Third person’s point of view.
Ferguson smirked triumphantly and satisfactory as he stared at the direction Stella had just walked off to. He felt a sense of contentment, as though he’s just eaten a meal he hadn’t eaten in a very long time.
“Here you go, sir” Rob’s voice pulled his attention away from the door.
He faced Rob with an offended glare, ready to chide him but relaxed when he realized he (Rob) was just stretching out a towel at him.
He collected the towel and tied it around his waist, then proceeded to take off his mask, but Rob held his hands and stopped him on time, then faced Alfred.
“Is the camera still rolling?” he asked.
“No” Alfred answered.
“Don’t just say no, go make sure it isn’t”
Alfred nodded, then rushed towards the camera men and spoke with them for a short while, before giving Rob the safe sign.
Rob nodded and quickly turned back to Ferguson.
“We must be sure that the cameras are switched off before taking off your mask, we can’t let the CEO of Yummy Kiss Production’s sex tape make the headline tomorrow” he said, then gently took off Ferguson’s mask. “That’s SNR Alfonso’s bottom line”
Ferguson chuckled at Rob’s last words, but quickly covered it with a cough, as though he’s clearing his throat.
“I need a warm bath” he said to no one in particular, but one of the staff nodded and got on with the task anyway.
“Excuse me, sir” Alfred said as he came back to the scene. “But I must say Miss McCartney is one fine sl*t, I was so turned on when…”
His words were left unfinished as Ferguson sprang up and landed a punch on his nose, sending him to the ground, but he (Ferguson) didn’t stop there. He grabbed Alfred by his collars and pulled him up.
His expression changed drastically, the smirk on his face was immediately replaced with an angry and offended glare.
Some staff members rushed forward to separate the fight, but they stopped in their tracks when they realized it’s their boss dealing with Alfred.
But they quickly turned their attention to Rob, who stood there with his hands shoved in his pocket, and with a knowing smile on his face.
They were expecting him to do something about the situation, but he simply shrugged his shoulders, and continued watching with a keen interest as though he’s watching an action movie.
“Don’t provoke me, or I swear, I’ll make your stay here and your whole life miserable!” he growled in Alfred’s face, with his jaw clenched, and his teeth gnashed tightly.
He felt tempted, he wanted to throw more punches at him, but clenched his jaw tighter and even his grip on Alfred’s collars tightened as he tried his very best to refrain himself.
“Get off my face!” with that, he let go of Alfred’s collars and pushed him (Alfred) off him.
Alfred staggered a few times before regaining his balance. Ferguson glared at him once more, before storming out in fury.
Everyone soon went back to whatever they were doing before the commotion, why Alfred faced Rob.
“Why did he get mad? I didn’t say anything wrong, no?” Alfred looked perplexed.
“Oh, yeah, you did” Rob replied.
“I did?” Alfred sounded even more confused than ever at this point.
Rob placed a hand on his shoulder, then leaned closer to his ear. “You’ve got to mind what you say about Miss McCartney while Mr. Alfonso is around, apparently he has a thing for her”
“Oh” realization dawned on him, now he perfectly understood Ferguson’s outburst.
“Yeah. Oh, and please mind the people you pair her with in the future. Or rather, seek Mr. Alfonso’s permission before pairing her with anyone to avoid more of this” Rob said, gesturing at Alfred’s nose.
“Noted” Alfred stretched forth his hand and did a bro handshake with Rob. “Thanks for the tip”
“Cheers mat…”
“Rob!” Ferguson’s voice sounded authoritatively from outside, cutting off Rob’s words.
“I’ve got to run” he (Rob) said and rushed out after his boss, but not before saying. “Right, check out your nose, you’re bleeding”
Alfred touched his nose, his eyes grew big when he saw blood. “Sh*t” he cursed, then rushed out too.
•••••
Stella’s point of view.
*Outside Yummy Kiss Production House**
I wanted to take a shower before I leave because I’m smelling like s*x, anyone who would walk pass me would immediately know that I’ve just banged someone.
But unfortunately, I couldn’t take the shower because I left my injured friend at home and I couldn’t stop worrying about her. I must hurry home at once to make sure she’s fine.
A small frown appeared on my face, and I stopped in my tracks when I saw someone familiar… Jimmy?
He parked his car a few meters away, he leaned against the back window, and was typing or just scrolling through his phone.
What on earth is he doing here? Is he waiting for me? Or has he come here for some other girl?
I decided to approach him, and make my presence known. “Hey, Jim” I called him.
He raised his head at once. He quickly shoved his phone in my pocket and smiled widely at me.
“Hey, babes”
I’m standing in front of him right now. He leaned forward and kissed my right cheek.
“You’re done?”
“Yeah” I answered, then asked. “What are you doing here? Are you here to pick up a girl?”
“Yeah”
“Who? Is she someone I know? Is she a staff here? Or one of the candidates?” I couldn’t hide my curiosity anymore as I wagged my brows teasingly at him.
He rolled his eyes, grabbed my hand and led me to the passenger side. He opened the door and helped me in, then began helping me with the seatbelt.
“Babes, there are no other girls” I raised my brows. “I’m here to pick you up”
“Oh, really?”
“Yes”
He quickly rounded the car and slid into the driver’s seat.
I gave him a weird look.
“Why would you go out of your way to pick me up? Don’t you have other things to do?”
“Yeah, I do have other things to do, but…” he trailed off.
“But?”
He stared quietly at me for a moment, then sighed and reached for my hands.
“I noticed you’ve been acting weird around me…”
“Weird? I…” he placed a finger on my lips to shush me.
“I know you are suspicious about my early release even though you don’t say,” he paused briefly. “You might think I’m involved in some illegal stuffs and I want to clarify your doubts”
He’s damn right. Megan was first suspicious about his early release, and after hearing her reasons, any sane person would agree with her.
“I hope to show you that I’m still the same Jim, I haven’t changed, and you can trust me”
My eyes subconsciously squinted immediately he mentioned the word ‘trust’, I felt a bit strange.
“I have something to tell you, Ella” he suddenly sounded serious, as though he’s about to say something significant.
“Ok” I nodded, urging him to continue.
“I… I…”
I raised my brows when he stuttered, he’s behaving as if whatever he wanted to say was serious, and he didn’t know how to say it.
“I… I…”
“You?”
He stared directly in my eyes, squeezed my hands and inhaled deeply.
Oh, no. It’s not what I’m thinking… it’s not what I’m thinking… don’t say it… don’t say it…
“I love you” And he said it.