[Ideate Project Zero] Ch. 01 - Silver Steps
Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons or actual events is purely coincidental.
Viscaria
In the language of flowers, the Viscaria flower literally means, “Will you dance with me?” and used to be given to women as an invitation to dance. This is a catchfly flower that blooms in beautiful shades of purple and gets its name from the sticky nature of its stems, which attract insects. Hence, it became a symbol of flirting and attraction.
Ian tapped his phone and looked at it’s time. It was morning and on the rare occasion where Ian decided to rest at his apartment; after he had been playing around from clubs to clubs for a month. Nobody even know that he lives in apartment, so it was a good spot for hiding from the world.
Of course, because of his decision his phone got flooded by messages from his acquaintances and hook ups. All were searching for him. It was normal for someone who already famous since he was younger- plus point because he’s an actor. And it was just in time when his aunt, Miranda Joey called him out of blue and reminded him to stand by on the studio where he signed a contract to cast on a new movie.
All those early distraction caused Ian to threw his phone and nearly crack it- he is not a morning person and he woke up earlier thanks to those people. Who said that being a famous actor is all good? All he wanted is a good sleep. Nevertheless he brushed his sleepy face and walked to bathroom with hesitation. That day was supposed to be a start for something new, at least by accepting that contract he can move to an entirely new environment so he won’t be so bored that he could die.
He took a quick bath and prepared himself in his usual attire. He could hear his phone ringing from his bedroom again and enraged him to the point where he forgot to comb his hair and just went straight to underground parking where he turned on his car and left with full speed.
“4 minutes.” a dark skinned girl with gray hair stood in front of him as Ian stepped out from his car. Her high heel made some clacking sounds and it was clear that his aunt- no, at this rate it was better to call her his older sister, looked impatient by the act of her adopted younger brother. Not even when Ian already tried to arrive as fast as he can so he won’t get nagged like this.
“Miranda it’s just 4 minutes.”
“4 minutes late is important! Today we’ve got one big project to do and you’re, the main cast, slacking and ignored all my text yesterday-”
“Hey Joseph what’s up?” Ian waved at the security guard as he walked faster.
“Ian Reed! Listen to me!” Miranda caught up to him and grabbed his arm. “Listen, this is the first time we signed contract to work with G.E. Entertainment and this is our big step to make you even more famous. Especially with you as the main cast. I am going to be real busy this day for your hecking sake and I want to introduce you to our workers first.”
“Is there any cute girl?” Ian’s mouth twitched into a one-sided smirk and Miranda swore she could have slapped him if it’s not because he’s an actor and her younger brother.
The two stepped inside the main hall and everyone already set their eyes on Ian. He knew this would happen so he used his charisma to make him even more dashing and successfully made several girls swooned over him, except some who giggled over him.
“Hello, you must be the main cast for this movie right?” A girl approached Ian. She has slender body with long, curly brown hair and perfectly matched dress and makeup. Her gray eyes shine like a barbie doll. Perhaps she was one, and it seemed like she was younger or at least on the same age as Ian.
“Oh right, Ian let me introduce you to our main female cast and your partner-”
“Emma Lover.” Emma shook his hand and smiled. “Nice to meet you~”
Ian held her hand and bowed to kiss it. “Nice to meet you too, beautiful.”
Emma’s face became red, Miranda rolled her eyes and sighed.
“Emma Lover, I told you not to fool around in studio right?” said another girl that approached them. She has a long blonde hair with green eyes and a yellow circle on it. She wore a simple white formal shirt with black trouser and black heels; looking elegant and charismatic yet modest. Judging from her vibe everyone will know that she hold an important position in that place.
Ian’s gaze turned to a woman who just caught his attention. His eyes suddenly turned large at the sight of the woman. A weird impulse flowed in Ian’s body. Something that felt similar stroke him and without giving any thought, he walked to her and offered his hand.
“Ian Reed.”
The woman giggled and smiled gently at him. “Avery Skyler.”
‘Avery Skyler?’
That ringed something nostalgic inside of Ian. He tried to dig his memory files to find something, something that seemed very important. Not just that, his instinct literally got attuned to her vibe and he felt like he got himself in a mess that he can’t even understand. For the first time, he found someone that vibrated so much charisma other than him and it made Ian drowned in her realm. But it was not just that.
“You must be Miranda Joey, manager of Mr. Reed, am I right?” Avery turned herself to Miranda and shook her hand.
“Yes. And you must be Mrs. Lover’s manager?”
“Correct.” Avery turned herself to look at Ian again. “But it seemed like Mr. Reed didn’t sleep well yesterday. Is he really okay?”
Ian noticed his bed hair quickly and fixed it. No wonder she giggled when she saw him like this. Well, it’s not like Ian didn’t realize that something was wrong, but Ian shot Miranda with sharp stare asking for explanation of why no one told him about his bed hair. Miranda turned her head to avoid his stare.
“Miranda, care to explain what was happening?”
“Aww, don’t sweat it too much honey!” Emma interrupted and wrapped her arm on Ian’s. Her finger rolled on his chest before leaning up closer to his face. “You’re looking perfectly fine! Manager just got the worst eye so she can’t see how handsome you’re! Ooh my bad boy I really glad I signed this casting! Right, manager?”
Her flirting style made Ian felt uneasy. He sensed something fishy when he saw Avery’s stance became staged.
“You have 10 minutes before the preparation started.” Avery sighed and handed Miranda some sheets of paper. “This is your schedule to follow on this studio. I also added several notes about rules and FAQ, but if you have anything to ask you can just come to me. As this studio’s director is none other than Emma Lover’s father, I also have the authority to manage this studio on behalf of his-”
“You see, Mrs. Skyler is also my daddy’s fiance, so it’s not surprising right?” Emma snapped.
“What?”
Ian and Miranda were not the only one who got surprised, apparently the whole workers that were busy with their business suddenly spend their attention to Avery. Sound of whispering spread within the hall and their situation got even more awkward.
Avery stood in silence, but she remained calm and gathered her breath.
“Pardon me, but what Mrs. Lover said is not right. My relationship with director is merely a mutual relationship. Nothing else. I, her manager, apologize for this misunderstanding. ” Avery raised her left hand to prove that she was not engaged; her fingers are empty without any ring. Everyone who were looking at her stopped their whispering and back to their work.
Emma flinched. She didn’t expect to be counterattacked like this.
“I’m sorry for this misunderstanding, Mrs. Joey and Mr. Reed. But I hope this won’t interfere with your productivity and please, bear with us.” Avery smiled and turned away. “5 minutes left, Emma Lover.”
“Ahh right, right.” Emma rolled her eyes. “Let’s go, honey!”
“Alright Ian, take it easy okay?” Miranda patted his shoulder, Ian nodded in agree.
As Avery walked away from them, Ian reminisced about her expression from last time. It was not just a smile, it was a smirk. He was astonished by her intensity, his heartbeat became faster and Emma thought that he was excited to stay with her when in fact he is not. Going to studio that day was not a regrettable decision. It was a great opening for him, something big was about to happen for sure an it was not an ordinary like he had.
Under the brimming light of the studio, Ian and Emma became the new and popular couple that caught everyone’s attention. It was as if the stage were meant for them which invoked every girl’s envy. Whilst Miranda and Avery were busy with their agenda, Ian and Emma’s time seemed endless. They were seen together in every occasion; behind the stage and as a couple literally in movie. Ian was extremely professional in his acting despite that he was one of the youngest cast there. Emma was also skilled, she was capable of speaking five languages and lured the audiences with her tongue-twisting words that she said without difficulty. Truly a power couple.
But Ian didn’t feel anything about her. He could have just went with their moment but his mind was fixated on Avery. In his mind he only got one goal: to confess his love to Avery. It was common for Ian to confess his love to any girl he ‘liked’ but to a girl that wrecked his mind like a ship on a stormy sea? It could be really hard; It was a challenge! Hence why he couldn’t stop his excitement but was skilled enough to brush his mind off. He focused all his attention to Emma for at least for now.
At certain break, the actor watched as Avery stepped dutifully to Emma’s side. Sometime they were seen arguing but Avery remained composed. Ian kept watching her movement until he can’t take it anymore.
“Emma Lover, you father is calling you and he need you to come to his office.” said Avery.
“Alrighty!”
Emma rushed to meet her father. Avery took a chair and sat on it, looking tired from all she had to do that day.
‘This is my chance!’
“Hey Mrs. Skyler” said Ian as he took another chair and sat beside Avery.
“Do you need anything, Mr. Reed?”
“I need you to fulfill this job quickly.” Ian grinned and he kept his eye level the same as Avery.
“A job?” Avery finally set her eyes on Ian. “Excuse me, Mr. Reed. But you don’t have the right to give me a job-”
Ian grabbed her hands and held it tightly.
“I want you to be my girlfriend.”
To be continued.