It took Violet past dinner time to wake up after being knocked out by a 2-hour glucose drip and 2 hours of antibiotic drip, supervised by Sam, who was catching up with Jade intermittently.
Jade: Is she not awake yet?
Sam: Nope… Have you eaten, Jady?
Jade blushed at her old nickname.
Jade: Not yet… I have just finished filming a scene. Have you eaten? Grab something…
Sam: I will. How's filming lately?
Once again, she smiled, knowing he must have known it all.
Jade: Don't worry… It's all under control. Did you see my new commercials and interviews? He couldn't do anything.
Sam was always up to date with her news. So, he knew about her interview for an ambassador against sexual harassment. He knew it was made on purpose, and because the government was advocating for it, the agency couldn't deny the collaboration.
Sam: Of course, I know he couldn't. I have a smart baby.
At this rate, Jade wished he were in front of her to steal a kiss. She was blushing again at the way he teased her.
Jade: This baby misses you… I promise. One more month. After the award.
Sam smiled, recalling their promise back then and looked forward to it.
Sam: After your award… I know you will win the Best Actress this year. I will be waiting. I always do.
Jade beamed at his confidence cause she was equally confident she would with all her blockbusters movie delivered during the year and now a drama in progress.
Jade: Love you! I am eating soon. You should too!
Sam: I will… Love you too!
Sam was engrossed with his text message that he didn't notice Violet was peeping in.
"What are …! Vi!" He scolded as Violet laughed laying back in bed.
"Baby?" Violet giggled like a silly girl, which made Sam roll his eyes a couple of times.
You're so sweet…" She teased as he sighed in defeat at her mischief, knowing she was well already.
"Now, explain, why are you hugging someone you were pissed with?" Sam teased her in return.
"Me? When? I don't remember… It was you whom I was hugging." She denied with a lie, recalling the warmth of Sebastian's body earlier.
Sam chuckled, not wanting to reveal her acting. "You know the reason all these things are happening isn't you?"
She nodded as she sat up straight. "How serious is the matter?"
He kept quiet. "You know no one is going to hear much here?" She pestered him further as he sighed.
"When is your next new place to review?" Sam asked as Violet took a step back on her thoughts.
"You know I cleared my schedule…" Before she could finish, he interrupted.
"Then, slot in a few. He told me about your tour guide license exam. Why don't you start signing up for it?" He suggested nonchalantly without making eye contact with her.
She knew instantly who he meant. She squinted her eyes, wondering just how much these guys had shared their secrets.
"As far as I am concerned, I am still in charge of something while he looks for my replacement, and I am allowed to stay around till I find something new." She retaliated.
"Yes, so go do your registration tomorrow…" He insisted, and she recalled he had no filming tomorrow as his schedule was cleared for a magazine's photoshoot in town. She wondered if it was a coincidence or if Sam was trying to make her a backup to anything bad that could happen.
To Sam's surprise, she nodded obediently. "So, drive me home." She demanded as he walked off, feeling strange, but was glad she didn't make it any more difficult.
The next day, she knew clearly where the photoshoot was. As she was about to step into the tour guide license office, she saw a crowd holding up banners. They looked agitated and eager to go on strike. Before she could read what was written, a familiar van stopped by the entrance of the building the crowd was waiting.
Sebastian stepped out with Fang Li and his co-actress, Clarin. She quickly hid in a corner so as not get caught. Whatever protection she was about to give Sebastian from being harmed was all too late now.
Fang Li looked very busy while Sebastian was staying composed with his cool look in public despite the fans mocking him, but with Clarin's presence, they didn't dare to barge closer to any of them.
She was glad he was smart to bring along Clarin, but what made her feel suspicious was a familiar figure entering the cafe opposite the magazine's building.
Janice.
Not a single fan paid attention to her discreet arrival. Violet knew something was amidst. She wanted to interfere by entering the cafe to monitor Janice, but her memory of him rejecting her away brew angered as she ignored the entire commotion and went on with her registration as a tour guide.
Sebastian had made meticulous arrangements. He knew his upset fans would show up and not seize any opportunities to let him work in peace. That was the reason he brought along Clarin, who was also free from filming in the morning. He made an offer to the magazine to have a couple photoshoot with Clarin since the publication would be a good marketing for the drama they were in.
His real motive was to complete his solo photoshoot first before proceeding to the couple photoshoot. He knew Clarin would need to leave early, so he took the chance to leave discreetly when Clarin did her solo photoshoot. He only told Fang Li he was returning to the filming site with Clarin and would wait in the car while she sorted out the loose ends.
While Fang Li was overwhelmed, he disguised himself and headed into the opposite cafe.
He went into a private room as Janice was enjoying her latte. He saw a cup of americano opposite her. He knew it was for him.
He sighed softly at the fact that till now, she still didnt know he had never liked americano. It was only to accommodate the calorie intake. If possible, he would prefer mocha anyday.
However, lately, after being with Violet for a while, he discovered he had grown to like unsweetened tea. It was like drinking healthy flavoured water. Each time she passed him his tumbler, he was excitedly anticipating a new flavour from goji berries to chrysanthemum. Sometimes, camomile and lately roses. This memory made him a little sad, knowing he had put a stop to all these wonders.
"It's been a while. Thought you wouldn't have your breakfast yet. Americano as usual." Janice said proudly, as though nothing happened before this.
"Thanks." He said with a smile like he once did with her.
It made her feel nostalgic for a moment, but he didn't pick up the cup to drink. Instead, he stared at it, waiting for her to speak. He was pondering the changes he had made in his life to adapt to the demands of the public and agency, which Janice had probably never noticed before.
"Have you been well?" She asked to break the silence as he sighed.
"What do you want to hear? The truth or a lie?" He asked in return.
"The truth, of course." She retaliated while sipping her latte. He kept his silence as she held his hand. He wanted to take his hand away, but decided to let her hold it to see what she was up to.
"Sebastian, I am genuinely concerned about you. You have been filming and criticised outside. You might not have known what they said, but after watching the cooking show, I realised I had never seen that side of you before. Since when did you ever cook? Has the management been very harsh with you? I could get my father to speak to the management to give you a break. If I'm not mistaken, your contract is coming to an end?" Janice spoke as though they were still together.
It took him by surprise that he had forgotten she could always watched unreleased version from his studio because her father was one of the investors.
"Jan, what is it that you're playing at?" He mumbled and sighed.
"What have you been up to?" He asked, noticing she was ignoring his question.
"Oh, busy with live streaming. New brands are hiring me for their marketing… You know more work is good. While we are apart, it keeps my mind distracted…" Janice took another sip of her latte.
"The coffee's getting cold…" She urged him to drink, but he didn't barge as he stared at her.
"Jan, take good care of your health. Stay hydrated while drinking so much. Take a break when you're tired. Listen to your body." He said calmly.
It took her by surprise for a moment, as though listening to his reconciliation speech. She smiled happily, nearly over the moon.
"I will! Where do you live for filming? I could stay for a bit tonight." She updated as he frowned and decided to quit playing along, but be harsh next.
His heart felt a deja vu. It reminded him of how it felt worse when it was Violet. He wanted to find her and hug her right after this session. He wanted to apologise for being so harsh in his facade. But he knew he could only do them in his wishful thinking.