Austin’s POV
I watched as Emily entered the bar. She had dark glasses on and checked the environment tentatively before reaching for her phone.
“I can see you,” I whispered as soon as I answered the call “Just walk straight on,”.
“Okay,” she ended the call and started towards me.
“Mr Miller,” she smiled as she reached the bar leaning against the counter.
“Emily,” I smiled gently “It’s been ages,” I winked “How are you doing these days?”.
“Very well,” she shrugged “Trying to get used to being a superstar and being beautiful,”.
“Yeah?” I raised my eyebrows and deliberately lifted the glass to my lips watching her carefully from the rim “You’re not even a superstar yet, Emily. Don’t you think you’re overthinking everything? What if Americans don’t like you?”.
“Yeah,” she chuckled slowly, her eyes hardened as her eyes swept behind her again, it was as if she was waiting for someone “You know, you’re right, but I can fake it till I make it right…,” it wasn’t a question – more like a statement.
“Uhm mm…” I clucked my tongue as I poured the remainder of my whisky behind my throat feeling it burn its way down.
“So,” I motioned for the bartender “What would you like to drink?”.
Emily scoffed as she rolled her eyes not before shaking her head in disgust “It seems there has been no woman in your life for a while now, Austin. Since when did you stop being a gentleman?” she queried.
My brows knitted in a frown as I tried to understand what she was talking about.
She rolled her eyes before letting the words out in exasperation “Won’t you even ask me to sit?”.
“Oh!” I chuckled “You know, you can’t always get what you want, Emily,” I paused as the bartender shifted impatiently in front of us, I knew he was getting irritated already since we were supposed to have given him our drink orders aeons ago.
“If this were a fancy restaurant or some other place that doesn’t have men smoking, women gyrating slowly to the loud and fast music…” I swept my hands all over the club for emphasis while keeping my eyes trained on her “I would have offered you a seat and even pull out one for you babe. But this is not a date,”.
“Fair enough,” she finally settled onto one of the high stools “So, I can safely assume that you called me here for business,”.
“Well, not exactly but we’ll see how the conversation goes, that alone will determine if we’ll do business or not,” I said casually watching the unchanged emotion on her face.
“I’ll have water,” she suddenly addressed the bartender who was ready to burst in anger while still watching me.
Her order took me by surprise, I was expecting she’ll ask for something stiffer “Are you scared Emily? Don’t worry, I won’t take advantage of you when the alcohol kicks in,” I smiled.
“This is a business meeting, Austin, best I keep my wits about,” she smiled coyly.
Taken aback by her sudden and surprising reply, I quickly turned to the bartender and asked for a dry martini. The bartender scurried away, finally glad to be out of the little confinement. Emily’s eyes had left my face and were now scanning the bar, she seemed to be searching for something and from the way he fingers tapped impatiently on her legs, I knew she was nervous and anxious…
But I wasn’t the cause.
Trying to follow the movements of her eyes slowly, I scanned the bar wondering what could be making her anxious. Since I couldn’t spot any unfamiliar face, I quickly typed a message to my security details scattered all over the bar; at strategic points, asking them to check for strange faces, and watch Miss Emily closely.
“What took you so long before you took my call this morning?” I broke the silence.
“I and Jack were at it this morning, and believe me it was superb,” she whispered, “You kind of slowed things for us this morning but thankfully, we were able to pick off from where we stopped without noticing. Don’t you think it’s grand?”.
I felt myself, cringe inwardly as I tried to block out images of Emily and Jack rolling over the bed in passion. It made me angry while I wished it had been me.
“I didn’t ask for a detailed description of your s****l escapades, Emily,” I swallowed hard wishing I had my drink with me.
“Well, I was only answering your question,” she shrugged and threw a glance over her shoulders again.
Before I could retort, the bartender arrived with our order and hurriedly dumped them before us and then fled. He didn’t want to be held back.
Reaching for the bottle of water, Emily broke off the seal, slowly unscrewed the cap of the bottled water and took a big gulp. When she stopped to take a breather, the container was almost empty.
“Did the s*x romp make you thirsty?” I sounded bitter and for the life of me, I didn’t know why I had to bring it up again especially since I just confessed that I didn’t care about her s****l escapades.
“No, we usually place several bottles of water beside the bed when we get at it. You know water is also good lubrication,” she flipped her hair over her shoulders with a quiet smile.
Too embarrassed to say another word, I quickly reached for my drink and took a sip. While my brain was working faster than the speed of light. I badly wanted things to be resolved between me and her.
“So, Mr Miller why did you call me here?”.
“For a business chat,” I replied casually.
“Then let’s get on with it,” she replied and fished out a pen and the jotter, placed them on the counter and looked up to me in expectancy.
“Emily,” I started “can we just drop all these titles and be normal? C’mon we used to be all lovey-dovey a few months ago, c’mon babe, stop doing this to me,”.
“Doing what, Miller?’ she scoffed “When you were busy with solving other people’s problems and of course, I never knew that you value the relationship,”.
“Emily how can you even say that?” I tried to control the pent-up emotions inside of me “I liked you, and I still like you, a lot. I can’t believe you decided to f**k your colleague. Like you get to see this guy every day, for chrissakes...”.
“Remember when you said I should go, love, myself, maybe I took your advice and did just that,” she smirked “besides, Austin,” she shook her head from side to side, “I thought you weren’t interested in my love life? Why the sudden change?”.
“Emily,” I called out again wishing you could just stop with the act already “Will you please stop? Let’s just talk,”.
“Why” she pouted her lips as she stood up closing the distance between us only, I was looking down at her since I was still on the stool “You know, Jack can be a very jealous man and he wouldn’t appreciate that a certain Austin Miller was making eyes at his woman. You wouldn’t want to see Jack, angry,” she added.
“And you’re not going to sell a single ticket for the movie premiere next week,” I interjected catching her unawares.
“What?” For the first time, I saw Emily for who she was. The vulnerabilities crawled back to her face and for the tiniest of seconds, I saw fear in her eyes.
“You won’t sell a single ticket for the move premiere – your movie premiere, next week,” I took another sip from my martini loving the way it burnt down my throat.
“Is this some kind of joke?” she searched my face impatiently “Are you trying to play a game on me right now?” she added.
“Well, I wish I was,” I arched a brow “You know, there are certain personalities that need to influence the opening of a movie whose female lead is unknown to anyone and then this is just her first time acting and she’s already getting roles like female leads…” I paused hoping the information would sink into her ears “You’re an amateur who is trying to wear big girls’ shoes,”.
“How do I know what you’re telling me is not rubbish?” Emily looked behind her shoulders again, this time with visible worry on her face.
“I would not call you out suddenly to just tell you untrue things. The lady who was supposed to play lead instead of you is very sore and her dad is a big gun in the movie industry. As a way of revenge, they’re going to make sure no single person purchases the ticket for the movie and believe, he would do it,”.
“Does Ben know?” she asked again returning to her high stool.
“Who’s Ben?” I asked.
“Ben is the director. The person who directed the movie,” she explained “Does he know?”.
I let out a long chuckle that changed into prolonged laughter as I gazed at Emily whose face was contorted in confusion and disgust.
“What’s so funny?” she fumed.
“The first thing you’re supposed to learn in the entertainment industry is not to TRUST ANYONE,” I had to pause as Emily’s eyes widened in surprise.
“I know Ben, he’s trustworthy,” she squeaked out.
“Really?” I laughed “You met Ben on set, why do you think he’s so good?” I asked.
“He treats me nice, allows me to take breaks and has never yelled at me,” she replied.
“Yeah, he thinks you’re talented, Ems if he did all that but you should know, Ben is a money bag. He’ll sell his mother for a thousand bucks and I am sure he’s has been awarded handsomely by the father Mr Fargo – that’s the name of the man whose daughter was supposed to play the lead. Her name is Scarlett,”.
Emily paused for a while in deep thought as her eyes continued to pierce me with stern looks.
“Who else is on this? Jack?” she suddenly spoke.
“I wish he was,” I rolled my eyes “But the guy is a nice guy, he won’t be let on,” I added.
“I don’t understand,” she stood up “What’s about this movie that is making a business mogul like Mr Fargo interested. Surely, this is not just about him taking revenge for his daughter?”.
“Emily,” I whispered her name fighting the urge to run my fingers on her cheek, she looked so lovable with a frown on her face and the drinks I've had wasn't helping either “You’re one hell of a smart woman and I am glad that you’ve figured everything out. I can’t give you all the answers, Emily but a goldfish has no hiding place. From the looks and agitation, this movie is supposed to be a big hit and you’re supposed to be Grammy material too. Let’s just say, that the competition in the entertainment industry grows by the day and certain people wouldn’t want to be stripped of their titles and positions at any cost and they’ll be willing to play dirty just to get what they want, Ems,”.
“So, Scarlett Fargo is just a front to hide their real intentions?” she had disbelieve written all over her face.
“Bingo,” I smiled.
“But why?” she returned to her stool in deep thoughts “Why are these people this way? We can all coexist and live happily. The world is big enough for that at least.
“Emily,” I chuckled sadly and poured the remaining contents of my glass down my throat. I drew out some bills from my wallet and placed them on the counter as I stood “You need to learn the ropes darling or else you’ll be thrown away even before you enter,”.
“A pity, there’s no Sebastian Carter in my life,” she had a sad smile on her face “All I ever wanted to do is just to act and live my dreams. Is it too much to ask for?” she had tears running down both cheeks.
I peered at her trying to decipher if this was an act or real – you wouldn’t blame me…she’s an actress.
I reached for the button on my suit and closed it “Well, I’ve helped you the little way I can, Ems. I’ve done my part and do take care of yourself especially now. I’d advise you remain at Sebastian’s Villa. It’s safer there,” I added.
“What do I do?” she suddenly spoke lifting her face to look at me “Teach me these ropes, Austin. Help me,”.
I regarded the running nose and red watery eyes for a while and decided she wasn’t faking it “The question is,” I shuffled my feet “Can you do anything for me?” I asked with a slow smile…
The World – is a give and take and I wasn’t ready to be the giver, this time around.