| She stood in the corner of the big room appreciating the heat that was now radiating through her. The cold of outdoors seemed to have gone right through to her bones, chilling her like she had never felt before in her 21 years. Why had she agreed to take this job? It wasn’t as if she needed it having just finished a big role in an up and coming movie. It was exciting thinking about the forthcoming release of the film but she knew there was still a lot for production to do and it would be a while before the movie was ready for the viewing public. Everyone assured her once it was out, her name would be on everyone’s lips. That was something she still had to come to terms with, hoping she could cope. If she thought about it realistically, her impending stardom had been the reason she had taken this assignment in the snowfields of Aspen. She hated feeling cold and already she was miserable, but it was more than the cold that was depressing her. The heartbreak of her relationship with her boyfriend Kane had chased her away from the warmth of Hollywood where even in winter the weather was warm enough for her. Having grown up in Kentucky, she had longed for the escape she had made. She loved Kentucky, but she needed something different and Los Angeles had been her choice. Acting had never been her career goal and she had accidentally fallen into it, but now she was entrenched in the role and loving it. Kane couldn’t accept the fact that his girlfriend was going to be famous and he began to play around behind her back. An up and coming actor himself, he began to sleep around with anyone who could help his career. She had no idea he was such a low life, but she was glad she had found out, packing his bags and tossing him out the very day she had caught him with a young agent. She wanted nothing more to do with him and to give herself some breathing space, she had accepted her agents offer of this short gig on a video shoot for an up and coming pop group. She hadn’t met them yet, but no doubt that would happen soon enough. Right now she just wanted to thaw out and she hoped she had brought along enough warm clothes. Again she thought of how much she hated being cold. She rubbed her arms through her thick woollen sweater and noticed a guy walk in. People sitting at the fireside all greeted him and he waved to them happily. He shrugged out of his thick down jacket and stomped his feet as he stood in front of the fire warming himself, holding his fingers out in front of him. He had nice fingers, she thought, she could imagine entwining her fingers in them lovingly. What was she thinking? She was getting away from heartbreak, she was not looking for another relationship. She looked away but her eyes were drawn back to the man, now joking about with some of the other guys sitting by the fire. He wasn’t very tall and he was a small build. Not being tall herself, she appreciated that in a man. She was never drawn to tall men. Maybe that should have been a warning to her when it came to Kane. He was taller than her usual boyfriends, towering over her. This guy here now had something about him that demanded her attention, but she couldn’t work out what. Short blonde hair, cute boy-next-door looks, an obvious carefree nature all joined to insist she take notice of him. He looked in her direction and caught her looking at him and she averted her eyes, but not before seeing his. Brilliant blue and penetrating. Or was she imagining things? She looked up again to see him still watching her and she smiled shyly at him. Why was she acting like this? She should get away, find her room and rest up before this afternoon’s shoot. At least they wouldn’t be venturing too far from the hotel today and she would be able to come back, order in room service and relax before they moved on to the mountain the next day. She picked up her small bag and turned to leave, aware of the eyes that followed her. She had to put the thought out of her mind. She would not be broken hearted again. That thought firmly in her mind, she walked to the reception area and away from the alluring man, hopefully forever. ********** “Hey Brian. Come and sit down will you. Relax, we don’t have to work for another couple of hours,” blonde haired Nick said to Brian who now had a frown on his face after that girl had left. He wondered who she was and if he would see her again. He couldn’t explain the sudden pull he had felt when he had walked into the room to warm up after checking a few things outdoors, but it had been instant when he had walked through the doors. Then he had seen her. Honey blonde hair and incredible brown eyes. He thought his heart had stopped and, if his friends most likely hadn’t noticed him, he would have gone over to say hello. But his ever eagle eyed buddies would notice for sure. He really wasn’t in the mood for their teasing. He shook his head and plonked himself down on the lounge next to Nick. He was at a holiday resort for only 4 days. The chances of firstly seeing her again, then even remotely thinking of seeing her after they were finished here were slim. He wasn’t the type to have a short-term fling with a girl so he should get her out of his mind. He was here to work, nothing more. “Man it’s cold out there,” Brian said to the others trying to get the girl out of his mind. “We are going to freeze our butts off for this shoot.” “You got that right, “ the taller of the group said. “It’s a bit different to Florida weather.” “Kevin, who decided on a snow shoot anyway?” the other two chimed in together. Kevin shrugged. “Probably management. You know how they get when they get an idea in their heads. No matter how stupid it is.” “I heard that Kevin Richardson!” a voice came from the doorway. “You guys get your butts off those lounges and get your gear in your rooms. Filming begins immediately after lunch.” And he was gone. “Busted Kevin,” Nick laughed at him and threw some popcorn he had been eating at him. Kevin gave him a stern look and Nick had the grace to look contrite. With some groaning from the five guys, complaining about being treated like slaves, they got up and walked to reception to get their allocated rooms. Brian would no doubt share with Nick again, which was fine with him. He was his best friend in the group, since he had joined. As he walked in he looked around, knowing in his heart what, or who he was actually looking for, only to be disappointed when he couldn’t see her. He would probably never see her again. But it wasn’t long before he found out just how wrong he was. 2 hours later as he and Nick joined the crew at the designated meeting area. Brian took a backward step when he saw the same girl standing on the deck away from everyone else. What could she be doing there? Was she part of the crew? Was she in the camera crew maybe, or the makeup girl? All he did know was he was glad she was there. She was well bundled up against the cold and she was looking in the opposite direction to where he stood. Suddenly she straightened as if sensing something and turned to look in his direction. The shock in her eyes was quickly replaced with a polite smile, but Brian felt the hesitation. He didn’t think she was pleased to see him. “Brian, Nick, hurry up will you!” came the voce of the man who had told them off earlier in the day. “Management!” Nick grumbled to Brian who nodded his head slowly. “Coming Johnny,” he yelled to him before adding, “hold your horses.” Brian and Nick were chuckling among themselves as they reached everyone else who were waiting for them to arrive. Johnny took delight in criticizing them for their tardiness, but Brian just brushed it off. If they were 2 minutes late that would be all it was and it was a call from Johnny’s wife that had held them up. “Nick,” said a hassled looking man who Brian assumed was the director. “This is Jessica. She will be your partner during the video shoot. You have fully read the treatment for this video haven’t you?” “Yeah, I’ve read it, and checked the story board.” “Good, now Brian, this is Belle. Belle, meet Brian. The two of you will be together for this video.” Brian looked up and his heart skipped a beat. Moving towards him was the girl he has silently been hoping would be more than just a makeup girl. She was actually the girl who he would be interacting with for the next 4 days. |