(Chapter 88) Following To A Meal

"Aren't you hot wearing that?" Francesca asked in disbelief as she looked over Astrid's outfit in the car.

Astrid just raised her eyebrows. She was wearing a turtleneck jumper. Based on her old life, wearing such clothes in the summer would be hell. But she was quite resistant to this world's summers.

"No, I'm fine." Astrid calmly replied as she slowly closed her eyes.

Francesca didn't say anything in response. Maybe Astrid was just better in the sun than her? But she was wearing a light outfit for the summer. Especially when she would be changing in and out of clothes anyway.

The manager and assistant sat in the front with Astrid and Francesca in the back. Francesca looked at her phone through any news and social media. Coming across an announcement done by her company about another artist, she nudged Astrid lightly.

Astrid looked at what Francesca wanted to show her with disinterest. "What?" Astrid didn't understand the problem, the announcement was a standard PR message about an actor who had been accused of drunk driving.

"Do you not think that the news of the drunk driving coming out is just weird? I mean, how would anyone know someone is drink driving when they normally don't drive themself during the day." Francesca spoke with a quieter tone.

Astrid looked at Francesca like she was stupid. "I thought you were the artist not me, what if a company wanted to destroy the public opinion of someone? Anyway, that isn't for me or you to think about." Astrid didn't pay any more attention to such things, she simply didn't care about the people involved to care.

Francesca just huffed in annoyance, sometimes Astrid could really get on her nerves and not understand what she is trying to say... 'That is the fault of her low EQ. I guess I found a weakness in her.' Francesca was now proud that she had something better than Astrid.

After a few hours, they finally arrived at their destination. Within Genoa was the area they were going to shoot on the beaches.

Since the beaches of Genoa were beautiful this time of year, the swimsuit company was quite happy to accommodate Francesca's schedule and film domestically, so she wouldn't have to fly somewhere.

Francesca, her manager, and the assistant walked toward the beach first. They spoke with the director of the advert and led Francesca to go and change.

While Astrid sat outside of the tent Francesca was changing in, with all eyes on her, she sat outside on her phone. Not caring about the people looking at her face and figure.

Francesca then came out in a showy bikini with a skirt attached. Astrid glanced at her, then lowered her eyes considerably seeing Francesca for herself.

All eyes then turned to Francesca as she walked to the shoot and listened to the main camerawomen and directors. The other models all stood beside her, but Francesca was honestly a notch above them in looks and temperament.

"Is something wrong?" Francesca's manager asked in a low tone as he went over to Astrid. He had spotted that the big boss had been seemingly in a poor mood since sitting down.

'Maybe the chair is uncomfortable? Or a cooling drink is necessary?' Such were the manager's thoughts.

"Nothing, are those models also filming?" Astrid outwardly was extremely calm. But only she knew the boiling blood going through her right now.

The manager nodded. "The company is doing a shoot for the late summer and early autumn. Also some of the adverts will be used next year." The manager answered the simple question. Thankful that was the only question the big boss had.

Astrid nodded dismissively, as the manager understood no more words would be said, he then went on the phone to sort out some calls.

Astrid watched on as Francesca and the other models frolicked in the water with their bikinis and one-piece bikinis. As the sun got lower and lower in the sky, she could understand why they decided to film at such a time.

It looked like all of them were starting to glow, with the heat not so harsh, and the sun not so bright. The cameras could focus on the swimwear themselves. No distractions were in place.

Before Astrid knew it, it had been 4 hours. Francesca had already finished the parts she needed, but was still needed for the other model's shoots.

Her manager spoke to the director and directly said that Francesca couldn't stay any longer, in which Francesca was let go since she could finish her shoots tomorrow instead.

The other models weren't too happy, but knowing Francesca's position right now in the industry she didn't say anything. And by now, everyone on set had noticed the exceedingly beautiful woman who was just watching from Francesca's tent.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, uh, I don't think you will be able to join the dinner. I can get..." Francesca walked up to Astrid while still in her bikini and spoke to Astrid.

"Mm, it isn't a problem, I got myself a reservation at the restaurant you are also going to." Astrid dismissed any problems Francesca was thinking of.

Francesca nodded dumbly, she didn't expect Astrid to follow her all day!

With Francesca just looking at her. Astrid was looking up at her with a gaze that was darkening, at least the contacts covered that up. But Astrid could see how the previously lanky Francesca had grown up. Especially femininely, although not as much as her, she still had her charms.

Especially with how fit her body was. Astrid knew she trained in the gym at her home, but never was in the situation she was now, where she was looking at her skin with only some thin clothing separately her from...

"Astrid? Hhellloo? Are you there?" Francesca waved her hand in front of Astrid's face, with a frown on her face.

"Mm, get changed, I'll be joining you again." Astrid stomped out her thoughts. But now that she had such a view... 'And he refused to call me disgusting. I can undress a person with only my eyes and have so much lust it isn't human... Heh'

Astrid would never let her inner thoughts out again, especially with what happened before with Lewis.

Francesca huffed and went into the tent. She got dressed quickly and went into the car where everyone was waiting.

....

The restaurant was within Genoa and was only half an hour away. Once again, Francesca and her manager got out first to go to their appointment, while Astrid waited inside for her time to go in.

After telling the assistant she can go home, Astrid then got out of the car and walked into the restaurant.

As soon as she walked in, she was met by the smiling face of the manager. "Miss. Astrid, please follow me." The manager was extremely fawning over this extremely important guest. His boss had pointed out to him earlier in the day that this woman was someone not to offend, and that her being in the restaurant was a sign of good things.

Basically. 'Be on your best behavior, this woman is many times richer than me, she might invest into us if she wanted.'

Astrid just nodded and followed the manager. But despite being the time to eat, she wasn't extremely happy, unlike her normal self.

The reason? Obviously, a restaurant so close to the sea would specialize in seafood... Something she refused to eat. Luckily for her, they did have some meals that didn't have any fish. but she was unpleased with the smell in the restaurant.

She was guided to her seat. Strangely, the manager was told to show her the most normal of seats, which were still worthy of someone of Astrid's background to sit in, instead of the VIP rooms. But he didn't dare ask anything.

Most of the dining room noticed the normally cold and aloof manager walk in with a fawning smile on his face while escorting a woman to her seat. The question on all the guest's minds was the same. Who was she?

Astrid was seated and ordered all the items without fish. She quickly found Francesca's table and saw a Hollywood director sitting at her table along with the manager

Astrid started to eat her food and was inwardly disappointed by what she ate. It wasn't bad by any means, but Astrid was slowly being turned into a gourmet by her mother and then Lewis also sending over food from top restaurants on the continent.

While Astrid sat in general disappointment, Francesca was sitting with a small smile as her manager spoke about business with the director.

"Francesca will be able to suit anything you throw at her Director Soloman. Just look at the contrasting roles she had taken on last year alone, there is no reason to worry about her ability to grasp a villain." Her manager spoke smoothly and with confidence about his artist. Putting Director Soloman at ease.

"I understand your artist is suitable for the role, and honestly I want her to film as the main villain too. But it's if she can adapt to filming in America. The culture is different, and so is the way people view media like ours." Director Soloman spoke in the Italian he knew, which was decent enough.

"That'll be fine, I've been to America before Director, I can promise you that any personal issues I have won't affect my filming." Francesca finally spoke, in the American language of this world. Which was a blend of many languages, but also some lost languages in Astrid's old world.

Director Soloman then sighed and smiled. "Alright, this isn't a set decision. I hope you understand my words here." He meant that the decision isn't final, but since I'm here in person the role is likely to be yours, but don't release anything publically.

"We know Director, shouldn't we enjoy our meal instead of worrying about work?" Francesca relaxed as she offered to make a toast.

By the time Francesca was done with her meal, Astrid had already left. Making sure to bring desserts along with her, as she Winoa pick her up in her limited edition Camara.