by Yuriko Hime
"I can't believe you just said that," the host managed to say to Blaze. "I'm extremely honored that you revealed this information here and not some fancy studio. That's right folks," he said to the crowd. "You heard it here first."
"Did you know about this?" a personnel from backstage asked me. They knew me as her manager. Surely I could dish out the goods.
I shook my head. "No."
The guy shrugged. I could see that he wanted to ask more but chose not to because he wouldn't get anything from me. "Oh well, whoever she's dating is lucky," he said, referring to Blaze.
"Right," I said automatically as I focused my attention back on the stage.
The host looked like he wanted to pry. "So who is it?" he said. He stared at the faces in the crowd as if expecting someone to scream, It's me! "Is the person here right now?"
Blaze knew how to play her role well. Her subtle smile didn't give away anything. "Who knows?" she said.
The host didn't look convinced. He scratched his mustache thoughtfully. The crowd wanted answers. Because he wasn't a big shot in the industry like he wanted, delivering the information to everyone would skyrocket his career. I could see his brain ticking from where I stood, and right now he was pressed for time and should think fast. He smiled to himself before he turned to her with a knowing look. "You're never photographed dating or being cozy with anyone. You're not pulling our legs are you?"
"I am a good actress," Blaze said carefully. She was trying to tell him that it may or may not be true, but everyone has rose to the bait. I didn't know if I was to admire her because she knew how to entertain the people, or kick her after we get home because she was playing with my feelings, or both.
"Can't you give us a teensy detail about this?" the host said. He wanted to make the conversation longer, perhaps find out more and eventually discover the truth.
"I can't answer that yet because I haven't formally said it to the person." She shrugged. "But I promise that if we progress, I will issue a press release on this through my beloved manager. Until then, please continue to support my projects like you're doing today. I'm grateful that you came. The children who will benefit from this event is thankful as well." Someone threw a handkerchief on the stage. Blaze caught it deftly and waved it to the crowd before tossing it back. The people downstage scrambled to get it.
The host saw another angle to ask questions. "Speaking of managers, we heard that you got a new one. What does it take to handle an Uno?" Blaze's eyes flashed at the mention of the name. No one noticed it but me.
She smiled sweetly as if it didn't bother her. "Nothing much. You just have to be able to keep up with my unnecessary demands."
"Such as?"
"Oh I don't know. Maybe falling in love with only me, though I have two personalities. Waking up in the middle of the night to rescue me from falling on a chandelier. Sweeping the pieces of glass in my bathroom because I broke it for being a diva," she said. My knees wobbled. Did she just say that in front of people?
The host chuckled. "That's why we love you. You know how to joke," he said.
She nodded. "Indeed."
I couldn't take anymore after that. I silently slipped to the hallway where I could be on my own. Everyone was focused near the stage or their dressing rooms and lounges. It would give me the space to calm down and breathe. I stretched my arms upward. Blaze was a genius manipulator of the crowd. It was all part of acting and making sure the people wouldn't forget her, but some of the things she said pierced through me. Damn it.
I went to the side of the vacant corridor and sat on the floor to check my phone. There were three messages from Carter. I opened them one by one. All he said was he found a guard who told him where to go. There were too many people, and he would try to reunite with me later. He was a big guy. He could take care of himself. I slipped my phone inside my pocket after texting him, and hugged my knees. I wished I was a big girl who could take care of me too.
"There you are." I looked up to see Blaze smirking at me.
"What are you doing here?"
"My interview is done," she said, kneeling in front of me. "We're only allowed for ten to twenty minutes remember? The crew advised me to stay put in the dressing room until the signing of merchandise and games." She reached out for my hair. I allowed her to twirl it as she pleased. "How about you? Why did you run off?"
"I wasn't ready."
"I know. But I had to say it. It's what I feel," she murmured. It was hard for me to concentrate because of her touch, her gaze, and her scent. I was surrounded by her, and though this wasn't a private place and anyone could catch us like this, it felt like this moment belonged to us alone. "If you wait till you're ready, you will die doing nothing," she said.
I breathed in. There was nothing more I'd like to do more than to tell her how I felt, here, now. The moral compass took over. "At least wait till I'm legal enough to decide," I said.
She exhaled. I sensed her need to touch my face. I had the same urge to feel her. Blaze dropped her hand instead. "I'll respect that. I'll wait for you." She stood and offered a hand. "Let's go back to the dressing room, Manager. We need to prepare for the next bit." A genuine smile from her that told me everything was going to be alright. "Hurry before I change my mind."
My steps were lighter as we went on our way. We weren't expecting Bianca to be there. She had responsibilities for the show too. It made me wonder why her manager wasn't with her. Blaze said that it wasn't that big of a show compared to what they were used to. Bianca's manager must have trusted that she could handle it on her own.
I opened the door of the dressing room. Blaze followed me inside and sat on her chair with a contented sigh. "Aren't you the least bit nervous when walking into a huge crowd like that?" I asked, going to the clothes rack where I hung her next outfit for the show. After speaking seriously on the hallway like that, I needed the normalcy that the job offered. If you could call being a manager to a big star normal.
Blaze propped her feet on another chair. "Every single time," she said. "But it's part of the excitement. It makes me happy and feel alive. The moment I stop feeling like that is the day I quit being an actress. Imagine doing something you don't love for the sake of getting paid. That's sad."
"A lot of people do that every day," I pointed out. "People who work from behind their desk though they don't like the job description. They need the money Blaze."
"I never said they didn't, but that only makes it sadder." She closed her eyes. "Isn't that why you want to be a designer? Because you want to follow your heart and not end up like some people?"
"Yes." I smiled to myself and turned my attention to the clothes rack. Where exactly did I place the costume, I thought as I rummaged. There it was. I grabbed the hanger and the outfit that went with it. I double checked it and frowned. Something was wrong. I removed the hanger, together with the plastic that was used to protect the outfit, so I could stare at it more carefully. "Shit," I said.
"Did I just hear you curse?" Blaze stood up and silently went to my side. I didn't want to show her what was wrong, but she saw it before I could hide it behind my back. One of the sleeves of her cute, black top was ripped. The management of the show were very particular with their outfit because they wanted things to be coordinated. They said that the dress code must be followed strictly.
"Can't you just wear what you've worn a while ago?" I asked, referring to her outfit for the interview.
She scowled and forked her fingers through her hair. I could sense the stress she was beginning to radiate. "I can sweet talk into wearing it, but someone clearly sabotaged my clothes. I don't like it." She looked pissed. "I smell Bianca all over this."
I touched her arm. "Let's not jump to conclusions. Anyone could have come here to do this. It may even be accidental."
"You really believe that crap?" She gestured to the outfit. "Someone came here, checked the clothes rack, and accidentally ripped my costume?" She made quotation marks in the air angrily. "That's bull. Bia
nca did it, and I'm going to confront her for ruining my mood. She's doing this because she's threatened. Stuff like this has happened before."
Blaze attempted to go to the door. I've only seen Uno be this serious. Never with Blaze. It bothered me what she would do to Bianca if they were put in the same room. A lot of people were here today- the management of the show, the audience, the people backstage. This wouldn't be good for her reputation. I stepped in front of her. "Stop," I said. "Calm down."
Her jaw set. "Step away," she said in a low tone.
"No. We're in a show."
She murmured something under her breath, along the lines of everyone was testing her patience. I recalled Doctor Sanders telling me that people with dissociative identity disorder could change identity in a second because of stress or a trigger. Though I wanted to see Uno too, I couldn't allow her to get out. Not right now. She wouldn't be pleased to find out that she was in a concert and had to act jolly for Blaze's sake.
"I know you're upset," I said rationally. "But losing it right now won't help us." I faked a smile. "I'll fix the outfit okay? You have nothing to worry about." I steered her to her chair. "All you need to do is sit here and wait for me."
"What are you going to do?" she asked doubtfully. Blaze didn't want to sit still. I forced her to the chair anyway.
"Like I said, leave it to me. I'm not your manager for nothing." I turned around and headed for the door. "Don't make any moves without me," I warned before going out.
My mind was racing as I stepped on the hallway with the outfit. Based on the program guide that I've written and memorized by heart for this day, we had about fifteen minutes more till the other activities. Right now the bands that have been invited were performing. When they take a rest, Blaze would have to go on the stage again. I had to find the materials and fix her outfit in that span of time.
I knocked on every room, only to discover that most were empty, save for a few staff here and there. It seemed that singers and dancers were located on another area or building altogether. Carter's plan was to hunt the artists down until he could get their pictures and autograph's. While I wanted nothing more than to go with him, I had to be a responsible manager. Blaze would have to come first.
Along my search, I found a frazzled older woman who was talking on her phone. Her two phones to be exact. She was shouting to the people on the lines. I was afraid to bother her. I tapped her shoulder anyway. She froze before turning my way. "You scared me," she said. "I thought I was alone."
"Sorry for that," I said. "Do you know where I can get a supply to fix a wardrobe malfunction?"
She stared at me inquisitively. "Your voice sounds familiar. What is your job and who are you?" she asked. She wasn't obnoxious. She just wanted to know, I decided.
"I'm a talent manager," I said wearily. There was no time to feel shy.
"I'll call you back," she said to the phone. She didn't have the same politeness for the person on the second line. She just pressed a button. "You're not Riri by any chance are you?"
"Is that a pun?" I said. "I'm Riri Chance."
She offered a hand. "Lovely to meet you, I'm Kay. We've talked a month ago if I can recall. I'm Uno's talent agent." Oh. So that was why she was speaking on two phones. She was the agent. I shook her hand firmly. "Now what do you need again?"
I went back to the task at hand. "I have to fix Uno's outfit. Do you know where I can get scissors and supplies?"
"You can borrow it from the people who handles the costumes," she said. Of course. Why didn't I think of that? "Here's an advice rookie. If you want to stay in this industry for long, you have to anticipate the problems that can happen with your talent. That includes wardrobe malfunctions. If you don't want any nip slips or broken heels on stage, make sure you bring an extra for the latter and a good cover for the former. Have your own pair of pins ready just in case."
I nodded. "That's very helpful. Thank you."
"You're welcome. And while you're lying about your age, make sure to be good at it. We hate people who can't act. Even the managers." She winked at me before focusing on her phone again. "Your mother has done a lot for me," she said. "It's only fair I return the favor. Call me when you need to talk about Uno. I'm dying to give her more work." She shooed at me with her hand. "Now run along." People here weren't that bad, I thought as I made my way to the wardrobe room. Maybe some percent. I have to toughen my skin and experience more so when I meet the standoffish kind in the future, I would be immune.
It didn't take long before I got the materials I needed. I dashed back to the dressing room. Blaze was asleep on the chair. Thank goodness she was. That would help diffuse her anger. Meanwhile, I concentrated on the outfit. It took a few snips here and there to make it beautiful again.
"You're a genius!" Blaze said when she awoke and tried the top. "It's perfect." She turned to me. Her face didn't match her supposed happiness. She was still distraught.
I squeezed her arm. "Go and shine," I said. Her look bothered me, but we had no more time to talk. She was the next one up.
As per the program guide, Blaze signed t-shirts, caps, and other merchandise that the concert attendees bought from a booth. All the money from it, as well as the entrance fee, would go to charity. It was great of Blaze to do this for free. I knew that as much as she loved the children who would benefit, she took on this project so I would have experience on the field.
Blaze was happy on the outside, though I could see from where I watched that she wasn't as ecstatic as earlier. Her actions were more rigid, and her smiles more forced. Nevertheless, she managed to wrap up her part nicely, even participating on the games with some of the chosen audience.
I left her in the dressing room to return the materials I've borrowed from the staff. Relief was dominant in my chest as I made my way back to Blaze. Our part was done. We could rest and maybe enjoy the rest of the show together. I could search for Carter and have a good laugh backstage. It was a good plan, I thought as I opened the door of the dressing room. I could relax now.
The scene inside the room told me otherwise. I found Bianca unconscious on the floor. Blaze was not far from her, staring at the woman with a confused expression. Oh God. We locked eyes as I shut the door behind me so no one would see what was going on.
Chapter 19. Feelings
I entered the room to find an unconscious person on the floor and another girl near her. If this was a crime scene, Blaze would be suspect number one. I kneeled beside Bianca to check if she was still breathing. Though it was shallow and strained, she was alive and well. I breathed a sigh of relief.
Blaze's gaze was still fixed on the girl. It took a moment before she fully realized that I was there too. "Strawberries," she whispered.
I stood and faced her. "When did you get back, Uno?" God I've missed her. But first things first. My focus shifted to Bianca when she didn't answer. "Should we call an ambulance?" I asked. "She's not in distress, but we don't know exactly what's going on." I reached for my phone. Uno stepped over Bianca. She confiscated my mobile before I could dial anything and slipped it in her pocket. "What are you doing?"
"Don't be stupid," she said. "This will turn into a big scandal. You know who they'll pin this to? Me."
"They won't if you're innocent. We don't know why she's on the floor. She might have collapsed on her own due to exhaustion, which is why we should call for help." Uno shook her head stubbornly. I tried to reason with her. "Did you do something to make you act that way?" She pursed her lips. I perceived that action as a silent no. "Then why are you guilty?" I said, holding my hand out to ask for my phone back. "Give it to me."
"I said no." Uno touched her face in bewilderment. "When I woke up, I felt really angry, like I wanted to hurt someone," she murmured. "Then I felt scared." She stared at me, her eyes widening at the realization. "Don't you see?! I'm not sure if I was the one who caused this or Blaze." I wanted to argue with her about it. Blaze wouldn't hurt anyone, and neither would she. The willpower to fight was
lost when Bianca stirred on the floor. "I need to get out of here!" Uno exclaimed. She was usually calm and collected. I was seeing her in a new light as she glanced around for the nearest exit.
She was like a ticking bomb who was ready to explode. "Uno," I said in a calm voice. "There's no one out to get you. It's safe here with me." I gestured to Bianca who was showing signs that she was about to open her eyes. "What we need to do is attend to her needs. We'll sort this out. I promise to take care of it."
She didn't believe me. Uno pushed a chair out of her way and dashed to the door. "I can't be here," she said before disappearing behind it.
As much as I wanted to follow her, Bianca was moaning and squinting at me. Tsk! I focused my attention on the other girl. "Hey, are you okay?" I asked.
She groaned and rubbed her temple. "What happened? It feels like someone hit me." My stomach churned unpleasantly. Was it perhaps true that Blaze or Uno did this? No. . . It couldn't be. They were good people. No exception. I helped Bianca sit. She was still touching her head. "I have a huge migraine," she said.
"Should I call a doctor?" Darn, Uno took my phone. "My cell is broken," I lied. "But I'll ask a staff to call someone for you."
She quickly gripped my arm. "Don't," she said. I gave her a quizzical look. Bianca sounded anxious. She smiled reassuringly. "I'm okay. I must have slipped and hit my head. It's no big deal."
"Are you sure?" I asked uncertainly.
She nodded. "Believe me, this happens to me often. I'm a bigger klutz than anyone you'll ever meet. It's actually embarrassing."
She didn't look like a clumsy girl when I saw her the first time though. I shrugged the thought away and said, "Sure, if that's what you want." Her grip loosened. "Are you doing anymore presentation after this?" I asked. She shook her head no. If that was the case then I should be glad that she was alright for both her sake and Uno's. "Was anyone here when you slipped?"
"I'm not sure. Maybe."
The nasty feeling returned in my stomach. Though I believed that Uno or Blaze didn't have a hand in this "accident," I couldn't just tell Uno that without being sure. What Uno liked were facts. If there were no facts, she wouldn't believe me. She'd still think that she was responsible. I sighed. "I need to leave to help my talent with something. I'll ask a staff to stay by your side until you're feeling better."
