One Wild Night

"Alright! Cut! That's it for today," the producer called out to the camera crew, as he clapped his hands, "Perfect! You are both perfect!" He said with a satisfied smile. 

Once the lights went off, Sonia who was still feeling upset over what she had overheard him say to Jeff, sprang up to her feet and put some distance between her and Bryan, "Where are you going to?" Bryan asked curiously. 

"I need to use the bathroom," Sonia lied with a stiff smile, but he noticed that she didn't meet his gaze as she walked away. This was the damned thing she hated about getting involved with anyone. How was she supposed to stop the ache she was feeling in her chest. It wasn't like she didn't know that he didn't like her before now, so why was her goddamn heart overreacting?

Sonia walked into the bathroom in her bedroom and shut the door behind her before turning on the tap. She stood, facing the mirror while staring at nothing in particular. She had tried to act as though nothing had happened, but she had been too hurt by what he had said to pretend. Even her smile was stiff. What had she gotten herself involved in? How could she have fallen in love with him before succeeding in sweeping him off his feet? 

She remained in the bathroom until she heard a knock on the door. She took in a deep breath as she flushed the toilet and sprinkled some water on her face, and then she opened the door. 

"Are you okay?" Mia asked with a concerned frown as she looked at Sonia. 

Sonia gave her a forced smile, "Of course, I am."

"I don't think so. What is wrong? Did Bryan say or do something?" Mia asked as she took Sonia's hand and led her to the bed to sit down. 

"He didn't. I guess I'm just tired. You know I'm not used to being in front of the cameras," Sonia said with a shrug while Mia narrowed her eyes at her. 

She had noticed that the chemistry between Bryan and Mia during the reality shoot was different compared to how strong it was during the interview. It almost seemed like Sonia had been avoiding looking in Bryan's direction this time as though she couldn't bear to see his face. 

"I'm not sure I believe you, but I'm not going to push, okay? Just let me know whenever you need to talk and I will be here to listen to you, okay?" Mia said, and Sonia smiled at her in gratitude.

"I'm leaving with Jeff now so that he can drop me off at my place. We will see tomorrow," Mia said as she stood up. 

"Thank you so much, Mia," Sonia said as she stood up and embraced the young lady who was taking on the role of a big sister. 

"Sure. Just try to get as much rest as you need, tomorrow is going to be even more hectic than today as you will both be shooting an ad," Mia informed her as they broke the hug and walked out of the bedroom. 

By the time they got to the living room, Bryan was outside with Jeff while they watched the production team drive off, "I'm ready to leave," Mia told Jeff who turned back to look at her. 

"Get in the car then. See you tomorrow Sonia," Jeff said with a knowing smile as he headed for the car, leaving Sonia who tried not to look too embarrassed. 

Jeff was the only one who knew how she had made a fool of herself earlier by throwing herself at Bryan who felt nothing for her. He was probably going to tell Mia about what he had seen as well as what Bryan had told him. Sonia waved at them and walked back into the house without waiting for Bryan to return inside with her. 

Once she walked into the house she went directly to the bar and poured herself a finger of scotch which she emptied down her throat. She winced as she closed her eyes which glistened with tears due to the stinging effect of the scotch on her throat. Or was it because of the pain in her chest?

She was pouring herself another finger when Bryan returned inside the house to meet her. He watched her curiously as she poured herself another finger of scotch, and he couldn't help wondering what was making her crave alcohol all of a sudden. 

"Would you like to see a movie with me?" He asked curiously, wanting to spend some more time in her company now that they had the house to themselves.

Why would he want to see a movie with someone he didn't care about? "No, thanks," she said as she took a sip from the glass without turning to look at him. Although she knew he had done nothing wrong, she couldn't help being mad at him for saying something like that to Harry.

"What about we go to the poolside and play some games? Maybe chess or scrabble?" Bryan ventured again. 

"Thanks, but I need to catch up with my story, so feel free to enjoy yourself," Sonia said as she emptied the content of the glass once again and dropped it on the bar surface with a loud noise.

"Are you okay?" Bryan asked when he could no longer ignore the change in Sonia's attitude toward him. He had noticed the slight change in her attitude towards him ever since they resumed shooting. Initially, he had thought it was because she felt embarrassed that Jeff had walked in on them while they were kissing, but soon he realized that she was actually being distant when she stopped touching him so much and gazing into his eyes as she had done earlier during the interview. And now he noticed that she was avoiding his gaze again.

"Sure."

"Why do I find that so hard to believe?" Bryan asked as he watched her closely while trying to figure out what he could have done wrong. This was the thing he hated about women and relationships. If he had done something wrong why couldn't she just come outright and say it rather than give him such a silly attitude?

"I don't know. I will be in my bedroom," Sonia said as she walked away, leaving Bryan who had a frown on his face as he watched her leave.

She was upset. He didn't know how he knew it, or why he was so sure about it, but somehow he could tell that she was very upset. He had unknowingly done something to offend her but he didn't know what it was. What had he done wrong? And why in God's name were they having relationship issues right now in a fake relationship? Or perhaps she was having mood swings? Was she on her period or ovulation? 

"I can't do this," Bryan muttered with a sigh as he directed his wheelchair to her bedroom. 

He tried unlocking the door but realized that it was locked from the inside so he knocked on it, "Sonia? Open the door, I want to have a word with you," he called out.

Sonia who was staring at her laptop with a blank expression on her face raised her head when she heard the knock as well as his voice, "I'm busy. Let's talk later," Sonia said as she started tapping noisily on her laptop. 

Bryan sighed, "Can you at least tell me what I did to get you upset?" Bryan asked with a frown.

"I never said I was upset. I just told you that I'm busy, let's talk later," Sonia insisted.

"Come on babe, I know you better than that, talk to me," Bryan pleaded, and then his eyes widened slightly when he realized that he had just referred to her as babe. 

Babe? Was he trying to toy with her emotions? Sonia wondered and decided to just ignore him instead, despite the fact that she kept feeling a tug in her heart to open the door. 

"Sonia? Okay, whatever it is, I'm sorry. Can we at least talk?" Bryan pleaded and cringed when it occured to him that he was beginning to sound like a simp. He could only pray that this would remain a secret and none of his friends would ever find out that he had just broken the bad boy's code by apologizing for an offense he had no idea about. 

Sonia reluctantly gave in to the tug in her heart and walked over to the door, "What do you want?" She asked as she unlocked the door and looked at him. 

Bryan sighed as he looked at her. What did he really want? "I want to talk to you."

"Fine. Go on and talk. I'm listening," Sonia urged him as she crossed both hands over her chest and looked at him.

"Can we talk by the poolside? Or in the living room?" Bryan asked, feeling uncomfortable by the way she was looking down at him while towering above him who was still seated on the wheelchair. 

"Bryan, if you have something to say to me, then go on and do so. I need to return to my work," she said impatiently.

"Are you having a mood swing? Perhaps you are on your period or ovulation?"