Chapter 4 : My Vanilla

Next morning exactly at 8 am everybody gathered at the lobby. They decided to have breakfast before going to the shooting spot. Then began their journey to the shooting spot.

"WESFA, we have only thirty minutes before the shoot begin so change your costumes and get ready" said Val, handing their respective costumes to them.

After working for three whole hours, everyone is satisfied with the output. After lunch, they initially planned to spend only an hour for video shoot in the same location but ended up working till five in the evening. Thus, everyone is exhausted. So they decided to call it a day and went back to the hotel.

After working for four days in that location, they planned to have next shoot in the flowers garden for flower accessories. They spent another four days in that shooting spot.

Val is very satisfied with the progress. WESFA looked very handsome in all the clothing. Her clients complimented the costumes about their designs and handwork. Val felt proud because she is the one who designed and worked on them.

This one of her hidden talents. Val is interested in fashion designing, but she chose business as her subject in Masters. Back then she wanted to help Tyler so she decided to let go of her dream to pursue designing. She completed her studies while working in Ty’s company. she will draw some drafts whenever she is free, and Ty approves all her designs. He hands them over to his company designers for further modification.

For the shoot they brought total sixteen costumes, among which four of them are Val's designs. No one knows about her secret talent except Val's parents and friends. Sheela, Val's friend loves her designs and helps her in choosing right colours and fabrics that fit them perfectly.

Val's phone beeped as she got a text from Sheela when she is monitoring the shoot. "Fuck you darling! You didn't tell me about your trip and HELL they looked so hot in your designs." Val smiled reading the text message. She has a habit of capturing the models who wore her designs and saves them. She sent those pictures to Sheela for compliments. As usual Sheela loved her designs.

Val: “Sorry amigo, I am busy and thanks for the compliment.”

Sheela: "Whatever! You are goanna treat me with loads of food once you are back from the trip and remember to bring me their autographs. You know I’m their huge fan. DO NOT FORGET about AUTOGRAPHS. Bye sweetie."

Val: "FINE" (annoyed emoji)

After putting her phone back in her pant pocket Val had a glimpse of Jack. He is looking so hot in the three-piece suit that she designed herself with so much passion. No one knows who she is staring at whether her design or Jack in her handwork. She herself didn’t realise that just a glimpse turned into an intense staring.

Days passed and it's been fifteen days since the project started and everything is proceeding well so far. At present, they are shooting a video clip in a deserted area. They worked for three hours in heat, under sun as a result heir energy is completely drained. Moreover, they travelled all night to reach this shooting spot and had only an hour rest before starting the shoot.

Finally, after two more shots cameraman told them to take a break for few minutes before changing their outfits for the next shoot. They sighed heavily before leaving to the changing room. Originally, they scheduled only three days to spend in flower garden location but ended up spending an extra day due to some technical issues. Thus, the whole crew is now working tirelessly to catch up the schedule.

At night, camps are arranged by the crew for the stay. After the shoot WESFA returned to their tents to take some rest. Val is checking the costumes for tomorrow’s shoot. Managers and all the staff gathered outside the tents, under moonlight, to have some soft drinks as the weather is very sultry. The crew arranged bonfire. The atmosphere is so lively and in a party mood. WESFA also joined later after a quick nap.

Next day is just another day they scheduled. When Val entered WESFA's tent to give them the costumes, she got shocked by what she saw. The room is a complete mess. All the members slept with legs on each other. Their stuff and clothes are scattered all over the ground. They all looked haggard, seeing them she couldn’t wake them up so decided to give them ten more minutes.

She waited for more than fifteen minutes but there is no sign of waking up in anyone. She called them softly. “Wake up Joseph, Paul. Wake up guys." said Val. Joseph slowly opened his eyes on hearing someone’s voice and saw Val standing near them, trying to wake them up. She is holding his costume in her hands and Phoebe next to her holding the remaining costumes.

"Sorry we overslept" replied Joseph rubbing his eyes and slowly getting up.

"No problem. We only have half an hour before the shoot starts so wake your friends and get ready." said Val handing him his costume.

"Yeah sure" said Joseph, taking his costume while waking his brothers.

All started complaining but eventually got up and went to freshen up before getting ready for the shoot except one.

Val saw Jack who is sleeping like a log and Joseph who is trying his best to wake his him. "I will take care of him you go and get ready Joseph." said Val. Joseph nodded his head and went out.

Phoebe forgot to give Nathan's necktie along with his costume so she went in search of him while Val got struck with Jack. She called him many times, but he didn't even budge. So, she poked him with her finger, but he just waved it. She sighed and nudged him again with her hand "Mr. Kelley wake up" said Val softly not to freak him out but Jack is in deep sleep, not showing any signs of waking up anytime soon.

After trying two more times she started shouting "Jack Kelley WAKE UP you only have few minutes to get ready for the shoot" said Val shaking Jack with both hands.

Jack felt someone trying to wake him, he thought it's Zach because he always shakes him with both hands to wake him, so he pulled Val thinking her as Zach and hugged her to sleep like he always does with Zach.

Val is so shocked to comprehend what happened just now. She just kept staring at Jack with wide eyes. She wanted to scream but she felt like her voice got stuck in her throat. Her face is just an inch apart from Jack. She can feel his breath on her cheeks and lips. He hugged her tightly making it hard for her to breath.

This is the first time for Val to be this close to any male except her father as she had never been in a relationship before. She usually hates when someone touches her but now, she doesn’t know what to do. Val's mind is blank as she held her breath.

"You smell good Zach" said Jack in his sleep and moved close to Val's neck to smell her more. "You are so soft too" muttered Jack while putting his leg over Val to pull her even closer.

When WESFA came into the tent after changing into the shoot costumes they were greeted with this scene. Everyone dropped their jaws and Joseph went forward hurriedly to wake Jake immediately.

Jack heard Joseph's yells and opened his eyes. He saw a pair of beautiful eyes staring at him in shock. Jack thought it's his dream, but he can feel softness in his hands and sweet smell hitting his nostrils. For a split second he felt that he is seeing his vanilla and unknowingly whispered "My Vanilla".

Seeing that Jack is still not letting Val go Joseph patted him and yelled "let her go Jack". With that shout Jack turned his face towards Joseph in confusion.

Phoebe just covered her mouth in shock. Zach got stunned as he saw Jack and Val together in that position.

Jack came to his senses when Joseph yelled again so he tried to sit up and that's when he realized that he is hugging someone. When he turned his face towards Val, with wide eyes, he slowly let her go. Val quickly stood up and smoothed her dress wrinkles as she didn't know how to face anybody right now.

"I am sorry Ms. Norris I thought it's Zach I am really sorry" said Jack scratching his face. He also stood up as soon as he realised what he did.

"You have five minutes to get ready. Let's go Phoebe" said Val checking her wristwatch and left the tent, followed by her assistant.

Jack just stared at her back and mumbled "Vanilla". "Get ready Jack" yelled WESFA in unison. "OKAY!!!" with that Jack took the attire from Paul and went to get ready.

"Are you okay Valerie? Your face is so red." asked Phoebe anxiously, following Val to their tent.

"I am alright Phoebe" said Val before gulping down a bottle of water in one go.

The shoot went on as usual. At last they completed the photoshoot in that location and returned back to the hotel. Everyone had dinner before retreating to their rooms.

"Why did you do that?" asked Zach looking at Jack who just came out of shower in a towel wrapped around his waist.

"What did I do?" asked back Jack, sitting in front of the mirror doing his skincare routine.

"You know what I mean" said Zach folding his hands sitting on his bed.

"I don't know what you mean" said Jack sitting on the bed after wearing his pyjamas.

"Why did you hug her?" asked Zach lying on the bed facing Jack.

"I thought it was you. You would always shake me to wake me up. So, when I felt someone shaking me, I thought it's you, so I pulled her. She didn't scream or yell so I didn't know it's her." said Jack rubbing his forehead, thinking what happened earlier.

"You should see her face Jack, she freaked out, I felt that she stopped breathing. So, shocked by your actions. We are glad that she didn't make it a big deal."

"Yes, and she just behaved like nothing happened" said Jack feeling a bit disappointed but didn't show it on his face.

"Do you want her to say something about that?" asked Zach raising his eyebrow.

"NO!!I am just saying that she is really professional" said Jack while yawning. "I am sleepy. Good night, bro" with that Jack lay down on bed, switching off the lights.

"Good night"