Two days later, I was home in my apartment with Cassidy going through pieces of the sample collection that Expressive Designs sent over for me to check out.
“This jacket is cute,” Cassidy said, handing me the jacket.
“Yeah, I like the side zippers and the hood being able to detach.” I tested out the side zippers and slid my hands inside standing from left to right in front of my mirror.
“So, tell me what happened with Mr. Boyfriend?” Cassidy asked as she took a photo of me in the jacket. We had about ten pieces to mix and match. Once that was completed, I had to try and get online and do some blog interviews.
“Nothing happened, nosy pants.” I removed the jacket, wearing only the sports bra and black tights.
“You want me to believe that?” Cassidy remarked, labeling the jacket as a possible choice.
“He had arranged dinner for us at his place, then we talked.”
The doorbell rang and Cassidy jumped up and ran to the door to grab our lunch that I ordered. She paid the driver twenty dollars for the steamed rice, vegetables, and egg roll bowls we always got from the corner restaurant near my building.
“Dinner only,” Cassidy replied as she opened the food on the table and separated out her pork and vegetable bowl.
“Do I hound you about your dates?” I questioned before I picked up the fork from the bag. I headed to the kitchen to grab us a bottle of water and came to sit next to her on the couch.
“You can’t hound something that I don’t do. This job takes up too much of my time.”
“If you're overwhelmed, let me know,” I said and nudged her in the shoulder.
Cassidy sprinkled pepper and salt on her food and took a bite, moaning in satisfaction.
“I love this job, so that’s not the problem. Finding a good man is,” Cassidy mentioned and I couldn’t agree more. I wondered if I was self-sabotaging every man that tried to date me because I didn’t want to go down that path of hurt and pain that I sang about.
“What time is the interview again?” I checked my watch on my wrist and took a sip of the water.
“In about an hour,” Cassidy responded.
“He gave me oral sex,” I blurted out and buried my head in my pillow. Cassidy jumped up and screamed in excitement.
“I knew it...he looked like the type that could eat some pussy and have you climbing walls,” Cassidy joked and I rolled my eyes at her comment.
“Don’t tell anybody I said that.” I shoved her away when she tried to hug me.
“Wow! Edward’s going to be pissed,” Cassidy reminded me, before she scratched her nose and sat back.
“Edward needs to worry about managing my career and nothing else.”
“That’s true, but you know how protective he gets over you,” Cassidy remarked and passed me an egg roll.
“He will be all right.”
“Joaquin seems very intense,” Cassidy said, then picked up her laptop and typed in her password to set up for the interview.
“That’s an understatement.”
“Why do you say that?”
“I ran out of his place and haven’t called him back.”
“Wait, you skipped out on morning sex?”
“Yeah, I sneaked out of his place like a teenager. Which reminds me, did my mom send you her flight information?”
Cassidy checked her phone and nodded.
“In a month, she’s coming with your dad for a few days,” Cassidy said, putting her phone on the table.
“I really like the short set with the see through on the side,” I said as I picked up the black and pink jogging shorts.
“Okay, I’ll let them know you want the first five pieces,” Cassidy said.
“The deal is for the editorial, correct?” I investigated, going through my contract after I placed my food down on the table.
“Editorial and opening of the shop, walk red carpet, and photoshoot.” I bobbed my head in agreement and looked over the documents. Cassidy continued jotting down her notes when my phone beeped with a notification.
Actress and Singer Sofia Chambers in love with a Mob Boss- Gossip Times Blog
Sofia Chambers and Joaquin a new item- Celebrity Style Magazine
I threw my phone on the table and groaned.
“What’s wrong?” She looked over at my phone.
“It’s probably in all the news now.” Cassidy started to close out of the video chat and pick up her phone when it rang.
“Edward.” Cassidy held the phone up for me to see.
“Ignore him, it might blow over.”
I sighed as I raked a finger through my hair.
“I need to put on some makeup.” I jumped up, ran to my bathroom and applied light foundation and lipstick. The interview would play back on social media most likely. I puffed my hair into a high bun and walked out. Cassidy was talking to the blogger and I sat down next to her on the couch and waved.
“Hey, Kelly,” I spoke.
Kelly had her own platform called Katch up with Kelly, a celebrity-driven video channel. She sometimes got into the gossip, but overall, she focused on the new movie releases, music, and TV’s latest news.
“I’m super excited to talk with you, Sofia,” Kelly responded.
“As long as we keep it to work, Kelly. I know how you can get,” I replied, pivoting my body to the camera so she could see the back white wall of my apartment.
“I understand, but can you make one comment about your new boyfriend?” Kelly queried.
“I’m single.”
“What about the pictures that paparazzi have of you in a car with some guy named Joaquin Fuertes; allegedly a mobster,” Kelly stated.
“You can’t believe everything you see, Kelly.”
“That’s true, but your fans want you to be happy,” Kelly said.
“I am, but not because of a man. My passion is singing and acting.” I waved to the wall where my plaques of my platinum album and film awards hung.
“That’s the best statement an actress has said on my platform,” Kelly said.
“We have twenty minutes for the interview, Kelly,” Cassidy jumped in to say.
“Let's start with the first question. How is the Broadway show going?” Kelly held up a playbill of the show I’d been working on.
“Everything is going well. Super proud of my work.”
“Do you have plans of doing more Broadway?”
“You just have to wait and see.”
“What about music?” Kelly questioned.
“I’m in the studio as we speak. So look for more music soon,” I answered, drinking from my water bottle.
“Do you see it more of an R&B or pop inspiration?” Kelly asked.
“Right now, I’m just recording songs. I have to enjoy what I do before planning a full album.”
Joaquin: Still ignoring me?
Joaquin: I don’t like talking on the phone.
Joaquin: We need to meet in person.
“Sofia! Sofia! Do you hear me?” Kelly wondered, calling out my name. In the middle of answering her call, my phone caught my eye with back-to-back messages from Joaquin.
Joaquin: I can tell you're scared of what we could be.
“Huh…Oh sorry...Can we finish this through email and I’ll have Cassidy send you my answers?” I replied as I turned my phone over.
“Sure, is everything okay?” Kelly wondered.
“Yeah, sorry, just a last-minute business request,” I said, trying to avoid all conversations about Joaquin. Cassidy moved the computer to herself and finished talking with Kelly to set up another session. My heart thudded in my chest when I walked over to window, scanned around, and saw a dark luxury SUV at the corner.
Everyone went on about their business as though nothing was strange about a car sitting on the corner near any restaurants. Was it a mistake to take things that far with Joaquin? I thought to myself.
“What just happened, Sofia?” Cassidy asked.
“I just wanted to cut it short to get over to the studio. Chauncey texted he was there,” I lied, closed the curtain of the window, and picked up the trash from the food and threw it away.
“Are you sure? You seem out of it right now.” Cassidy folded her arms and stood in the doorway of the kitchen.
I wiped down the table and pointed at her to ask if she wanted to finish it before I tossed it away. She gestured she was finished.
“Cassidy, stop worrying, girl. I’m fine, just call a cab or Uber so we can go,” I said.
“I can’t make it to the studio, I want to get some of the photos and samples sent over,” she replied as she strolled to the table and grabbed her laptop to put it away.
“You want to share an Uber?” I asked.
“That’s fine since it’s on my way home.”
She snapped her fingers.
“Don’t forget you have an Atlanta trip coming up,” Cassidy announced, and I bobbed my head in answer.
“I won’t,” I responded and grabbed a jacket off the coat rack, then my purse. We left together as I locked up and hopped on the elevator when the doors opened. Five minutes later, we came out of the elevator and I waved at the receptionist and doorman as Cassidy followed me out to the awaiting car.
“Here we go,” Cassidy said to the red Prius with the older gentleman driving.
“For Sofia?” I asked to make sure and he checked the name on his phone and nodded his head. I climbed inside and Cassidy got up front.
He pulled off into traffic, passing by the SUV, and I kept my head at a low angle, but still managed to see out and I noticed Alex, the bodyguard, waving at me. I rolled my eyes and knew I would have to have some words with Joaquin if he thought I would allow anyone to babysit me.
“We’re here, Sofia,” Cassidy called out.
I slid my Coach bag around my neck and stepped out of the car and told Cassidy I would see her later. She waved goodbye and I walked inside running into Chauncey coming from the recording booth.
“Hey, what are you doing here?” he asked, checking his watch.
“I wanted to get a little time in and hoped you’d be here,” I said as I followed behind him and took my backpack off.
“All-nighter?” he queried.
“Yep, I need the break,” I responded, pulled out my notebook and pen, ready to get all my frustrations out. Chauncey went in and set it up for me with a bottle of water and lit candles.