"Come on, Danny. You need to give me something by the end of this month," Katherine, my publisher, looks at me like I was a misbehaving child and she was teaching me about discipline. Her hands were crossed over her chest, her blue eyes electrifying behind her dark rimmed glasses. An evident purse on her lips plus the slight eyebrow raise completed the look as she stared at me over her desk.

I smile sheepishly at her, trying to pull down the skirt, I had accidentally wore, down as it kept going up the longer I sat on the chair. Accidentally, meaning, I was late and had thrown on the first thing my hand could grab.

"I'm sorry, Kat." I say softly, avoiding her eyes. They had always been unnerving. "I promise, I am working on it." Technically true. I was working on it. I already had opened a blank document and saved it as 'story'. She narrows her eyes at me when I finally met them.

"Are you sure?" She asks and I look at her with a confused expression as she drew out a breath and stood up, walking over to her wide windows. "Because news are flying around about you and a certain actor-"

"It was one time!" I try to argue, frustrated by the fact that people are actually making such a big issue about it. Even so, Lee had actually made sure no one would know about that dinner. Katherine turns to face me, her expression strict. Her lips were now a thin line on her stern face and I bite my tongue.

"I don't care who you date or whatever you do with an actor, Danny." She states after a while, turning away from me again. She clasps her hands behind her back. "I just don't want you to get distracted from this. This could be your big break, you know."

I know.

* * *

I walk through the streets with a dark cloud above my head and a tight skirt threatening to give away. Of all the days I choose to forget my coat, it had to be today. Great work, Danny. My heels click on the pavement, as I made my way to my safe haven. I take my phone out to text Paige about our lunch date as I entered the familiar coffee shop. Then all the memories of Lee entered my mind and I scowl. It has been exactly a week since that dinner and he hasn't texted me once or emailed. Not that I expected him to...I guess.

Jenny was at the counter, sensing my gloom she smiled softly as she told Leo my order before I even placed it.

"Rough day?" She asked as I stood by the counter, handing her the bill. I give her a quick nod in which she replies with another small smile. I walk over to the pick up counter, pulling on my skirt. I could already see the inevitable. I had to go home before the skirt rips apart.

Leo hands me my coffee and I take it gratefully and even attempted a smile, before I could step out of the coffee shop a commotion happened and suddenly I was bombarded with flashes and even a camera to my chin. I stood there, momentarily shocked when I realized what it was. I ducked back in the coffee shop, eyes wide as I stared at Leo and Jenny, a silence plead for help. Leo was quick to react as he took his hoodie off the hook beside the counter and handed it to me.

"You better run," he advised as I put it on and drew the hood over my head. I turn to them with a wounded puppy look as Jenny seemed to hand me an employees flat shoes. "You better use this, honey. No way you're gonna get that far in those shoes." She takes my heels away and kept it for when I would- could, come back for it. I give them silent thank you's as I rush out the coffee shop, shoving everyone out of the way. They ran after me and chased me further away from our apartment, which was a good thing. No reason to show them where I live.

I run down the alleys, feeling like a criminal with a hoodie on, the shoes were a little loose and I was afraid I was going to stumble. I hear the paparazzi follow me and for the first time in my life, I knew exactly why artists hated them. I thought my day could not get any worse and , as always, I was wrong. As soon as I turned another corner I felt the skirt rip an inch over my thigh and I let out a groan. Then I meet a dead end. A blockade was placed, made of a large metal plate with wheels.

You have got to be kidding me.

My eyes dart around the narrow alley, hearing the calls of the photographers, when my eyes fell on the stock of boxes on one corner over a trash bin. Well, like me and Paige always say, it's never too late to try new things like parkour. I run towards the trash bin, climbing and further ripping the skirt. I caught a glimpse of one of the photographers before I swung my legs over the metal wall, after throwing my bag over it, and successfully made it to the other side with a short fall. The sound of the ripping fabric made me not want to get up from the ground. My back was sore as I pushed myself up. Checking if Parkour could be something I could do before checking the things in my bag.

I took out my phone when an arm strongly grabbed me by the shoulders and hoisted me up, forcefully.

"Hey," I cry as I was shoved aside and my hood pulled off. What a sight I must be. I hastily cover the rip on my skirt as a muscular guy studies me for a moment. He had a black shirt on with the words 'security' on it in white, bold letters. I swallow the nervous lump in my throat and quickly glanced at my surroundings. Had I just trespassed or something?

"You shouldn't be here, miss" he says in a tone that seemed to suggest he was hiding something and the first thought that came in my mind was I had just thrown myself into a secret government base where they were experimenting on some secret race-

"I'm gonna have to ask you to come with me," he says gruffly as he pulls on my arm, a little too roughly, and begins to drag me away. I start to panic as we walk through some kind of deserted area of the city. At that moment, my crazy psychopathic and imaginative mind kicks in and I pry myself loose from him and make a quick dash towards the opposite direction. No way where they going to experiment on me or something! I hear him call me, at least I think he was referring to me when he said 'stop that woman'. I make a sharp turn and suddenly I am back to civilization. People were walking around, carrying equipment and trailers were parked everywhere. It was then I realized I had snuck into a set.

"Hey, you!" I hear someone call behind me and I run. Okay, running may not have been a good plan since they probably think I am guilty but its too late to stop now. I take a chance to look behind me and walk straight into someone who lets out a curse and I feel liquid pour all over me. I suck in a breath as I fall to the ground, hearing the skirt rip further. I wince and shut my eyes momentarily, wishing I would wake up somehow and discover all of it was just a dream.

"Are you-" came a familiar voice and I open my eyes to see Lee staring down at me, a coffee cup in his hands. My mouth falls open as we stared at each other and a familiar grin spreads across his face.

"We really have to stop meeting like this," he says as he offers me a hand. I discreetly hold on to the skirt, trying to pull the ends back together as my free hands takes his and he pulls me up. I smile sheepishly at him before the security came.

"Hey," they all said in unison. There were three of them now and I see Lee frown upon seeing them.

"Sorry, Mr. Pace," the muscular guy says as he walks over to me and grabs me by the arm. I slap his hand away with my shoulder bag. "Miss, I need you to come with me. You are clearly not in a good mental state-"

"-Excuse me?" I say, my tone going high at the accusation. I see the three of them gaze down on me and I feel my cheeks burn as I turned to look at myself. Hoodie on, ripped skirt. Worn down sneakers and dirt all over me. There was even some kind of plastic trash stuck at the heel of my shoe.

They probably thought I was some kind of addict or hooker. I straighten my back, and look them in the eyes with all the dignity I had left.

"For your information," I began. "I am in a good mental state. I am a lawyer you had just seen me at my worse time."

"That doesn't explain why you would sneak into the set," muscular guy states suspiciously and I open my mouth to answer him but found that I had no answer. Then suddenly, Lee speaks behind me.

"It's okay, Louis," he says and I feel his arm on my shoulder. "She's with me."

"Mr. Pace," Louis tried to argue but I could see he had respect and admiration for Lee. "I know you have a kind heart, sir. But she-"

"-Is Danny," he supplied my name and from the corner of my eyes I could see the faint smile on his lips. "I have had dinner with her and she's a pretty smart girl. A bit imaginative," he flashes me a grin, "but smart all the same."

"Why didn't she just come through the entrance?" One of the security, much younger, asks. I open my mouth to answer when Lee stops me abruptly, turning me so that I would face him.

"I think she meant to surprise me," he answered before turning to them. I breathe out a sigh of relief as they seemed to accept his answer and walk away.

"Listen," I began as he stepped away from me and opened the door to a trailer, which is probably his. I looked at him as he gestured for me to go inside.

"That skirt isn't going to hold on much longer," he stated amusingly as his eyes flickered briefly on my skirt. I stare at him, my cheeks burning and slightly appalled before reluctantly climbing up the steps to his trailer. I stop on the last step, turning to face him with narrowed eyes.

"You're not changing your mind about killing me, are you?" I asked and he laughs faintly before leaning close to me that I could take in the musky smell of his cologne.

"Nope," he says then his eyes travel down to my shoes, his face grim. "But your choice of attire would probably change someone else's' mind to kill you." He pointed and I let out a scoff as I feel his hand on my back as he shoved me softly inside.

I watch him, sitting by the chair of his 'dressing room', as he rummaged through the drawers in search of something that will fit me. I pull on the hoodie, as my eyes scan the room.

"So," he spoke after a while, taking what appeared to be sweat pants and throwing them over to me. He crossed his arm over his chest and leaned on one side, watching me with curiosity and amusement. "Are you going to tell me the, undoubtedly awesome, story of how you got here in a ripped skirt with security running after you or do I have to file a restraining order?"

I let out a laugh, shaking my head at him as I unfold the sweatpants on my lap.

"Don't flatter yourself," I say as I motion for him to turn away. He does so but without smiling that boyish smile again. He seemed so young for a 36 year old. "I'm actually glad I bumped into you," I start. My voice raising an octave. "I was chased down by the paparazzi," I say and hear him laugh.

"They must have gotten awesome pictures of you," he says cheerily and I glare at him, pulling the sweatpants on. They were loose but they were better than a ripped skirt.

"Ha-ha, very funny," I say sarcastically before plopping myself back on the chair. "I never wanted this. I told you that-"

"I know," he says as he turns around to face me. The trailer was not as tall enough for him. His head was practically touching the counter tops. "I'm sorry. I thought they would leave you alone if I didn't...you know..."

"Communicate with me?" I offer and he nods.

"Well, you got that wrong." I tell him, wondering why they had chosen this day to come after me. Well, I haven't actually been going out this week. He leaned back on the dresser, his long legs slightly stretched before him.

"Is that code for "you're an ass for not calling back"?" He teased and I felt my mouth fall open.

"I could care less," I answer. Yeah, right. Don't kid yourself Danny. "I just want them off my case. I don't want them finding out where I live."

"They won't," he assured me as someone knocked on the door. My eyes widen as he seemed to just open it up like it was okay for me to be seen in there with him. A chubby man stepped in, his grey beard veiling his lips. He wore black rimmed glasses just like my publisher and a thought of them being together hit me. I suppressed a smile as his dark grey eyes fall on me.

"Uh-huh," he mutters and Lee shrugs as I turned to look at him. "What did I say about separating personal from professional?" He asked, his pointy nose turned to Lee. I shuffle uncomfortably on the chair.

"Sorry," he says although he doesn't sound sorry at all, instead he sounded pleased with himself. "Scotty, meet Danny, my cousin. She's visiting from the country. I took it upon myself to show her around..." He says and I narrow my eyes at him but I don't say a word. "And take her to lunch," he adds quickly and I shoot him a look. 'Scotty' mutter something before whispering to Lee and handing him a stack of papers. Lee gives him a nod, with his charming smile and Scotty was off.

"Cousin?" I ask, a bit amused and he shrugged his shoulders. "Would you have liked it better if I said 'secret lover'?"

"Pot dealer would have been better," I answer. "I mean, I kind of look the part."

He laughs and I found myself smiling, despite the position I was in.

"A cousin with a humor," he says as he takes a hoodie off a rack and puts it on. "How luckier can I get?"

"Aren't we going to attract attention?"

"More than you already have?" He counters and I purse my lips, crossing my hands over my chest.

"And whose fault was that?" I ask and he draws out a breath before shaking his head and opening the door to his trailer.

"I take full responsibility for buying pot," he answers as we both step out. I wondered what show they were filming as we walked through the maze of trailers and people with Lee leading the way.

How do I always end up in these situations?