Ryan's parties were always one for the ages and this one was not going to be an exception. He picked Sofia at the appointed time and took her to a fancy uptown boutique. However, they had to call Jessi to help Sofia with getting a dress because Ryan, of course, had some work to do. Even so, he dropped a credit card with them and asked them to call once they were done. He later arrived in a chauffeured SUV and they left with him. As they rounded an upward bend leading to his home, Sofia couldn't hide her amazement, Jessi didn't even try. The bars slid apart automatically like they would for any of his cars. They rounded the large driveway with a fountain in the middle where the water movement was never in the same pattern. The house itself was an architectural masterpiece of glass and white, sitting on a lot of acres. They got down at the entrance to the building and the chauffeur continued on to the garage. Ryan stepped onto the glass porch and the edge lighting came on, he

Down at the second floor, Rico had rushed back to the studio and now sat beside Jessi, both with crossed fingers. Amanda stood sulking off to one side, Sofia’s presence still infuriated her a lot. She just couldn’t understand what the deal was between her and Ryan. “Ryan? Are you there?” Sofia called out once more, he hadn’t responded. She sighed and walked away from the door, sticking her hands in the pouch of her apron. She suddenly stopped in her tracks, facing the door. *But what if something had happened?* One hand went to her mouth. *What if he’d done something to himself?* She rushed to the door. This time she banged on the door successively, yelling his name. Her hand flew to the handle but she hesitated a split second, *Would Ryan really harm himself?* Suddenly, the door swung open, startling her. Ryan immediately pulled her in, embracing her tightly. “I thought I lost you." He whispered as she sobbed silently against him, her body rocking as she took breaths to steady he

Ryan pulled up across the road from the apartment and turned off the engine, leaving the key in the ignition."You haven't said a word since we left the cafe. What's up?""I quit," she breathed."You quit the cafe? So that means you're shooting the show?""No," she stressed, sitting up to face him. "It means that I'm ready to give this, to give us, a chance"Ryan exhaled, his habit coming into play."What? I was being too cheesy right?" She asked, flushing scarlet. "Say something," she urged, avoiding his gaze.His right hand caressed her chin, turning her to face him."You weren't being cheesy, I just wanted to capture this moment. I've longed to hear you say those words right from the red carpet," Ryan said, fixing his gaze first on her eyes, slowly, his gaze swept down to those luscious lips, and "coincidentally", she had to moisten them, running her tongue over those pink lips as the sexual tension built up between them.The ensuing silence soon gave way for a weak but sufficient g

She sang a cheery tune as she went through her morning routine, the sun filtering through a slightly open window in soft golden rays. They had called her back, and she was excited. She just had this positive feeling about it. She was going to get the job. "Jeez, babe," Alicia turned. A sleepy Tanya stood in the hallway, her tousled hair and slightly oversize pajamas giving her a disoriented look. "Tone it down a bit, we know you're so eager to 'work'," Tanya said with air quotes, "But some of us are trying to get some sleep." "What does 'work' mean?" "Pfft," Tanya scoffed, "Come on we both know you're only excited you get to spend time with your low-budget 'Shawn Mendes'." Alicia cleared her throat, returning to the dishes she'd moved to the sink, "First off, you need to stop using air quotes, especially since you're the only one that calls him that. Second, I've not even gotten the job, and third, I'm not... No, that's not the reason I want to work there," she finally complete

Rico and Sofia sat in the back of the chauffeured SUV. He couldn't find something better so he had her sign on a napkin but not before she laid down her terms. "Rico, before I sign, I need to set out two clauses, just two and I don't really mind anything else," she said, pushing some locks behind her ear. "Ok..." He wondered what she'd say next, already worrying about it affecting their chances. "First, I don't want to shoot reality TV. I really don't like them, I know you planned The Spark like one but please let's make it more like H.O.S. please..." Rico exhaled deeply, *D*mn, people usually began with the one of lesser effect. So if this was first then what next?* "And the second one?" He finally asked. "The second is just like that clause you already give actors. It's just a bit different though." *D*mn* Rico swore within, she was scaring him. Something came to mind but he prayed it was not the case here. "I should be able to get off any project I'm on, with immediate effec