Chapter Five New Start

Well, that may have been a dud. My first blind date and hopefully my last. I thought we hit it off. I even agreed to a second date. Yet Axon didn't call me. I guess there's a first for everything.

The days are passing by rather quickly, and soon I'll be back in LA. As of now, I'm in Honolulu doing a bikini shoot. Not my favorite thing to model, but let's be honest, all women have their insecurities. At least after this photo session, I get to meet up with Kia. I haven't seen him in forever!

We met in Hawaii, he was a stand-in model, and we've been inseparable ever since. He's like a total girlfriend. It just sucks he lives so far away. I've been begging him to move to LA for over a year, but he always shoots me down.

"Focus, Tati baby, the sooner we get this shoot done, the sooner we can all go home." The photographer calls out to me, interrupting my thoughts.

"Now show me beach vibes." He orders.

I sit on this rock looking out at the ocean like I'm some mermaid princess, wearing a white lace bikini.

"Perfect, Tati, let's get some shots of you playing in the water. Try and have fun. We want these bikinis to sell themselves."

I splash around, smiling and laughing like I'm having a blast. Of course, the photographer brings in a guy. They make this look all so believable. In reality, I am still heartbroken; my mind is miles away, but I act the part because an image is everything.

"That's a wrap; you did wonderfully!" The photographer looks genuinely pleased. Thank goodness because I'm freezing.

I walk out of the water and wrap a towel around myself. Even though it's warm here, the wind is chilly. I can't complain; it's beautiful here sunny beaches, palm trees galore, lovely people. Hawaii truly is paradise.

*******************

I'm sitting at the local bar waiting on Kia. I see a couple of walk by holding hands, and I can't help but have the pain of jealousy. It seems everyone is in love except for me. I wait a few minutes more; it's a little after eight, and the night is still young. After waiting for what feels like forever, Kia walks up to me at the bar. Kia is a tall glass of water with his curly black hair, tan skin, and piercing blue eyes. People say he could pass as my brother.

"Omg, Tati!" he runs towards me, giving me a bone-crushing hug.

"Kia, I've missed you!" I say with a grin.

"Did you do something new with your hair? You look A-mazing," Kia says as he twirls my hair

"Highlights," I reply

"Well, you look fantastic. Speaking of fantastic, I have fantastic news!"

"I could use that right about now," I say rather honestly; lately, I've been feeling a little down. Not that I need a man, it's just weird being without one; once you've had one for long, you tend to get lonely.

"Guess who's moving to LA?"

"Oh my gosh, Kia?"

"For sure, Hunny!" he says with a grin.

Finally, things are looking up!

" Do you need a roommate?" He asks.

"Of course, darling, we are going to light up LA," I say.

"We're going to have whats his face so jelly he will see green." He says while he laughs.

"Speaking of green-eyed monsters, what's the deal with you and David?"

"Oh, Hunny David is old news. We both need a fresh start. When I saw how the douche did you, I decided right then you needed me, and I need you." He says

"Your right, Kia. I do need you. It gets so lonely in LA. You can't tell the real from the fakes."

"Girl, I got you."

"I can't believe you finally decided to take the plunge. Does that mean you'll be working for my agency?"

"Of course, we'll be doing a lot more photo sessions together," Kia says confidently.

"I can't wait! So what do you want to do tonight? " I ask, excited for our future.

"The nights still young; let's get a few Pina Coladas in our system and dance. You don't have work tomorrow, do you?"

"No, the next few days are about relaxing. I just finished my last shoot today."

"Good, let's get so drunk we can't remember our names."

He walks up to the bartender and orders us two Pina Coladas. He takes one and hands me the other. "To us!" He says, and we clink our glasses.

"To us!" I repeat.

I drink the glass down till I'm feeling rather tipsy. "This is some good stuff, Kia."

"The best on the Island, Tati. Want to dance?"

"Sure, why not?"I shrug.

We make our way to the dance floor. I dance like a madwoman, all my worries down the drain. Kia is someone I can indeed be myself with Kia.

I bump with Kia from side to side. I'm sure people are staring, but who cares? Tonight I'm not Tatianna Moretti. I'm Tati, the fun, loving care free girl very few people get to see.

"Excuse me, can I have this dance?" Some meathead comes up and asks me while groping my behind.

"Get lost, bud; she's with me!" I hear a familiar voice growl.

"Chill, dude, why don't you let the lady decide?"

Before I could say anything, the guy was on the floor, and I got yanked out the door—Kia in tow.

He drags me outside, the music fading into the background. I stare into his same familiar emerald green eyes and get carried away. I tell myself to behave, but the alcohol takes over.

"What the hell was that, Tati?" He asks.

"Nothing that concerns you." I spit venom; my tone laced with hatred.

"I've called you, I've texted you, I finally pulled some strings to find out where you are, and I see some guy groping you. Care to explain?"

"You lost the right to care when you decided to kiss my rivalry. Now, if you'll excuse me, Kia and I came here to have a good time, and that doesn't include exes."

"Tati! wait, I can explain!" He calls out as I'm walking away. I turn around, ready to listen to his lame excuse, but I can't bear to look at the pitiful excuse of an ex.

"Explain what, Jackson, how you humiliated me? How I had to take a hiatus and hide? Standing by as the witch ran my name through the dirt. No, thank you, no explanation needed!"

"It was a mistake, baby. I love you." Jackson says with puppy dog eyes.

I froze on the spot; something about how he used to say I love you, used to get me every time. For some reason, this time was different. I clenched my teeth and turned my head, and as I was walking away, it felt like the spell he had over me broke. Like anything was possible, even a new start.