A matter of feeling

Chapter 3: a very special phone call

A lot of things happened since Yasmin first walked in Models 1, two years earlier. She quickly became very successful, conquering the world with her smile and her dark look. Everything happened so fast; she was now pausing for Vogue, Elle, for lots of countries all over the world and marching for the most prestigious high fashion brands of the world such as Dior or Chanel. When she started to earn enough money, she left her parent's house in 1983 to rent a fancy flat in the center of London that she was sharing with her friend Cassie. She was a childhood friend and they get along really well, so they thought it wouldn't bother them to live together, and plus it allowed them to live in a beautiful flat they couldn't have afford if they would live alone.

When Yasmin came back from a shooting in that hot June day, she found Cassie hanging on the phone. Her eyes were wide opened and she looked shocked, which made Yasmin frown. What was happening? Something serious?
- Yeah, well, you know what? She's here, she just got back from work, do you want me to pass her the phone?
While she was waiting for the answer, she tried to say something to Yasmin by moving her lips without making any sound but she couldn't understand.
- Okay. It's been a pleasure talking to you. Bye.
Before she passed the phone to Yasmin,  Cassie covered the high speaker with her hand and whispered:
- It's Simon Le Bon!
Yasmin frowned again. She knew this name but she just couldn't replace it.
- From Duran Duran!
It was Yasmin's eyes turn to go wide, but she didn't have the time to panic because Cassie gave her the phone.
- Hello?...
- Hello, am I talking to Yasmin Parvaneh? said the voice on the other side of the phone. A very melodic voice, she thought.
- Yes, yes you are.
- You seem surprised to hear me
- Of course I am, I mean, why shouldn't I be?
- Oh, so Robert didn't tell you?
- Robert?
- Robert Jansen, the photographer. He told me you gave him your number.
- Oh, I get it now. He asked me my number and he told me it was for a friend of his, but he didn't mention your name I believe.
- I now understand why you sounded so surprised. Well, I guess you know what my intentions are then.
- Not really actually. He just told me you wanted to contact me but he didn't say why.
Yasmin could hear him taking a deep breath. When he started talking again, he almost sounded anxious.
- Well, there's the premiere of Indiana Jones and the temple of doom in a couple of days, and I wanted to know if you wanted to come with me. It would make me very happy.
Yasmin was stunned. She was prepared to a lot of things, but definitely not that.
- Excuse me, is that some kind of date? she asked.
- I guess so... Simon seemed hesitant.
Yasmin couldn't believe what she just heard. How dares he doing this? She had never met him, she barely knew what he looked like, and he was asking her out for a date? What kind of person does that? She felt really offended, but she didn't know how to tell him it would not be possible without hurting him.
- I'm sorry, I don't think I'm going to accept, she finally said, worried about his reaction. It took a few seconds before he said:
- Okay, no problem, but may I know why?
- I'm sorry, really, don't take it personally, but I just think I'm not capable to go on a... blind date, or something like that. I'm sure you're a good person, but I've never met you, don't you think it would be weird?
- Well, there has to be a first time to everything.
- Yes, I know, she said, slightly laughing, but I guess I'm just not ready for this kind of thing. I'm sincerely sorry, you just rang the wrong person.
Simon didn't answer immediately, but he knew he definitely didn't ring the wrong person. At the moment he heard her voice, he knew he wanted her and no one else, and it wasn't going to change, ever. He was really disappointed but tried to sound like he was not.
- Alright. I understand. At least I tried. Bye, Yasmin, it was a pleasure talking to you.
- Pleasure is mine, Yasmin said, smiling.
- Oh wait, can I just let you my phone number? Just in case.
- Yes sure
Yasmin wrote his number down and hung up the phone. Cassie came back in the room, super excited.
- What did he want? She asked.
- You won't believe it, Yasmin answered. She couldn't even believe it herself.
- Tell me!
- He asked me out. On a date.
Cassie started to panic.
- Excuse me? Simon Le Bon asked you out? Tell me you said yes.
Since Yasmin wasn't answering, she understood she said no.
- Oh my God, Yasmin, why? Why did you say no?
- I don't know! I... I sort of panicked I guess. I've never met him, I thought it was weird.
- You are so going to regret it.
- Really?
- Definitely.
- I don't even know what he looks like. Do you know? Is he cute?
- I don't remember... but I guess I've got some magazines somewhere.
They both went to Cassie's bedroom and searched for music magazines. After long minutes, Cassie screamed:
- Here is one!
Yasmin came closer to see. There was a picture of Duran Duran on the cover.
- Which one is Simon Le Bon? she asked.
- This one, Cassie answered, pointing a tall guy with big blue eyes.
He was smiling at the camera, a big smile, and Yasmin felt her cheeks blushing.
- I've seen better... but I've also seen worst, Cassie said.
- He's okay, Yasmin said, but actually she thought he was really cute. She couldn't take her eyes off of that smile.
- You should go on that date, Cassie said, very seriously. What's the worst that could happen?
- He could be an idiot.
- And so? You don't have to see him again after that. Really, there is no risk. Just go.
Yasmin looked at her friend, really hesitant. The truth was that she was really shy around boys, and Simon's eyes were making her even more weak. She didn't know if she could handle this. But Cassie was right, what could happen? She finally stood up, very determined, and said:
- Alright. I'm going to call him back. I'll go on that date, and we will what happen.
She picked up the phone and composed the number.
- Hello? Simon said with his soft voice.
- It's... it's Yasmin. I'll go to the premiere of Indiana Jones with you.