When We Collided

The Love Team

"How was work?"

"It was good. The film's a comedy so it's mostly stress-free. Felix, you know, our director? He's hilarious," I said and smiled at the attractive girl across the table.

She was Jessica Aleem, singer and fashionista. Hers was a face I had always envied: clear, smooth, fair skin; classically beautiful features; large doe eyes. I was sort of her opposite physically. I had olive skin, high cheekbones, a wide nose, and slanted eyes inherited from my Chinese ancestors. I was lucky to be photogenic despite all that.

We were at a coffee shop near the AccEnt studio, waiting for our dates to arrive. Her date was Onyx, who was also her boyfriend of three years. She and Onyx had set me up with their friend, Garett O'Shea. I didn't mind meeting new people, and besides I didn't want to be the third wheel.

Apparently Jessica wanted to meet me as soon as she knew about the film and the direction in which our managers wanted our careers to go.

"You okay with the love team stuff?" I asked her, curious.

She shrugged, flicking her cigarette on the ash tray. "I don't mind. I'm just happy that Nyx is finally doing what he wants. He was pretty down for a while, when the offers were scarce. This film has given us hope."

"I know what you mean. Finally all the hard work might actually pay off." I nodded.

"Exactly."

We saw them across the street. Garett was cute, with bright red hair and adorable freckles. He was no Onyx but he was okay.

Jessica quickly stubbed her stick.

"Hey," Onyx greeted us with his warm smile. He gave Jessica a kiss but he frowned when he saw the ash tray.

"You must be the famous Shana Que." Garett took my hand and flashed me a boyish grin.

I laughed. "The one and only. Not quite famous yet though. Nice to meet you Garett."

I was surprised when he planted a kiss on the back of my hand instead of giving me the handshake I was expecting. "Enamored," he drawled.

I couldn't help giggling. The smooth bastard. "Delighted," I countered.

Onyx and Jessica stared at us with happy grins on their faces, their disagreement momentarily forgotten.

We ordered coffee (apple juice for Onyx because he didn't drink coffee) and talked about the film. Like I said to Jessica, the movie was a feel-good romantic comedy. It was child's play for both Onyx and me because most of the time we only had to be ourselves. It felt more fun and less work. Aside from Dee and Finn, we also worked with a wonderful supporting cast who were my longtime friends as well. They seemed to take Onyx, the newcomer, into their fold once he started loosening up and showing his friendlier side.

"I'd love to be in a film," Garett murmured and sighed.

"Don't get me wrong. I love being in front of the camera, but I don't have the patience for acting. Doing everything over and over again. All those takes and only one shot goes into the final cut. Ugh!" Jessica complained.

"Good thing you only do five-minute music videos, not two-hour movies." Onyx laughed.

Jessica shot him a dark look and pouted. He placed his arm on her shoulders and squeezed her to him. They made such a beautiful couple.

Garett and I smiled at each other. "You've been in a few TV shows with Onyx, right?" I asked him. He nodded happily, which made me glad I did a bit of research. "You should come join AccEnt then. We just might work together on a movie someday."

"I'd love that." He winked at me. "Nyx has been bugging me for a month now. He said he'd never been in better hands. Especially compared to our previous management." He looked a bit annoyed, as if he recalled something that bothered him.

My phone rang. So did Onyx's. We were being called back to the studio for an urgent meeting. We said goodbye to our dates and walked to the studio together.

"I thought we had clocked off for the day. What's this about?" I asked him.

"Only one way to find out," he replied, holding the door open for me.

"My wonderful ShanOn!" Ace Warner, the big boss of AccEnt, exclaimed. He welcomed us into his warm, colorful office.

After some small talk, he went to the heart of the matter. "I saw something very unsettling just now. Amazing how fast news flies these days. All that technology." He turned his laptop around so that it was facing me and Onyx. On the screen were pictures of us with Jessica and Garett that very afternoon at the coffee shop. Some with Onyx and Jessica kissing and hugging. Others with me and Garett holding hands and staring at each other. "Who are these people?" Ace demanded.

Onyx was quick to explain. Ace listened impassively. A long while after Onyx had finished talking, Ace stood up and looked at both of us gravely.

"Do you value your careers?" he asked. His gaze penetrated us with its intensity.

We both nodded vigourously.

"Do you want to become the next big names in show business?" His voice went a notch higher.

We nodded again.

"Will you do anything to succeed?"

We nodded still, though more cautiously this time.

"All right then. Break it off with these two." He pointed at the photos of Jessica and Garett.

Say what?!

Photo credits: http://forums.animesuki.com/showthread.php?t=104799&page=252