Chapter 1: A Cup of Coffee
"Two cups of vanilla latte please," said a guy in a long black coat, waiting anxiously. His eyes keep staring at his watch and back to the eyes of the cashier.
"Sure, sir. Can I have your name please?"
After a short moment of silence, he finally replied, "Shohei. And sorry, can you just make it one, please? One hot vanilla latte."
"Alright, here is your change. Please wait at the pick-up counter on your right. Thank you."
He walked to the empty seat near the pick-up counter before he finally stood up, grabbed his order and left. The airport is already crowded even though it's still early in the morning. He seemed to hate the crowds as he shows a dark expression all along on his face. Walking through the people, whilst also keep looking at his phone, he turns his head left and right, looking for a certain someone.
The phone rang and he knew it's not going to be a pleasant call. He let out a heavy sigh and answered it. "Yes, mom?"
"Have you reached the airport?" asked his mom, on the call.
"What do you expect? I'm such a doting son so of course, I am here."
She giggled and continued, "Alright. I'll send you the photo of her okay? Wait a sec.."
He sighed again and just silently waiting for his mother message but apparently what he had received was a message from the office, telling him to come asap as it's an urgent matter. His job requires him to be inconveniently expected for an irregular and unsociable working hour. Especially as a film director, film production means that filming can take place at any time of the day and anywhere. Not to mention, he is responsible to supervise and direct the overall production including the casting, meetings, rehearsals, directing the actors, reading the scripts and many more.
It is normal for him to be a little agitated when receiving the message since today is supposed to be his off day. However, it is not the case. Instead, a smile curled on his lips and he seemed to be thankful. He coughed a little and replied to his mom, "Sorry mom. SOS from work. You don't have to send the picture anymore. Anyway, talk to you later. Love you mom, bye".
After hanging up the phone, he walked excitingly towards the exit, heading to the taxi stand. The dark expression has long gone and all he has is a smile on his face. Waiting for the taxi could be really tiring as everyone else is also queueing.
He was startled by the fact that a girl with a ponytail just suddenly poured a cup of hot coffee to his chest and unknowingly, he pushed her away till she fell to the ground. He hurriedly left as his coat is now soaked in hot coffee and it stings. As much as he loves coffee, this one smells really weird and he doubted if it's even a coffee. He despises the smell, but he had no choice but to go to the office now. There is no time for a change and it certainly ruins his mood.
After a thirty minutes' drive was all it took to get him to his destination. He walked out of the taxi in such hurry and ran up to the third floor, to his meeting room. "I'm sorry for coming so late. I had some- small accident" he apologized pantingly.
"It's okay, we are glad you can make it director," said a guy who looks much younger than him. His eyes baffled as he saw one side of Shohei's coat. "What happened exactly?"
He shrugged and asked him back, "Nothing. Why do I need to be here?".
The other guy bowed deeply and apologized. "We have big trouble. The actor for our brand-new advertisement is in the hospital so he couldn't be here. But our sponsors are already here in the office, waiting to see how the advertisement would turn like."
Shohei just kept silent and so does everybody else.
Before anyone could ask him back, he replied, "and... What does that have to do with me? I am not the director of that advertisement and I'm only in charge of films. You know that right, Kouhei?".
Kouhei nodded and bowed one more time with the intention of convincing him to help. "You know my director is rigorous and he would fire me! This is my first project after interning for months and I didn't want to disappoint him. Please brother."
"Don't call me brother. But. I'll only help you this one time." He sighed.
"Thank you so much!! Okay now, let's go to the changing room."
"Wa-it what?"
"Yeah. You'll be the substitute for the actor. Don't worry everyone has agreed" whispered Kouhei with an evil smile.
"Not again. You tricked me?"
"I'm sorry Shohei but who told you to keep secret from me."
"What secret are you talking about?"
"About my sister-in-law of course!"
His face flustered hearing that word coming out of his junior mouth. In order to avoid that topic, he just left to the changing room to get ready. Inside the room is someone else with a yellow pastel collared shirtdress sitting in front of a mirror, settling her long brunette hair. She turned around and bowed politely, introducing herself with a bright smile. Her name is Hanako, Hirasawa Hanako.
He bowed respectfully and sit at the opposite side of the room.
The two did not exchange any other words except for dead silent after their short introduction. The room is filled with nothing but awkwardness. Knowing the situation well, she braces herself and starts the conversation in order to get out of this never-ending silent.
"I'm actually not an actual actress here. It was a misunderstanding" she said in a very soft voice, worried that he would just ignore whatever she says.
"Same here."
She turned around and walked towards him only until the other crews cue them to get ready to the set. 'It was embarrassing' she whispered.
At the set, everyone else is ready to record and she made a fuss all of sudden. "I believe we are advertising a bottle of orange juice, right?"
The director looked at her angrily and was about to burst with anger but Shohei stopped him and instead, he asked her back. "Why?"
She apologized in advance and explained, "I'm sorry but I don't see why I should wear this dress and even supposedly act as a couple with him. It doesn't make any sense".
Hearing that, the director turned even more upset and threw the script to the ground. He called Kouhei in scream and insulted him for finding such an actress.
"I'm not an actress" she shouted it out before he could insult him any longer, and continued, "But I can show you how it should be done. Trust me. Just give me 20 minutes to brief the cameramen and stylist".
Shohei came closer to her and whispered, "What is all this? Drop the act now".
She sighed and whispered back, "Do you want to intimately hug me, act like a couple, for an orange juice advertisement? Well, I don't. I have a better idea, really. This script is written poorly, and I can see everyone can't say it loud because the writer must be someone with a higher status. Guess what, I am not scared. Because I am nor an employee or an actress here. All I want to do is just make it better".
He lowered his head and stare at her eyes deeply, "and why should I believe you? Convince me and I will let you do it".
She was mesmerized by his elongated black velvet eyes and gulped unconsciously before she stuttered her words out. "I-I am married!"
He chuckled and stood back pridefully, "and I have a fiancée".
He walked away and convinced the director that she doesn't mean any harm. Even though it seemingly doesn't make any sense at all, the director finally agreed, and she headed excitedly to the other room.
After a precise 20 minutes of discussion, she is back with another outfit which is totally different from the previous ones. She walked towards the director and thanked him sincerely for trusting her. He didn't reply to her or anything and just cue.
Everyone was surprised seeing how well she performs during the real take and she doesn't even need to rehearse at all. Her expression, words, and gestures are natural and refreshing. She shines and turns the set into a brighter mood, very different from twenty minutes ago. After it finally ends, she thanked the director once more and apologized for her abruption just now. He was totally pleased and even asked for her name card so that they can contact her again. Unfortunately, she rejected politely, saying that next time she would come in a more proper way as this was not what she intended to do at all.
She said her goodbye to everyone and left.
"She's amazing, isn't she?" asked Kouhei with a big smile on his face. "I was right to pick her."
Shohei grinned and knocked his junior's head, scolding him. "She is married."
"WH-AT?!?! No way! She looks so young and I am certain we are of the same age. But how did you know anyway?" asked him suspiciously.
"She is married to me" he replied teasingly and left.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
mkkuma
mkkuma That's it for the first chapter! How was it?? I do hope you are pleased and find it your cup of a tea XD
What do you think? Do you think Shohei knows who is she? I'll appreciate it so much if you'd like to share your thoughts ♡
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