Little Bumps

The master photographer checked the shots they have got for the day on a monitor screen. As per usual, Irene looks magnificent for a sunscreen product commercial. The photographer approvingly nodded his head after scanning how the pictures turned out and called it a day.

"Alright, let's pack up! Good job for today, everyone!" The director shouted to get every staff's attention which made them begin dismantling props and other equipment.

As a sign of celebrity courtesy, Irene went on to thank each and every staff in the studio for working hard. She has worked with some of the staff in other commercial shoot which is why some of them are already familiar to her.

Before leaving the studio, Irene bowed her head to thank everyone once more.

"Thank you so much, everyone! I hope to work with you once again. Bye!" She cheerfully spoke before leaving the building.

It was already past eight in the evening. Irene's stomach is aggressively protesting because she has not eaten anything during the entire day except water.

Rubbing her stomach, Irene asks Valerie. "Where should we eat today?" Her stomach let out a grumbling sound.

"I have a date with my boyfriend tonight. You know what, why don't you join us? We are now in a stable relationship so I guess it would be alright to introduce him to you." Valerie asked Irene while driving, her eyes glimmering.

For the past years, Valerie is not really fortunate with men. Her average duration of dating men is just around a few days but as for this present one., they seem to be getting along just well because they are now almost dating for a month.

Irene wraps her fingers on Amiel's hands beside her, "What do you think, love?" She asks, making him snap out from staring at the passing buildings.

The night streets are filled with busy cars on the way home. During the night, the city instantly turns into a city of lights, tall buildings are brightly illuminated by corporate employees working overtime.

Valerie and her boyfriend are having a dinner at a fancy steak house. It turns out that her boyfriend, David, is a successful business guy who owns multiple buildings in this most expensive city.

He is quite talkative and the topic of the conversation solely revolves around him. Irene and Amiel held each other's hand under the table while they listen to David talk about dizzying business topics which they don't have an interest in.

"Let's have some wine!" David said as he fill his glass with red wine.

Respectfully declining, Irene apologized. "Thank you but I will be driving back home tonight." She smiles at David and then turned to Amiel who is wiping the corners of his mouth with napkin.

"Hmm," David raised his eyebrows at her and continued, "You are quite brave, huh? Most female celebrities are too afraid to drive by themselves." He then began laughing while Valerie, Irene, and Amiel are confused whether to laugh as well when it is not even funny.

Irene weirdly gazes at her cousin who is also looking apologetic about her boyfriend's oddity.

Despite living in one condo unit, Amiel and Irene does not sleep together in one room. But there are some nights where Irene crawls on Amiel's bed and vice-versa.

The next day, while Irene and Amiel are having their breakfast, she notices that he has been extra silent today.

"Is everything alright?" Irene nonchalantly asks while cutting a piece of pancake using knife and fork. She peeks at Amiel who seemed to be in a deep thought as he sighed deeply.

Letting go of her eating cutlery and putting it on the sides of the spherical plate, "You look disturbed. What happened?" Irene rested her elbows on the table and clasped her fingers together while she stares at Amiel.

"My mother needs me back in Rosemoor." He seriously said, a torn expression is written on his attractive face.

Amiel is anxious to leave Irene on her own knowing Void is after her. Due to the amulet's protection, Void cannot go near Irene but it is just about time he manipulates people to hurt her.

He does not want Irene to feel bad about herself which is why Amiel decided to keep his worries by himself.

Exhaling deeply, Irene reaches for Amiel's hands. "Go. Your family needs you." She assured him. She knows too well that she cannot keep Amiel to herself, he has a family.

Before he was her boyfriend, he was their son and a brother. Irene thought she did not have any right to stop him though she knows that she will miss him.

"Why are you looking at me with those wistful eyes? Don't worry about me!" Irene smiled widely at Amiel who's eyes screamed worry over her.

-

"Have you been crying? What's with the forlorn look on your face?" Valerie asks Irene while seated in front of each other while waiting for their order in a cafe inside their company building.

Irene's shoulders dropped while letting our a deep breath and staring blankly into the air.

"Amiel left because his family needs him." She simply stated while a male waiter approaches with their order.

The male waiter placed two cups of iced coffee and two slices of carrot cake on their table. Irene smiles at him and mouthed, "Thanky ou." Which made the boy's face blush.

Valerie shakes her head and simultaneously flicked her tongue, "Something bad must have happened to them. Where is he from? From his looks, I don't think he lived around here. Is he from the US?" She asks while mixing the cold beverage with a black straw.

"You're right, his family does not live here. I worry about him so much." Irene sighs and then took a sip of the iced coffee, the coldness which reached her brain made her wince.

"Cheer up! It's not like he is gone forever. Besides, he does not have anything to worry about as long as we are together." Valerie assures Irene.