with him. I hoped he was not another of Blake’s victims who wanted to take revenge on me. But wait. I introduced myself as Olivia Graham. Or maybe he knew my face already and that’s why he talked to me. Oh, Olivia. Knock it off!
I should get rid of those ridiculous thoughts. I needed to stop thinking because Javier was a model, he would be the same as Stewart.
“Are you alright?” he asked worriedly.
“Y-Yeah, I was just thinking about something.” I should stop that. If I could erase the memory, I would happily do it. Karen then came to us while bringing our drinks.
“Here you go.” She put down the cups and sat beside me. “It was very pleasant working with you earlier,” she said while drinking her cup.
“I feel the same. I’ll be looking forward to our next project one day. I heard about you before.”
“Really?” she asked and smiled shyly. “I wonder what they had been telling you. I hope it’s some good stuff.”
“Of course.”
“Well, I’m glad then.” She drank her Latte again. I smiled a bit knowing Karen was nervous around Javier. Well, I was as well. He looked really nice and so mature. How old was he? “Say, you’ve met Olivia recently.”
“I have.”
“And she told me you just broke up with your girlfriend?”
“Karen!” I scolded. That was unbelievable for her to asked that. It was his privacy.
“Well, I’m not going to deny that. I couldn’t make her happy so it’s best to end it.” I had to be grateful because Javier didn’t seem he was bothered by how Karen acted. By how she was disturbing his privacy.
“You know? Olivia is single.” Oh, my freaking God!
“Karen, could you please?” I scolded her again. She turned at me because she didn’t look like she was guilty about it.
“Really? That’s…surprising. Olivia is really beautiful.”
“Well, some dumbass dumped her,” Karen added. I couldn’t handle her. I didn’t think I could handle her. Karen and her big mouth.
“That’s unfortunate.”
“I know, right? That guy is so unlucky but Olivia should consider herself lucky so she could find someone else better.” I glared at her again but she was only smiling. She was amused by this situation. I knew immediately that she was trying to set me up with Javier. But he just broke up! There was no way he would search for someone else after that. Or maybe he could.
“I’m sure Olivia will get a new one soon. I wish the best for both of us.” God, I could cry. This man was so gentle and didn’t show any sign that he was uncomfortable or pissed off. I only nodded my head because I was too embarrassed about how my friend acted. “How about you, Karen? Any good man?”
“Me? I’m still free as well, still untouchable.” Javier chuckled over her statement. Well, she was free but she was not untouchable anymore. I was different from Karen and I would not blurt that out as revenge.
I saw Javier raised his cup. “I hope the three of us will soon find ourselves the only one,” he said and we tossed together.
We spend almost an hour in Starbucks and it was time for us to depart. Karen received a call as she excused herself from us. “Where you live, Olivia?” Javier asked.
“Beverly Hills.”
“Really? Me too. Say, um, can I take you out sometimes?” Oh, God. Did he just ask me that?
“I would love to.”
“Great. Can I have your number?”
“Sure.” He handed me his iPhone as I typed my number.
“I hope you don’t think badly about me because I just broke up with my girlfriend. Even without her have to end it today, our relationship is already ended before it happened. And it’s not like I wanted to start a new relationship as soon as possible. I just…want to get to know you,” he explained.
“No, I don’t mind.” Maybe I should start opening my heart to someone. Maybe with Javier and see where this goes. I saw Karen was returning and I handed back his phone.
“Well, I’ll see you soon. I’ll call you,” he parted and walked away from me. He parted ways with Karen as well.
“So?” She immediately stood next to me. “I saw you gave your number to him.”
“Well, I was just thinking that maybe I should open my heart and see if Javier could melt my heart. I can’t live in the past for too long.”
“I’m sure he will and I’m glad you took my advice pretty well to look for somebody else. I always hope the best for you, Liv. I know how hard you have to deal with Blake before and I hope,” she paused and turned her eyes on where Javier went. “I hope Javier could be your only one.”
“I wish that will happen too.”
We walked back to her agency building and headed to Karen’s car. Along the way, I silently prayed that Javier…could be the one.