AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Shall we?” He asked, making his way to the exit. I followed close by, my ears still rang as the alarm suddenly shut off, conveniently ending as we left the tent. Staff members clapped as we emerged, not from sarcasm, but genuine excitement to be working on the shoot. Alex subtly waved, approaching the set that still missed portions of black roses. On a table at the center of the backdrop sat a green bottle of Drip, glistening with artificial dew which was just sprayed on.
I stood in the back as the photographer, Richard, made an announcement. “Welcome everyone, we have lots to do! I just want to start by saying how thrilled I am to be here, to be working with each of you… It’s just…”
“I’m ready,” Alex interrupted. His pinky scratched his brow as he stared down at the bottle. “We start now.”
Richard hesitated, caught in a thought before clapping his hands together. “Then… let’s start!” He announced, pulling out his camera, queuing a soundtrack to be played over the speakers. Alex winced, as if being disturbed from a deep sleep. “Ok, Alex, go ahead and open the bottle for me.” Richard instructed, but Alex was already ahead of him, the cap twisted off with a loud fizzy pop.
He looked up at me as I stood in the back, hovering near a monitor as it displayed all the photos. Richard was shouting instructions, but Alex kept his eyes on me, not once sipping the drink. He didn’t look amused, or like he even wanted to be here, but once our eyes met, they softened. I was still frustrated by him, by the way he spoke to me, and the compelling nature of his voice. I wasn’t a child, but the way he provoked the idea made me feel as though he challenged me, daring me to prove him otherwise. I could prove him wrong; I could be completely professional and nothing more.
“Aren’t you thirsty?” Richard asked, still testing the lighting on Alex.
“Very.” He replied, as if talking to me.
“Go ahead and give me a look.” Richard requested, but Alex continued to stare in my direction. I turned away, pulling out my phone to see Parker’s text.
Parker:Another late night, sorry Butterfly. Just wanted to give you a heads up.
Parker had been working so hard, spending night after night on this case. How could one man be so dedicated to his job, yet the other—Alex—be so careless and show up late? It was as if he didn't care, and if he cared about anything, then I was unsure of what it was. I looked over at the shoot, Alex’s gaze no longer locked on me, but rather my phone. He scowled.
“Go ahead and give me something extra.” Richard asked, “You know, something south of the border!”
My brow scrunched at his request, witnessing the projected box Alex assumed his role to be. A man with brown skin, expected to play a part that Richard presumed. Alex’s eyes, switched from my phone over to Richard, staring in his direction for the first time.
“And how would that look?” He asked, his voice calm but charged with a low rumble. “Turn off the music,” he snipped, shooting a look over to a man who turned down the dial. He placed the bottle back down on the table, the cap fell loose onto the floor. “I asked you something…” He repeated, “How would that look?”
Richard fumbled, accidentally taking another photo. He frowned, confronted with the reality of what he was asking, and the provoked tone that sprang from Alex. He hesitated, which almost sounded like a nervous giggle. “Well… I don’t know.” He confessed. “Something spicy?” His vague request warranted enlarged eyes from the staff, mine included. I wanted to crawl out of my skin, physically uncomfortable by the suffocating energy in the room.
“Hmm,” Alex groaned, “spicy.”
“I don’t know what to say.”
“I think you’ve said enough.” Alex responded, stepping closer to Richard, his height imposing a response in itself.
“Mr. Rivers.”
“You asked so confidently, I figured you knew what you wanted.” Alex pressed patiently.
“I just… never mind.”
“No, you had an idea, so share it. I’m curious.”
Richard massaged his thumb along his own fingers, contemplating the thought he undoubtedly already had. “Maybe you could grab the bottle… I don't know, possibly dance with it? Can you do the Salsa?”
“Salsa?” Alex grinned, but this was anything but exciting for him. No, I knew it. He was pissed.
“Well, yeah, you know, like the Mexican dance?”
“Salsa is Cuban.” He replied flatly.
“I didn’t know…”
“I’m sure you didn’t… You just want something spicy… isn’t that right?” He asked, “Or maybe dangerous? If it's a stereotype you want, you better clarify which one it is you need. There’s a lot of them to choose from, and I think I’ll pick one for myself. Maybe I can toss you from an overpass, just like the cartel in Zacatecas? Let you rot on a piece of rope like the pig you are.” Alex gloated, delighted by the idea.
“You’re fine as you are.” Richard mumbled, his silent voice still audible amongst the quiet room.
“I know I am. Now take my picture.” Richard held up the camera, the flash emitting a pop of light as Alex stared into the lens. Alex looked up at me, then down at my phone, announcing a final decision. “We’re done here.”
My blood ran cold at his calm response, his eyes set on mine as he approached.
