LND : KEEPING UP WITH LINKON

01 : fascination. 🫧

FASCINATION. 
In which MC/Faye is an actor, and Rafayel, the painter, falls for their skill and ethereality.

_ _ _

"Have you watched the new movie with that actor... What's their name?"

"Fate? Farah? Fiona? Fred! Frie-"

"It's Faye." came a voice laced with nonchalance, although the irritation was quite present on the man's face. He observed the two with tired eyes, standing up from the seat as he shoved a hand into his pocket. After a moment, the man, whose fingers were lined with traces of paint and an assortment of other pigments, tossed his car keys onto the desk. The other men immediately stopped their conversation upon his interjection. They were startled that he had so much as glanced in their direction, let alone the implication of tossing his car keys.

Rafayel gave a small chuckle and smirked, "What? You're gonna miss the opportunity to see Faye Meadows in person? Not to mention, I'm giving you a chance to drive Linkon's newest model."

The pair glanced at one another and at the car keys, then back again. They did so a few times until the rich painter in front of them sighed in annoyance. The taller of the duo reached out for the keys, sliding them into his pocket as he spoke.

"We are happy to be of service, Mr. Rafayel!"

"What he said," concluded his partner-in-crime.

Rafayel gave a slow nod before taking his cardigan from where it hung over the chair and stepping out of the office. He had waited far too long for his boss, and it seemed the other man's meeting would take a while. As such, the artist could afford to make a brief detour. For some reason, saying their name made him think of the actor even more.

They hadn't properly met—to his disappointment. But that was going to change.

He was invited to the Linked Film Festival, a prestigious and celebrated event that honours the best of the acting and film industry. Photographers, screenwriters, directors, and actors all graced the outdoor area with their presence. Artists like the renowned Rafayel included.

As he continued to think about the night's event, and what exactly to wear, he couldn't help but smile as he recalled their face. The person who took his breath away and shone the most that night. In a room full of stars and diamonds, they were the most resplendent of them all. They were like a fire that radiated a different warmth from his own, a warmth that he wanted more of.

The way they smiled, and how they beamed in his direction. They merely exchanged nods of acknowledgement, but that was enough for Rafayel's head to begin drifting into the depths of a love-filled, delusional space.

In the time that he had been thinking of their first encounter, the man, along with his two new recruits, was in the parking lot of the agency. He waited for the car to be unlocked, reaching out to touch the door handle when one of them stopped him.

"Let us do that for you, Mr. Rafayel."

He raised his eyebrow. He didn't exactly hire them or do anything to warrant such odd treatment, but he was far too preoccupied to care to correct them. 

"I'll take good care of the car, Sir." said the other employee.

"Yeah, yeah. Just don't get me into any trouble." he couldn't care less about the sports car. He had no attachment to the material in this world. It was simply a nice colour and he had enough to pay it in full.