Perfect Strangers

Nowhere to hide

The next day was full of commitments. It started off with panto rehearsals - which Faye normally would love but Travis had decided to join and watch her. Faye knew that he literally meant 'watching her' - focusing her like a hungry animal that's about to attack. If she'd speak to random males, he already said he'd smack her. 

That's why she spends her rehearsal breaks with her co-stars; listening to the amazing things she'd been up to and wishing that's Travis would allow her these adventures too. "I've had a wonderful holiday the past two weeks." one of her co-stars said. "A nice distraction from work. What about you Faye?" she asks the young girl. "I heard you've been doing a lot of promo for your latest film - do you want a holiday after panto?"

"I'd love to... but holidays aren't Travis' thing." she whispers before hastily going back into her role. "But we often do day trips. Parties and so on. I'm sure he's already got something in mind."

"I bet he does, he's so lovely to you - treating you like an actual queen. Speaking of him, there's he!" 

Faye wanted to cry upon seeing her boyfriend. He already looked angry and the fact that she'd been speaking to "friends" likely didn't improve his mood. Travis didn't like it when she spoke to her colleagues; he wasn't fond on them and he kept telling Faye that they all hate her anyways. 

Nevertheless, Travis smiled faked at the other women before speaking up. "Faye my little queen, can you come with me? The styling team is calling for you to make you look even prettier - if that's possible." he laughs, kissing her cheek. He takes her hand as they walk away and Faye felt an overwhelming amount of anxiety washing over her; yes she'd been anxious in general before but this was new... she felt like someone punched her in the chest. Is this a panic attack?

"Faye listen." Travis says dryly. Realising she's not listening at all, he suddenly slaps her across the face. "I said: listen!" he shouts. "I've got an image to uphold. Talk with your co-stars if you want but don't you dare speaking bad about me." he says with an evil smile. "Okay my queen? Look at your pretty face." he adds, stroking over her cheek in an almost crazy manner; making her want to run away. 

"Where are Lee and H?" she asks shakily, longing for the safety she feels in their arms. 

"In the dressing room, waiting for their stupid protegee." Travis snaps. "Don't look at me like that, you idiot - go!" he shouts. Just as Faye is about to run off, he grabs her by her hair to make her stand still. "Oh and I'm invited to a party this evening. You'll come along, okay? It's for some important promo - I'm sure with a few drinks you'll be more confident. Now go and let them make you a bit more presentable." 

Faye hastily hurries to the dressing room, immediately feeling more safe when seeing her bodyguards; Lee looking through the script and H casually playing on his old-fashioned phone. "Hi." she whispers in a small voice.

"Faye, is everything okay?" H immediately asks, hurrying over to her. "Hey sh, what's up?"

"Dizzy-" Faye whispers with a sob.

"Oh sweetie, you haven't been drinking enough." H says as a matter of fact. "Come here, take a seat and take a break. I'll get you something." he adds, hastily getting a water bottle and a cereal bar that he promptly passes to her. "Sweetie... what's that on your cheek?" he asks worried. 

"I, uh, I-" Faye stutters, blinking away the dizziness. "I was so dizzy so I slapped myself-" she lies, making Lee and H look even more worried about this behaviour. Gladly they couldn't comment on that as the styling team walks in, greeting them friendly. 

"Hello Faye." the styling team says in a friendly manner. It's obvious that they treat her like a proper film star even if she simply wants to be treated as a part of their world. Not like something who's like a puppet in the hands of her controlling manager-boyfriend. "Can we offer you something to drink? Tea? Coffee?"