"I'm coming! Just hold on a sec!" The brunette shouted as the knock on her door started to sound more impatient across her home.
Opening the door, she expected it to be Hillary, a beautiful blonde with deep chocolate brown eyes, almost as similar to Nina's but were more of a heavier shade. Approaching the door, the knock repeated once again.
"Calm down, there is seriously no need to bang like that Hillary" Nina outspoke, not even bothering to look at the person standing in front of her door, instead she just twisted it open and continued along with doing adjustments to her ponytail.
The blonde did not respond back. Nina's curiosity triggered, as she again made her way to the door that was still fully open, not seeing the presence of her former friend in any of the rooms in her comforting home.
"Hillary what's wr.." The words of the Bulgarian were cut off because of the sudden surprise she received.
"Hope I'm not intruding anything?" the voice spoke outwardly.
Still lost for words, she examined the human instead, seeing the mistreat they've caused among themselves. The face which was once soft and delicate, was now dreadful and pale, with the evident exhaustion and lack of sleep. His hair was awfully a mess, as if he's been tugging at it for hours, losing all it's volume and shine. The drips of moist sweat was apparent around his face. She could even smell the amount of alcohol he's consumed for days. Holding an object of what seemed an empty glass bottle of bourbon in his right hand.
She could not believe who she was looking at now, after not having spoken for what felt
like months, he was here, at her place. The sadness and depression he let fill the room tore her own heart. He's been so strong for so long, it was no surprise that he would soon break down his walls and show the vulnerability he carried, along with his broken heart.
"Geez, you look awful" She said truthfully, ignoring his previous question. "I was going to head out to dinner with some friends and then go clubbing, but I can tell them I'm skipping dinner" She shared with him as Nina grabbed the man by the wrist and pulled him inside her condo. Sealing her door shut, she then turns and finds him right behind her.
"I'm sorry" Paul voice cracked, as his lips trembled from the unexpected words. She gulped hard, getting an idea for his sudden apology. Her heart rate began to elevate once again because of the closeness between the two of them, she managed to restrain herself from further actions. He was vulnerable, any ounce of affection was accepted by him at this point, and she could not do that to him, not when he's like this, helpless.
There was a long pause, both of them stood silent as he waited for her response.
"There is no need to be sorry Paul, you didn't do anything wrong" She whispered sincerely.
He stepped back, processing the gentle words the Bulgarian spoke to him, like she did before at the cafe a while ago.
"No it's not Nina" He yells, setting down the empty bottle forcefully on her kitchen table, allowing himself to rest his elbows on it as well, setting his head down.
She jumped at the uncalled rage he was in, but she didn't blame him for his sudden emotion, it's hard to lose someone after spending so much time with them. Right now, this moment he needed her, it wasn't about the reassurance she gave him or his encouraging words to her when filming. It was on more of a deeper level, a level that neither of the co-stars have went on with each other, so it was something Nina nor Paul can say they have experienced because they haven't before, never like this to be exact.
She opened her mouth to add on but instead he spoke again, yet this time more calmly but still the anger that he's had bottled up was noticeable.
"We hangout. I don't call you, or even text you, or even check to see if you're okay" He shouts, rubbing his temples at the newly agonizing headache. Nina stood there puzzled for a moment, not fully understanding where the conversation was going.
"I randomly show up to your house Nina, with no remorse after what? Two weeks or so of going M.I.A on you?" He whispers as his voice cracks.
"Why do you keep letting me in? Keep being here for me? Even after I leave you hanging Nina?" He interrogates her. "I see the reason for all the fights.....and disagreements with her now.." He adds on. "I'm such a bad person, I'm a complete fuck up Nina" He chuckles harshly, as more tears roll down his cheeks, breaking the last built up wall he sustained, now being defenseless in front of his own co-star.
His quiet sobs ruined her completely, she ran over to him and decided to give him the most comforting and caring hug. Making their way over to the couch, Nina cupped his face with her hands, causing him to look right into her eyes, she was almost weak to her knees, seeing his eyes turn to a lighter shade than it usually was.
"Paul you're not a bad person.. In fact you're one of the most kindest, most compassionate person I've met." The brunette spoke up. "You make people laugh uncontrollably, you comfort almost anyone who needs it, and you put everyone else's needs before your own all thought I really hate that about you" She jokes, not meaning anymore harm to the torn individual. "If Torrey can't see the great inside of you and the love you're giving her, than she's an idiot, I know that any girl would be the luckiest girl if they were with you" Nina adds on truthfully.
"Ian is blessed to have someone as amazing as you" The Polish man admits. "And Torrey is blind enough to let someone as amazing as you slip away" Nina compliments back.
A sluggish smile traces his lips, she takes a
moment to take in all of his perfect features, with the way his jawline lined perfectly, the messy but somewhat still perfect hair, the way his face relaxed as he closed his eyes shut. He drifted off into a deep slumber, and she caught her self admiring him, he looked younger than he actually was when he slept so peacefully. The sudden buzz of her phone snapped her out of her deep mind thoughts.
Nina left the living room and took the call
elsewhere, not wanting to disturb Paul in his deep sleep.
"Hello?" The Bulgarian actress responded simply.
"Jesus Ninja, where have you been? If you were going to bail on our girls night, you coulda just said so" The blonde one says concerned for her friend who hasn't answered her calls or texts.
"I'm sorry Hillary I was just... I got held back on something.." Nina outwardly spoke as she turned her head and gave her attention to the man that still slept comfortably on the sofa.
"I've spent 2 consecutive hours calling and sending your texts.. I thought you were dead for a second" Hillary sarcastically said.
Nina pulled her phone away from her ear to check the time, her eyes widened. Being with Paul made her lose track of time, which immensely scared her, and not just her feelings for him, but how deeply she's falling for him every moment they spent together.
"I'll be there in 20" Nina quickly advises the blonde woman. She hung up the phone and made her way towards Paul, who moved his upright position to now lie on his back. She sighed quietly, grabbing the blanket and placing it over his exhausted body. She stood there admiring him once more before she left to meet up with Hillary.
On her way there, Nina met up with Hillary and Julianne who were sat down drinking martinis at the bar. The young actress joined them, sharing laughs and secrets like they've always done before.
Leaving the club, Nina gives a ride to her dearest friend, having drunk a tad bit too much, and was not stable enough to drive.
"Okay Julianne get in there" Nina said struggling to adjust her friend in the passenger seat of the car. Nina manage to fasten the seatbelt of the woman and get her home safely.
She went back to her own comforting home and was astonished to see Paul still asleep on the couch. Crouching down, she once again caught herself lingering her look at his perfect features. Looking younger than he actually is sought out to be. She ran her fingers through his hair, getting a much better view of him. She sighed quietly to herself.
"You don't know how much you mean to me" She whispers low enough, not wanting him to hear her words, as she again ran her fingers through the light colored hair.
