12. Chapter 12
Chapter 12
Liam
“I ’m so sorry, sir. It was an accident,” the production assistant apologizes, bowing her head so low it almost touches the ground.
I wave my hand dismissively. “Don’t worry about it. It’s just a stain. I’m sure the costume department can take care of it.”
“W-What?” She raises her head rapidly and stares at the brown coffee stain on my white shirt. “Are you sure it’s okay?”
“I’m sure.” I smile. “Now return to work; I’m sure you’re busy.”
“Thank you, sir!” she says quickly before scurrying off.
I roll my eyes and turn around when I notice almost all the actors and crew members are staring at me. They all have the same expression of shock on their faces.
“You were right, James,” Tia says to one of the extras beside her. “He has changed.”
“Changed?” I ask as I return to my chair. “What are you talking about?”
“The Liam Ryder I remember working with doesn’t even acknowledge anybody on set unless it’s the director,” James says. “And when people make mistakes like this, they mostly get fired because you get very pissed about it.”
“I don’t remember that ever happening.”
“Oh, it’s happened a few times here already,” Celeste says. She gives me a quizzical look. “But these past few weeks, you’ve been smiling nonstop and you aren’t as grumpy.”
“A man can change, can’t he?” I scoff.
I’ve just had no reason to be mad these past few weeks. Shooting isn’t so bad because I get to have my girlfriend on set with me. And the best part of it all is that I always look forward to the end of the day because I know I’ll finally get to be alone with Sophie.
Even at this moment, I’m eager to finish shooting so I can get on with the romantic dinner date I have planned for us.
If I claim to understand how much Sophie’s presence in my life has affected me, I’d be lying.
Like they said, I’ve changed. Nothing can rile me up. And if I do get a little angry, all I need to do is look at Sophie to forget all about it.
It’s getting harder to imagine a time when she wasn’t a part of my life. Lately, I’ve been questioning my decision to break up in the past and wondering if I didn’t make the wrong choice.
However, that’s not something I should worry too much about. I just want to enjoy the time we have in the present.
I scan the set for any sign of Sophie. Last I knew, she left to get coffee. I decide to focus on the scene I’m about to shoot instead of worrying about my girlfriend, who’s going to turn up soon.
I slip out of the stained shirt.
One of the wardrobe assistants rushes over to get it and hands me a spare shirt.
As I put it on and sit down, Sophie returns with my coffee.
“Did something happen to your shirt?” she asks as she puts the coffee on the table.
Her hawk-like gaze settles on the half-buttoned shirt I’m wearing.
Of course she’d noticed I changed even if it was practically the same color shirt. Sophie is just that observant.
“One of the assistants spilled coffee on it, so I had to change.”
Sophie nods.
I pick up the coffee and raise it to my lips, but then I pause. “Do I need to make you taste it?”
She rolls her eyes. “I have no need to add salt to your coffee anymore, Liam.”
“I knew you added it intentionally,” I say.
“I thought that was pretty obvious. Trust me, if you were in my shoes, you’d have done the same thing.”
“Touché.”
I take a sip of the coffee and smile blissfully.
“Is that coffee?” Celeste asks.
The question irks me, but Sophie’s warning glance stops me from making a sharp retort.
“Yes, it’s coffee,” I say with faux gentleness.
Celeste ignores my sarcasm and turns a glare on Sophie. “Why didn’t you get one for me? You did see two actors here, didn’t you? Go get me mine.”
“Excuse me,” I snap. “Last I checked, Sophie isn’t your servant. If you want coffee, you either get one yourself or send your own assistant.”
I catch Sophie fighting back a smile from the corner of my eyes. Celeste doesn’t appreciate this as she glares furiously at me.
“I need to get tomorrow’s shooting schedule from Ben,” Sophie says, and leans close to my ear. “Don’t get in a fight with another woman before I get back.”
Her warning might be playful, but even I know not to make the mistake of actually engaging in an argument with Celeste.
Frankly, I couldn’t care less about Celeste or what she does. I just won’t let anyone disrespect my woman.
“Alright.” I nod.
I watch her retreating figure with a smile on my face.
“I get that you’re trying to be nice and all now, but you’d better be careful of how you treat Sophie, or people might think you two are dating,” Celeste says curtly.
“And they wouldn’t be wrong,” I reply sharply before returning my focus to the script in my hand.
I ignore everything about Celeste, so I don’t even know what her reaction is to the bombshell I just dropped. All my focus is on finishing the day’s shoot and going on that date with Sophie.
***
I readjust my hair for the umpteenth time, even though my reflection in the silverware on the table has already made it clear that it’s in good shape.
It’s odd that I’m so nervous about my date with Sophie when it’s not our first time doing this. It’s like I’m now conscious of every move I make and overly cautious about not doing anything to ruin the mood.
Everything for this dinner date must be perfect.
I rented out the restaurant attached to the resort for maximum privacy and had it adorned with Sophie’s favorite flower, daisies. The lighting is in just the right shade to give an illusion of intimacy.
The orchestra music flowing in from the gallery is an added touch I requested since Sophie loves classical music.
This is going to be our first official date since we got back together.
We’ve barely had time to do anything together because of my tight shooting schedule. All we’ve done is spend every free moment we have going on walks together or spending time at my place.
The fond memories of all the time we’ve spent together ease my nerves.
Sophie is going to appreciate what I’ve done because that’s who she is.
The sound of clicking heels draws my attention. I stand up as the server walks into the restaurant with Sophie behind him.
My heart skips several beats as my eyes roam all over her body.
She’s gorgeous.
Her curls are styled in a way that frames her face almost seductively. The red dress she has on clings to every curve on her body, making it impossible to look away.
My pulse kicks up, heat rising under my skin as I fight to stay focused.
Her hazel eyes seem to shine brighter tonight. There’s a light in them that I haven’t seen in a while. It reminds me of back when we were in college.
I step out as she nears the table.
“You look absolutely stunning, my lady,” I say, stretching my hand out to her.
“Thank you, my good sir.” She giggles softly, placing her smaller hand in mine.
I place a soft kiss on her palm before pulling the chair out for her. Sophie takes her seat and looks around the room.
“Why is this place empty?”
I return to my seat. “Because I rented the whole restaurant for the evening.”
Sophie gasps, frantically looking around the place now. She leans in to whisper, “You can’t just do that!”
“I can. It’s much better this way. We won’t have people all up in our faces.”
Doesn’t she like it? Did I make a mistake?
“Oh, that makes sense,” she agrees softly, but she still looks doubtful. “But it looks like an event was going to happen here, and you must have taken the space.”
“An event?”
“Yes, look at all the decorations.”
“Oh.” I chuckle, visibly relaxing now that I know what she’s worried about. “Take a closer look at the decorations and tell me what you notice, Sophie.”
Sophie frowns and looks around again. “Flowers.”
“What kind of flowers?”
“Daisies.” She gasps, turning wide eyes on me. “You did this?”
I nod.
“Oh Liam! That’s so sweet.”
“I’m glad you approve.”
“Of course I do.” She grins, then reaches for my hand and squeezes it. “Thank you.”
My heart swells. “No, thank you for being here with me.”
“Now, on to our meal.” I clap my hands twice to alert the servers. “I heard their special nine-course meal here is to die for. I wanted to try it with you.”
“Good. I’d be mad if you were trying it alone.”
I throw my head back in laughter. Her lightheartedness warms my heart so much that I wonder how I ever lived without her in my life.
The servers wheel in our starters and place them on our table. Sophie tries the food with gusto, wearing the smile that’s always had a hook on me.
We go through our meals, laughing and chatting softly. When we finish all the courses, we move to the terrace, where I had them set up patio chairs with our drinks and classical music playing in the background.
The night sky is beautiful to look at with all of the shining stars, but the only star I want to look at is Sophie.
“Oh, I hope you haven’t forgotten that I won’t be able to assist you this Saturday,” Sophie says.
I frown. “Why?”
“Don’t tell me you forgot. I have a day off. Julian said I could take one, and you agreed.”
“And what would you need a day off for, girlfriend?” I tilt my head to the side. “Are you that eager to get away from me?”
She chuckles, shaking her head at me. “It’s nothing of the sort. It’s my mom’s birthday, and I’m planning this little dinner for her, so I’ll be pretty busy.”
“Oh,” I mutter. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
I would like to be at her mom’s birthday. She should share something as important as this with me. Or are we not there yet?
“Oh, you’ll be busy with shooting, so I didn’t want to bother you. And it’s just a small gathering for a few family and friends. Nothing too crazy.”
If it includes a few family and friends, I should still be there. I’m her boyfriend. Am I overestimating my importance in her life?
Maybe this is the best way to go about this. I shouldn’t be getting too close to her family, anyway.
No.
It doesn’t sit right with me that she didn’t tell me about her mom’s birthday. I want to be able to share in moments like this. I want to be a part of her life.
Or maybe I just need to get a grip.