Spotlight (Yuri Plisetsky x Reader) ✔

18. Second Layer of the Mask

I sighed, staying in the café to ponder over my lost cause of a "boyfriend".

I just sat and waited for the inevitable phone call from my stressed manager.

"Where are you?" Is all he asked. Nothing about how the filming went, nothing about how I was doing.

"I'm fine. Relax. I'm meeting up with Yuri," I lied.

"When will you be back?"

"I don't know. Not long. Ten or so. It depends. I'll be back soon."

I hung up, then got my bag and the flowers and walked out into the courtyard. I sighed, wondering where he went.

I decided just to call a taxi and go back to the hotel. If Will was there, I'd make up some lame excuse, like that Yuri was called to an interview or something.

I rang the number Ivan had given me, and within five minutes, he was opening the door for me.

I sat in the back, watching the view as we drove back into Saint Petersburg.

I put my earphones in, and let my thoughts overwhelm me.

A few minutes later, and an old song, a favourite of mine, came on. It was one I used to listen too when I was still living at home. I hadn't listened to it in years, yet I could remember every word.

"The Luckiest" by Ben Folds. A beautiful song that tells the story of a man and how lucky his life if now that he's found his true love.

We stopped in traffic just outside of the city, and I leaned my head against the windowsill.

"I don't get many things right the first time, in fact, I am told that a lot."

That first line always stood out for me, especially during the worst days at school. I would often sit on the floor, and listen to the song as loud as I could, and cry.

I looked up as we started moving again, and we were next to the river.

I looked over at the last of the days sun that glimmered over it. Then my eyes turned to look at the bridge. On which, a sad, recognisable figure was standing there.

"And where was I before the day, that I first saw your lovely face? Now I see it everyday."

"Stop!" I yelled. The vehicle came to an abrupt holt, sending me whipping forward. Ivan was staring worriedly at me, as I grabbed my things, and opened the door to get out.

"Miss?"

"I'm sorry Ivan. Go on ahead."

"You sure?"

I looked over at the entrance to the bridge. "Yes, I'm sure."

He drove off, and I ran towards the bridge. I stopped just as I stood in front of him. He was staring down at the cold water, looking sad and lonely.

My earphones were out at this point, but the lyrics from the song still found their way into my head.

I walked towards him. His head came shooting up as he heard me.

His expression read mostly of gratitude, and a bit of shock.

He just shook his head, smiling to himself.

"You never ever cease to surprise me."

I walked over without saying a word, and joined him, just watching the water run beneath us.

"Welcome to my bridge of sadness," he muttered.

I didn't reply.

He sighed. I turned around, and looked him in the eye. He was trying to look away, trying to be tough. Again, that act just wasn't working. I continued to stare.

"I'm sorry for leaving you."

No answer. He didn't really deserve my reassurance. I wanted the truth.

He looked sadly at the river. He looked tired and stressed.

So many thoughts and feelings were going through my head, as they were in his. I wanted to say something, but I just didn't know where to start.

"You don't deserve this," he muttered. "You don't deserve to be put with me like this."

I closed my eyes and snarled. I didn't know anything about him. He didn't know anything about me. He couldn't come to that conclusion about himself.

"What? You mean I don't deserve the beautiful flowers? Being saved frim those men? And the extravagant dinners? The company? The skating advice? Come on Yuri."

His hands formed into fists. "Those men should die for what they did to you," he snarled.

I looked at the floor, and continued.

"How dare you say I don't deserve you. If anything, you don't deserve me, alright? I'm just a stupid actress, and like you said, this while thing between us is stupid. You're right. Saves you the hassle of hiding from the paparazzi. Saves you from going out and buying things. Saves you from having your secrets revealed. If that's how you feel, just brake up with me."

I threw the flowers on the floor in front of him, the turndd to walk away.

But his hand had already grabbed my arm, and he pulled me into his chest.

I stood staring over his shoulder, as he held me tightly.

"Please let go," I said.

"I'm sorry." Yuri pulled me back, his hands on my shoulders, his sad eyes looking straight into mine. "I shouldn't have left. I was just worried that you were only doing this because you had to. Just like your movie, that I'm nothing more than a fellow cast member."

I sighed, shaking my head. "No. You're not. In fact, I've never seen it that way. You're my friend, and I want to be by your side."

"I'm sorry," he said again. "I can't tell you about it. It's too soon. I don't want to scare you away."

I blinked, and frowned. I was disappointed. But that could change.

"Try me."

He let go of me, and looked away.

"You're so stubborn," he smiled.

"Fine," I said softly. "For now at least, let's just keep this up. I'm not going anywhere, I promise. I'll be by your side for as long as you need me."

He gave me a friendly, thankful smile, and nodded. "Okay."

"Oh, and by the way, I much prefer picnics to restaurants. And flowers are over-rated."

He chuckled, genuinely. "Okay. I'll keep that in mind."

I smiled.

And as the last specks of sun hit his face, I was reminded of the last line I said yesterday.

"I never meant to fall in love with him."

We had both spent years trying to make other people happy. Now, it was our turn to make each other happy, and I was one step closer to doing so.