Annia
The feeling that settled in my stomach was completely out of place. Sandra knew exactly what she was doing, and she couldn't have been more wrong. Black was barely a person she knew. Of course, they didn't believe the same thing after that photograph came to light.
Blessed are those journalists who don't know how to respect privacy.
As always, I kept my face impassive in front of her.
"I don't know, Annia. Are you?"
She replied with that sweet tone of voice and that smile on her face that made her look like she wasn't breaking a single plate.
I looked around, and everyone was paying attention to what we were doing. I wouldn't be surprised if this ended up in the gossip column. They've sold information about what goes on in here many times.
I approached cautiously until I wrapped my hand around Black's arm and was a few inches from his face.
I imitated Sandra's tone of voice.
"Can we talk for a second?"
Black frowned, annoyed by my behavior. I glanced at Sandra after murmuring loud enough in Black's ear for her to hear.
"Alone."
I didn't wait for a reply; I let go and started walking without another glance. I was sure he was coming right behind me, and I was already getting used to his presence.
I opened the dressing room door and the makeup artists had already left. I heard him close the door and turned around immediately after seeing our reflection in the mirror.
"What was that? Was that jealousy I sensed earlier?"
He said it with a tone of amusement that also showed on his face. How could he be so serious and imperturbable and suddenly turn into a playful person so quickly?
Does he suffer from bipolar disorder?
"You wish."
"So... that little act is because you don't like him."
"How do you know?"
"It's obvious." He shrugged. "Besides, there are so many headlines about their rivalry on the runways. Although I thought it was all marketing."
"No, we've never gotten along. But what she was doing was just to provoke me."
"Provoke you?" He raised an eyebrow. "She was just introducing herself, wanted to show me the place."
I didn't answer; I handed him my cell phone.
His eyes were fixed on the screen.
And he finally understood the situation.
"Do you think whoever posted this also saw the 'accident'?" He made quotation marks with his hand as he uttered the last word.
"I don't know. But this isn't good. Aside from that, I'll also have my manager on my radar. He'll probably want me to give a press conference to debunk the situation, and you'll have to be there. Or..."
I remained silent; it was crazy. I couldn't turn a blind eye to the situation. But it would be a way to explain why he's always with me.
"Finish what you were going to say."
"Hmm?"
"Finish what you were going to say," he repeated.
"Or we can just not deny anything and just act. It would be much easier to explain why you're always with me. There's no need to say we're a couple, just that we're getting to know each other..."
"It's okay," he interrupted me.
"What?"
"It's-okay," I emphasized each word. "Don't you have hearing problems?"
I shook my head. I narrowed my eyes at him, realizing he was making fun of me. At that moment, someone from the crew came in, interrupting our conversation.
"Sorry. The set is ready."
He left after giving the information.
"Well, it's time to get to work. We'll sort out the accident later. If anyone saw something and hasn't posted it, they'll probably want money."
He nodded and continued until he was sitting back on the same couch.
**********°°°°°°°°°**********
Photoshoots tend to be very tiring. We returned home a couple of hours ago, and I haven't seen Black since. As if by instinct, my eyes dart out onto the balcony toward the woods, searching for him. I'd always had the feeling someone was watching me, but letting it out seemed pointless. No one was ever there. When he appeared before me… something changed, I'm not sure what, but it's as if a piece of me that was missing, even though I didn't know it, finally fell into place.
Night had already fallen over the city, and I impulsively got out of bed to head for the garden. I hesitated for a few seconds until I entered the woods. He said his house was to the south.
I'd never gone beyond the small lake east of the woods, never been curious about wandering aimlessly among the tall trees.
The desire to know how far they've adapted is eating me up. The flashlight on my cell phone is the only thing helping me in the darkness. It's been fifteen minutes, and I still haven't found their house. A little discouraged, I was considering returning to my home when some voices caught my attention.
I quickened my pace, following her; the impact of metal against metal was loud. I skirted some rocks that left a bit of light behind me. A few meters away were Heclares and Black. Both carried swords and were fighting each other, their torsos exposed, revealing well-toned figures; they looked like they'd been sculpted by artists.
Heclares took advantage of the moment Black connected with my gaze and lowered his guard to launch himself at him. The sword fell, and in a swift movement, he plunged his own near his neck.
"Rule number one. Never take your eyes off the enemy." I grinned at him like a child who'd just played a trick.
His brother glared at him and removed the sharp object from his body.
They both turned to me with different expressions, Heclares with a smile and Black with a clearly irritated look.
The latter was the one who approached.
"What in the world are you doing here?" he snapped, his tone of voice clearly revealing his annoyance.
"I couldn't sleep," I shrugged. "I was curious how far away his house was."
"Of course. And that's why you're so reckless and putting yourself in danger." He blurted out, clenching his jaw so tightly that if he'd bitten his tongue, it would have ripped off. "Do you know how easy it would be to intercept you in the middle of the woods?"
His words left me speechless. He was right, and trying to say otherwise would only upset him more. Since I didn't respond, he gave himself the answer.
"Of course you didn't think of that."
He sighed with obvious frustration and lowered his voice slightly.
"You shouldn't take risks just because you're curious." What's happening is serious. My…" he trailed off, reaching for his hand to press his temples. "My house isn't as important as your life. Do you understand?"
His eyes searched mine, searching for an answer, which he found in a nod. "It's been a long time since anyone scolded me other than Mom."
Heclares was the one who intervened, placing a hand on his brother's shoulder.
"It seems you've made your mind up. What do you think if we go home now?"
"No…"
"You're already here," he interrupted. "You're not in danger. I'll show you around, and then we'll walk you home."
"I'll stay a little longer. You show it to him, since you offered."
I walk until he disappears among the trees.
"Don't pay attention to him, he'll get over it. He's not used to losing control of things."
He led me in the opposite direction from where his brother had gone, crossing a narrow path between trees that led to a cabin-like house.
Its structure was industrial-style with large windows that revealed part of the house's interior. To one side was a path that led to a garage housing a McLaren and a Mercedes.
We skirted the house until we reached the back. Every step I took impressed me more; it was perfect. There was a huge, illuminated pool, and the garden was well-kept with a few pieces of furniture that gave it a homey touch.
"Where did we come from? What was it?"
"That's our hand-to-hand training ground."
"And Black?"
"He was heading toward the circuits. A few meters away, you'll find a track with various obstacles. It's to keep us in shape and agile when in combat.
"Is that where I'll train?"
"Yes, there's also a shooting range. You'll have to learn to handle Noctisvael's weapons. Bows, swords, knives. That's where you develop your skill."
"And what skill do I possess?"
"We don't know, that's why you must train. Have you never noticed anything strange about your body? I mean, any indication that it might be." I shook my head.
"Time to go."
That was Black's voice. I didn't realize he had arrived.
He turned around silently. I waved goodbye to his brother, and I had to quicken my legs to catch up with him.
He didn't say anything the whole way back; the atmosphere was so tense that I didn't dare push my luck.
He stopped among the trees overlooking my garden.
"Come in."
"Are you still upset?" He gave me a poisoned look, which was enough to tell me what I already knew: it was a stupid question.
"Your training starts tomorrow."
"I'll bring Lucía."
"Try to wait for her to come for you. Now come in."
I walked straight to my room. I stood at the window overlooking my balcony, and there he was, still with his hands in his pockets and that upright posture. I watched him disappear into the darkness and stared back where he'd gone.
What the hell was I up to?