T/W:Mentions minor drinking and being hungover.

****

I just arrived at the dress shop. I spot Kristen, who's sipping a coffee, scrolling through her phone as I approach. She immediately looks up, grinning.

"Ready to find the perfect dress for this upcoming weekend?" She asks. I force a smile. I didn't want to be here. I'm nursing a bit of a hangover. Pedro and I ended up polishing off three or four bottles of wine last night and I passed out, on top of my bed, waking up, sideways, Pedro crashed out at the foot of the bed.

"Sure," I lie and we head inside, where a sales associate greets us, leading us into the back, where an array of beautiful, designer outfits are waiting. I begin the torturous process, trying on one after the other until my headache threatens to overpower me and I take a break, heading for the women's restroom, popping some aspirin before returning.

Kristen warily eyes me as I return, going to grab a beautiful red wine colored dress, heading for the changing room. She follows me, standing just out of sight. "You feeling okay, Charley?"

"Just a bit of a headache," I respond, slipping the dress on. I examine my appearance, nodding before coming out. Kristen's face breaks into a big grin, giving me a thumbs up.

"That dress looks like it was made exactly for you," Kristen tells me, coming closer as we both admire my reflection. I smile, nodding. I grab my phone, snapping a pic and send it to Pedro. Two minutes later, he responds.

😏❤️😘

I chuckle, texting him back. Guess u like?

Like? Like?! I ❤️ it!!

I smile again. Thx babe

Ofc mi amor.

I set my phone down and go quickly take off the dress, heading out and telling the sales associate that this is the dress I'll be wearing to the premiere. The woman nods, while Kristen dictates all the important information, stressing that under no circumstances, is my dress to be misplaced or damaged. I'm impressed by how adamant she is.

By the time we're leaving the shop, my headache has dulled considerably and I'm ready to grab some coffee and a snack. Kristen tags along, reminding me of when Mel and I used to do this sort of stuff together. I still miss her being around, despite how nasty and jealous she ended up becoming. Though, lately, she's seemed less so.

We enter a café and get in line, ordering bran muffins and black coffee. We go sit in the back and I start nibbling on my muffin. After several seconds, I realize that Kristen is studying me.

"What?"

"It wasn't just a "headache" this afternoon, was it?" She asks. Instantly, I'm on the defense, eyes narrowed.

"I'm not a kid," I snap quietly. "And you assured me that my quirks wouldn't be a problem."

Kristen narrows her eyes back at me. "They aren't. But getting drunk all the time, that's a sign of something deeper. Have you ever thought about therapy or even rehab?"

My mouth drops open. I barely know this chick and suddenly, I show up to an appointment she set up for me, and now she's talking therapy or worse yet, rehab? I quickly close my mouth, struggling to remain calm.

"My personal life, that's not what I hired you for. So I'd appreciate it if you'd keep your opinions to yourself.".

Kristen looks somewhat taken aback. She opens her mouth, but quickly snaps it shut again, her lips in a thin, grim line. "I only brought that up because I care about your well-being. I apologize if I overstepped."

I cram the rest of my muffin in my mouth, chewing and swallowing it. I stand up, gripping my phone so tightly, my knuckles are turning white. I give her a curt nod before hurrying out, knowing that I need to escape before I publicly explode.

****

Pedro's at my place when I return. He flashes me a grin, until he sees the storm on my face. Immediately, he's concerned.

"Was there a problem after you picked out your dress?"

"Yes!" I explode and Pedro winces at my outburst. "Kristen noticed that I seemed a little "under the weather," and had the audacity to suggest therapy or even rehab!"

Pedro rolls his eyes, reaching for my hand, leading me over to the couch. We sit down. "Damn. I never would have taken her for the "holier than thou" type."

"Right?" I shake my head, still stunned by her bold play. "She barely knows me! Where does she get the nerve to start lecturing me about a few drinks?"

"It was more than a few," Pedro corrects. "But if you were in the wrong, so was I. We both were drinking last night."

I nod, as Pedro's thumb caresses my palm. "So...you liked the dress?"

He grins. "I loved the dress, mi amor! You're gonna be the best dressed one on that red carpet."

I chuckle those bad vibes, evaporating. I lean into him, smiling. "Thanks. Have you picked out your outfit yet?"

"Yeah." Pedro shows his outfit on his phone. White button down shirt, white pants and wearing a red carnation. I smile.

"Perfect." Pedro kisses the top of my head, smiling softly.

"Yeah. Divinely perfect."

****
The evening of the premiere arrived. It was a little warmer out than I would have preferred, but I decided it was better that then freeze my butt off. I got ready at Pedro's and was just finishing up my makeup when he stood in the doorway of the bathroom, looking incredibly sexy.

I whistle. "Damn, Pascal!" Looks him up and down. "Not sure you should be looking like that when we need to get going."

Pedro chuckles, reaching for my hand, capturing my fingers and raising it to his lips and placing a tender kiss on them. I melt. "Think I'd have that effect on you, no matter what I'm wearing."

I smirk. "You aren't wrong."

Pedro is still holding my hand. "Ready to wow them, Hermòsa?" I sigh dramatically.

"If we must."

"Unfortunately, we must."

"Then let's go before I change my mind."

****

The car rolls to a stop and I brace myself for the flashes of the cameras, the screaming fans and the reporters shouting out for my attention. As much as I enjoy acting, this part, can be a bit overwhelming. Pedro grasps my fingers in his as the driver hops put, walking around and opens the door. Immediately my hearing is assaulted by screams as people catch sight of Pedro and I arriving together.

The crowd is whipped into a frenzy, as we step on to the red carpet, multiple voices clamoring for our attention. Pedro smiles, waving and occasionally flashing the peace sign as I try to send signals to my brain to start smiling. It's forced at first, until I spot a young girl, probably around ten or eleven, tears streaming down her cheeks as she calls out to me.

Immediately, I move, going over to her, as she clumsily thrusts a magazine with my face on the front and a black sharpie in my direction. I lean in closer. "Hi, sweetie. What's your name?"

She struggles momentarily with speaking before whispering: "Cara." I ask her how she spells it, quickly writing: To Cara, with love, Charley. She's still crying, but has this big smile, too.

"T..thank you!"

"Of course, sweetie." I step back, but there are plenty of others still eager for my attention. I sign a few more autographs and take few selfies with fans before our agents are gesturing for us to return. I quickly retreat to Pedro's side, as he steps back, too, from interacting with his fans. He takes my hand and we pose for numerous photos.

"I saw what you did back there," Pedro whispers in my ear. "For that little girl." I blush.

"What can I say? The younger set always has my heart." Pedro gives me a gentle squeeze.

"So I've noticed. Guess the even the bad girl, secretly has a heart of gold." I make a face.

"Just don't tell anyone. I do have a reputation to uphold."

Pedro winks. "Your secret is safe with me, mi amor."

****
The film is a massive hit. Afterwards, people are lining up to extend their congratulations to both Pedro and myself. James spots us, coming over and adding his congratulations.

"I should be thanking you," I say. "You took a huge gamble, casting me." James grins, giving me a hug.

"I know genuine talent when I see it, Charley. And you, my dear, are immensely talented." James pulls away. "You've reinvented yourself. You'll be having more offers than you'll know what to do with."

"I'm not holding my breath."

"Trust me," James says. "I bet I had five or six other directors asking me about you since the film ended. You'll be getting offers like crazy."

***
James isn't lying. During the after party, I have at least a dozen directors approach me, stating just how much they'd like to work with me. I'm floored. I haven't had offers like this, ever, in the almost twenty years I've been in this industry. (Of course, most of that has to do with my oh so stellar reputation.)

Pedro smiles like a proud parent, adding his two cents to the directors, telling them how professional I am and that work ethic is incredible. (Let's just try and pretend that incident in Hawaii never happened, shall we?)

However, I'm still not going to believe I'll actually get cast in anything soon, until I'm actually hired and have signed a contract. Kristen sticks around some, but them cuts out early, stating she has to be up early, for another client tomorrow morning. I thank her and smiles, heading out. I had noticed, too, she'd seemed a little uneasy around me. Probably due to our awkward exchange on Thursday.

After a few hours, Pedro and I head out, too, returning to his place. My feet are killing me and I can't wait to ditch my shoes and this dress. Pedro guides me to his car and I happily climb inside, immediately removing my heels, running a hand over my bare feet.

"Feet still bothering you?" Pedro asks, climbing into the driver's seat and starting up the car.

"A little, yeah."

"I'll get right on a foot massage as soon as we're back at my place," Pedro promises. I nod, exhaustion taking over.

"I'm still struck by how quickly you responded to that young fan at the beginning of the premiere," Pedro adds. I smirk.

"What? You thought I was just a hard hearted bitch who enjoyed pissing off the paparazzo?"

"No. I always knew you weren't as tough as you claimed to be." I roll my eyes. Pedro pulls into the parking lot, by his apartment and cuts the engine. "Don't roll your eyes at me."

Chuckling, I reluctantly slip my heels back on, opening up the passenger door and climbing out, eager to just crash. "I like keeping people guessing," I say aa we trek inside the apartment building. "More entertaining that way."

"You aren't as hard to figure out as you assume." We reach Pedro's apartment and he unlocks the door and I step in, kicking off my heels before asking Pedro to unzip my dress. He does and it falls in a puddle around my ankles.

"Freedom," I say, going to pull on one of Pedro's shirts and crashing on to his couch. He chuckles, taking off his shirt and tossing it aside, joining me. He gathers me in his arms, kissing the top of my head as I nestle into his body.

"Tonight was one of the best premieres I've attended," Pedro murmurs in my ear. I shiver, his voice effecting me way more than it should.

"R..Really?" I twist around some, looking up into those beautiful brown eyes.

"Really." Pedro hugs me tighter. "Which is why I can't let you go, Charley."

Oh shit.