Safe Word: Rosé

Chapter 21

Narrator-

Friday evening came, the eve of the catalogue shoot. Cara logged off her laptop and exited her office thirty minutes before needing to report for dinner. She knocked on Jason's door, and as usual waited for his permission before entering his space.

Cara walked to the chair and sat down. She was now used to Jason not looking at her when she entered the space. She was also used to him pretending that nothing happened between them, which is why she wasn't surprised when he made no comment on his behavior towards her the night before.

"Have you confirmed everything for tomorrow morning?" Jason asked, typing away on his laptop.

Cara crossed her legs and leaned back in her chair.

"Yes. The caterers will arrive at 6:00 AM, and Christos's team, including makeup will arrive at 7:30 AM. Miriam promised that the outfits will be delivered exactly at 8:00 AM on the dot. The entertainers will have breakfast on the set starting at 8:30 AM." Cara gave a detailed report.

Jason nodded, but didn't show any emotion.

"Did you ensure that the space for the photoshoot was cleared?" He asked, sending Cara a swift gaze before focusing back on the screen of his laptop.

"Yes, I checked it before going to lunch. The photoshoot should go without a hitch." Cara promised.

"That a promise?" Jason wondered, his eyes snapping to Cara for an entire five seconds.

This sudden prolonged glance had Cara's pressure thrown off balance. His change in habits were quickly giving Cara a whiplash. But she was careful with her response, even when Jason tried to knock her off balance.

"If all goes well, then it goes well." Cara said with a shrug.

"Okay. Good girl." Jason complimented casually.

Cara suffered a heart failure. Cindy rescued her just in time.

Dinner was uneventful. Cara headed to the bedroom she shared with Cindy, where Cindy was already dressed for the evening and was in the process of swallowing a form of medication.

"Hey what's that you're taking?" Cara wondered, closing the door.

Cindy finished swallowing the pills before downing it further with water.

"Oh nothing, it's just a muscle relaxer. I have a bit of a headache, it helps." Cindy replied.

"Shouldn't you take an aspirin or something like pain medication?" Cara wondered, taking a seat on her bed.

"Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Motrin, I've taken them all. Nothing works anymore. And I don't want to go to the doctor for a diagnosis like migraines or whatever. I found something that works for me, so I just take that instead." Cindy shrugged, scaring Cara with her nonchalance.

"Does Jason know about it? What if it's something serious?" Cara couldn't help but wonder.

"I mean I never thought to tell him. But I can always do that, if you promise to tell him about the Advil you take for your cramps." Cindy baited in return.

"Wha- how do you know about that?" Cara asked with a panicked frown.

"I noticed the bottle when you were unpacking. Plus there's a smaller one in your purse so..." Cindy trailed off but smiled knowing exactly what Cara's answer would be.

Cara pouted then rolled her eyes at a smug looking Cindy. She didn't like Jason, why would she tell him about the pills she takes for her cramps if anything?

"Alright, I'll keep it a secret." Cara expressed.

Cindy blew her a kiss and left the room. The theme for the evening was unrequited love. Cara thought it was a heartbreaking theme, but when all the entertainers sported masks to cover their eyes, Cara understood the ulterior motive of the theme. Making love with someone who didn't know your true identity.