Ella and Wilson

8

Ella

The car picked me up at 7am to go to Miami. I arrived after 10:30 and was taken straight to the studio. Someone had tipped off the paparazzi (thanks Amelia) and they were waiting for me with cameras flashing. I put on my big, square frame sunglasses before emerging from the tinted car.

"Ella, how is vacation?"

"Ella, look over here!"

"Ella, you look so tan!"

"Ella!"

I gave a quick wave before being ushered into the building by security. I blinked a few times to reset my eyes after being blinded by all the flash. I slipped the sunglasses up to the top of my head to hold back my curls as I was escorted up to the third floor of the building to meet with the casting director.

"Ella, it is a pleasure to see you again." Marina, the casting director of many period pieces in Hollywood, embraced me.

"It's so nice to see you." We pulled apart and smiled at each other. "Thank you for considering me for this movie. I was looking over the script this week and I think this will be a great project."

"We think so too. We have some other cast members here to see how you do with them. Come." She looped her arm through mine and led me to a large conference room with an empty space cleared out by the front of the room where we would act out some scenes.

I spent all day acting out various scenes from the script. Most of the other actors in the movie were newcomers to the scene or I had only heard of in passing. Everyone was super nice and super professional. The whole day went by faster than I thought and at the end of the day, Marina said that she would be in touch with me soon on whether or not I work for the part. She gave me a big wink as I entered the elevator making me think I was going to get cast for the role. I would be booked and busy with this movie in the fall.

"Elliot, I'm leaving now, where should I meet you?" I held the phone to my ear as I rummaged through my bag for my sunglasses. I needed them to block out as much of the paparazzi flash as possible. 

"Babe, hey! I made reservations for us at Zuma. I'll head there now."

"Perfect."

We hung up and I braced myself for leaving the studio. I opened the door and parted the waters through all the cameras. I smiled for a few of the pictures and again gave another wave as I hopped back into the car. My driver drove me across the city to Zuma where Elliot was standing outside waiting for me. Paparazzi were snapping pics of him and he stood as if they weren't there. When he saw my car arrive, he ran over to open the door for me.

"Ella, you look amazing." Elliot pulled me into a tight hug as I got out of the car. He was in a white linen button down with black Chino pants and black loafers. His sandy hair flopped over his tanned forehead. It seems like he had also gotten some sun on his time off.

"It's so good to see you. I know it's only been a few weeks but it also feels like a lifetime since I've seen you last." I said over the clicks of the camera. The paparazzi were yelling things at us to kiss, if we were dating, how long we were dating, etc. Elliot and I never have addressed the dating rumors just because it isn't anyone's business.  We really are just close friends but in Hollywood, it's hard to just hang out with someone without dating rumors going rampant.

Elliot held the door for me as we entered the restaurant. Other patrons looked over at us and were whispering. Some got their phones out to snag pics of us as we were escorted to a private table in the back of the restaurant.

"So, fill me in on this oh so secret vacation you're on." Elliot sipped his Manhattan. My cheeks immediately grew warm as my thoughts spiraled around Wilson and our impending date tomorrow.

I filled Elliot in on St. Pete and how obsessed with it I was. Describing the white, sandy beaches and the turquoise water made me want to leave dinner immediately and head back there. I told him how I was seriously considering purchasing a house there, probably on Snell Island but who knows.

"It sounds like you are having such a good time. I am so happy for you." We clinked our glasses together. He filled me in on his vacation, which won't be as long as mine as he was about to get sent off to Greece for a smaller role in a James Bond movie. Elliot explained how he was spending his time in Miami, meeting up with models, going out, living large.

"But, I think, I'm ready to settle down." He said after we caught up. "I'm tired of meaningless sex with women who just want to say they've slept with me. But in our industry, it is so hard to meet a genuine person."

"I'm shocked you're saying that. You love women." We both laughed at this.

"I do. I just am ready for 'the one'." He rolled his eyes at the cliche statement. "I just want to have a good relationship with someone that actually lasts longer than a night." Elliot explained. He had been in a couple long term relationships but they always ended poorly, probably because he kept dating the same type of woman. Elliot always goes for models who use him as a stepping stone in their careers. I've told him countless times that he needs to pursue women that are the exact opposite of his type and from there he will meet someone perfect for him.

"If I meet anyone that is good enough for you, I'm sending them your way."

We wrapped up dinner and proceeded to head to his beachfront mansion where staff were setting up for a party. Elliot loves to host and hosts the best parties.

So many A-listers showed up, drinks were flowing, there was dancing, skinny dipping in the pool, etc. So much was going on. I talked with so many people and as the night went on into the early hours of the morning, I found myself in a third floor bedroom passed out in bed.

The next morning, I woke up to Elliots assistant shoving a glass of water with Liquid IV into my hands and letting me know that my car was waiting for me in the driveway. I stumbled down into the car where we proceeded to make an important stop at McDonalds before zooming back to St. Pete.

The paparazzi followed us to McDonalds but once again, once we got on the highway they peeled off.

I woke up from my nap to my phone buzzing loudly. Groaning, I flipped my phone over to look and see who was calling me. My heart skipped a beat as I saw Wilson's name glowing at the top of the screen.

"H-hello?" I stammered. I pinched the bridge of my nose at how nervous I sounded.

"Good morning, Ella." His voice was so pleasant and upbeat. "Just calling to see what you wanted on your sub. I'm about to head to Publix. Also, whenever you can, could you send me your address?"

We spoke for a couple minutes about the plans for today and what I wanted from the store. I told him I was about 45 minutes away from home, which was not true but I told the driver to step on it. We hung up and I leaned back against the seat with a stupid grin on my face. I felt like a teenager again with my first crush.