𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐬

CHAPTER 2

Kiara looking effortlessly flawless above.

viridity

(n.) naïve innocence

The crew had been incredibly busy reaching the final stretch of the series with only a few more months left of filming before the first season was complete and Kiara had unknowingly made friends for life. She found the cast members wonderfully genuine– Emilia with her endearing compassion, Henry with his charismatic energy and Poorna with her carefree humour made it that much easier to bond. Vijay, on the other hand, had a significantly harder time connecting with the cast, only managing to get along with Jeffrey. 

Most people found it challenging to handle his unpredictability and Kiara couldn't blame them, recalling how long it took for her to understand him, but in true Vijay fashion he simply didn't care. Given his reckless tendencies, the Indian film industry had labelled him a difficult actor so it was a miracle in itself that he still had willing employees. Excluding the numerous lovers and select few peers, it was well known that Kiara was the only person he listened to. Nevertheless, his fans loved him all the more for his authenticity while his immense talent made him irreplaceable.

The frigid early morning air chilled Kiara as she tucked her legs under her on the couch, hoping the sunrise would warm her while they waited for Vijay and Emilia. Jeffrey bashfully played a few sample guitar riffs for a new song he was working on as Kiara gasped in awe and cheered him on. Poorna paced around meticulously running through her lines as Henry sat at the table enjoying a breakfast muffin. Vijay leisurely strolled in a few minutes later and ambled over to Kiara.

She sighed in relief, "You're on time."

"You ask, I come. I'm easy like that."

She rolled her eyes and handed him a floatie before noticing something was wrong, "You look–"

He cut her off, "Dashing? Gorgeous? Irresistible?"

"Drained. You look drained."

He unfolded the floatie and grinned at the sketch before sheepishly declaring, "I need your opinion."

"That shirt has got to go. I've been wanting to say something for years."

Vijay paused mid-sentence and pouted in mock offence.

Kiara looked up at him, widening her eyes slightly in a horrible attempt to act shocked, "It's not about the shirt, is it?"

"You know it's not about the shirt. You're just giving me shit."

She shrugged innocently, "We take our opportunities where they present themselves."

Finding their interaction entertaining, Jeffrey scratched his greying beard and leaned back as a dishevelled looking Emilia jogged onto set. She blamed her malfunctioning alarm clock for the delay before sitting down to catch her breath.

Kiara absentmindedly played with the ends of her hair, "Now, what can I do for you?"

Vijay sat on the coffee table across her, "I've got girl trouble."

"You mean girls. Plural."

He went to open his mouth when she cut him off, "Shraddha? Get personal. Remind her of your childhood memories."