Thirst

by Mia Ford

  I don’t drink.

  I certainly don’t smoke.

  So, I came as me and maybe that’s something that I shouldn’t have done as they made a quick disappearance the moment that they saw me. Luckily, they don’t disappear for long as Florence my agent comes by my side.

  “You’re shaking are you okay?”

  I nod my head, lying something that I’m not good at doing either. Maybe this isn’t the type of thing that I should be doing, going away with one of the hottest men in Hollywood for a movie that I know nothing about. Not only that but the last time I saw him he was calling a taxi from his house and making sure that I was as far away from him as possible.

  I wonder if she knows?

  God, I bet they were in the room laughing at me. I want to go back to my room. Back to the bar and get on my hands and knees and beg Janice to take me back.

  “Valentina. This is your first movie right?”

  Again, I nod my head. She’s looking at me with a smile, but there’s something about her eyes that tell me that she’s tough and has a reputation of not taking crap from anyone. Not that she would get it from me.

  “Did you pack everything that you need for the trip? It’s just that you look as if you’re going on a summer vacation.”

  “This is all I have,” I say quietly as my eyes dart from her to the room that she was in with Eric a few minutes ago.

  Isn’t he coming back out?

  “Well, as soon as we get there, we’ll need to go shopping. You can’t go around Aspen like that.”

  Maybe she can see the tears building in my eyes because her last comment cut like a knife.

  Florence shakes her head, “I didn’t mean it like that. It’s a pretty dress. It’s just not for the cold weather.”

  I look at her in her fur coat, boots, and pants and decide that maybe I should have asked Harper if she had anything, because when I was leaving home. I was thinking that I was going to LA and I’ll never need a coat. Not for now and I couldn’t afford to buy one. I came with the most decent things that I have in my closet and judging by the look on her face I can tell that it doesn’t add up to much.

  She’s about to say something else when Eric is by her side.

  “Florence, are you going to introduce us?”

  She nods her head, “Sorry. Eric this is Valentina, you’ll be working together on the movie. Aren’t you excited?”

  Her eyes dart between the two of us, as Eric and I lock eyes. I want him to say that he knows me. I spent a memorable night with him, has he forgotten all about it?

  “Nice to meet you, Valentina. I hope that we can work well together.”

  Did he go to polite school in the meantime? The dirty mouthed bad boy seems to have left the airport.

  “Ah, that’s sweet, she’s starstruck,” Florence comments as she takes my hand and leads me away from him. The man that I can’t get out of my mind has forgotten everything about me. I never knew that we'd be working together. For some reason, I never saw his name on the script which has been in my bag from the moment I got it only yesterday. I was too busy worrying about being on set and not looking the part. Now, I feel like a fool, thinking I meant something to him. He called the taxi and didn’t even say good-bye, that should have been clear enough for me.

  But as Florence is talking the only thing I’m thinking is I wish that my real agent was here. She’s a small timer who couldn’t afford to fly. Florence said that she'd take care of everything which my agent said was nice of her. I need to focus, but it’s so hard when the man that I’ve been crazy about for too many years is not even giving me the time of day.

  ***

  “I’m in the bathroom,” I whisper thinking that I need to hear a friendly voice. Someone who does care about me and will help me focus for the next two weeks.

  “Valentina I can hardly hear you.”

  I nod, “I know, but I’m in the bathroom. We’re at the airport, and we’ll be taking off soon.”

  “Good! That means it’s happening. I was a bit worried when you said that your agent couldn’t meet you. It just sounded a bit suspect. But you could have just sent me a message. What’s up?”

  “Eric’s here!”

  “Eric who?”

  Is she serious?

  “Eric Turner. You know the guy who’s posters that I keep in my room. The one that I slept with on my birthday. The one…”

  “I get the picture, Valentina. So, what if he’s there. Just pretend that you just met him and get on set.”

  She doesn't understand what I’m saying to her, so I decide to stop whispering because I’m not making myself clear not one bit.

  “He’s the main character. The one that I’m going to be starting with.”

  “Shut up!”

  She blurts out and then she screams as if she’s won the jackpot at Bingo.

  “I know, but he’s pretending that he doesn’t know me. I hate him. I do. How can he do this to me? It’s so damn humiliating.”

  “No, it’s not. It’s perfect. Because you need to focus. You’ve been given the opportunity of a lifetime. Fuck him! Oops, you already did that, but it doesn’t matter because you’re an unknown star who’s going to be known. Just remember that. Don’t even dare get distracted you hear me.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” I drop my purse and salute her in the bathroom.

  “I mean it, Valentina. You need to make sure that you do well and that’s the only reason you’re going to Aspen for the role. Not for Eric Turner.”

  I sigh as I sit down on the toilet and think about what she’s saying, but she has no idea how hard this is going to be.

  “Florence did say that I’m star struck.”

  “Exactly! Stick with that, don’t get wet if he touches you. This is a job, and you need to remain as professional as possible. I wish I were there with you.”

  I sigh, “You’re not the only one. My voice of reason.”

  She laughs, “You’re voice of sanity. I bet you’re going crazy right now thinking about him. Seriously, he’s not worth it. He probably had some other poor soul in his room that night after you left. He’s a womanizer, and that’s the only thing on his mind.”

  “Women?”

  She screams, “Sex! He just wants sex, and you want a job. One that will lead the way. Even if this movie’s not a blockbuster, just put on your best performance, and it’ll set a path for you. Trust me.”

  “Sure.”

  “Valentina, are you listening or still thinking about him?”

  I’m just about to lie and say that I feel as if my heart’s been pulled in so many different directions in the space of thirty minutes.

  “Eric wants to pretend that he doesn’t know me and it hurts. Maybe I’m not cut out for acting. Because I don’t think that I can pretend.”

  “Do you want to end up going back home?”

  I stand up at the mere thought of it.

  “That’s not an option.”

  She sighs, “Exactly, so put on your best acting talent both on and off screen. What happened with you and Eric is a thing of the past. It doesn’t bother you, and you’re there to perform. Do that, and everything will fall into place. You just need to believe that it’s possible. I believe in you, Valentina. Just trust me on this one. You know it makes sense.”

  I nod, “You’re right.”

  And before I could say another word, someone came into the bathroom.

  Shoot!

  I quickly hang up and then send her a text telling her that someone’s come in. And then when I hear my name being called out, “Valentina?”

  I quickly flush the toilet and smile with such confidence, “Coming!”

  That it surprises me and I realize that maybe I’m cut out for acting after all. If Eric wants to pretend that he doesn’t know me. Then it’s not an issue because I need this job. So damn bad and I’m going to make sure that nothing stands in my way. I had a childhood crush. I need to get over it, starting today.

  Chapter Fifte
en

  Eric

  “Thanks, peeps! That’s a wrap of the final scene!” the director shouts as I leave the cabin. The last few days have been painful, every time I look at Valentina she’s as cold as ice. I don’t blame her, I’ve done a good job of keeping my distance, and she should do the same.

  The fucking crazy part about it, is that I thought that by ignoring her, I’ll be able to focus on working. But instead it’s driving me crazy not knowing what’s going through her mind. She doesn’t look at me, let alone speak to me unless she hears the words, ‘Camera, Lights, Action’ or even just the word, ‘Go!’

  Once we wrap up this movie, I’m going to head straight to the car showroom and buy myself a new Merc. not on credit, cash and there’s nothing that’s going to stop me doing it. I can tell that this movie’s going to be big. No fucking huge and I don’t want anything standing in the way. No matter how hot Valentina looks at the best of times.

  Florence is confident that everything’s going well and she’s left us to our own devices, which is crazy considering before she wouldn’t leave Valentina and me in the same room. Maybe she trusts me. Either way, she knows that I have too much to loose to even think about fucking this whole thing up and I have no intention of doing that. Not again.

  “Eric, we’re having a little party in the cabin later if you’re interested?”

  Kevin one of the cameramen asks me as I’m just about to jump on the bus to go to the hotel. One thing that Florence warned me about before she left was drinking; I promised that I wouldn’t touch the stuff. Not for her good, but my own.

  “Not sure. We’ve got a pretty tight schedule tomorrow.”

  He shakes his head, “No, we need to check everything tomorrow and then we’re shooting the day after. The team wants to review it all. Anyway, it’s up to you. But I just thought that you would want to come. Everyone’s coming.”

  “Everyone?”

  What I want to know is if Valentina’s coming?

  But I don’t ask him that, no one knows about our rendezvous before we came on set and I want to keep it that way.

  Maybe I should talk to her and figure out what’s going on in her mind, considering this is her first big screen movie she seems to be doing well. She’s talented that's for sure. I feel as if I’m the newbie and I should be getting advice from her as to what to do next.

  “Everyone!”

  He pats me on the back, and I wonder if he knows. Fuck! I’m so fucking paranoid, and I need to stop doing that. So, what if he knows. It doesn’t mean a thing. I should have a conversation with her. That would be the decent thing to do, seeing as she was a fan. I bet she stopped being one the moment I ignored her on the first day.

  “Sure. I’ll come. What time and where?”

  “Really?”

  I laugh, “Why do you say that?”

  He tilts his head to the side and says, “Well some of the guys were thinking that you’re a bit full of yourself because you never want to go out for a drink or anything. So, at least I can prove them wrong.”

  “Since I came out of rehab I’ve avoided socializing. It tends to lead to temptation. As much as I say that I'm not going to drink, for some reason whenever I go out. I can't say no. I fucking drink over time.”

  That’s the only bullshit that I can think to come up with, it’s partly true, and the other part is mainly because the dark-haired blue eye that I need to fake being attracted to in the next few scenes is here and I need to fucking avoid her like the plague.

  “Fuck, I feel like a prick for saying anything.”

  I smile, “Don’t sweat it, man. I’ll be there. Just tell me where and what time?”

  He nods, “Cool, we’re only here for another week, so I think that it’ll be a good thing. It helps with the vibe of the movie and everything.”

  I sigh, “Sure.”

  It’s all bullshit, everyone gives this illusion that for the movie to be a success we all need to connect in one way or another, but that’s not true. They just like turning the set into an offscreen orgy and use the movie as an excuse to do it. I’ve been in the industry long enough to know the drill. I don’t want an orgy, I just want one lady but the problem is staying away is becoming harder every fucking today. I have a feeling that tonight it’s going to be even harder and that makes me want to go to the party. Not to mingle with them, but just her.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Valentina

  A few of the guys are going to a party, the good part about it is the fact that Eric won’t be going. He didn’t go to the one on the first night, and I’m sure that he’s not going to be going to this one. I pick up the phone and give my usual update to Harper which entails, ‘Did you talk to Eric off-screen?’ my reply’s always the same, ‘No.’ Then we move on to other topics. The crew, the people, being in a movie and anything else the doesn’t revolve around Eric.

  “Hey Harper,” I beam as I’ve got something really important to tell her tonight.

  “You sound happy. What’s happened? Oh God, please tell me that you didn’t talk to Eric off-screen today?”

  “No! Can you stop tripping about that? Besides he hasn’t even made any effort to talk to me. I told you that.”

  “Yeah, but he’s a snake. He’ll try it eventually mark my words.”

  I giggle at her being the expert in everything and always wanting me to send her pictures of the set. Just so that she can feel that she’s part of it all.

  “Anyway, I've got big news. The director said that I did an excellent job today and he feels that I'm a born natural. He said that he's worked with a lot of newbies and none of them have been as professional as me. And if at any time I need a reference, he'll be happy to give me one.”

  “Really?”

  She squirms, and she can probably feel my excitement on the phone.

  “I was so nervous about it all and then being here Harper, well it made everything feel natural. It’s as if it's all fallen into place. Without me even trying.”

  She sighs, “That’s good, and it’ll stay that way as long as you don’t let Eric anywhere near you.”

  “Okay, okay. I get it. So, tell me what gives?” I slump down on the bed again. I’ve been sleeping since I came in the room. Crap! I never checked the time before I called her. I didn’t even take my clothes off. I was exhausted we had an early morning start today, but it’s all good because we’re not shooting tomorrow.

  Sometimes I don’t want to talk about me. Right now, I don’t want to jinx it all. I did catch Eric looking at me a few times today. But there’s no way I’ll tell her and make her panic about it all. Eric’s spent seven days ignoring me and treating me as if I’m a stranger. I’ve been doing the same. Apart from yesterday when we had a break. I swear that he was coming towards me. That’s when Florence left. It was as if he was good at keeping his distance when she was around, but then again maybe that’s what I want to think. That he’s regretting the last few days, because of as much as I keep telling myself that he’s a jerk. There’s another part of me that keeps saying that it's all in my mind.

  “Are you listening to me?”

  Crap!

  I was too busy thinking about Eric that I even forgot that I was still on the phone to Harper.

  “Sorry, I need to get ready, and the bar sounds as if it’s lively as always.”

  “Valentina…”

  I know exactly what she’s going to say next, but I don’t want to hear it.

  “Tony’s asking about you. Should I tell him that you say hi?”

  “No, I said after that night with Eric. He gives me the creeps. Don’t say anything. Please?”

  She starts to tut which means that she’s thinking about it. But, I can’t deal with that, not when I have a party to get ready for.

  “Harper?”

  “Yeah. Yeah. I get the message. I’ll tell him that you say hi. Bye.”

  Then she hangs up. I’m just about to ring her back when there’s a knock at the door. Shoot! Is that
the time already. I haven’t even showered or changed. Florence took me shopping last week, and she went all crazy as she picked up clothes that I see on the shop front and can never afford to buy. It was nice to be spoiled, and I’ve got a nice collection going on for the first time in my life from dresses, skirts, pants, and jeans. It was as if she was enjoying the shopping trip just as much as I was and it made me feel less guilty.

  “Coming!”

  I shout out as I jump over the bed and then head towards the door. I drop my phone on the bed, and I’m annoyed by the person on the other side.

  Eric’s wearing black pants and a matching shirt just drove me wild. His strong musk has sexy written all over it has my panties doing somersaults. There’s no denying that I’m attracted to Eric, and my school girl crush isn’t a thing from the past.

  He comes closer to me, “Valentina.”

  Shoot!

  It has been over a week since we’ve been here, and he hasn’t said a word to me. Just like that he comes close and our lips are so close. They’re not touching, but enough that I can smell the beer that he must have been drinking before he ended up at my door.

  My breasts turn tender and start to crave his touch. My nipples feel hard as they start to remember the slickness of his tongue. He didn’t say anything as he drew close to me. I didn’t back up as I held on to the door. Not for protection, but just for balance. Our lips are so close. They weren’t touching, but I could smell his breath.

  It wasn’t the best smell in the world. A mix of beer and cigarettes, but I was so damn attracted to him that I still wanted to stick my tongue down his throat.

  My breasts were tender, craving his touch. My nipples were hard, pressed against his chest, and desperate for his tongue as they rub against his shirt. He’s waiting for me to make a move or something, but then I come to my senses and ask him, “What are you doing here?”

  I blink furiously wondering if we’re on screen or if this is happening?

  I’m not going to fall for the charms of Eric Turner in a flash. This time he can’t tell me that we’re going to fuck and I follow him like a puppy dog.