MileApo : Catching Feelings

two

Two days later, they meet again at the Film company's office building. They were told to come around ten in the morning and Mile had been there ten minutes early. Call it excitement or nervousness or both, but Mile could hardly sleep after 6 in the morning. He killed some time with an early morning guitar practice but astonishingly, even that did little to take his mind off the events of the day.

Mile turned off his car engine and placed both his hands on the steering wheel. He took in a deep breath and slowly let it out. This was not his first time modelling, he had done it quite a few times during the last 10 years. But it had all been alone or with women. This was his first time posing with a man. Of course, it can't be all too different from modelling with a woman, can it? He had to admit he wasn't in his best element in modelling at that time, he had been more concentrated on his business and music the past three years. With a final deep breath, Mile got out of his car.

"P'Mile!" He heard a shout from across the parking lot and didn't even have to think to know who it was. Apo was walking over to him with a wide smile on his face. He was wearing a bright yellow shirt with the top few buttons open and beige pants and a pair of glasses that gave off vintage vibes. He was literally radiating positive energy and Mile couldn't stop himself from matching it with a wide smile.

"You look good today." Mile complimented him genuinely. God had really taken his time drawing out Apo's features and had given Apo a good sense to compliment it with the best kind of dressing. Apo was not expecting a compliment and seemed a little shy as he laughed it off with a thank you. But not before noticing Mile's own attire. Mile had decided to go with his favourite colour shirt for the first day at work and matched it with dark trousers. He hadn't put too much thought into his clothes because he knew that they would be given new attires by the costume and make-up team.

"So, are you ready for today?" Mile asked as they walked towards the doors.

"I think." Apo seemed unsure though. " To be honest, I've never modelled alongside a man before and I'm a bit nervous." Mile was surprised with Apo's honesty yet felt a little relieved it wasn't just him that was nervous.

"Well, you have company then." Mile said, patting Apo's back slightly and they both laughed.

"We'll figure it out. And there's mentors as well so we'll learn." Apo said reassuringly, both to himself and Mile.

Mile observed that Apo spoke in two ways, through his words, and through his body. Apo's body language spoke more for him than his words ever did. And Apo's body was always moving, doing one thing or the other. His fingers always fidgeting, his legs always moving, jumping around, punching the air... Apo just seemed like a walking ball of energy, always buzzing. He had a confident demeanor, unapologetically himself. And Mile couldn't help but admire him.

Mile spoke with other cast members as well as they waited for their costumes. Everyone seemed friendly and most of them were experienced in the field but there were freshers like him as well. He especially hit it off with Jeff because both of them were musicians and both played guitar, so they had lots to talk about. But through all this, he had a part of his attention always focused on Apo. He couldn't help but always notice him. But it was not because he was handsome, well that wasn't the only reason, but because of the way Apo just always unintentionally drew attention to himself with the way he interacts with everyone. Just then Apo was talking with Tong, his hands forming shapes in the air, his face expressive of something serious as he explains something to Tong, who was listening intently. Apo surprised Mile with how he could change from his usual goofy self to someone whom people would be listening to so seriously. Apo was definitely a talented actor, his face was his biggest gift, being able to express so many different emotions.

His eyes portrayed a hidden desire as he looked into Mile's eyes, not shying away a bit even as people crowded around them to click pictures of them. They were instructed on how to stand, how to sit, how to look, how to place their hands and whatnot and Apo absorbed everything and reflected perfectly. Mile couldn't stop himself from admiring Apo's golden skin, made irresistibly more so by the makeup and hair team. His face was contoured at all the right places, making his features sharper than ever and he was in a single word, breathtaking. But what Mile noticed the most about Apo is his eyes, that's what he liked the most about Apo. They had a language of their own, words and emotions Mile had never seen anyone else portray so well. It was captivating. Mile was in a half-daze the entire time Apo was close to him.

It's just acting. It's all professional.

Mile told himself that night as he thought about Apo. His fingers absent-mindedly strung his guitar just losing himself in the vibrations and soft calming sound as he replayed the events of the day. As if hearing his thoughts, Mile's phone started to ring and Apo's name appeared on the screen. Mile answered immediately, eager to hear from Apo.

"Hello P'Mile, what are you doing?"

"I was just playing my guitar." Mile answered. He wasn't lying, it's just that playing the guitar was more of background activity, but Apo doesn't have to know that.

"Wow, nice! I remember you used to play when we were at the university. You have to show me one day, na?"

"Haha, of course, I'm sure we'll have plenty of time to do that." Mile was smiling like a goofball, just talking to Apo seemed to make him happy.

"Yeah about that, are you free tomorrow? Since we have some time off before all the workshops, I was thinking we should do something together... You know get more comfortable with each other and all."

"Yep. All free." Mile beamed, mentally cancelling all plans he had to go to his office. Guess his brother will have to manage the business on his own for a while. "What do you want to do?"

"Well, I was thinking of going shopping. We should go to the Xmall. There's a good number of nice shops there and the food there is great."

"That sounds great. Let's go there. " Mile agreed.

"Okay then."

"Okay."

"Okay," Apo repeated. "Good night, P'Mile."

"Night, Apo." Mile chuckled.

The line ended, but Mile couldn't stop grinning. He sat there for a few minutes, smiling at his phone like an idiot. And then his screen turned on and he saw Apo's name on the caller ID again.

"Hello?" This time Mile spoke first.

"P'Mile, I forgot to ask... Could you pick me up tomorrow at my house? We could go together then, you know because it's better for the environment and all..."

"The environment?" Mile asked chuckling.

"Yeah. Air pollution's a huge issue." Apo giggled at the other end and Mile found it adorable.

"Well if it's for the environment, then sure, no problem. Just send me the location and I'll be there." Mile played along with Apo's little game.

"Okay. Cool. Nice. I'll see you tomorrow then?"

"Wouldn't miss it."

"At ten o'clock?"

"Sounds good."

"Okay."

"Okay."

"Good night, P'Mile."

"Good night, Apo."

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