Violent (A BradGa Story)

Chapter 9: Artifice

I am so thankful for the Haus live with Shangela and LG's interviews today. She is such a sweetheart. I hope we continue to share kindness to one another because (as what the queen herself said) "It's totally free". 

-D

ps: The next chapter, you guys ;p I can't wait to finalize it and share it with y'all. But for now, enjoy this chapter!

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Bradley's POV

I am currently driving my car - which was filled with camera crew along with their equipment, on the way to Stefani's house.

She met us at her front door wearing her usual warm smile that welcomed us wordlessly. I was surprisingly giddy for someone who was about to do a screen test – which could either make it or break it, for all of us – without an exact plan for the scene that we were about to shoot.

Pulling back from the hug we shared I asked, "You ready for this?" my hands unconsciously resting on her waist.

"Yeah, I guess" she said softly, her erratic breathing evident of anxiety. At this point I wasn't sure if it was because of the upcoming scene or her relationship with Taylor which dimmed her mood each time we talked about it.

Although I've listened to her rant about their relationship, it never surfaced that Taylor intentionally hurt her. Based on my observation, his behavior was out of fear – fear of losing her to the potential supplement that can load up her already demanding way of living, which is this movie. She already had the album to finish, go on tour, scheduled performances like VS, Haus laboratories, countless of interviews  and upcoming opportunities on her plate. So, much as they tried, Taylor especially, to keep their relationship smooth sailing, its recurring theme lately was a trend of attempting to teleport back to honeymoon phase which would turn downhill and vice versa.

My relationship on the other hand, was stable; painfully stable that it was a constant back and forth of either a tremendously platonic or exceptionally physical relationship, never in between. If there was any 'in between' that caused to ignite some sort of feeling in me, it wasn't from the woman I was with. Quite frustrating really. 

I tried. Lord knows I tried my best to pour all of the devotion I had for Stefani towards Irina. But it doesn't work that way. 

Before Stefani could question my weariness, I checked her first.

"Stef, what's bothering you?"

"I've just gotten in way over my head, I'll snap out of it soon I promise." She tries to assure me, mostly to herself.

"Hey, listen to me" I tousled the wig her hairdresser - Freddie set up, pushing it away from her gorgeous face.

"You're not only amazing, beautiful and insanely talented for this Stef. You are more than enough for this role because well, Ally is Stefani. Hey, it wasn't only me who said so remember? C'mon, we can do this." I recalled the day I met with Warner Bros. who gave us the signal to do this screen test, it was same day we celebrated and dined at Giorgio Baldi.

Willing myself, to look away from the blush that crept to her cheeks and the lip bite she did whenever she was dealing with compliments, was a challenge. These little things erupted thoughts circulating through my head that I probably shouldn't be thinking of. Think about Irina. They certainly did somethings to me that most definitely shouldn't. Think about grandma. 

Sarah and Freddie, who Stefani introduced me to, appeared in sight. "We'll be chilling at the porch if you need us Stef." her makeup artist said.

"Does she know how to do hair too? Was this too much work for Freddie?" I asked elevating the ends of her brown hairpiece.

"She knows a little about hair... She um... helped me with -" she breathes gesturing to her face before continuing "this. Just so I don't look dead, pale or too tired or -"