Carmen

Zoe

We arrived to a diner that was very close to the beach. I had been here before, their burgers were the best that I had ever tried. Their service was very friendly.

We sat at a table and soon a waitress came to take our orders. She walked away with our drink orders.

"So Carmen, how was your day?"

"It was okay, very long. How was your day?"

"It was very busy, at one point during the day I was contemplating on canceling because I was drowning in work and didn't think I was going to be able to make it. But I didn't think it would be fair for you or for Charlie."

Charlie smiled as Logan ruffled his hair.

"How was school buddy?"

"It was so annoying, remember I told you about a girl named Lola? Yeah well she wouldn't stop poking me during playtime."

"I think she has a crush on you buddy." Logan said with a knowing smile.

"Ew girls have cooties."

We both chuckled at Charlie's innocence. The waiter came back with our drinks. I had ordered a blueberry shake, Charlie ordered a chocolate shake, and Logan ordered a coffee.

We talked about our work and Charlie told us about his school. He was in pre-school. His class was taught half in English and the other in Greek.

They were of Greek decent which explained their complexion. They were so gracious.

We finished our burgers which were delicious, then we had to take Charlie home since it was an hour before his bedtime. Then Logan took me home.

"I had a very nice time, I hadn't enjoyed myself this much in a long time. I hope that I'll get to see you again soon."

"I had a very nice time too, thank you."

"Would you like to go out for dinner again on Friday?"

I sighed, as much as I wanted to go, I couldn't keep seeing him. If management were to find out that I had been seeing someone then I'd be sued. I just didn't know how to tell him.

"Logan, I really do like you."

"But...?"

"You know I'm under a contract. Which means that my life is controlled by management. I can't choose who I see, I actually risked a lot to see you today. If they were to find out that I went out with you today then they would have the first born children of my next ten generations. I'm so sorry, please believe me I really do like you."

He looked at me then sighed, he turned to the window. He ran a hand down his face and took a deep breath. I was getting nervous to hear what his response would be.

"I understand, don't worry about me. It was very nice meeting you."

I gave him a weak smile, I was so sad. I felt like I was going to start crying. I opened the door before Daniel got the chance to.

"Thank you for everything."

I walked out of the car and quickly made it up the steps of my apartment. Once I got inside and I shut the door I let the tears fall out.

It seemed like I couldn't keep any happiness that came my way. I would think that everything was going well until something has to ruin it or end it. When I decided to become a model I never thought about the complications that it would come with.

My life is sort of a lie, no one knows my real identity and if someone were to find out then my career could possibly be over. I can't date the guy that I like, and I have to check in every so often, it makes me feel like I'm a child again.

Sometimes I do regret everything, I think back to the moments that changed my life and if I had known the outcome then things might have turned out differently. I might have been able to pursue my dreams, at the time I thought becoming a model might have been glamorous. But now I think about it and realize that I have so many other passions. I love creating and capturing art, I love cooking, but here I am. It's not like I can break the contract now.

The next day I got called into the office. Apparently there was hidden paparazzi and they got pictures of Logan and I together.

"What the hell were you thinking?!"

I winced at the booming sound of my manager's voice. I looked at her red face.

"I'm sorry, it was just one date."

"It better be, so I hope that you didn't decide to plan out another date with him."

"I didn't, I told him that I couldn't see him again."

"Well your little stunt is going to cost you."

"Why?! It's not like I murdered someone, all I did was have a burger with the guy!"

"Zoe you don't understand the risk you were taking, what if he found out? What if you let it slip?"

"Don't worry, I'm not stupid."

"You need to remember that these kind of things need to be handled carefully."

I sighed and nodded. I couldn't necessarily say that I was surprised, I was just disappointed.

"All I did was go out with him and his nephew. You know the media blows it out of proportion, do you not trust me?"

" I trust you Zoe but it's them who I don't trust. Have you even read what they're saying about you? It's all over the Internet."

"I don't care because I know that whatever they made up isn't true! I genuinely had a good time with someone and I know I can't have that. I made a stupid decision by agreeing to go out with him, but I let him know that I can't see him anymore."

"So you're saying that he was the one that asked you out again?"

I nodded my head, she looked to be deep in thought. Then she sat on her chair.

"You're excused."

I nodded and walked out of her office, I did a few things before I went home.

I was met by a bouquet of roses on my front door. There was a card, I was curious about who they might be from.

I just thought it would be nice to send some flowers and let you know that you weren't the only one risking it. Maybe we can see each other in the future. - Logan V.

He was right, I was so selfish to think that I would be the only one that was being affected. He was a businessman and his reputation could be affected by the media too, he could lose business deals because of rumors.

I immediately felt terrible, I felt obligated to make it up to him.

I called him, it went to voicemail and I assumed that he was busy. I left a message anyways.

"Hey Logan, it's Carmen. I came to a realization, you have every right to be upset with me because it was selfish of me to just think of myself. If you let me make it up to you, I'd like to invite you and Charlie over for dinner on Friday. I understand if you can't or if you don't want to. Thanks for the flowers they made my day, bye."

I sighed and hoped for the best.