CHAPTER 9 - CUPID

"Did you complete this all by yourself?"

I inquired, randomly flicking through the pages and yawning. John looked pale, with black bags under his eyes, implying his lack of sleep. Well, what can I say other than 'serves him right'. All of this would not have happened if he had done his job correctly in the first place. I was still upset with him, but not as much as I had been the day before. My period pain was gone, save for the annoyance of wearing a pad and sitting on the hard wooden chair.

"Absolutely, ma'am. I did everything."

I nodded in approval and returned the printout to him.

"Give it to your VD and tell her to continue with it."

John visibly sighed in relief and stammered out a thank-you before literally running in the opposite direction from me. The sun was just breaking out as I waited with Carla for everyone to finish preparing for the day's filming at the bridge. It was an early morning shoot, and I was already feeling tired.

"How do you look so flawless at this time of the morning?"

I asked Carla as I stretched my spine and re-adjusted my croissant-shaped posture. The model-like woman next to me was typing on her phone and grinning from ear to ear, most probably with her boyfriend.

She glanced at me briefly with a goofy smile and shrugged her shoulders.

"It's my job, sweetheart."

I leaned in a bit closer, appreciating her impeccable makeup. She looked gorgeous.

"But you have no scenes today. It's just Kim, Aiden, and the stunt crew. What are you even doing here?"

I was perplexed as to why she was working at a time when she could simply relax. If I had a chance, I would have spent the day curled up under my warm comforter binge-watching a series or two.

Carla gave me a mischievous wink and ruffled my already unkempt hair as if she were my grandmother.

"If I stay at home, I will be extremely restless. I will just tag along with you, bestie."

She stated it with such sincerity that I nearly thought we were best friends. Of course, Carla was a friend, but that was all. Once this shoot is over, we will go our separate ways and won't even bother to share good morning images on WhatsApp. Despite my thoughts, I refrained from telling her anything since I didn't want to spoil her optimism.

"What brings you here today?"

When I heard Eugene's voice, my heart jumped a beat, and I swiftly turned around to face him. He was dressed in loose-fitting khaki pants and a white pullover. His hair was tousled as always, as if his fingers had gone through it a thousand times already. He looked like he didn't get much rest last night, yet his smile overshadowed his weariness. I glanced at Clara to check if she found him attractive as well, but she was scowling at him without so much as batting an eye.

"What's up with everyone and me coming here today? Can't someone like me be committed to their profession?"

There was not the slightest flirtatious gesture made as she chatted animatedly with him. Was I the only person who thought he was so appealing? That wasn't the case since I have already seen him being flooded by women the majority of the time. But now I am unsure if they approached him because of his appearance or to make him help with their work. After all, he has proven himself to be a pushover.

"Chill, woman. I was just asking."

Upon saying that, he shifted his legs to focus on me, catching me staring at him. However, I didn't move my gaze, and it seems like he didn't mind.

"You look so much better."

Eugene commented, his lips curling into a pleasant smile. I was surprised to hear him compliment me, but I refused to let it affect my facial features.

"I know." I answered nonchalantly, tucking a wayward hair strand behind my ears to escape his intense gaze as I composed my wild emotions.

"I planned to bring your food container today, but I left it on the kitchen counter before leaving. Sorry."

I said, not sounding particularly apologetic. He waved his hands as if it were of no concern. He really was a softie. Why hadn't I noticed him before?

"It's no big deal. You can keep it."

"Why would I need that?"

I inquired, genuinely confused. It's not like I was bringing a packed lunch to work or something. Besides, it was huge, and it could store enough food for multiple servings.

"I don't know. Store fruits or something."

I gave him a questioning look, my agitation slowly bubbling up. Can't he just say he will come to my house later and collect it? Is it so troublesome to walk a few meters? Wait, but why on Earth do I want him to come to my house? Maybe I should really consider giving a call to my shrink.

"If you don't want that, I can drop by your place after work."

"NO!"

Carla turned her head away from the phone to throw me a puzzled look before returning to her task. Eugene, too, was taken aback by my unexpected shriek. I coughed awkwardly before speaking again.

"I mean, you're right. It can actually come in handy. I'll keep it, thank you."

The possibility of him visiting my house was prompting me to imagine activities I had never considered doing before. I knew I would have to lose my virgin status at some point, but adding a face to the other person was putting me in panic mode.

Eugene muttered an okay, but his eyes were locked on mine, and it frightened me. What if he can read my thoughts? Will he be aware of my feelings for him?

"It's time to leave."

Someone shouted nearby, and I nearly knocked the chair over as I leapt to my feet.

"We are leaving, Carla."

I said before I grabbed my handbag and phone off the table.

"Whose car are we in?"

Carla wondered out loud as she tried to stand up with her attention still fixated on the screen. I was adjusting my hoodie, but I spun around when I heard keys rattling and found Eugene swinging the set of keys right in front of Carla's face.

"That is why I came. I am your chauffeur for the day."

Great. Absolutely fantastic!

........

So many chick flicks and dramas have shown how the universe just arranges situations in which the male and female protagonists end up around each other. Shit, even I have written cliché stuff like that before, and right now I felt like I was in a similar scenario.

Carla was in the front seat, while I decided to take the back seat. Brenda and Carla's assistant did not accompany us since there were no scenes for her, and I was relieved to have the entire back of the car to myself. Nathaniel and the others drove separately, and despite Nathaniel's offer for a ride, Carla demanded that I join them. I was apparently her best friend, and we were supposed to travel together. I didn't clarify her misperception, since half of my brain wished to hang out with Eugene, and then there were Carla's puppy eyes.

I sat on the opposite end of the driver's seat to have a better view of Eugene. Carla had put on some indie music I was not interested in, and it was playing in the background while they conversed about the production and movies. I didn't really care about the subject, so I shut my eyes and allowed the air to massage me or slap me. In any case, I enjoyed the roughness.

"You're constantly working, dude. When will you have time for your girlfriend?"

My eyelids parted abruptly as if I had been electrified, and the breeze felt suffocating. I was so preoccupied with trying to analyze my own feelings that I never thought he might have a girlfriend. My ears were straining to hear his response, even though it was not necessary. We were all in a confined space, for heaven's sake, and I was not dumb.

"My work is my girlfriend."

He joked, and I wondered whether any of them had noticed the look of relief on my face. I was experiencing difficulties breathing, but it seems like my lungs had finally realized they were still functional.

"Oh, please. Don't give me that nonsense. The wallpaper on your phone has a picture of you with a pretty girl. She had her arms wrapped around your neck."

My breathing became harsh yet again. Thank goodness I am in the rear; otherwise, it would have been so obvious. My emotions were on a rollercoaster, and my excitement and uncertainty were torturing me. What should I do if he is dating someone? And what would I have done if he hadn't had a girlfriend? There were no answers to either of the questions.

Eugene burst out laughing, as though he was having a wonderful time. Yeah, I am on the verge of screaming in frustration here, and you are enjoying it.

"That's my elder sister." He clarifies, "She lives in the States with her husband."

I almost placed my palm over my racing heart in joy. But why on earth?!

"So you really don't have a girlfriend? Or are you homosexual?"

I wanted to kick Carla's seat and had to do everything in my willpower to restrain myself from doing so. It was as though she was deliberately tormenting me.

This time Eugene was silent, and I found myself back on the rollercoaster. However, currently I am at its highest point, ready to plunge down. Was he?

Now that I think about it, I haven't really explored my own sexuality. I have seen both BL and GL dramas and had butterflies while watching romantic movies with straight couples, but I have never felt particularly attracted to one. However, if either of the two people in the front seats were to make a move on me right here, I think I would prefer Eugene over Carla. Also, I have never dated a woman before, but the thought has often crossed my mind. Fuck, I was thinking way too much and straying off the topic.

Eugene remained quiet as he tapped on the steering wheel and licked his lips, as though deep in thought.

"Hmm... I guess I am not. I have only dated women so far."

So he was similar to me. I released another puff of air I was unintentionally storing.

"I don't know about you guys, but women can swing both ways if they want to. Right, River?"

For the first time since entering the car, both of their attentions were on me, and I felt nervous, especially considering the subject selection. Though his gaze was not on me, I knew he was waiting for my response. I didn't want him or Carla to know I was a virgin, for obvious reasons.

"Right. Who am I even asking? You only do one thing: work. Hey, you both are practically alike. Perhaps you should date."

For a few seconds, there was perfect silence, and I couldn't hear the indie music playing through the speaker behind me or the roaring sound of the wind. All I could hear was my heartbeat and my labored breathing.

6, 7, 8, 9...

"How long have you been working in the Cupid business?"

Carla giggled at Eugene's joke, and they soon went on to another topic, leaving me too stunned to speak.

Dating? Was I interested in dating Eugene? But I can never be in a proper relationship with anyone. And why am I suddenly feeling hot?

.......