Headline Love

Yi Lin

I couldn't believe it. I, Han Yi Lin, was interviewing Alice Ettie. THE Alice Ettie!

My fingers shook wildly so much so that I had to grip my phone to keep myself from falling over

'What are your questions dear?'

Her astute British accent filled my ears which kept my heart from tumbling out of my blazer. 'I-uh'

She batted her flaky lashes and they fluttered harmlessly like an ostrich but behind those pretty pupils her gaze was sharp like a wild cat with the ocean blue staring into my darkened brown. 'Take your time', she said sweetly, stepping to the side to block the other senior reporters who were embarrassing themselves trying to win her attention

My skin prickled and I the questions were right at the tip of my tongue but something was caught in my throat, choking me, drying up whatever I wanted to say. 'You've waited your whole life for this', my brain hammered me, 'Spit. It. Out!'

'WHAT DO YOU THINK OF CURRENT FUTURISTIC SCI-FI MOVIES?!'

My hands flew to my mouth in horror. 'Shit shit shit!', I cursed from within, 'I yelled at Mrs Ettie, shit!'

Silence consumed us as she simply blinked and tucked a strand of her platinum blonde hair behind her ears in thought. With her face stoned, my heart ached at my vulgar behavior. My eyes squeezed shut, awaiting for the consequence but instead of befalling beration by one of my favorite stars, a lighthearted giggle was all I could hear. 'Well I think the futuristic movie industry has greatly improved in terms of graphics and costumes. Definitely toned down from the extreme metallic of the olden days but honestly most of the improvements come from the use of CGI'

My mind turned with her response and eyes flew back open, she didn't hate me after yelling at her like that?

The thought was so overwhelming that before I could even speak,I could feel something roll down my cheek. 'Oh are you okay dear?', she asked in concern, noticing the corners of my sclera blushing red

'Yea', I sighed dreamily, 'Um thank you'

She furrowed her brows but flashed a kind smile either way, 'Uh no problem dear', she answered before clasping her ring adorned hands together, 'So is there anything else you want to ask?"

As soon as she said that, my mind already began firing questions at my tongue to ask as though it were a machine gun ready to attack her with all my might. 'Yes actually', my confidence from years of work was finally kicking in, 'So what do you think was the toughest part about being an older actress in this day and age?'

Another older reporter next to me gasped at my question loudly. I eyed him in annoyance. I supposed it was rude if you think about it but this is what people really want to know, I was just expressing it aloud. Seconds went by as Alice pondered, 'Well dear, I think the tough part is actually finding roles that involve a lot of screen time because fans would swoon over a young actor or actress. A married older one such as myself would be harder to attract the young audience'

I nodded, 'And it's the popularity that they want correct?'

She exhaled slowly and dipped her head, 'Fame is fleeting', she commented, 'But I try to make the best of it'

Her voice remained composed but I could see the flicker of reality in her eyes. Cold and dull. 'Fame is fleeting', I repeated what she said to myself, 'But your legacy as an actress won't die so easily Alice'

She glanced at me in confusion, 'Sorry?'

'You're a good actress, a great one', I continued sincerely, 'And I assure you as long as futuristic and sci-fi films exist, your name will live on as well'

The minutes that ticked by seemed endless, all that mattered was the way Alice Ettie's eyes suppressed the soulful tears that were starting the swell the same way her heart did while I did my best to give her the reassuring smile she needed.

The minutes continued, her lips quivered and her face nearly cracked but then a thick strong hand wrapped around her waist, causing her body to resume its usual composure once more. 'Are you alright darling?', the man asked worriedly

I pinched my skin to keep myself from buckling under the sheer excitement. Not only was I face to face with Alice, but now her husband Oliver Ettie too!

'Oh my gosh', I breathed with my eyes sparkling again

I admired his mane of ashy hair which was oiled to shine gracefully in the bright lights, contrasting his darkened squared face with a jaw that could potentially chomp me in two. 'Oh is she-'

'She isn't

Alice cut him off before facing me, 'Thank you for saying that', she thanked me a soothed voice, 'Now what-'

My arm flew up by a sudden grip that tightened around it. It coiled itself tighter as my bones cried out in suffocation whilst I looked up in horror at the stern face of my attacker. 'Shit', I realized looking into the same ash black eyes from earlier, 'Let me go!'

His body didn't move and instead yanked me away from the couple who were quick to ensure my safety, 'I told you they don't want to talk to you!', the same man seethed, pulling me again making my legs wobble with the brash movements, 'Now get los-'

'Reed!'

At once the mountain of a man halted and looked up at Oliver's face, he remained motionless but his master's authority seized the air. 'She was just asking us some questions honey', Alice stepped in gently, 'We're fine don't worry'

I swallowed and tilted up to look at Reed stifle a sigh before dropping my arm, 'Hey!', I exclaimed, rubbing the red blemishes that were left from his tough hand, 'Uh excuse me, where are you going?'

'Back to my job'

My mind just couldn't believe it. He was going to waltz back to the front door after nearly ripping my arm off my body?, not only that but he didn't even apologize?!

'Uh aren't you going to apologize?', I provoked while he remained unfazed whatsoever

'For?'

I dangled my reddened arm up but he didn't bat an eye, 'Sorry I guess', he murmured, 'But even you would stop yourself'

'What?', I questioned slowly as he turned around like before, 'HEY!'

I quickly caught up to him with my large black boots stomping against the checkered tiles beneath us. 'What's that supposed to mean?'

His face morphed into slight annoyance, 'You're a reporter', he answered, 'Do you know how many of you I've had to deal with all day?, let me be clear just because you're polite and somewhat nice doesn't mean I trust you with the private lives of Alice and Oliver Etti. So fine, sorry but I'm just doing m-'

'Your job', I finished for him, 'Jeez I asked for a simple sincere apology not a scolding'

I folded my arms, 'I already get those a lot from other people'

He blinked repeatedly, unable to say anything while I watched his throat clear awkwardly, 'So if you'll excuse me I need to get back to wo-'

'What work?'

I smirked at his furrowed brows, 'Guarding the front door', he reluctantly answered, his sharp jaw itching to bark at me, 'So please get lo-'

'There's no point guarding an empty diner', I chuckled, directing him to the crowd slowly dissipating one by one, 'The event's over'

Again he remained quiet, 'Cat got your tongue?', I taunted him ruthlessly, 'Oh your face right now, it's so picture worthy'

A waterfall of laughter rushed out of me while his fists balled and released soon after, 'Good day miss', he rasped in return

My laughter soon died off as he pushed past me which made my mind mock him further, 'Oh by the way!', I called out, my ponytail swishing behind my back to support me, 'I gave the Etties my business card, I'll be seeing you again soon!'