Delicious Danger

I was in a grand party in a mansion that was unfamiliar. Dad was smiling at me while we were walking to its park decorated with colourful balloons and banners. There were girls my age in tutu and the boys wearing suits. I tucked my dad polo sleeves when I felt unsure of the place we went to. I was wearing a denim jumper over my dinosaur-themed shirt and my cute blue sneakers. My dad maybe felt that I was f eeling out of place so he kneeled in front of me, rustling my curly brown hair, mumbling that everything would be okay. Dad's reassuring gesture made me confident enough to go on. A woman in an elegant dress appeared before us and she looked at me with a hint of disgust. She was somewhat angry with my dad so I tried to push her. She was so shocked that she looked at my dad with disappointment. Dad told me to go and play with other kids. The innocent eight-year-old me blindly obeyed him and went to play with other kids in the playground. I realized it was my cousin's birthday. She was wearing a ball gown and tiara that made her look like an adorable little princess. When I looked back, my dad and the woman were still fighting. Then, my dad waved at me to go to him. He was leaving me with the woman who was apparently my mum. It got me confused since I practically grew up without a mum. She took me in her cold, tight hands and led me to a hall with a stage. As we made our way to our seats, I saw people looking at us, whispering and giving out critical stares. I then felt the woman's hold tightened that it almost hurt me. The girls in tutu at the playground were dancing ballet while the birthday celebrator was playing the piano. When the show was over, the woman looked at me coldly in the eyes saying, "You must be like those girls."

Then, I heard loud tapping in the background then everything and everyone around me started disappearing. Apparently, I was dreaming. When I started to open my eyes, a soft ray of sunlight hit my face. I was feeling tired and lazy to get up but somehow there were loud tapping at the glass doors leading to the balcony. Oh shit, that's probably Jason throwing stones at the door which he usually do to annoy me every fucking morning when he passes my room jogging around the villa. I decided not to get up and not giving Jason the satisfaction. I pulled a pillow to cover my ears and get back to my precious sleep because it's just six in the fucking morning. But when he started to throw bigger stones that made louder sounds and probably will break the glass door, it used up the last bit of my patience. I got up, shaking in annoyance and rage; I picked a vase beside my bed with all the intention to throw at Jason. I opened the glass door, shielding my face against the stones. I saw Jason in his running shorts, laughing while shouting "Morning, sunshine!"

"Fuck you, Jaze! I need my sleep!" I shouted back. At the last second before throwing the vase, I saw someone with Jason. He was topless, only wearing jersey shorts. He was covered in sweat, his toned muscles of his bare torso glittering against the early morning sun. Those perfectly carved abs and muscled chest and arms were tightening as he gasped for air. He was grinning at me like he was amused at what was happening between Jason and me. Wow, this is best way to wake up to and start my day: something very appealing to be relished by my sleepy eyes and something delish to breathe in. Gregory looked like he just stepped out of my wild, wet dreams.

I was probably gaping at him for the whole minute that the vase started to slip out my hand. I inhaled sharply and took the best mental picture of Gregory sweaty, half-nakedness and went back inside the room and closed my glass doors.

I heard Jason calling out, "Eat breakfast with us, I have something to talk to you about." Then, they ran away laughing.

No thanks, Jason. I am already full. Gregory might be the best breakfast I ever had.

Wait, did I just thought about that? Fuck! I thought I was over with Gregory. I slapped my face hard to shake off the disgusting fantasy I just had a few seconds ago. Then, I realized I was still in my matching pyjamas in unicorn pattern. I grimaced how funny I looked before them.

I let myself fall down to my bed then wriggled in embarrassment. Why did I let that to happen to myself? Then, I remembered how Gregory saw me two nights ago crying after my confrontation with mum. What a fucking life!

I've been trying to avoid mum for the past two days. I decided to hate her for the rest of my life. I told myself that it's okay to be crushing on Gregory but it is not okay to marry him. When I checked my phone, I saw April's few missed calls. I just don't know how to handle her after what happened.

They were having breakfast at the veranda when I found them. When I saw mum with them, I decided to skip breakfast. But Jason saw me leaving so he called me. I walked back to them, trying to disregard my mum's presence as I greeted them.

"Sissy, are you not having breakfast?" Jason asked. I was not actually missing out with the breakfast feast they were having.

"No, I have my photo shoot today." It was the convenient truth.

"I'm sure a little breakfast won't hurt," Gregory invited while handing me out a croissant.

I smiled and took it from his hand then took a rather big bite mumbling "Sorry, I got to go."

"Can we come though?" Jason was rather excited knowing there will be a lot of girls clad in bikini suits.

"No!" Denying him rather quick. It will be a nuisance seeing them at the shoot.

"You're asking the wrong person," mum cut off.

I quirked my eyebrow and said nothing. "Whatever, I better go."

---

I arrived rather early at the site which was at a beach just outside the city. When I arrived at the tent, the make-up and glam team were getting ready. We were already oriented of the shoot's theme yesterday. Gerard, my manager met me with my assigned make-up artist and my favourite, Livy.

"Good morning, AG!" Gerard greeted me with so much exuberance that caught everybody's attention. "AG, my favourite talent is in the house. Thank you for accepting this gig. I know you're busy working at your company and all but you know, with the success of the campaign last year, no wonder VS wanted you again."

"I heard a celebrity is joining us today," Livy asked while leading me to sit on the chair to start my make-up.

"Oh, yeah. Melinda Sanders," he answered absent-mindedly. "I don't know, heard she was dating the VS brand manager, that's why."

Livy just looked at him suspiciously and went back to her work. "I'm sure AG will rock it this time again."

"Yeah, no question. By the way, I brought THE wine," Gerard whispered at me then left.

"Still can't get over it?" she asked as she smothered my face with primer.

"You know I'll probably be not doing this in my sane mind and at my own will," I explained. "You know, mum problems."

"You're fine without getting drunk on your shoots. I mean, you're perfect and have excellent profile. Many girls would kill for this: long, wavy, brown hair; large emerald green eyes; thick eyebrows and eyelashes; full, plum lips; straight nose; subtle sharpness of jaw; and let's not talk about your body and height," she praises as she caresses my face like a fragile vase.

I immediately got embarrassed by her praise knowing that people would mistake me for my mum.

"You look like exactly Hera Goldberg. She's a famous model in the seventies." Livy does still not know that Hera was my mum.

I was surprised that one of the photographer for today's shoot was the close friend of mine, who deejay-ed with me at the party. "Who knew will see each other again, here?" Kirby greeted me with a hug as I was finishing the last of my wine.

"Yeah, I hope this will be the last," I said jokingly.

"Why is that?"

"Hera will be looking for us. I think it totally got her last time."

Kirby raised his hands in defense. "Well, I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about."

"Don't worry. You never existed," I assured him as we laughed it off.

After two hours, I am already done with my solo shoot. Kirby had taken excellent photos that the team was more than satisfied. The team in charge with Melinda Sanders were having a difficult time. Apparently, she's being picky. Then, I was called to a group photo shoot with her and other models. There, I met Anna and Charlotte who were also joining the shoot. Surprisingly, they were excited meeting me at our spot. We were instructed to talk candidly with each other while they took the shots.

While moving our bodies consciously for different positions, Anna and Charlotte started talking to me.

"It's nice to see you, Artemis," Anna greeted.

"Yeah, I thought, we would not be seeing you after the incident," Charlotte said as she was smiling to the camera.

I, faking my enthusiasm for the shot, asked them in curiosity. "What incident?"

"Oh yeah, you were not there when it happened," Anna said exaggerating her reactions.

The photographer liked the shots so he instructed us to continue.

Charlotte put her arms around me. "You know, your friend April, kissed Gregory. She was quite a snake and a war freak."

Oh, that incident. I was trying to forget that actually.

"Hey, watch out. April is still my friend," I defended.

This time Melinda Sanders joined the group. We were under a beach umbrella holding ice cream in cones.

Anna continued, "I mean, Charlotte and I thought there was something going on between you and Gregory since both of you were stealing glances and getting handsy all over the dance floor."

I tried to smile at the memory even it made me cringe inside as they continue to take the photos.

"Yeah, although I absolutely love Gregory, I won't do that to a friend. I mean it's a girl code, you don't steal another girl's man," Charlotte said beneath her sweet smile.

"But there's nothing going on between us. So, technically, April's not breaking any code," I said as I fake a laugh.

Melinda just listening to our conversation awhile ago chimed in. "I know a Gregory who is absolutely gorge."

Anna and Charlotte raised their eyebrows at her while posing professionally at the camera.

"Well, is it true that you're dating the brand manager of VS?" Charlotte asked shamelessly.

Melinda was caught off guard that she halted. The photographer stopped taking shots and called out Melinda. "Miss Sanders please try not to look away from the camera."

"There are a lot of rumours about me but not all are true! Rumours are rumours!" She told Charlotte then walked out.

All of us were shocked at Melinda's reaction. She was deemed to be unprofessional.

"What was that?" Anna finally said.

Since they were not able to get Melinda back to the shoot, we finished the other group shots without her. Melinda had her group shots with other models. When we finally wrapped up, I saw Jason, Gregory and mum chilling at one of the open tents. Mum was talking to some VS executives.

Suddenly, Anna and Charlotte were running up to me.

"Well, guess who are visiting us," Anna remarked excitingly.

"My day suddenly just got better," Charlotte wrapping her arms into mine. "Look at them, looking so damn gorgeous."

"Damn sexy!" Anna was smiling ear to ear. "Why don't we greet them?" She invited.

We were still in our bikini suits when Jason and Gregory saw us. They were waving at us when Melinda suddenly appeared out of nowhere before Jason and Gregory.

Melinda was jumping in front of Jason then threw and wrapped herself on him. Jason had his hands all over her body as they kissed. She then stretched her hand to Gregory to shake hands and I saw her eyeing him with suspicion which Gregory returned with curiosity. A picture came clear to my mind. I think I've seen Gregory and Melinda together before.

Anna and Charlotte were frozen in their place looking rather disappointed. "What the hell?" they both remarked.