Fenella’s POV
I waited alone in the room. I had thought tonight would be fun with Laird before we went to the restaurant. But reality struck; we ended up arguing, and now Laird has gone out to smoke while I finish getting ready.
I wore a knee-length red dress with a low neckline and black high-heeled shoes. My hair was curled into sexy waves using a curling iron, quite different from my usual straight look. My lips were rosy, and my makeup was flawless.
It was silly of me to think tonight would be enjoyable. Honestly, I didn't expect Laird to become so jealous, especially of Alan. This was the first time a man had been so possessive of me. It made me happy in a way, but I didn't like it if Laird became furious.
A notification beeped. It was Laird's message
Fenella’s POVThe ringing of the phone has now ceased. Only silence remains, weighing heavily on my chest. Alan sent me a short message. Just a few words, but it swiftly made my guilt surge."What did he say?" Laird asked softly."He wants me to pick up the phone," I answered honestly, showing Alan's message to Laird.Laird glanced at the message briefly. "Just answer it; it seems like it's work-related," he muttered under his breath.I knew, despite Laird acting nonchalant, that his subdued tone was enough to make me realize he was annoyed and had been since earlier.Oh, come on. I just finished making up with him!I wanted to curse Alan, but it seemed my boss insisted I hear what he wanted to say over the phone. Finally, when Alan called me back, I answered."Yes, Alan," I replied quickly."Where are you?" he asked, with a noisy background."I just finished dinner in the Juarez area.""Don't tell me you're going to miss Jemima's after party," he scoffed."I thought it wasn't mandato
Fenella’s POVJemima Hors also stood up from her seat and hugged me tightly. "Thank goodness you came. Thank you, Fenella," Jemima smiled at me."Yes, of course I would come," I replied with the same enthusiasm.I was invited to sit next to Mallory on the sofa. Never before had I sat this close to an international pop diva. Oh my, I must be dreaming. Lord, even her body smelled so good with vanilla and floral perfume.Damn, I really didn't anticipate this. If only Laird had joined us, I wouldn't feel guilty like this. At least my worry about leaving him alone to have fun with myself would be lost.No, wait. I can't entirely blame myself, but I regret all of this. I should have followed Laird's advice and not fo
Fenella’s POVThis is such a mess! I don't know how this could happen or why Mallory would think Alan and I were a couple. I know Laird is mad at me, but I bite down hard on the inside of my mouth and hope we can resolve this misunderstanding in the end.I mean, I want to chase after Laird as soon as possible, but Mallory West herself is holding me back! She keeps engaging me in conversation with her cheerful demeanor."You know, I think you'd be perfect as the model for the music video of my title track. You're the perfect match!" Mallory excitedly explained her new project to me."Really? Haven't you always been the actress in your own music videos?" I asked with a pounding heart."Yes, but I feel like you'd be a better fit. After Alan showed me your photos and commercial videos, and then I saw you walk on stage myself, I immediately said, 'She's the one; I want her' to Alan," Mallory flicked her fingers."The concept album for next year is already set, and only a handful of people
Fenella’s POVI checked out of the hotel and took a taxi to the airport. Clearly, I was now so anxious because I didn't know if Laird was still at the airport or not—he hadn't responded to my messages!The taxi drove slowly while he tuned the radio to Spanish songs that I didn't understand. I thought I would reach the airport in half an hour, but the taxi slowed down due to roadwork ahead.My taxi got stuck in traffic for over fifteen minutes. When we finally reached the construction site, the driver rolled down the window and spoke to the construction workers in their orange safety vests. They spoke a while, and after the driver closed the window, he suddenly turned the car around."Uh, what's going on?" I asked in English.The taxi driver just glanced at me through the rearview mirror without giving any answer. I opened the online map app on my phone and saw that the route we had abandoned was indeed experiencing severe traffic. Once my taxi finally moved away from the congestion, I
Fenella’s POV"Oh fuck! Laird!"I quickly squatted down and shook Laird's body. His condition was pitiful.Laird was asleep in the bathtub, both his hands tightly hugging a nearly empty, large bottle of whisky on his chest. His body was folded in an uncomfortable position. I pressed the back of my hand to Laird's forehead, and his body temperature felt hot."Laird, wake up."I took the whisky bottle from Laird's embrace and placed it on the sink table. The blond man seemed deeply asleep with steady breathing. I put all my strength in my hands to lift and pull Laird out of the bathtub.My hands pulled on Laird's body and supported his shoulders. He was still too heavy for me to drag alone.I groaned and lifted his limp body enough to hug his waist tightly. He murmured and mumbled for a moment, but I truly did my best to get him out of the bathtub. His feverish body could worsen, considering he hadn't even turned on the room heater."Ugh, come on," I groaned loudly. I gasped for breath
Fenella’s POVI woke up with my eyelids still half-closed. I felt like I was still in a state of jet lag. Or maybe all of this was just the effect of the lack of sleep since last night.Forcing myself to get up, I finally saw that the bed next to me was empty, and the gap in the window curtains showed the lamp light from the neighboring apartment building.A thick blanket covered my body, and I gazed at my reddened body in some spots with small bite marks. Setting aside the painful fact, I immediately picked up my clothes from the floor in the corner of the bed. I walked out of the room while rubbing my eyes and blinking to see more clearly in the darkness.The atmosphere in Laird's apartment was not much different from the last time I saw it. It was almost entirely dark, with only two bright sources of light: the bathroom and the balcony. My eyes glanced at the clock on the living room table and were surprised to see the time.Eight o'clock in the evening? Does that mean I slept nake
Fenella’s POVEnd of 9th grade, 9 years ago…"Would you go out with me, Fenella?"Huh? I blinked in disbelief as I looked at the figure in front of me.What did he just say?I pondered in front of the soda vending machine. The 7th-grade boy just grinned, although I could catch a hint of redness on his cheeks. He adjusted his glasses and seemed to wait for me to respond to his question."Lloyd, you're kidding, right?"I had to be honest; my heart was pounding. This was the first time I'd been asked out on a date. What girl wouldn't be thrilled to be asked out?But, come on! It's Lloyd Evans! He’s Laird’s little brother!"Would you prefer it if I joked about this?" Lloyd asked, raising an eyebrow.Flustered, I didn't know where to look. Several times, I glanced back and forth between Lloyd's eyes, my shoes, or the corridor door between buildings.I truly didn't expect a boy of Lloyd's age to have the courage to ask me out. After all, I'm his senior. I'm in 9th grade, and Lloyd shouldn't
Laird’s POVI didn't expect to hear all of that. It's not like I wanted to eavesdrop, but I couldn't resist listening to their entire conversation. I hid behind the thick foliage on my neighbor’s house fence."What was that all about?" I asked, frowning.Fenella didn't answer and instead ran into her own house. I hurriedly walked to her front door and saw Fenella slamming it shut with a loud thud. Funny.I went inside my house and knocked on Lloyd's bedroom door. His room was right in front of mine, and I knew he was already inside."Come in," Lloyd said from inside the room.I opened the door as Lloyd was putting on a gray t-shirt and cargo shorts."Did you ask Fenella out on a date?" I asked cautiously."What? I didn't know you were into eavesdropping," Lloyd said casually, grabbing his newly bought game console."Cut the crap," I retorted.Lloyd's seemingly indifferent expression made me realize that he may have known about my presence from the beginning. He knew I had overheard th