Chapter 5 On Set

FIVE🎞

The following day,Khloe woke up with devilish mood swings and serious cramping. There was no way she could ditch work, else she would have.

"Honey, you could just take the day off can't you?" Tara suggested. "Call them and tell them that you're sick. Easy."

"Mom, I just can't do that," Khloe groaned while tying her hair in a messy bun. "There's no one to cover up for me. And its impromptu"

"But you don't want to show up at work looking like this, do you? At least put on some makeup. You look pale."

"Ugh. I feel like a fat pregnant woman."

Tara chuckled. "Actually, it's here because you're not pregnant, remember?"

True that.

Khloe sighed as she struggled with wearing her shoes. She felt like shit.

"Let me make you ginger tea," offered Tara.

"I'm gonna be late. I need to go Mom. I'll see you later in the evening,"

"Take care baby. And please come home immediately or to the restaurant if you feel like dying."

She nodded,kissed and hugged Tara goodbye, grabbed her bag and headed out, dragging her feet behind her.

She did not really care about how she looked. She was just the makeup artist, not the female leading actress.

She hoped not to draw attention to herself at all. But the worst happened.

She fell.Hard. And ripped her leggings in the process.

"Holy Christ!" She muttered under her breath.

There were gasps and people were around her looking over at her with worried eyes.

She saw someone's hand stretched out and took it to get back on her feet.

When she was up, only then did she realize it was Hardin.

Oh Lord, not him again.And then she had even forgotten to bring his already dry cleaned jacket along with her.

He gave a warm smile.

"That was quite a hell of a fall.What? You need glasses now?"

He looked down at her. Her oversized T-shirt still helped for coverage. But the rip was really bad and got down to her thigh area.

She was uncomfortable as hell and didn't know what to even say.

His voice was speaking again."Get those off and ask Wardrobe to give you some pants," he said. Just then, he was called to come do one of his scenes.

As he walked out, he shouted to the wardrobe stylist. "Jim! Please get her something to wear"

"Roger that sir," came Jim's response. He ordered his assistant to take Khloe away.

She managed a smile at him before walking away. The pants given to her were her size.Breathable. Comfy.

Maybe it was a good thing she fell.

She tried her best to carry on with her work and did not say a word to anyone because she was irritated with herself and everything.

She hadn't eaten anything the whole day and her stomach growled, giving her a warning.

It was announced that the day's work was over. Great. She was going to eat at her Mom's restaurant.

She got her things together and was about to go search for Hardin when she saw him walking up to her instead.

She spoke first. "I actually forgot your jacket and I'm sorry. I promise that I would bring it back tomorrow."

He gave a small weird smile.

"How am I not sure that you left it behind on purpose?"

"Huh?" She asked with knitted brows.

"I don't know. Maybe you don't want to give it back so you can hug it tightly to yourself, imagining I am actually there and also stare at it every morning when you wake up."

What the hell? She was at a loss of words.

"Don't look at me like that," he continued. "I mean you have my jacket in your possession. My jacket.A lot of people will cry just to have just an autograph but you have my clothing."

She felt irritated and annoyed in an instant. He was so full of himself. She was not one of those crazy fan girls!

"You know what, I can actually go home now to bring your stupid jacket back to you today if you want," she answered, her lips pressed into a thin line.

Hardin didn't expect her to react like that. Stupid jacket? Now that was a first. He was an idol. They would fight over his damn handkerchief even.

"Okay." He replied calmly. "Go home now. I'll be waiting for you."

Khloe didn't think he was going to say that. She was tired as hell and hungry.

Her stomach did the rumbling thing again and Hardin clearly heard the noises. She looked ashamed and wished she could disappear out of there.

"Why is your tummy making that weird sound? Are those period noises?"

Why on earth did he have to know that she was on her period? It was so freaking embarrassing.

"That's the sound everybody's stomach makes when there isn't food in it." She replied almost with a snap.

Normally, she would not have been able to get two words out. But whenever she was like this, her mood swings gave her some kind of extra power.

"Do you want me to buy you dinner?" He glanced at his watch to check his time.

"Er. No thank you," she replied immediately. "My mom owns a restaurant and I'll rather eat there."

"Really? So what are we to do about my jacket? I need it today."

"You're Hardin Hall. You must have thousands of jackets in your closet. Why do you need this one?"

"Because I do. And you said you could go home to get it for me right now. Your words, not mine."

Gosh, he was so annoying. Did he want her begging him or what?

A frustrated sigh escaped her lips. "Please, let me go home now. I'll give you first thing tomorrow morning."

"Nope," he shook his head. "Tell you what, I'll let you choose. Either you go home and get it for me right now or we go have dinner together. I'm starving too."

Was he being serious? But anyways, what could she lose?

"Fine then. I choose dinner."

His driver arrived shortly after that and they got into his limo. That had to be the first time Khloe was riding in one. It was so classy.

Her mouth slightly opened when they arrived at a five star restaurant. It was so luxurious. She was not sure if she could afford even a glass of water there.

"Its okay for you to close your mouth now," he said suddenly. She quickly shut her mouth, again feeling flustered.

"Um, does it have to be here? Can't we go somewhere else?"

"What's wrong with this place? C'mon, let's go."

His driver opened the door and they got out.

Only then was Khloe conscious of what she was wearing. She looked too casual and simple for such a place. Everyone in there looked like there were stepping out of a magazine cover while she looked like she was the dishwasher.

"No way in the world am I going in there looking like this," she whined.

"Why? Do you care about what people think of you?"

"Of course. Why wouldn't I?"

He frowned. "You shouldn't."

What was he talking about? He knew nothing. Of course he wouldn't care about anything. He was freaking rich. And even better, a movie star everyone adored.

"I just can't go in like this."

"Relax. Nobody even knows you. I should even be the one bothered since everyone knows me." He paused. "Now, let's go." He said, his voice very firm.

She gulped and followed him behind closely. He pulled her to his side. His fingers brushing against her arm somehow sent shivers to her skin.

"Stop walking behind me," he told her.

It was crazy fan girls free zone. Or any fans in total. Only the elites dined there so he was not going to be disturbed with photos clicking or signing of autographs or anything of that sort.

Khloe could feel eyes on her though.

They found a seat close to the window and got comfortable.

Her eyes widened with shock as she stared at the menu. She coughed. She really could not afford water in that place. The hell!

A waiter came to them smiling and asked what their order was.

"Just the usuals," Hardin replied and then to Khloe, "Tell him what you'd like to have"

What? She could not order anything on that menu. Too freaking expensive. Hardin looked at her impatiently and she quickly settled for Cheese steak which seemed to be the cheapest among everything.

"Is that all?" Hardin asked her. "With the way your tummy sounded earlier, I thought you'd be ready to devour a whole elephant."

Then he turned to the waiter, "Get that for her. And get ice cream sundaes for dessert."

The waiter nodded. "Yes sir. Right away."

In no time, he was back with the order.

"So out of all the girls in the world, you chose a boring girl like me to have dinner with today? What's the catch?" She asked with a mouthful.

"Its bad manners to talk while eating. Didn't you know that?" He scowled at her.

"Maybe. But its bad manners to talk with your mouth wide open or chewing loudly. I did none of that, did I?"

He gave an eye roll and then smirked. "Let's just say you're pretty awkward so you caught my attention."

"I'm awkward?" She asked,pointing to herself.

"Yes. And very nervous most times. But you're good at what you do. So why don't you just relax? Nobody's gonna eat you."

"I didn't know you paid attention to me that much"

"Don't get excited. Its cause you're the odd one out. Everyone else is composed and highly professional. And well, you're.. You."

She did not know what to say to that. He did not have to remind her that she was not supposed to be there in the first place.

"Your first time having a big shot?" He was asking again.

"Yeah. I know I don't deserve to be here. I'm not even that good," she shrugged.

He did not like that. Why did she think she was not good enough?

"For you to get the job in the first place, it means you're really good. They don't hire mediocre people, just so you know."

Was that actually a compliment?

"Thanks I guess," She mumbled under her breath.

They continued the food in silence as he continued scrolling through his phone. Khloe could not wait to get home.

As he was settling the bill, he asked, "Where do you live? Is it far from here? I'll drop you home"

"What? No. I'm fine. I'll just take a cab home," she refused.

"I brought you here in the first place. I said I'll take you home."

There was no arguing with this guy.She watched him make a phone call and then followed him outside when it was time to leave.

Shortly after, another car arrived and he ordered the driver to take her home. Probably one of his cars.

Of course. What was she even thinking? That he was gonna drop her home by himself?

"You can keep the jacket," he said as he stepped into the limo. "I know you want to."