Celebrity

Connection non existent

Ava's POV
Flashes. Cameras flashing at me. Today is the start of my press tour for my new album. We are having a photoshoot first for the cover art of the album, before we start meeting fans and taking interviews.
Drowning in my work is the best thing that has happened to me -- that's what I tell myself. But I don't really feel like doing this -- music, at least not right now.
Two days it's been, since I last saw him. In those two days, I've realized that he was right. I put him in a position where he couldn't focus on himself.
After multiple photos, I stay with the photographers on which photo to use for the album cover art. I select one that matches the theme that I'm going for. It is a photo where I'm on my back, and covered in blue roses. I was completely naked under the roses -- because why wouldn't I be, that's what they always want.
Bruce hasn't been at the office, in a while. If wasn't such a douche I'd be worried.
These people, the people that are payed to do this. They seem like, they care, and maybe they do but sometimes I just wish I sing -- like the old days. Where I could sing, and maybe even dance. With the people I care about like -- Cole or CeCe back then when I wasn't surrounded by a bunch of strangers.
When the head photographer signals me to leave. I bolt out of there as fast as I can. I'm met by CeCe in the car park. She sequels at the sight of me, and gives me a big hug.
"I've missed you so much," CeCe says. We haven't seen each other for the past two days. She's been away with her family, they went for her brothers wedding.
"How was your brothers wedding." I ask.
"It was great, they had this huge cake!" She shouts."They were really cute, I hope my ceremony is just as good as theirs when the time comes." We all hope that too, but only the lucky get that. CeCe signals me to leave, so we take my car and head to my place.
I set the keys to the bowl, that's by the door. CeCe runs and throws herself on the couch. I let out a chuckle. She covers most of the couch, So I sit on the one person seat.
"So what's going on with you?" CeCe asks with her head facing the ceiling. "Nothing new," I reply. She sits up straight, and looks at me intently. "Really?" I nod my head. She looks disappointed "what about Thomas you guys -- got any closer?" I can feel my face warming up, but I manage to shake my head. "He said he wanted space." I tell her.
"Why?"
"He said 'he needs to focus on his studies' like I've been occupying so much of his time."
"Maybe you have been doing that." She replies.
"What do you mean?"
"Well -- you involved him in Bruce's shenanigans, amongst a whole host of things."
I never really thought about it that way. "What should I do?" I ask. "Nothing," she says "what you need is a distraction." A distraction, what does she mean? "What do you have in mind?" She's quiet for a while, until she snaps her fingers "you need another guy to distract you from your feelings for Thomas."
"What...what feelings -- I don't have any feelings."
"Sure."
"Who are you suggesting?"
CeCe finally gets up from the couch. She grabs my hand "Christopher," she says. I shake my head "look," she says, " you are in a relationship with this man --"
"A fake one." I interject
"Okay -- fine a fake one." She holds me by my shoulders. "But you can give him a chance." A chance, I haven't thought of it like that. "Okay fine." I agree, "I'll give him a chance."
I haven't really thought of Christopher as a potential love interest, not like his not handsome it's just that, I always saw him as nuisance. Because of this fake relationship thing, and maybe that's not his fault. We are both in the same business as I am. I should be more forgiving, and maybe CeCe's right I should give him a chance.
"You should call him -- like right now." She says, almost too excited. "No need. We have a photoshoot later today."
"That's great." CeCe, then hugs me tightly. "Finally, my girl has a chance at love." I hug her back, and I ignore her last comment.
We are interrupted by my maid, Rose, who notifies me that the dresses for the shoot have arrived.
They always do this. They send me the dresses first, then if they don't fit I wear something else that they made earlier. Today's shoot is another publicity stunt, between me and Christopher. His releasing an album and, so am I. It kind of benefits us both. Things like this is why I wouldn't want to go out with him. I'm only doing this for CeCe, because she would never leave me be if I didn't go through with it.
"Let's go and try on the dresses." I tell her. We've always done this we try on the dresses if one doesn't fit me she would try it on, and if it fits she takes it. Because when we take all the dresses back they burn them. Which I don't see it fair for the tailors that made the dresses.
After a while of trial and error. We finally picked out a dress for me. It's a blue dress once again. All the dresses where blue, some where just in different shades.
I look at the time, and see only thirty minutes till the shoot. I tell CeCe we need to leave.
We hop into my car, and we leave first for CeCe's place. I drop her off at her home. She kisses me on my cheek, and comes out of the car. When I get to the location where we are taking the photos. It's not really a set like it always is, but we are at a restaurant this time. I walk in, and see Christopher sitting at a table. I remember what CeCe told me to do, it immediately tenses me up.
The head of photography spots me, and orders everyone to get in place. One of the photographers direct me to sit with Christopher at his table.
The first few photos was us across from each other. Me feeding him ice cream, and sharing some spaghetti. Then the next few were us side by side, posing with each other looking into our eyes. Looking into them, I can't help but tell how genuine they seem to look when his looking at me. He must be really good at this. Maybe I haven't been doing my part. It's two way thing after all.
After the photographers have gotten all the shots they need. They begin to pack up. I catch Christopher's eye, his across at the counter where they make the orders. He looks away quickly, which I find odd.
I begin to leave, when I reach for the handle. I remember CeCe's words "give him a chance." I let out a sigh, and turn around to approach him. His surrounded by other people I don't know. I walk up to him "can I speak with you -- in private." The other people leave. Christopher seems to be confused about what's happening. Trust me I am too. "What's up?" I take in a deep breath "would you like to go out with me?" His face lights up. "Really?... when?" He stammers. His reaction makes me smile "how about tonight?" I ask. Christopher takes a moment to compose himself, he clears his throat "sure -- I'm free tonight," he continues "what time should I pick you up?" I think for a while. "8...8 PM." He nods aggressively.
I walk away, and head off for the car. When I'm seated in the car, I pull out my phone to call CeCe. After some seconds of ringing, she answers.
"I did it." I say
"Did what?"
"I asked him out," I say. I had to move my phone out of my ear, after CeCe squealed so loud. "Finally you can stop fraternizing, that other guy." Yeah -- that other guy. I hang up, and start the car.

***

I wear a red dress, and I never wear red. I have CeCe who picked it out for me. She was so excited for me, that she couldn't help herself to helping me with this. I haven't seen her this excited.
The doorbell rings, and I walk up to open the door. CeCe whispers to me "good luck." And throws thumbs up. I open the door. I see Christopher wearing a blue suit with a white shirt, that's unbuttoned. Seeing him now, I wish I wore blue.
"Hi." He chuckles shakily. I toss him a smile. "Hi, shall we go?" I reply. He reaches out his arm, and I wrap mine around his. We walk up to his car, it's a Land Cruiser. He opens the door for me, and I walk in.
We enter this super fancy restaurant. He ordered me to let him handle the venue. We walk up to our table.We take our seats "so how was the rest of the day?" He asks. "It was okay," I say,"nothing special." There's a silence after, I look from left to right. I spot a waiter, and request for champagne. The service has been poor.The waiter comes back with my drink.
I take sips of my drink, so often because this date has been a disaster. We haven't really spoken much, just a bit of small talk. But that has pretty much been it. I see some people beginning to recognize us. I think this was the first time.
I could contribute to this fake relationship. I stretch across the table and kiss him. I hear some capture sounds from cameras. I don't feel it-- everytime I kiss him. There's always no connection. I thought this date would help, but it's nothing as always.