MEETING A FRIEND

"WOAH, IT'S SO hot in here."

Fern took a sip of his coconut drink and fanned himself as Zoe approached him.

"The weather ain't bad at all," Zoe commented.

It was actually windy at the location of the runway show. A platform was setup on the seashore of a private island and it was already sunset when they finished the show.

"You know what, I don't really know if you are playing dumb or just innocent," Fern said.

"Huh?"

"I didn't mean the weather when I said 'hot'. It was supposed to be you," Fern winked at her.

"Oh! I already know that. No need to mention it, boo," Zoe smirked as she flipped her hair.

The two of them laughed because of their silliness.

Zoe was wearing a very vibrant pink backless slip dress for the spring summer theme of the runway show. The color matched her white and flawless complexion that made the dress stand out on its best.

Her hair was styled with wavy curls and it gently flow as the wind blew against it, just like how the waves hit the shoreline.

"But don't stare too much, boo. You might fall for me," Zoe teased her manager.

"Ew, gross." He said with a cringe.

Zoe chuckled at his reaction, "Well, well, time for me to change."

"Go, you can handle it. I'll just wait here while enjoying the sunset."

"No fair."

Zoe also wanted to watch the sunset but she needs to change first.

She went inside the fitting room and changed into a red mid-thigh dress that's hugging her every curves and it also got a plunging neckline.

The reason why she's wearing such dress is to officially commence her 'Operation Hans'.

Her husband was in the show earlier with Mr. Mayor and Hans had a dull look in his face when Zoe saw him.

He didn't even watch her walking in the runway!

That's a bit disappointing but Zoe's used to it.

After putting a red lipstick, Zoe looked at her reflection, "Hmm, not bad."

She came back to where Fern is and she saw a familiar woman talking to him.

"Cindy?" Zoe wanted to make sure and when the woman looked at her, it was confirmed, "Cinds, it's you!"

"Oh my! Babe!" Cindy gave her a big tight hug, "I missed you!"

"I missed you too! How are you doing?"

"Well, entertainment industry is quite busy. I'm just glad I had a break. By the way, you looked so stunning walking in that runway!"

"You watched?!" Zoe asked excitedly.

"How couldn't I? Besides, I wasn't able to meet you yesterday so I wanted to really watch the show."

"Aww, I'm glad you watched, Cinds. And no worries, we know that you had a lot to do."

"Don't believe her, babe, she almost cried yesterday because you weren't able to meet," Fern butted in.

"What? You're still a crybaby?" Cindy patted her shoulder and chuckled.

"No way. I'm all grown up and matured."

The three of them talked happily and gave updates about their current lives.

Cindy Hernandez is a famous Hollywood actress. Zoe, Fern and Cindy were good friends way back at university.

Cindy was also modelling but she found herself more comfortable in acting career and she pursued it which made her one of the best actress to this day.

They rarely see each other because they were also busy with their own works and it's always the best day whenever they got to spend some time together.

"What the actual f?! You're married? Since when?!" Cindy yelled the questions she had.

"Last week."

"And why didn't you tell me?!"

"Okay, calm down a bit. I wanted to tell you about it personally and it was actually in the news."

"I'm too busy to look at the news so I wasn't aware. Who are you married to?"

"Uhmm with Hans-"

"I want to meet that whoever Hans! Now!"

Zoe sighed. It looks like they are fighting because Cindy was yelling. Good thing they were alone in a small pavilion.

"Fine. I'll call him. But I don't think Hans will go here since he was busy with the Mayor."

"I'm not, actually."

Zoe choked with her refreshment when she heard the voice of Hans behind her.

Why is this man always popping out of nowhere? He's like teleporting whenever she talks about him.

"Hans Donovan? Your husband?" Cindy asked in bewilderment.

Zoe nodded, "Yes, he is."

"Long time no see, Cinds," Hans greeted in his flat voice.

"You know each other?" Fern asked.

Cindy chuckled nervously, "Well, we were schoolmates in highschool."

"What a small world," Zoe smiled, "So I bet, there's no need for introductions?"

"Haha of course I want to introduce myself as your bestfriend," Cindy smiled at Hans, "I am her bestfriend, you better be a good husband or else you know what I will do."

Hans nodded, "Understood."

Cindy is the fiercest of them and she would do everything to protect her friends.

"I won't stay any longer, nice to see you here."

Hans was about to leave when Zoe stopped him, "Hubby.. are you going back to Mr. Mayor? I want to have a few words with him."

Hans looked at him for seconds and she gave him her sweetest smile, "Follow me," and he walked away.

"Cinds, Boo, I'll be back!"

"Take your time!"

Zoe walked fast to catch up with Hans but her heels were sinking in the sand.

"Hubby! Wait up!"

Hans didn't stop but he slowed down his pace. Even though she's struggling, Zoe tried to walk beside Hans.

"Hubby~ do you want to hold hands?" Zoe smiled innocently at Hans.

"No and I told you to stop calling me with that ridiculous name," Hans sounded so pissed.

"Then what do you want me to call you? Honey? Baby?"

Hans ignored her and took long strides, leaving Zoe behind.

Zoe chuckled and still followed Hans. They were already walking on a footwalk so Zoe didn't struggle anymore on the sand.

"What about sweetheart? Or cutie pie? Ah! Cupcake is a cute endearment, too!"

Zoe continued to blabber about endearment but Hans didn't say a word. So Zoe have no choice but be a little naughty.

With a playful grin, she said in a soft voice but enough for Hans to hear, "I can call you Daddy, if you want."

Hans turned swiftly which caught Zoe off guard. He grab her by the wrist and pulled her close to him.

"Say that again and you won't like what I will do to you," Hans threatened her.

Zoe wanted to know what Hans will do so she bravely opened her mouth to say the word again, "Dad-"

"Miss Zoe!"

She was interrupted by someone who called her name. Zoe groaned inwardly.

"Miss Zoe, is this man harassing you?"

Hans let go of her wrist and faced the person who suddenly come out of nowhere.

"Ah, no. He is my husband, Daniel," Zoe smiled.

Daniel is one of her co-models who debuted in his modeling career in the same agency a year after Zoe. He was also invited to join the show at Hawaii.

"Oh, I'm sorry sir!" Daniel bowed apologetically.

"It's fine. If you'll excuse us," Hans took Zoe's hand.

Zoe's heart went wild at the moment. He just said that he doesn't want to hold hands.

'Hans, why are you so hard to understand?'

"Yes, sir. I just want to tell Miss Zoe that we have an after party later at seven."

"Okay! I'll be there!"

After saying goodbye to Daniel, Hans pulled Zoe to a hall where Mr. Mayor is talking to some socialites.

"Stay here." Hans ordered her.

"Yes, hubby~" Zoe smiled.

Hans went to Mr. Mayor and whispered something at him and they took their leave and walked to where Zoe is.

"Mrs. Donovan, you did a very splendid performance in the runway."

"Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I appreciate that."

"So my butler told me that you want to talk to me about something?"

Zoe smiled and nodded, "Yes, Mr. Mayor, if you have a spare time."

"Of course, I always have time for a gorgeous lady like you," Mr. Mayor smiled playfully.

"Excuse me. I'll just leave the two of you so you can talk already," Hans chimed in and stepped out of the hall.

"Well, he's quite in a bad mood. Just bare with him," Mr. Mayor chuckled, "so what can I do for you?"

"I want to ask a favor, Mr. Mayor."

Zoe began to tell the mayor what she wanted in order to do her plan. She explained very well because it is his butler that she's borrowing for a week.

"Is that all?"

"Yes, Mr. Mayor."

"Alright! I will book the best private island for you so you can enjoy. And I'll email you all the things you need to know about your husband."

Mr. Mayor has nothing against about Zoe's favor and he even offered to book a private island for them. There's excitement in his eyes as he suggest things to Zoe for the  better execution of her plan.

"Thank you so much, Mr. Mayor!" Zoe beamed happily.

"No worries. He also needs a break so I'll leave him to you."

"Yes, Mr. Mayor! Thank you!"

As they finished talking, Mr. Mayor walked her out of the hall where Hans is waiting patiently for them.

"Here," Hans gave her a paper bag, "use this if you're planning to go back to your friends."

Zoe looked inside and it was a pair of slippers which instantly made her smile, "Thank you."

"Last thing, I suggest you wear a decent dress at your after party later," he swept his eyes on her body before giving her a hard look.

"Got that, hubby," Zoe smiled widely.

"Okay. Off we go now."

Zoe waited for Hans and Mr. Mayor to disappear from her sight before happily changed her heels into the slippers Hans gave her.

Fern texted her that they were already back in the resort that accommodates the models if they want to stay a night in the island.

She almost skip in happiness as she walked back to their room because she's wearing the slippers that came from Hans. She met some acquaintances on the way and she greeted them with a big smile.

She's in a very good mood.

Zoe swiped her key card on their room's door and found her friends chatting.

"Strawberry mochi!" Zoe found a plate of mochi on the table where Fern and Cindy were seated and she picked a piece and stuffed it in her mouth.

"How did it went?" Fern asked.

"Mmmm.. good!" Zoe mumbled while chewing the mochi.

"What's good? The food or the plan?"

Zoe chuckled and showed two thumbs up, "Both! Mayor agreed with my favor and these mochis are the best!"

"Great!"

"Babe, have you been starved?" Cindy asked while opening another bag of strawberry mochi.

"Actually yes, I need to limit my food for this show for a freaking one week! I'm so hungry."

"Oh, that's bad. Let's grab a full meal later."

"You're so kind, Cinds!"

"Don't spoil her with food," Fern grabbed the mochi on Zoe's fingers and eat it.

"Boo! Why'd you do that?"

"Because I want this one."

"That's unreasonable! I also want that!"

"Well, it's already on my belly so you can't do anything."

Cindy was smiling from ear to ear as she watched her friends quarrel like a child over a single food. It's always been like this since their younger years and it's her role to interfere between them.

"Hey guys, listen. I have something to tell you."

"Spill the beans!" Zoe and Fern yelled out in unison.

"It's actually my relation with Hans Donovan."