10 Page 10: The Dark Side of the Moon

"Miss Hera, please take the seat in front of Cherry." instructed Lily with her hand.

Dave nodded at me and I heeded the direction. I carefully sat down on the cushioned folding chair, across the famous model.

Dave stands behind me the instant I sat down. "Our very own Mr. Kim will be joining us shortly." he said which made me turn to him in shock and I see him nod at me. Not that I'm surprised, but...if the head of our company will be here, it'll mean...

Lily clears her throat, "Unfortunately the president of Heiress won't be joining us today, but the head of productions for your collaborative shoot next month will be present."

I sigh in relief. Okay, safe. I didn't want to meet that man in these circumstances. It's too early.

I look at Cherry and she seemed awfully quiet. She's like the lull of everything. So calm, so peaceful, opposite of her rowdy brother. I still can't believe how she ridiculously looks like her twin. It's entirely facinating for me to see identical twins in real life. Her jade eyes, her tall nose, that fair complexion, a slightly broad shoulder, luscious lips and hair golden as the sun. AAAHHH THIS IS DRIVING ME INSANE. But recalling how she treated me earlier, her mood was kinda off.

Is it just me or Cherry seems to be a lot.....different compared to her interviews and magazine shots? She looked sweeter and sounded a lot cuter in public. I mean who am I kidding, I know celebrities have a tendency to have a split personality, I even lead a double life. But looking back at how coldly she greeted me, this is just a total flip. Then again, maybe cold stares and unimpressed gazes run in their blood. This girl surely, I'm a hundred percent convinced she is Niko's sister.

"I know you're fascinated by my beauty, but don't you think you've been gawking at me too much?"

Wuaaah! Even her voice sounded like Niko, fairly low but a bit pitchy. Maybe she's an alto (vocal range designation for girls).

"Ahaha sorry about that," I laugh shyly, "I'm just struck by how short your hair is. I mean..it's rare for girls our age to get a boy cut, especially when models rely a lot on hair."

She scoffs proudly, "You know Hera, a model shouldn't be all hair and make up."

"I suppose so.."

"At least that's what your pictures gave me an impression of." Cherry looks at me straight in the eye. "You're most famous for capturing the hearts of your fans without even smiling at the camera. I expected you the most to understand what I mean."

She's making me feel uneasy. "W-What do you mean by that?" I said with a straight face.

Cherry shrugs, "Hmmm let's see, I don't know. Maybe, my opinion of you has changed. I thought you were the type of person who had high regard for the craft but now that I look at you," she glances at me, "You're just a flashy little girl who loves to play queen." she gasps mockingly, "I'm sorry, did I say tooo much? Your outfit fits you by the way. Just not my type." she laughs.

"Cherry, stop it." Lily interceded, looking uncomfortable.

"Oh don't worry Lily, I'm sure Hera wasn't offended by that. She's pro after all. A little criticism won't hurt. Right Hera?"

I didn't respond.

My blood is boiling.

Just a flashy little girl? HAH.

I hear Dave calling my name from behind. Maybe he's sensed my fury from within. Sorry, Dave I guess I won't be able to play nice this time.

"Say, Cherry," I lift my head smiling, pretending I was feeling fine. "Why did you decide to follow me on TeaDiaries?"

"Hmm? Oh that? A stunt of course! The president told me to." she playfully responded.

I guess that doesn't work on her, huh. Then, what will you do about my next question.

"Last question, if you may.." I said.

"Go on." she giggles.

I purse my lips, "What do you say about your brother Niko Stepanov?"

The room fell silent. Lily's face turned pale and I know I saw Cherry flinch behind her smile. She didn't respond trying to smile it out until her face turned completely blank as she stared at me.

"Who are you?" she said, her tone sharp as a broken shard.

I scoff, crossing my arms, "I don't think a question should be answered with a question, Miss Cherry." Checkmate.

She glared at me.

"Then I believe I do not know such a name." she replied with hatred in her eyes.

Of course you don't, don't you? Predictable. Now I finally understand. She's one of those types of people with a sharp tongue but builds a wall thicker than their ego. The type that disgusts me.

Hearing her say she does not know the name of her own twin brother with those cold eyes make me want to punch her and knock her down on the floor. I could literally see myself right now jumping over the tables and walking up to her as a strong slap lands on her perfectly glowing cheek. No wonder Niko has been so broken. He may have learned of his own sister, but having to know such a sister as this, I would rather not be acquainted too.

"You bitch." was all that came out from my mouth with a pure look of disgust in my face.

"Hera! Stop that!" Dave runs in front of us. I ignored him. I see Lily run to the center too trying to block us from each other.

"Why are you both trying to break us up when we're not even fighting?" I said not looking away from Cherry who was also staring me down.

Dave grunts at me, "You call this 'not fighting'? If these tables weren't here, both of you would have mauled each other."

Yeah right. I rolled my eyes.

"You too Cherry!" yelled Lily, "Would you stop always picking a fight with people you'll be working with? We need Hera right now."

I shrugged, "Hear that Cherry? It seems that you NEED me to fix the mess you. can't. fix." I smile, playfully insulting her.

I hear her click her tongue and slumping back to her seat with an angered pain look on her face.

That's it, Cherry. Bitch out all you want, but you know you can't win this time or else your real identity will ruin your career. You need me after all.

Just when the air was really bad...

"WHERE ARE THE BEAUTIFUL INSTRUMENTS OF ART?"

Mr. Kim with who seems to be Heiress' project producer behind him, bursts into the door with our whole situation still going on.

Not that I was bothered by how Dave and Lily was still in their fighting stance trying to stop us both from verbally abusing each other, it was fine. What embarassed me was Mr. Kim's all pink suit and tie. He looked like a walking cotton candy. Aaaaaaah, this day is really driving me crazy.

"Why do you guys looked so tensed up?" he nonchalantly entered the room. The other producer seem to have sensed the heavy atmosphere too.

"Are all Queen staff naturally flashy people?" commented Cherry on his choice of clothing.

"Hey! That's Mr. Kim you're talking to." I reprimanded. She ignored me.

Mr. Kim looked surprised at first but he bursts out laughing. "So you're Cherry huh?" he said, "You have a sharp tongue, but you have good eyes so I'll hand that to you." and he walked to the front. Cherry looked disappointed but she went back to her poker face.

The meeting had officially started the moment Mr. Kim introduced the producer of our collaborative project for Heiress' anniversary special. He then explained the whole situation we are in and the next steps we are going to take not so long from now. Cherry was in deep trouble the instant that photograph circulated. Heiress has already taken action by taking it down last night, however, there are surely more copies out there. What bothers me is how Cherry looks completely uninterested listening to all of this. Whenever there were questions thrown at her, Lily was the one answering it as she sat quietly without a care in the world. Does she even understand how much of a hassle she's causing everyone.

"Hold on," I raise my hand. Let me try this one more time.

Mr. Kim acknowledges me.

"I would like to throw a pivotal question at Miss Cherry." I see her look my way.

I stand up from my seat, "You told me earlier that you do not know the guy in the photo and your team insists how absolutely that is not you. Then.." I glare at her, "Why were the paparazzis claiming it was you they saw coming out dressed as a guy? Did they see you come in as a girl then come out as a guy?"

The room fell silent. She isn't responding and doesn't look like she even plans to as she has been avoiding my stare.

Avoid it all you can Cherry. We both know you need to answer my questions or you'll be in a very tight spot. This is already a matter of winning me over to help you. Let's stop spinning the bottle and just drop it.

"If you don't want to answer that, then let me change my question." I slam both my hands on the table, "Are you a student of that school?"

She finally looks at me.

I see her manager was about to answer for her again, but Dave shushed her as everybody await Cherry to speak up. Good job, Dave.

I raised a brow staring at her, provoking her more. She's not flinching and I can't seem to make sense of her blank stare. But I know she's going to say something knowing I've already driven her to a corner.

Cherry stands up, looking at all the people who were in the room then at me. Indifference in her eyes she said, "And if I was? What are you going to do about it?"

Dear God, am I going to the same school as this wretched being you've sent me to subdue?