#johnson brody

[wannabecatwriter]

Maxis Mix Tape: A Song You Cry To

Please can we just say Pretty lies, pretty lies Lie to each other again One last time

Slowly let me down Every word pulls me apart Gently tell me how To forgive me now 'Cause all I need is on your lips They're my enemy They're my remedy So slowly let me down Give me a kiss just one last time Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh Give me a kiss just one last time Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh

Nights so long, days longer There seems no end in sight I lost it all, the 29 That October night

[wannabecatwriter]

All this toxic conversation Every word has gone to waste Is your bitter medication Let me know how that taste I come to a realization You're just in love with the chase Best believe you tried my patience Ended up hands at stake

Don't want you back, back, back, back No point in begging on your knees Nothing that I haven't seen before Don't want you back, back, back, back I'm done with all this, "Baby, please" You ain't gonna fuck with me, no more

[wannabecatwriter]

- I don’t know. You call it bad writing, but I think that, sometimes, a love triangle can be what the show’s couple needs. What if their relationship has run its course and meeting the new person is just what makes them realize that?

Johnson’s words have the effect of a cold shower on Danielle, while Hina just glares. 

She doesn’t say anything while the waiter clears away their dishes, but afterwards adds:

- Usually, the relationship only “runs its course” when the individuals involved have forgotten what it means to care for one another. In such cases, even with the new person there, the one who left their partner won’t find whatever it is they are looking for. Usually, as a result, all three just get hurt.

Danielle nods in full agreement.

- It’s the worst when that happens.

Hina wonders if she speaks from experience when Johnson butts in with a new question.

Johnson: You say relationships end when those involved forget how to care for one another, yet since you have a child and are now with Bernardo, your former partner is also now with you. How do you explain that?

- Death of a loved person is unfortunate and ends relationships instantly.

Even Johnson has the common sense to apologize, while Danielle makes a hasty excuse and leaves for the bathroom. Hina catches Bernardo’s concerned look and he follows his sister to make sure everything’s alright.

[wannabecatwriter]

Left alone with him, Hina scrutinizes the man across from her the way she would an antique book she’s been asked to verify the age and quality of. She can see the resemblance between him and his sons, even if, like his girlfriend, he looks very young for his age. No doubt, the youngish good looks still bring him a lot of success with the younger women. Yes, she knows just the type of person she’s dealing with.

Uncomfortable under her cool appraisal, Johnson, fidgets in his chair.

- Once again, I’m super sorry about that question. It was out of line.

Hina: Yes, it was. But I’m not the one you should be apologizing to. My husband died years ago and I still miss him to this day, even though I love Bernardo dearly and would fight anyone tooth and nail for him. But Danielle is still alive, which makes you a very lucky man. And you just don’t appreciate it.

Johnson bristles at her words.

- What do you know of our relationship? You say Bernardo has told you about us, but if he had, you’d know better how things stand between me and Danielle.

Hina: I know enough. I know that she’s given you two lovely sons. I know she has turned down several big roles in order not to be far from you for too long. I know she still cares and tries to save whatever it is you have, even though you’ve been together for years. She could’ve called it quits years ago. Perhaps, she should’ve.

Before they can speak further, the siblings come back, and while Danielle’s face is a carefully controlled mask of nonchalance, Bernardo’s is full of concern.

[wannabecatwriter]

Danielle: Hello, darlings. Sorry for keeping you waiting. Well, does anyone want dessert?

The rest of the company decide against it, and the general mood of the evening is such that the date crawls to a close.

Danielle is the first one to leave the establishment, briskly walking away. Johnson turns to follow, but then turns around to look and Hina and Bernardo once more, seemingly deep in thought. Eventually, he bids them goodbye and follows his girlfriend.

Bernardo, wearily: What was that about?

Hina shrugs.

- While you were gone, I told him something that might wisen him up, or it might not. Not every person is receptive to good advice. But what happened with you and Danielle? 

Bernardo sighs. 

- It’s... I don’t know. We didn’t really talk. I just followed her to the bathroom because she had the same expression on her face that she did when we were younger and she was about to cry. And I heard her sobbing in the ladies’ room.

Hina: Who can blame her? I think she wanted this date to fix things between them, but... 

They both know that some things aren’t meant to be fixed.

[wannabecatwriter]

- Hello, I hope I’m not too late.

Johnson Brody, Starlight Shores producer and mogul, confidently strides into the restaurant and joins the others.

- Hey, Bernardo, what’s up, man? I feel like I haven’t seen you in ages. And you must be his plus one?

He addresses Hina, a charming smile on his face.

Hina: Yes, that’s me. Hina Yamada, it’s nice to meet you. Bernardo has told me a lot about you and your lovely family. 

That’s a lie, Bernardo hasn’t talked much about Johnson, but he does notice the lustful gaze Johnson throws at his girlfriend, and also, the slightly cold way Hina’s eyes narrow when she looks at the man. Across from him, Danielle’s expression drops ever so slightly.

Johnson: Ha, ha, yep, that’s us. Well, what’s good here?

Danielle: They have French food, baby. Remember the dish we had back in Paris? They have it here.

Johnson: Let’s check it out, then.

Despite their friendly demeanor, both Bernardo and Hina notice that the tension between the other couple is thick enough to cut with a knife. 

[wannabecatwriter]

As the waiter gets their order, Danielle makes no fuss about the calorie count of anything, contrary to her usual behavior. Instead, she makes sure to compliment everything, when their food arrives.

Danielle: This is great, there frog legs taste the same as they did in France. I’ll have to compliment the chef before we leave.

Johnson: Yes, the food is pretty good.

His demeanor makes it pretty clear that it’s not only the food he finds appealing at this table; unfortunately, it’s also not Danielle. Which she notices pretty easily.

Bernardo would normally take offense, and he wonders if Hina regrets coming on this outing with him, but he also knows that she is more than capable of dealing with a problematic individual. 

Danielle: So, Hina, how did the two of you meet? My brother hates sharing details with me.

Hina: It was quite simple, really. I came to visit my daughter and he was staying at their house. Forced to deal with another difficult parent, the two of us got talking, and you know how it happens - people just click with one another.

Danielle: Sounds like something out of a rom-com. 

Bernardo: And those shows did create some iconic couples, if I say so myself.

Johnson: And some iconic love-triangles as well, don’t forget that.

Hina: Oh, love triangles are old. They are a bit cheap and contrived, don’t you think? What do you think, Danielle? For me, whenever I see a good show and the creators chose to add one out of the blue, it just makes me think they are either uncreative or have too little experience portraying healthy relationships.

Danielle: It’s true. One of my favorite shows always does this. Whenever a couple gets “too happy”, something or someone just conveniently shows up to break them up. I can tell you it’s sometimes caused by actors needing to leave the show due to other commitments. But other times it’s just...

She shrugs and she and Hina both agree:

- Bad screenwriting.

The two women chuckle at this, leaving Johnson a bit confused and Bernardo quietly cheering for this turn of the situation.