Love Under the Stars

4- Alive and Well

  Am I lucky that my sister convinced me to pull over before any cops did or am I lucky enough that I didn't actually make it to Seb's house; because as of right now paparazzi and news stations are live broadcasting an 'engaged special' interview from his front yard. I could choke right now. Choke and die. I scoff as my sister shows me the broadcast trying to make sure I don't leave her sight.

  Honestly up until this morning if he'd call, I'd take him back; no hesitation, but he's too far now.

  Sebastian has some audacity alright; I try to pull away from Janette. "Netta let me go", I tug away but she just rolls her eyes. "Yeah, nicknames don't work in this situation, I'm holding you accountable, it's okay to grieve; but it's not okay to cause a scene. Trust me Reena, I know; the worst kind of grievance is grieving someone who's alive and well; moved on already."

  Four months pass and I barely think of Sebastian, usually when I'm bored but even then, the feeling after is more of a sting than burn but this is different. In my hand I'm staring at a special invitation to his wedding; the audacity this man has after he crushed me. Blame it on his parents but he's just a terrible human being. Why is he the happy one? Rumors of me being the 'toxic' producer he dated and broke up with started circulating a few weeks back and I've been isolated and almost kicked out of the industry all together. I'm lucky I even booked a meeting for a show today; crossing my fingers they pick me for it.

  I crumple the invitation between my fingers, "Plus one encouraged?", I read from the paper aloud. As if, the jerk knows I can't even get a blind date. I sigh and lean back in my chair, this maniac... I get up and run through some paperwork before leaving my personal office for a coffee before the meeting. After the break-up I stopped going to the cafe we usually went to, I even changed the order I get. What was once a strawberry creme danish and a mocha latte at Trend Cafe is now a lemon cake slice and a pecan latte at Mars Cafe. A few months ago, I would've thought it was absurd to go to the cafe everyday especially when I have a Lespresso machine; but now I go to just have a reason to leave my house outside of work.

  Drives used to annoy me but now they're peaceful, but always short. I get to Mars, get my order and sit at one of the umbrella tables outside. I'm going over the details for the show I have the meeting for. I don't want to lose this chance like how I lost the reality show deal; the rumors got to them before I did. "Love Under the Stars", I read from the info packet. Love reality shows aren't really my thing, but I'll take any show at this point. I'm so stressed out.

  I wrap everything up and head to the meeting center at my agency's headquarters. I make it before time so that I could meet everyone; but when I go into the room, he catches my eyes immediately. The slicked back hair, this time with highlights, the casualness in his body language and clothing choice, his radiant elegance, his cologne; it's the man who gave me his white blazer. I'm shocked but he looks at me with wider eyes. Before either of us can say anything to one another, the room floods with executives and show planners. 

  The meeting was perfect; I was the only producer they considered. Usually, the producers pitch the show and do the casting and all the hard and creative work but this time it was the show host himself— oh what was his name again? I'm about to head to the parking lot when I feel someone grab my arm; it's not tight but enough to stop me from moving. I'm terrified but I turn around, cameras are everywhere and I'll protect myself if I have to. 

  I turn around and the figure looks just as startled as me. It's him, the host of the show "Love Under the Stars" but also— the man who gave me his jacket; the custom Numin brooch. I try to talk but I just stammer over syllables. He decides to be the one to speak first; his grip on my arm loosens as his muscles start to relax. "Sorry, I'd called your name 7 times. I thought you were zoned out, so I thought I'd approach you directly" He completely removes his hand from my arm, and he backs away a bit. "Sorry." He apologizes again; he straightens his knitted collar. "You're the woman that fell over air that day a few months ago, right?" He lets out a small chuckle and lets out his left hand; neat and expensive rings on his pointer finger and middle finger gleamed as they extended to me. No ring on his ring finger; not that it matters. Less shaken up than before I extend my right hand. "Yeah that's me, I didn't have time to introduce myself that day, but you know now." I laugh awkwardly and he lets my hand go after a brief shake. "My name is Callisto— Callisto Bines, in case you'd forgotten already" He laughs awkwardly so I take my chance to change the conversation even though I 𝒉𝒂𝒅 forgotten his name. "Don't be silly how I could I forget our star— I still have the blazer, I got it dry cleaned. I could go get it for you if you'd like; I'm available for the rest of the day." I gesture to my car. He looks at me with a soft amusement but also sincerity; then in that tone he used when we first met, he says, "If I had wanted 𝒂𝒏𝒅 expected it back, I wouldn't have given it to a complete stranger. You keep it, think of it as a gift." 

  An awkward silence filled the air as we stood there. "Sooooo..." I drift off. Callisto cuts in, "Reena, wait can I call you Reena? Last names aren't really my thing, unless its demanded. Me and my manager wanted to meet with you about specifics on the show tomorrow morning and possibly evening if you're available." He looks like a golden retriever standing in front of me. "Yeah, sure. I'll see you tomorrow, Callisto. And hey, no last names are needed for me; we'll be working together for a while so Reena is fine." I respond and turn to finish walking to my car but then he speaks, "I can't wait to tell you about all the things I want to plan in the show." I can hear his excitement. "I can't wait to listen".