CLIMBING VINES

Jane and her half sister arrived at the location Indy had given to them. Since her car was at the mechanics, Ivy had to borrow her mom's car to make the transportation a lot easier and faster. It wasn't an hour drive, taking the direction of the google map, and finally reached. Jane's heart was thumping hard against her chest, it was still like a dream to her she'd be meeting him face to face. She'd be sitting beside him and they will be working together as the main male and female lead in this historical romance drama. She had only watched him, watched his movies but this time, she wouldn't be watching him anymore, she would be acting alongside him.

And this was the gig Hugo wanted her to give up on. To give up on the rare chance of airing together with him in a drama– not a movie. She didn't know when next time she would have this opportunity to act with him. Yes, she might be fangirling too much but this had been her long time dream when she started acting, and when she started watching his movies and series when he was a teen. She loved the way he acted and aspired to act alongside him. He was her idol, inspiration and role model.

And she wasn't losing it for any sake.

"You looked tense, are you alright?" Ivy swirled her hands on the steering wheel, navigating into a lane the google map pointed out.

Jane chewed on her lower lip nervously and nodded. Holding her heart in her hand. "I'm fine… it just feels so strange. It'd be my first time meeting him in person."

"Don't think too much about it," said Ivy, driving up to an exotic cloth shop that was situated in the busy city center but hidden away in an old narrow alleyway. "Toro Wilson is a human being like you, stop making it sound like he's some God or something."

"I know," a little wry smile appeared on Jane's lips. "If you always wanted to meet someone in reality and you are opportune, you will feel like me." Her insides bustled with different emotions she couldn't pinpoint.

"Well, I haven't seen anyone or aspired to see someone in reality so I wouldn't know how you are feeling but all the best ... .fighting," Ivy threw her a quick glance and a smile. "Give your best in this drama, I'd also love to see you together in a movie."

"For some reason, you two will look good both on screen and in reality," Ivy winked.

"Funny." Jane asserted, still wearing her heart on her sleeve.

Ivy pulled up the car in a parking lot beside the cloth shop. She killed the engine as the two of them stepped down and made their way inside the exotic clothing shop. Jane walked into the beautiful exotic looking interior, greeted and surrounded by racks of vibrant, colorful fabrics in every shade imaginable. The shop smelled of exotic spices and there was soft music playing in the background. Jane gaped in awe of the beautiful fabrics in sight.

How did Indy find a place like this? She was looking around, taking in the beauty when her personal assistant walked up to her, smiling. A tall woman with a slender body and brown braided hair, matching her light skin tone. Her almond eyes beamed when she neared her.

"How did you find a place like this?" Jane asked, darting her eyes around. 'It looks amazing."

"Well, when Wonder Prism Studio contacted me about the interview, I had to look for a place with quality fabrics and get you dressed up. You need to look your best."

"But you know, it's just an interview…..not some party," Jane tried to sound like she wasn't all bubbly about the occasion. She cleared her throat, running her fingers on the soft, silk, cotton, cashmere, velvet fabrics on the racks.

"Still, it wasn't an easy fit to land this gig. You need to grace the interview place with your dress so that even the interviewer and of course the top actor Toro Wilson won't be able to resist staring at you."

Jane felt her cheeks heat up at the remembrance of a tiny bit from her dream, the things he said. Red looks good on you. A smile played on her lips as she recalled that.

"So come on, let me choose you an amazing stunning but simple dress." Indy took her hand. "And the makeover artist is here as well."

Ivy was too engrossed on the rich linens, raking her hand over the rack of clothes until a certain fur long coat caught her attention, she reached out to pull it out when another hand was fast enough to pull it out. She lifted her gaze from the hand to the owner's face. There, she met a tall, not too skinny sturdy guy with tan skin and curly hair standing before her.

At that moment, Ivy was sorta awed by his manly beauty and his deep ocean green eyes, matching his greek nose and small lips and square face. He had black stud on his left ear and a cross earring on his right ear. He was dressed in sweatpants and an ash jacket. His appearance was a typical bad boy type of dressing.

"I saw it first," Ivy said. Reaching out to grab the coat from him. Ignoring the strong inciting male cologne oozing from his rich linen.

"Nah you didn't, I did," he replied. Raking his eyes up and down her body and clothing, prompting Ivy to feel very uneasy under his intense green eyes. "Technically, I grabbed it first which means I saw it first."

"I don't know who you are but I saw that cloth first so hand it over, Ivy ordered, a little frown appeared on her face.

"It doesn't say there's a place your name is on the fabric which proves anyone can buy it.... By the way, do you plan on buying it or do you just want to put it on and return it back to the racket?" Ivy felt she saw a hint of accusation in his eyes.

She kept mute for some time, wondering what and how she was going to respond to that question. "It doesn't matter what I'll do with the clothes, all I know is that I saw it first."

If you don't want to buy it, you might as well not try it on..."

"What…..the…." Ivy cursed under her breath, throwing him a glare. Getting irked by his words. "Who are you to tell me what and what not to do with the clothes?"

A smile lit up his face and that smile seemed to tug up something in her, she felt something stir in the pit of her stomach at that smile. She quickly looked away, resting her eyes on anything but him.

"Me? Someone who wants to purchase the coat you have no intention of purchasing."

Ivy was startled a bit by his response. How did he know she wasn't planning on purchasing it? Did he read through her mind or what? But to prove him wrong and to purchase a coat she had no intention of purchasing. She pulled out her bank card and signaled one of the shopkeepers.

"I'd like to purchase this piece of clothing," she said when a female shopkeeper walked up to them. Ivy pointed at the cloth in the guy's grip, noticing the confusion on the shopkeeper's face.

"I saw the coat first." She added.

"Who's holding the cloth right now?" The guy asserted. "I am…..which means I'm here to purchase it as well and I took it out first."

"I saw it first, I was about to pull it out when you overtook me in grabbing it first."

"Overtaking is allowed in life," he gave her that killer smile that almost sent her heart racing. His eyes twinkled with amusement.

"Ma'am, I can get you another brand but not exactly like this, the difference is the fur." The shopkeeper said in order to stop the dispute between them. Ivy wanted to disagree but at the same time, that'd be so childish of her. She nodded at the shopkeeper while glaring at the guy before her.

"Hold on," the guy halted the shopkeeper with his words. "She can have it, I'm no longer interested in it."

The same way, I ain't interested in it anymore," Ivy glared at him. "You can have it, since you pulled it out first."

The shopkeeper glanced at the two figures who resulted in a staring competition, wondering how to end the intense stare between them.

Just then, the shopkeeper was grateful when Jane walked back with Indy, dressed in a red floor--length gown made of silk and covered in glitter. The dress had a plunging neckline that showed little of her cleavage and a deep back. The hem of the dress swept the floor as Jane walked back to them.

"Wow, you look amazing." Ivy stated, staring in awe of the exotic dress. Her half sister's hair was done in a beautiful updo and her face was adorned with a mild make up.

"Thanks," Jane smiled. "But don't you think I'm dressed up too much for this? This is an interview."

"Yeah, an interview with the most popular movie company and with one of the top influential actors so you need to dress and stun the place."

"Exactly, what I told her." Inserted Indy, dressing a part of the dress well. "It's your day so give it your best shot. Don't be nervous."

"Hello there, you look amazing," Ivy pffted under her breath when the guy she argued with a while ago complimented Jane. She rolled her eyes, getting annoyed by his presence.

"Thank you." Jane smiled, looking at her reflection in the mirror and nodding in satisfaction.

●●●●●●●●●

Two hours later, Jane arrived at the venue. It was an outdoor interview. She pulled a handful of her gown up as she walked over to the interview place nestled in a lush garden with a stone pathway leading up to a gazebo. The gazebo was covered in climbing vines and the sun dappled through the leaves creating a dappled light effect. There were comfortable chairs arranged around a small table and a pitcher of water and glasses set on the table. The venue was secluded and private, but not too far from the city. And there was a feeling of tranquility and serenity about the place.

The day was warm and sunny with the birds chirping in the trees and the cool breeze rustling the leaves. Heart worn on her sleeve and with its irrational beats, Jane took a couple of breaths and proceeded further. Watching some crew set up their tripod stands, lightening kits and cameras. Ready to get to work.

Matching forward, her left heel got bumped into a small stone, causing her to lose balance. She was about to experience the most embarrassing moment of her life, anticipating her back to land on the stone pathway when a strong hand wrapped around her waist, halting her from falling.

When she snapped her eyes open to see who had stopped her from experiencing embarrassment. She was met with those marble gray ash eyes matching the ash man bun. He was dressed in simple but rich clothing as the strong perfume wafted her nostrils and head, and all she could see in that moment was him.

"Toro Wilson?" She mumbled under her breath as she stayed, cradled in his strong arm.