30. Sarah
The next two weeks flew by, and Sarah felt like a headless chicken trying to prepare the salon for another few days’ absence while packing for her first official international flight. And even though she liked the idea of staying a bit longer, she’d convinced Theo to confine it to the original three days.
As they lined up to board, Theo turned to her. ‘When was the last time you went on a plane?’
‘A while ago. And I’ve never flown internationally,’ she admitted.
‘What, never? Not even to Fiji or New Zealand?’
‘I’ve been on a few cruises. So I have actually been to Fiji, but just for a day, and I arrived by water.’
‘Wow.’
He ushered her ahead of him as they entered the aircraft’s cabin, and a flight attendant checked their boarding passes. ‘Just to your left,’ he said, pointing behind him.
Theo nodded his head at a business class seat next to the window. ‘That’s yours.’
‘What about yours?’ she asked.
‘I’m just here.’ His seat was on the edge of the aisle, so they could still see each other.
‘You don’t want the window?’
‘I’d rather you take it.’
She could feel him watching her as she inspected the small cubicle and felt a little self-conscious. But come on. She’d never flown internationally, let alone business class.
He sat in his seat and continued to smile at her. Another attendant came by and offered them some champagne. Sarah reached across the aisle and clinked her glass with Theo’s.
‘Thank you. You’re amazing.’
He beamed back ‘So are you.’
She sipped her drink and wondered how the next few days would unfold.
And then she remembered her mum’s dream and the reference to Theo and a rocky upcoming trip.
Her heart beat a little faster. She really didn’t want to put any stock in her mother’s fortune telling, but her life already contained its fair share of turmoil.
Couldn’t she catch a break?
Sarah had thoughtnine hours on a plane would be a cinch. Reading, sleeping, chatting with Theo, watching a movie… it had all seemed doable. The reality was a lot different. Being confined in one spot for that long was… rough. Sarah had never realised how much she liked to move around. Sitting still had never seemed a problem… or maybe it was just because she had never been forced to sit still for that length of time.
The business class digs were good, though. The only other times Sarah had been on a plane were in economy class where she had developed an affinity with sardines. Flying with Theo was on a whole different level.
She thought the staying still was all over when they finally landed… but it wasn’t to be. The wait to get through customs was interminable. Standing in line was infinitely worse than sitting in a luxury business class seat on a plane. By the time they finally checked into their hotel, it was nearing nine o’clock… or was that eight o’clock? There was only an hour difference between Brisbane time and Tokyo time, but Sarah couldn’t remember if that was forward or backward. Or maybe she was just jet lagged and exhausted.
Theo, on the other hand, handled it all like the pro he was. She wanted to ask how many times he’d flown internationally, but she didn’t. He’d still been a little prickly since he’d asked her to come to Japan with him, and she felt like she was walking on eggshells so as not to upset him.
‘Do you want to go out to eat?’ he asked when they’d finally gotten into their suite and stowed their luggage.
Sarah flopped onto the couch. ‘Do you mind if we order in? I’ve hit a wall.’
Theo lowered himself down beside her, and she rested her head on his shoulder. Moments like these were gold. There was such an easy comfort and familiarity that made her relax. Unfortunately, they had been few and far between over the last two weeks.
‘What kind of food are you in the mood for?’
‘Sushi? Or is that too cheesy?’
‘Sushi’s a little different here. Want me to just order a selection of appetisers?’
‘Yeah, sounds good. I don’t feel like anything too heavy.’
‘Why don’t you go have a shower while I order?’
Sarah leaned over and kissed him on the cheek.
‘What was that for?’
‘Just because,’ she said. ‘I might not have told you this lately, but thank you.’
‘Thank you? What for?’
‘For this. For asking me to come. I know I was hesitant at first, but I’m really glad I came.’
Theo took a deep breath as he looked at her. She couldn’t tell what he was thinking. It made her nervous.
He smiled and leaned down to take her lips in a long, luxurious kiss. Sarah felt it through her entire body.
‘Thank you for coming,’ he murmured against her lips.
‘Are you sure you don’t want to join me in the shower?’
‘I thought you were hungry?’
‘Not that hungry.’
He smiled. ‘How about I order and meet you in there?’
She pecked him on the lips. ‘Perfect.’
Morning came far too soon.It wasn’t an early wake-up call; it was just that Sarah was still struggling with the after-effects of the long flight. Not to mention the way Theo insisted on christening the suite… not that she was complaining about that.
The hotel provided breakfast, but Sarah barely ate anything. She was nervous. This was a big gig for Theo, and she was worried about messing it up. Theo looked cool as a cucumber, though, so she took confidence in him.
A car was waiting to take them to the studio where the shoot was happening. As soon as they stepped out of the lobby doors, Sarah thought she would melt. She was used to heat and humidity—she lived in Queensland, after all—but this was something else. She’d noticed it the night before but thought it was more about her jet lag. Now she knew differently.
Thankfully, the car was air-conditioned, so her makeup didn’t get completely ruined. The traffic wasn’t as bad as she thought it would be, and before she knew it, they were pulling into the studio parking lot.
Dan was there to meet them.
She had never met Dan, and she had to say, he didn’t impress her much.
‘Let me help you with that,’ Theo said, reaching for her makeup case.
‘Leave it,’ Dan said, stepping between him and the car. ‘She’s your stylist. You don’t carry things for her.’
‘He’s right,’ Sarah said, grabbing the kit. Theo didn’t look convinced, but she smiled widely and extended the telescopic handle so she could wheel it. ‘See? All good.’
Theo hesitated before nodding. Dan ushered him toward the building, leaving Sarah to follow behind them. She hadn’t expected Theo to help her carry her stuff, but a bit of courteousness from Dan wouldn’t have gone astray.
Or maybe she was just mad because Dan didn’t like her.
Whatever. She was here to do a job, and she would show Dan-the-fucking-man that she was a damned good stylist, and he was lucky to have her.
‘Theo!’
Sarah stopped in her tracks as an absolutely stunning woman approached Theo and hugged him. She… fucking hugged him.
‘Yu-jin,’ Theo said in greeting. ‘What are you doing here?’
‘They didn’t tell you? We’re in this promotion together.’
Sarah watched the smug smile cross Dan’s face. Oh, he’d done this on purpose. He’d wanted to blindside her, but Sarah was on to him.
She resumed walking, passing Theo and the woman—she looked familiar, but Sarah couldn’t place where she knew her from—and headed for the lighted mirrors at the back of the cavernous space. If Dan was looking for a reaction, Sarah would not give it to him.
By the time Theo came over, she’d finished setting up.
‘I didn’t know?—’
Sarah beamed a smile at him. ‘I’m not upset,’ she assured him. ‘Now sit. I’ve got work to do.’
Theo sat, but he kept shooting glances at her as she worked.
‘I’m fine,’ she finally said, resting her hands on his shoulders. She was standing behind him, and she looked at him in the mirror. ‘This is your job. I’m not that na?ve. I know you work with other models.’
His shoulders relaxed under her hands, and he finally smiled. ‘She’s just a friend. I helped her with her English in the past.’
‘She is gorgeous,’ Sarah said, looking over to where Yu-jin was having her makeup done. ‘Is she an actress and a model?’
Theo nodded, still looking at her in the mirror. ‘And Dan just mentioned there’s talk about the two of us doing a drama together. They want to see if we have on-screen chemistry. That’s why she’s here for this.’
‘Makes sense. So, when you say drama, you mean a K-drama, right? Does that mean you’d have to go to Korea?’
‘It’s only talk at the moment. And if anything comes of it, it won’t be until next year.’
‘It’s a great opportunity for you.’
‘I’ve been thinking about getting into acting for a while, and there are more opportunities in Korea than in Australia.’
‘Theo,’ Sarah said as she leaned down, resting her chin on his shoulder. ‘I support you and your career. Please don’t think I’m jealous or unhappy. I’m not.’
‘Not even a little bit?’
She smirked as she straightened. ‘Okay. I was the teensiest bit jealous when she hugged you. But that’s all.’
Theo reached a hand up to cover hers. ‘I promise you there is nothing between me and Yu-jin. She’s just a friend.’
‘I believe you,’ Sarah replied. She leaned down to kiss his cheek, but someone cleared their throat nearby.
‘They’re ready for you,’ Dan said, glaring at Sarah.
Sarah stepped away from Theo and watched as he walked over to the set.
It looked like a high-end bar with dark walls, leather chesterfields, and a mahogany bar. Theo spoke briefly to the photographer before he took a seat in the large chair. Yu-jin joined him, sitting on the arm of the chair and draping herself along the back of it, her head coming to rest next to Theo’s.
They looked good together. Sarah couldn’t deny it. If the producers for the drama wanted on-screen sizzle, it was definitely there.
‘Yu-jin is an old friend,’ Dan said, coming to stand beside her.
‘Theo told me.’
‘I think they dated once.’
‘Really?’ Sarah tried to keep her face pleasant. She knew what he was doing, and she was determined it wouldn’t work.
‘If this ad campaign goes well, they’ll probably work together more.’
‘Uh-huh,’ Sarah said. He could try his best, but Sarah would not let him get under her skin. She knew how Theo felt about her. She trusted him. Dan? Not so much.
‘Things happen on film sets,’ Dan said, sounding like he was talking to himself. ‘Old flames can be rekindled…’
Sarah turned to him and smiled brightly. ‘Thanks for this amazing opportunity, Dan. I’m just going to get some shots for my social media. If you will excuse me…’
She might be determined not to let Dan get to her, but that didn’t mean she had to stand there and listen to him. Besides, she did have to take some photos for her social media, and didn’t fans love a bit of behind-the-scenes action?