CHAPTER 17 - TANGO

I shifted my eyes around the household for one last time, making sure that I had not forgotten something. I was going to miss the solitude and the ambiance this place offered, yet I was left with no option. Besides, no matter how much I convince myself, I can never avoid the city. It has slowly become a part of my life over the years.

I locked the front door, handed the keys to the man standing outside, and let him assist me in loading my baggage into the car. Most of the personnel had already departed since they were required to set things up before we arrived for the shoot. Eugene must also have left with them, and there were just a handful of us remaining.

I watched Clara stepping into her SUV from a distance, and she appeared to be on her phone. So I hopped inside without calling her, and switched on my iPod, not particularly excited for a long journey. My driver was a Thai guy, and we soon realized that we didn't share any similar languages, which I considered a blessing. The weather was really not helping with my already drained energy, so I rolled down my windshield a little to prevent getting sick later on. Farewell, chirping little birdies.

.....

We drove for three hours straight before getting caught up in traffic. There were vehicles and pedestrians all around, and I sighed in annoyance. Living in the city has often helped me feel less isolated, and while I occasionally yearn to get away from it, I also want to have the flashes of light casting through my bedroom window at night and the bustling atmosphere. However, this time I was bitter because I sensed I wouldn't be able to communicate with Eugene as we used to in the village. We will most probably be encircled by employees we know, and it will be practically impossible to interact with him or taunt him without having prying eyes on us.

My brain was already mulling over various alternatives to having more time with him, but I could not even settle on one since I didn't have a clue about our work schedule or lodging arrangement.

I must have fallen asleep in the meantime because, by the time I looked out of the window, I found the car parked in front of the resort. We were assigned separate cottages, which I appreciated considering they weren't just rooms with thin screens detaching me from the others.

Even though the privacy was less compared to the country cabin, it provided just enough. In fact, it really was comfortable, especially since there were brick walls separating the other buildings. Everything was readily accessible inside, and I could even cook if I wanted to. Lorraine may return at any time, and I didn't want to be thrown off guard. I could have permitted her to stay with the other assistants, as most actors and directors did, but that didn't sit well with me. I felt more at ease with her by my side.

I picked the farthest cottage again this time, and therefore only one side of my villa had access to other properties; the other fronts were all dead ends. Knowing that I wasn't flanked by people on all four corners made me feel safer.

As the land line on my bedside table rang, I slipped out of my jacket before climbing onto the mattress and picking up the receiver.

"Good day, Ms. Landon. You have a group meeting scheduled for four o'clock this afternoon in the conference hall. Would you like to get a reminder call from us, ma'am?"

I studied the time on the wall clock as the receptionist's cheerful voice unfolded from the other end. It was only eleven in the morning, and I was left with plenty of time to prepare myself before the meeting.

"No, I am perfectly alright. Thank you very much."

"Okay, Ms. Landon. Please feel free to contact us if you have any concerns. I hope you have a wonderful stay at our resort."

I responded with yet another 'thank you' and replaced the handset as the line went dead. I ended up taking a quick shower and eating the already-served brunch prior to setting an alarm for three thirty and retiring to a nap. With my spare time, I should probably get some rest.

The alarm went off, and I instantly flipped down my phone, loathing the melody. I moaned into my pillow after checking the clock, which read 3.50. I have been unconsciously hitting the snooze button for the past twenty minutes. I swiftly got up and threw on the first hoodie that grabbed my eye, then secured my hair back into a low braid.

It was already quarter past four when I arrived at the meeting venue, having taken a wrong turn multiple times.

Many had already taken their seats around the enormous rectangular table, and I briefly acknowledged everyone before occupying my usual place next to Nathaniel, the old man barely taking his eyes off his game. I started by rearranging the papers and sipping some water from the glass before relaxing and taking a moment to glance around the room. Nearly every department's executives and assistants were attending this meeting, and Eugene sat in the furthest corner, his concentration fixated on the documents in his grasp.

He was reading something serious, and, as if sensing someone's attention on him, Eugene raised his eyes up and swept the room, his dark orbs eventually landing on mine. I winked at him as a way of exchanging pleasantries, and he hurriedly lowered his head down, even though I could glimpse a grin breaking his pursed lips.

"With God's grace, together with our work and effort, we have completed the first phase of our filming."

The crowd responded with a combination of cheering and applause, and I clapped my hands as well. Regardless of the fact that it had been nerve-wracking, the output was pretty good, and I was impressed with ourselves.

"Now it's time to move on to the next stage, which I am sure we will ace with our brilliant coordination and proper planning."

Another wave of applause ensued, and Nathaniel requested that one of his assistants read through the full agenda. I was already acquainted with the schedule, so I didn't find it particularly engaging.

Instead, my eyes were drawn to the one guy who has recently captured all of my attention. He was focused on what the secretary was saying, and I peered sideways at Nathaniel, who was streaming a video on his tablet. Adjacent to me was our editor, who also appeared to be busy drawing animal caricatures on his clipboard.

I took advantage of the chance to pick up a notepad and lean forward so that nobody could see what I was scribbling. When I was satisfied with my work, I folded the paper into four and motioned for one of the helper boys to come over.

"Please deliver this to Eugene."

I whispered softly, and he nodded before walking away with the message. It was a common practice to exchange notes during conferences, therefore, nobody thought it was unusual.

As the guy went and handed Eugene the paper, I watched him take out his bottle of water and sip on the contents. He looked perplexed when he unfolded the paper, all the while gulping down the drink.

He took one glance at the note in his hand before spitting the liquid out, causing it to splatter all over the desk and on the woman seated closest to him. All eyes turned towards Eugene as he began to cough violently. The only person who noticed him attempting to conceal the letter from those around him to avoid choking... was me. He buried it under the table, and I amusingly watched him shove it into his pants pocket.

"Do you feel better?"

Eugene offered a thumbs-up while coughing in response to the question from his colleague. I was cupping my lips with my left hand to prevent anyone else from seeing my big smile. I was gleefully relishing in his suffering.

The rest of the discussion was spent with me silently giggling and him glaring at me. His cheeks were still red in color, and I couldn't tell whether it was caused by coughing or by embarrassment from reading my message. In any case, I absolutely loved it.

Once the meeting was concluded, I was getting ready to leave when Eugene approached me and asked me to spare him some time. After he made certain that no one was within our hearing range, he fished out the crumbled paper and slammed it on the surface.

"What precisely is this?"

He inquired, his voice laced with incredulity and mortification.

The words, "Can we dance tango on my bed tonight?" stared back at me, and I held in my laughter. I had been researching some ridiculous pickup lines recently and thought it might be interesting to test them on Eugene. So I just picked one at random from the website and wrote it to him. I never expected such a strong reaction, though.

"What do you think?"

Eugene groaned and waved his hands in exasperation, my smirk clearly getting on his nerves.

"Why did I even bother to ask you?"

He sounded absolutely knackered. He should know who I am and how I behave by now.

Eugene snatched the paper back off the desk and turned to walk away when I grasped his arm. He spun around, astonished that I had touched him so casually.

"I need some supplies from the store."

"Give me the list."

He murmured and turned around, but I pulled his shirt, forcing him to stop again, bewildered.

"I am coming with you."