CHAPTER 2 - ANTOINE LAURENT

Stacy's Point of View    

True enough, my talent manager, Edith, called me the morning after the interview. Thank heavens she spared me the night.  

  

--Flashback--  

  

*Ring ring*  

  

It's a Sunday and still at 6 a.m., and I know right away who is calling me. It is my manager, a happy Sunday morning it is!

  

"Yes Edith?" I said it in a weak voice.

  

"Where's my good morning, Anastasia?" She said in a reprimanding tone.

Well, my talent manager acts like my mother ever since my real mom passed. Technically, when the rest of the world seemed to have left me, my small family within the industry became my true family.

  

"Good morning, Edith!" I tried to sound energetic but I know it sounded horrible.  

  

"It was supposed to be a good Sunday morning Stacy, not until I saw the news on tabloids!" Oh no, she sounds serious in this. 

  

"Yeah, about that..."  

  

"Yes, this is about that interview. 'Stacy Miracle denies Clark Paterson in dating rumors', 'Stacy Miracle does not see Clark as boyfriend material', 'Stacy Miracle just confessed he hates Clark Paterson', lalala... All these misleading headlines are served to me like coffee in the morning! You know you could have just said both of you were just close and something along those lines. But you did not, you debunked the guy in the middle of the promotion period. You know what, I'm telling you. You just gained a group of antis that's gonna wait until you do something bad and bash you right in front of your face!" She literally said this with no pauses in between, what a rapper.  

Up until now, I'm still amazed how news writers can twist words and create misleading headlines just to gain readers. Gosh! 

  

"Wow mic drop" I said and smiled with my eyes still closed. 

  

"And you think this is some kind of joke, Anastasia Miracle?!"  

  

"Calm down, okay? This is just a small thing, everybody knows I don't do dating. You're just overthinking, Edith. Plus, you know I don't care about haters. Just let them be, I just spoke the truth. Don't worry too much, okay? Haters don't get to say words straight into my ears like you do hahaha"  

  

"Yeah, right Stacy! You know I'm just concerned. I don't want anything happen to you just like..."  

  

"Yes mom, I heard you. I assure you nothing’s gonna happen. It’s just Clark’s little prank spreading those rumors, and as if that’s gonna stop him from acting stupid around me, and making issues of us dating” 

  

“I know, but you know it could have been better if…” 

I know where this is headed to… 

“What?” 

“Are you sure he’s just messing around with you? Did he not confess? Cause I really feel he likes you for real but just can't say it right” 

Oh wow, Clark's really good at this even Edith is fooled by his pranks. If only you know Edith... tsk. 

  

“Ugh, Edith really? You believe rumors now?” I ask in a tone of disbelief. 

  

“Yeah, right. It’s clearly a no.”  

  

“Now, can I continue my sleep during my rest day?"   

  

She let out a sigh before saying good bye.  

  

"Bye! Love yah Edith!"  

Oh well, they really do care like family.  

  

-- End of Flashback --  

  

It's been three days since the interview, and everything's going fine, except for the fact that I got to spend more time doing promotional videos with Clark and some other co-actors.

  

I know cameras and eyes are still pretty hot for the both of us, which is pretty much not my fault. Unfortunately, I’m having my share of this hassle. Tsk, Clark, and his nonsense.

  

I really prayed to the heavens to bless me with a peaceful day, but I think Paterson won’t just make it happen. I've been trying to act normal and cool around him, but he is not just cooperating. He is purposely trying to be annoying just to get my attention. I just thank heavens that he isn't touchy and doesn't cling to me. If he does, he'll have a broken arm just before the premiere night, I swear!

"Yow Stace, the shoot is about to begin. Get yourself buckled up we're gonna do the lie detector challenge! Hahaha this is gonna be fun" Clark told me with a smirk and a wink. 

  

I just rolled my eyes, stood up, and started walking to the set.

  

as if that lie detector toy is legit. I've played with that little toy a couple of times, and it does not get everything right. I just hate it when it electrifies me, even when I’m telling the truth.

  

I'm sitting right beside Clark. Unfortunately, he is my partner in this film, so we have to do this promotional video, if not all of it, then most of it.

  

The challenge is easy though; we just have to throw three questions at each other and see if we are telling the truth through the lie detector toy.

“My first question to the ever-gorgeous Stacey *winks* is, let’s start with an easy one, did you enjoy doing work with me?” 

  

Indeed, an easy one, I did not expect him to ask this. I thought he’s gonna go annoy me straight to the face. 

  

“Well, I’m not gonna lie, everybody knows you are a good and versatile actor. Yes, It was fun doing scenes with you” 

That was an honest answer. He really is a good one, and he's actually one of my favorite co-actors. He delivers well, and he has good work ethics, which I like. 

He’s now smiling with his chin on his palms. He’s acting cute and stuff, ugh! 

  

The lie detector says I’m telling the truth.

  

“Okay, second question…do you find me attractive?” He asked me while looking straight to my eyes with a teasing face. 

  

Gross. I saw the director covered his mouth to hide his smile. Really? It’s disgusting ya’ll! 

  

“No.” I said with a bland face. 

  

While waiting for the toy to electrify me or not, Clark is making an exaggerated face of disbelief. I laughed a bit; he is so dramatic. 

  

*eennggggkkk* 

  

It electrified me. Out of shock, I screamed making him laugh so hard. This thing is obviously not doing its job! 

  

“You know Stace, you don’t have to be shy. I know you find me attractive.”  

  

I just rolled my eyes in response 

  

“Last question. Stace, I’m not gonna go easy on this… are you ready?” 

  

“Fire it out, I’m born ready” I said with my game face on. 

  

“Are you playing hard to get?” 

  

This man right here is just way too conceited! 

  

“Hooold up, wait what? Definitely no, Paterson. Period.” 

  

“HAHAHA okaayy calm your horses Miss Miracle, let’s see” He said while pointing at my hand on the lie detector. He just can’t get enough of laughing here. Gosh! 

  

*enggkkk*  

  

The sting from the toy makes this even more annoying, geez! 

  

“I’m sorry Stace, the lie detector says otherwise” he said with a grin on his face. 

  

He is so annoying; I can’t help it! If only I can slap his face, I already did. 

  

“Okay, my turn!” 

  

I forcefully grabbed his hand and placed it on the lie detector toy. I’m gonna ask you issue-licious questions Paterson, my revenge. 

  

“During our shoot, I've heard you asking Sarah some q's about make-up, is that your thing?" I asked with my eyebrows going up and down hoping he'll get pissed. 

"Hmm... So you're eavesdropping with my conversation with other girls now, huh? Are you jealous babe?" he said and gave teasing smile after. 

"Just answer the question, babe. I might give you some make-up recos if you want." I sarcastically said 

"Well, it's my sister's thing Stace, you're friends right? t'was my sister's birthday last Sunday and I gave her the make-up she's been wanting. Hence, the conversation you heard with me and Sarah"  

Oh shoot, I forgot it was actually Casey's birthday last Sunday. My bad, she's my friend. I feel bad. I'm sorry Casey, I just want to get back to your brother. 

The lie detector says he's telling the truth. 

"Oh my, Caseyy!! If you see this Happy Birthday, love you girl!" 

He just laughed as if he won. Yeah, better be ready with my second question dimwit! 

"Second question, I've seen you going out with some guy often. Are you, by any chance..." 

I know he's not gay. I just really want to piss him off but it seems like it's not working. This guy is so good with annoying me, so much! 

"Are you implying I'm not straight babe?" he asked and leaned his face closer to mine. 

"I can kiss you right in front of the camera to prove you wrong" He said without losing his eye contact to mine, and now his eyes are slowly looking down to my lips. 

I could not help but gulp and look away from his gaze. I instantly pushed the button of the lie detector toy to draw everybody's attention to it, but it's not helping in any way. I can feel his breath on my cheeks, and everybody's eyes are on us. I can even feel Clark smiling without looking at him.

The lie detector says he's telling the truth.

"Even if I'm not straight Stace, it's not good to expose people without their consent" he said on a serious note. 

Okay, I'm sorry, that was not my intention. My hopes of making him mad are now nonexistent. I forgot that this man doesn't get annoyed that easily. He'll just turn the tables and make you even more pissed.

"Sorry guys, I just want to annoy Clark. Ugh! Why do you like annoying me and when will you ever stop Paterson?" 

"I just love seeing you freaking out and mad babe, and that means I'll never stop" He said and laughed after. 

Well, I guess he's never going to stop until he's satisfied. Oh, heavens, help me find this guy a life!

The shoot ended after that. Amielle, Edith, and I are now at the buffet prepared by the team for lunch. Thank the heavens that Clark is out now for a shoot of his own. At least I'll get to have a peaceful space now.

While we are having lunch, Amielle is showing me the schedule for the rest of the day. I always check my schedule the night before, but it has become routine that Amielle will still show it to me just in case I forget to check it. As I was scanning through my schedule, I noticed a meeting set for after lunch, which I did not see last night. 

"I thought I'll be free until 3 pm? What meeting is this?" I asked and ate my favorite makizushi. 

"Oh, about that, remember Antoine Laurent?" She asked 

I furrowed my eyebrows to let her know I don’t remember. I think I heard it somewhere though... 

"Antoine Laurent Parfums!! One of the partner brands of your recent film! They want to have a meeting with you!" she said with so much emotions after taking a sip from her lemonade. 

"Hmmkay? Calm down, why'd you just let them barge in my schedule? You usually don’t allow that, and I preferred it that way. I'm not a fan of pop-up meetings"  

Her jaw dropped with my statement. Why? Did I say something wrong? 

"Anastasia, are you serious right now? Tell me where in the world are you living?"  

"Whaat? Did I say something weird? It's just a perfume brand we are seeing, I think we can just reschedule that. I'd rather have a body massage than a business meeting before another movie interview later."

"A body massage over Antoine Laurent?! Hell no, you're not! And to correct you, it's not just a perfume brand it's THE perfume brand! Everyone has wished for even a single bottle of their perfumes, but not everyone can afford it! It's expensive, you know. I bet even Queen Elizabeth would add it to her cart, if she's still alive!" she said with exaggerated expressions. 

This girl has definitely a different side of her.  

"Mielly, you are soo exaggerated and dramatic" I told her while laughing and with my head shaking left and right out of disbelief. 

"I am not exaggerated Stace, it's just what it is. Also, I heard they are gonna make you their first ambassadress!! I can't wait THE Stacy Miracle wearing THE Antoine Laurent, ohmyghaddd everybody's gonna go nuts about this!!" She's really full of excitement right now and even gave extra stress in saying "THE".  

I can't help but chuckle. She's even more excited than me. I love seeing Amielle like this, I know she's one of the busiest people because of me. She's also very genuine towards me, if I'm stressed, she's even more stressed. Seeing her like this makes my heart happy too, at least, sometimes she gets joy in between work.

Edith, on the other hand, is just watching us with a smile, like she's watching her two daughters talk. She really does act like a mother.

"Mielly you are so dramatic!! But yeah, her excitement is accurate. Antoine Laurent is quite a big deal. It's worth your time Anatasia, trust me" She said and gave me a wink after. 

"Okay, Antoine Laurent it is" I said while raising both of my hands up like surrendering to them. 

  

  

--End o Chapter 2 --