Action!

The stairs toward the airplane seem to stretch like a mile. 

Was it guilt? Was it fear? She was unable to recognize whatever it was that is bothering her at the moment. She didn't know what it was that she was worried about. Something was caught in her throat, she tried to swallow it down but it only made her stomach uncomfortable. 

I'm here for work. Sabine tried to steel her mind with that mantra. The only thing that she should be doing is to act like a perfect girlfriend as requested by her contract.

A murmur of thank you towards the staff escaped her mouth as she entered the plane. She let the woman guide her to lead the way. If she wasn't mistaken, they have the business class seats all to themselves, at least according to Au, her manager. 

There was a doubt in her mind. Do they really have to go to this length? They're just going to take photos anyway. And this is a simple trip towards their destination. But boy was she mistaken.

A few feet away from her was the man of the hour. 

The beige seat covers with its dark shells along with the glass of champagne in his hand paints a regal picture. Unlike their very first meeting though, he was now sporting some comfortable set of clothes- an adidas track jacket in black and denim pants, making him look effortlessly chic.

She didn't know what to expect. She didn't even know whether he remembers their encounter. How was she supposed to move around the man who she met just a few days ago but is now deeply entangled with? Well the only thing she can do is act. 

Acting it is. Sabine resolved.

“Miss Sabine! It's good that you're here now, come please take a seat,” Lewis stated as he pointed out the vacant seat near the window beside Soren.

Sabine thought there would at least be a few exchanges of words between them but there was none at all. His blank gaze landed on her once, there was no recognition in his eyes or anything, then he never looked her way again. 

“This right here is Ms. Amanda,” he introduced the woman beside him who had a beaming smile, “she will be our official photographer all throughout.”

She raised her hand for a shake which Amanda gladly accepted.

“Please take good photos of us, Ms. Amanda. I’ll be in your care.”

The woman shook her hand with eyes widened. “Oh please don’t be too humble, the photos will surely turn out great with you as the subject in it. I most look forward to working with you, Ms. Sabine!”

“All of the people in our crew signed a non-disclosure agreement so please rest assured. This cabin is only filled with our staff. Do make yourself feel comfortable, we will be flying in a few. I'll let Ms. Amanda handle the photoshoot.”

Once Lewis left, Amanda sat on the ottoman seat just right in front of Soren.

“Okay! Let's get down to business. I'm only basing our shoot on the photos uploaded by the paparazzi without your consent. The public loved the authenticity and intimacy which is what we will try to recreate—“ she pulled out an iPad from the red plaid cloud bag across her shoulder, showing what seems to be a moodboard— “this is the vibe that we’re going for, natural, unposed, and more focus on soft, tender moments. We want images that fans will swoon for and critics won’t find fault in.”

Her eyes were on the photos as she nodded. There wasn’t any response from the man beside her.

“Well, that’s all from me for now. Although you guys have effortless chemistry, I hope you can try to be comfortable with each other, that way the photos will be able to convey what we’re hoping to come across. I’ll leave you two for now, bye-bye, Sabine!”

She let out a low, stuttering sigh. It’s bad enough that Amanda can see through their actual relationship. Distant, detached, far from what the public supposedly loved about them. 

“If you didn’t want the trouble, then you shouldn’t have accepted the offer,” his deep voice was hushed, almost inaudible. She couldn’t discern what his tone was trying to imply.

“Thank you for the concern, Senator,” she politely replied in an equally hushed volume. “This is no trouble at all. I’m just a bit tired since I’ve been out filming since three in the morning. I promise I'll do my best nevertheless.”

It was only then when he finally looked at her. Was he sizing her up? He continued to stare at her. So, she stared back—although she had a little awkward smile on.

As her eyes lingered on his features, she was able to notice his brows which were a bit down turned, it blended perfectly with the light shade of blue in his eyes. The man looked like the definition of gentle. She was seeing him in a different light, literally and figuratively.

He looked away from her and sighed.

“Soren,” he stated. He pulled the zip of his jacket all the way to his chin. “Just call me Soren.”

In turn, a genuine, light-hearted smile blossomed from her lips. “Alright then. I’m Sabine. Please feel free to call me that as well. Nice to meet you, Soren.”

Au appeared on the aisle, carrying both of their belongings. She only raised her hand to give a wave which Au returned with a nod of acknowledgement.

A voice from the speaker informed them that the plane was ascending. She braced herself from the pressure. Soon, she released the buckle of the seatbelt when the flight was steady enough.

The wool fabric of her cardigan felt soft to the touch. Oh, how much she wanted to rest! The comfort from her cloth along with the cold air was lulling her to sleep. Slowly, she slouched against the seat, trying to find a comfortable position. The fatigue from working in the morning, the ride all the way to the airport, and the non-stop thinking is finally catching up to Sabine.

If there was another thing she took away from acting, it was the ability to fall asleep wherever she is. The countless nights spent away from home, at times spent on obscure locations with uncomfortable sleeping quarters, has made her durable- earthquakes can't shake her let alone mosquitoes. Hence, the business class seat is considerably a luxurious location for her. The moment her droopy eyes finally closed, she was off to a deep slumber.

When her consciousness drifted back, the first thing she noticed was the unfamiliar surface her head was resting on.  It certainly wasn't the plane's window- it wasn't as hard. It wasn't as soft as a pillow either. It made her eyebrows scrunch.

The moment her eyes adjusted to the light, she slowly lifted the side of her head away from the surface, and faced the object in question. Just as recognition hit her, the hand where she rested immediately pulled away.

She quickly looked at Soren but the gentleman crossed his arms while his eyes were still closed. That made her tilt her head. Eventually, a little smile made its way to her lips.

What a thoughtful man the Senator is.