Page 3 of The Ending is the Best Part
‘I was totally listening and no, I wasn’t thinking about anything exciting.Just thinking about this project,’ I huff out.
‘Right,’ he replies.He doesn’t correct me, so at least I know it is a project that we’re to work on, as vague as that may be.‘It’s okay, I know you’re just too embarrassed to say you were thinking about me.’
‘I’m sorry, could your ego get any bigger?Thinking about you?Why on earth would I ever think about you?’
Maybe it’s the reflection of the light but I swear I see a flicker of disappointment.
There’s something expectant in his gaze, but he shakes it off and chuckles.‘Because we’re working together on this… obviously?’
My face is now flaming red.I need to find out what exactly I agreed to in that meeting and I can’t straight up ask him.Then I’ll have to admit he was right, and I wasn’t listening and maybe, just maybe, I may have been thinking about him.But only thinking about his writing and whether we were both being blacklisted.
I’ll find out one way or another.I spin on my heel and head towards my desk so I can begin to plan.
‘I can’t wait to work on thisprojectwith you, Xander, I’m sure it’s going to be an absolute delight,’ I throw over my shoulder.
‘Looking forward to it, Yazza,’ he yells back at me.As he walks away, I see that damn notebook peeking out of his jeans pocket.
Chapter Two
Screw him.I wish I could wipe that infuriating smirk right off his face!The meeting replays in my mind over and over again like something straight out of my nightmares.I’m back at my desk staring at the blank screen of my laptop as the cursor blinks tauntingly at me.
I peer over and see that Xander returned to his desk and is typing away furiously.He does this often, gets in his own world while working, completely shutting out everyone around him.
I find myself thinking about the day we met.It was my first day and I had just walked into the building, giddy with excitement.I couldn’t believe my luck in landing a job working on one of the most successful shows on the planet.Before that I had only worked on short films and indie projects, so getting this job would be a big deal to anyone in the industry, but especially for someone like me who had no connections, basically no experience and just a whole lot of enthusiasm.I made my way to the reception desk, where I was informed that I was a couple of minutes early but that a ‘Xander’ would be down shortly to give me a tour of the building and show me the ropes.
I was waiting a while.Seconds turned into minutes of me trying to look busy, playing on my phone and staring at my lap.But I didn’t let that bother me.This was a big show.The biggest.People were busy.After an hour of the receptionist throwing me pitying looks, probably thinking I was some deranged superfan hoping to meet one of the actors, this ‘Xander’ finally graced me with his presence.His tardiness should’ve been my first clue about the sort of person he is, but I’ve always been an optimist.When the elevator doors opened, and I saw an Adonis walking towards me, I had to pinch myself because I thought that no man was that good-looking in real life.Tall, broad-shouldered, with lightly golden skin and black hair that fell in perfect curls just slightly over his eyes.He also looked around my age, which I was pleasantly surprised by.Getting into the writers’ room in a very junior role like mine was rare, especially on a huge show likeClaim to Power, so to see a fellow young writer was a welcome sight.I thought we might become friends, maybe even more.Almost instantly, he ignited a crush in me.Nothing serious.But Theo and I had just broken up and it was a nice pick-me-up to have some eye-candy on my first day.I wish I could go back in time to snap some sense into myself for being so starstruck by him.
Thinking back now, I realise he looked slightly hungover that morning.Unfortunately, he’s handsome enough to pull it off, but now I’ve worked for him for a few years I know his skin is usually unblemished by the dark circles he had that day and he was even moodier than normal.Of course, at the time I couldn’t ask him for sure, but he had 100 per cent forgotten about me at reception.He then proceeded to give me a half-arsed tour of the building.I cringe to think how smitten I was back then, laughing too much when he showed me the ladies’ loos and said, ‘Maybe I’ll see you in there some time.’ Present-Me scolds my past self for being so naive thinking that maybe, just maybe, he could’ve been the Prince Charming to my story.I found out pretty quickly that he was actually the villain.
At least I know better now.
The day draws to an end and the office starts emptying out, and it isn’t long before it’s just me and Xander left.The days often end like this.The two of us working across from each other at our desks, our computers blaring blue light to keep us awake.But seeing as I have no idea what I should be working on, I’ve spent the whole day concocting a plan.A genius one, might I add.All I have to do is wait until Xander has left, which will give me the perfect opportunity to look in his notebook and find out what was discussed in that meeting.Then I’ll be able to start work on this mysterious project.The sooner the better.We only have six weeks after all.
But it’s almost 7 p.m.and Xander is still at his desk typing like there is no tomorrow.Gah!Why can’t this man just go home?I have to up my game… maybe I can annoy him enough that he’ll want to leave.I stretch out my arms and let out a big fake yawn, but I overdo it, because gravity fails me and I get flung backwards in my office chair.As I crash in a heap on the floor, I see my life flash before my eyes: Theo, Elif, Mum, Dad, my friends, the half-finished book on my bedside table, Xander.Why’s he always just there?
I’m sprawled out gathering my senses when I hear the thump of footsteps running towards me.
‘Yara!Hey, are you okay?’ He crouches down, reaching for me.
If it weren’t highly likely that I just inflicted a concussion on myself, I would think I hear concern in his voice.In fact, that’s a good test.If I ever genuinely believe Xander cares for me, then I have most definitely sustained some sort of brain injury.
Xander is clicking his fingers in front of my eyes.‘Talk to me.How many fingers am I holding up?’
I stare at him dumbfoundedly.He can’t seriously be worried… can he?
‘Hmm, maybe four?’ I reply, as two fingers dance before my eyes.Two deliciously large—NOPE.Not even going to finish that thought.
‘Four?You see four?Right, that’s it, I’m calling an ambulance.’ He slaps his hands on his knees and makes a move to stand up.
‘Don’t be ridiculous, I know you’re holding up three,’ I reply, just to mess with him some more.
His body tenses and I stop it before it goes any further.
‘Oh, relax, there are two.I’m fine!’
‘That isn’t funny, Yara, you could have been seriously hurt.’
He seems genuinely upset and I can’t help a niggling feeling of guilt in my stomach.
