“If you’d been honest, kept out of my personal life, and respected my boundaries, I’d still care about Gene.”I fold my arms, shaking my head.
“You’re too naïve.Sometimes crossing those lines is what gets you to the top.”
“Forget it.I’ll find another way.Now, please, move aside.”I narrow my eyes.
Alan snorts, then laughs, mocking me, but I don’t care.Seeing I won’t bend, he finally steps back and opens the car door with a fake flourish.“After you, milady.”
I slide in, Jessy fires up the engine, and we peel out, leaving Alan standing alone on the curb.I glance in the mirror.His figure looks pitiful, but I remind myself he’s toxic and dangerous.
“You think I should show the script to Laird?”
“Oh no, honey, don’t.He’ll lose his mind and flip Alan upside down at the Statue of Liberty.”Jessy shakes his head.
“Yeah, you’re right.He promised he wouldn’t look at the ad.And it’s not like he’ll see it anyway, right?”I rest my chin against the window, twirling my hair.
“Yeah, no chance.Condom ads barely make it past niche channels and are absolutely banned from socials ads.”
* * *
Several days after our meeting, I’m sitting in the makeup chair in front of the mirror.Wearing a long-sleeved black knit sweater and jeans, I look like any ordinary woman.That’s the concept of today’s ad: a couple going shopping to prep for a winter vacation abroad.
“Okay, all set,” the makeup artist says after finishing my face with neutral tones.
“Thanks,” I say with a small smile.
She heads off to report to the director, and I sigh, staying in the chair as I glance down at my phone.There’s a text from Laird, and I read it right away.
Laird:
Hey.Has the shooting started yet?
Since yesterday, he’s been sending me messages and calling a bunch of times.I know he’s trying to hold back his jealousy, but the tone and anxiety in his voice always give him away.
We agreed not to tell him the details about the shoot.We both knew he might lose it if he heard what was happening behind the scenes.Honestly, even I didn’t know the specifics until the makeup artist filled me in this morning.
Me:
Not yet.Just finished my makeup.You done with your meeting?
Laird:
I just wrapped mine, heading into the next one.
Are you covered up?
“Fenella, we’re starting soon.Come meet the director for rehearsal,” Jessy calls from the doorway.
“Yeah, coming,” I say as I push myself up from the chair.
Me:
For this first scene, I’m dressed simple: warm sweater and jeans.
Good luck.I gotta run, the shoot’s starting.
Laird:
Ok.
