Temptation

12 - Hero

I have been on set since 4 in the morning and I have yet to actually take a break. Filming the second movie of the Ever After series has been exhausting. Most days I start at 4AM, sometimes even 3AM and I usually don't finish until 12AM. I was able to squeeze a half hour nap during my lunch today which was much needed. For the entire week, I have been up all night waiting and checking my phone ever hour for a new number to pop up on the screen. It's been a week and I still haven't seen anything.

Mara is in my trailer during an hour break I have as I'm not in the next scene and she is discussing the movie tour dates based on the estimated date we will be done filming. In the midst of her rambling, I decide to peak at my phone. Holy Fuck. It's been a hell of a week but there it is, a simple hey with a smiley face. How innocent but super adorable. I'm on my feet pacing and Mara is looking at me like I'm a fucking berk. I ignore her stupid comments and she leaves the trailer. I've got exactly 32 minutes left of my break before I have to go film another scene. Fuck it. I click on the new number that sent the text and I call her. After very few rings, she answers. My heart is pounding in my chest, I almost lost hope in her.

When she answers the phone, her breathing is heavy, "Did you just finish a run?" On the other end I hear a giggle and between breaths she says, "Something like that." A few minutes go by and it's just simple small talk which I hate but I called so I need to keep her on the line, just for a bit longer. A knock at my trailer door signals me that I need to go to hair and makeup to prepare for the scene. "Let me pick you up. Come for dinner at my apartment." In a demanding way hoping that she will oblige. There is silence on her end and after a few seconds, she agrees. She asks that I pick her up later in the evening when it's dark, just to be cautious of anyone following me—for good reasons.

After saying our goodbyes, I'm walking to the makeup trailer and thinking about what I just asked her. I know that she doesn't eat much, why would I invite her for dinner? What do I make for her? Blimey. I'm a fucking idiot. While I sit in the car, my makeup artist—Emma—talks to me and notices that there is something wrong. I try to be as nice as possible but with some of these people and their need to find out every fucking detail of my life, I snap. "None of your fucking business. Just do your job." Everyone knows I have a temper, so she just shuts her mouth and continues what she was doing to my face.

* * *

I hate makeup. I don't understand how girls wear it every damn day. They basically coat their entire face in this stuff. I have no choice but to wear it and I force them to do the minimal amount but sometimes they have to overdo it because of the scene or because I had no sleep the night before. Madden doesn't wear much makeup. Her beauty is organic. She wears some mascara to enlighten her eyelashes but even then, her skin is clear and extremely soft. Holding her cheeks in my hands as we kissed that night, the reminder of the heat that filled that room instantly. I don't even realize that I have a grin on my face before my co-star Josephine Attwater makes a smug remark about it. "I've never even seen you smile before and I see you every day." She's very irritating because she is one who always tries to get into my business. Unlike the other fools that I work with, I actually give her some effort, so I give her the most sarcastic smile back to her comment. Laughter fills the trailer, not the laughter I want to hear. Josephine's laughter is loud and obnoxious while Madden's is soft; a laugh that is contagious.

The day feels longer than any other day. My scenes keep getting fucked up because of Josephine and her need to make me laugh. None of her stupid gestures or silly remarks even bring a smile to my face. The director is growing annoyed with her at this point and he asks me to just be an actor and fake a laugh for her, so she shut ups. After 6 takes of the same scene, I do as the director directed and I fake a laugh for Josephine, "Can we fucking finish this scene now?" She nods with joy on her face and finally allows me to finish this scene with her. As soon as the scene is done, I run to my trailer to text Madden:

Running late. Co-star was a mess today. Be there in 20.

I rush out of my trailer only wearing black skinny jeans with holes in the knees, a black t-shirt and black converse high-tops. DJ follows behind me and escorts me to her apartment. By the time I actually arrive at her apartment, it's now 9PM. I buzz at the door for her to let me up, and immediately she buzzes me in. Walking up the stairs, I can't help but think that she must have been waiting for me by the buzzer because her response was so quick.

When she opens the door, she is wearing blue skinny jeans, a black mock turtleneck long sleeve, white vans and has her hair straightened which falls to the middle of her back. I grab her hand and lead her out of the apartment and wait as she locks the door behind her. My bodyguard is waiting for me at the front of the building ready to escort the two of us to my car. Being friendly, she introduced herself to DJ and he seems impressed because none of the girls I'm with ever give a shit about him, but she was sweet enough to acknowledge his presence.

DJ nudges my shoulder as if to say, "Good Job" and opens the door for her to scoot in with me following.