10 | Close Up

"Okay," I said, putting the car into park on the side of a quiet road. "I think this is it."

We got out of the car, looking up t he fancy hotel before us. "This looks nice," Colt stated. I nodded in agreement.

"Would you expect anything less from Tom Ryder?"

Colt chuckled, gesturing for me to follow him inside. He was still a bit out of it, but slightly more steady on his feet. I followed him inside.

Colt immediately strolled up to the reception desk, slapping both hands on the counter. The lady behind it looked slightly shocked, shooting me a confused smile. "I'd like to speak to Kevin," Colt demanded, still slurring slightly.

The lady just shook he head apologetically. "Kevin's on a break."

I stepped up to Colt's elbow as he responded. "Okay, maybe you can help me," he said. "Can I order the fruit plate?" 

I chuckled at the air quotes he made when he said 'fruit plate.' The receptionist still looked very confused. "Okay." She glanced over at me, as if for help. "Do you want me to call room service?" She mimicked Colt's prior air quotes at the last part.

"I don't know," Colt replied. "Is that what happens—"

"—When will Kevin be off his break?" I butted in, gently using my elbow to nudge Colt out of the way. He obliged. "We were told to speak to him about this."

The lady nodded, seemingly happy to speak with someone who wasn't slurring their sentences. "Well, do you have a room? I might be able to help."

I shook my head. "We really need to speak to Kevin."

"Okay." The receptionist just nodded. "Well, he should be off his break in a few minutes. You're welcome to wait."

I nodded. "Thanks—"

"—Colt?" My eyes widened at the familiar voice. "Skye? What are you doing here?" I whipped around to see Jody—my boss—walking towards us. I opened my mouth to formulate an excuse but nothing came to mind. "What are you wearing?"

"Uhh..." Colt stuttered, looking back at me, with wide eyes. "I got the wrong bags at the airport."

Jody nodded, unconvinced. "Did you get the wrong bag as well, Skye?"

I tried to hide the winced expression on my face at the bold-faced lie. "Um, no..." Jody looked at me expectantly. "I was just showing Colt around Sydney and, uh... we went to neon night!" Jody's eyes widened in surprise. "At a bar..."

"I see," Jody replied, looking between us once more. "Well, that would explain... this." She waved her hand in front of Colt's plastered face. "Just remember, we've got a six o'clock call time tomorrow." I groaned inwardly. "Nigel will actually kill you if you're late."

I nodded in agreement. "No, we'll be there." I reached over and grabbed Colt's upper arm, feeling it tense slightly at my touch. I couldn't help but notice how toned it was. "I'd better get this guy home then."

This is so awkward!

"Good idea." Jody seemed to be very confused and suspicious and I didn't blame her. She waved us off as Gail appeared from the next room. She looked up at the frantic producer. "Can you grab your things?" Gail said, the phone up to her ear. "we've really got to..."

Jody nodded. "Okay."

"Colt." Gail stopped in her tracks when she noticed Colt, her eyes travelling down his arm to where my hand was gripping it, then following my own arm up to my face. "Skye?" I smiled politely, my grip tightening on Colt's arm. "You look like you've been busy."

I could see the confusion in Gail's eyes. She clearly hadn't expected to see us here, let alone see me with Colt. Speaking of Colt...

"Yeah, we've been pretty busy," Colt said in a suggestive tone. I knew he was just trying to let Gail know what he was doing, but an unknowing Jody's lips pursed at the inflection.

Gail nodded, chuckling awkwardly. "Well, that's good." She turned to me. "Good thing you've got Skye there, to look after you." I smiled bashfully.

Colt nodded, not seeming to understand how he sounded. "We've been doing a lot of running around, Gail."

"Well," Gail continued, grabbing Jody's arm and pulling her away. "We'll talk about it over a drink later, but right now, the studio is so far up my ass, I can taste them." I cringed at the graphic visual as Gail turned to Jody. "We need that third act."

"Yep," Jody nodded, following Gail away. 'Bye.""

"Bye," Colt and I said in unison as they disappeared from sight. I let out a sigh of relief, loosening my grip on Colt's arm. "That was close."

"Ahem." I spun around to see a man behind the reception desk; the woman who had spoken to us, no longer in sight. He looked between Colt and I with a polite smile. "Sir, ma'am." Colt and I nodded in acknowledgement. "I hear you're interested in a fruit plate?"

My eyes widened in realisation , but Colt beat me to the punch line. "Kevin?"

The man—Kevin—nodded. "Yes," he replied, in the same whispered tone as Colt. He held out a key card, which Colt immediately snatched from his hand. "It's on the—it's on the—"

Colt had already stomped off before Kevin could finish. "Sorry," I apologised. "Where is it?"

Kevin looked back at me. "Fifth floor, on the left."

I nodded, turning to follow after Colt. "Thank you."

***

A/N: Okay, before you start getting mad at me... yes, I am aware that the title says "daily updates." I am also aware that it has been over a week since I've last updated. Don't worry, I guarantee I am more disappointed than you are 😂 .

I started an internship last week and I thought I would still have enough time to update, but I didn't. I also kind of procrastinated a little (if I'm honest). But, I'm going to do my best to update more consistently. I have written tomorrow's chapter already. I'm trying to get a bit ahead to avoid this happening again.

Thank you so much for your patience. I really appreciate your continued support, despite me not updating for awhile.

Anyways, here is today's question: what do you think about Gail's character? I honestly think her character was a bit shallow and surface level. I thought the producer-villain trope was predictable, but I also thought it made for an interesting dynamic between Gail and Jody. Let me know what you think!