Chapter 8

The Lies Between Us

8 – The Guy You Love

The first day of shooting went well for all the cast of Princetown. Everyone was in good spirits especially the lead actor. It was all-in-all an ecstatic day.

Tait was smiling to himself recalling the last scenes he did with Lisie. He expected her to be good but what she did today was flawless. He was more than impressed. So he thought of doing something as a way of a welcome and now he was waiting by the door of her dressing room.

When the door creaked open, Tait pushed his back off the wall to meet her. He could see that the lady was surprised.

"Tait," she gasped, her round eyes twinkled in amusement. "W-what are you doin' there?" Tait smiled back. "I thought I'd wait for you and invite you for dinner." He saw her make up artist beam at him as she bid the both of them good bye.

"I'll go ahead. See you tomorrow Lisie!"

"Hey, maybe you can join us?" Lisie suggested and Tait raised an eyebrow.

"Er, my boyfriend just messaged me so he'll pick me up. Bye guys~"

Tait was glad Lis' make up artist denied the invitation. Although he's sure it would be fun with more company but he really wanted to hang out with Lis and get to know her better tonight.

"So..." Tait got her attention back and turned to him. "Are you free tonight?"

Lis pouted, her hands feeling her cheeks thinking about his request. "Is this like...normal?"

Tait rolled his eyes. "Normal as in, do I do this to my costars? Be my guest."

Lis gave him a suspicious look. "You're not going to be weird and hit on me would you?"

Tait barked out a laughter. "I'm guessing you took the bet seriously, but trust me, you'll know if I'm hitting on you." He said bringing up the bet like it did not bother him at all.

Lis was almost convinced but she was going to say no hadn't Tait pulled her hand and drag her away from their growing audience.

She was so oblivious while talking to him that she absent-mindedly didn't see the staff hovering closely over them.

They got out the studios in a hurried manner without anyone tailing them around. Tait got his phone and dialed Yul's number as soon as they were out.

"Hey Bro...yeah, don't pick me up. I'll drive and have dinner with someone."

Tait turned to Lis and smiled briefly at her, his hand still unconsciously tangled on hers.

"Y-yeah...no it's...it's not like that. Fuck you, shut up. Oh you're with her bodyguard. Tell him she's with me. I'll get her home...you're sick. Fuck you."

Tait pushed his phone back to his pocket after the call. "Sorry 'bout that. Um, that was Yul. He told me he was with your bodyguard so I kinda told him you're with me and we're eating together." He frowned when she didn't look back at him.

"Something wrong?"

"Yeah, when are you going to let go of my hand?"

Tait's mouth dropped open when he realized it was true. As soon as he saw it, he let go of her and put his hand on his pockets.

Maybe it was because he was always like that with his ex that's why it's a habit that's hard to forget, he convinced himself.

He heard her sigh and said, "He sure is a liar. Hits on me the moment we out of work."

Tait let out a small giggle hearing her talk to herself. "Sorry...I didn't mean to."

Lis gave him one of her suspicious look again for the third time.

"It's a habit my ex..."

Their eyes found each other. Tait was the first to turn away. "Sorry," he said putting his hand on the back of his head.

Maybe he's really crazy for doing this so early to a coworker. Come to think of it, it would take a few weeks before he invite costars to hang out and treat them to dinner. Well it's usually with other costars too but then he feels like he should be alone with Lis – since Jim was weird around her. Tait was seriously reviewing his actions when he heard her chuckle.

"What's funny?"

"Nothing..."

Tait continued to frown.

"I mean, it's just funny how you reacted." Lisie's laugh continued. "It's always me who always get caught off guard between the two of us. It's funny now because it's your turn."

"Psh, crazy girl," Tait shook his head, pursing his lips to keep from smiling. "So...where do you want to go?

"I thought you already had a place in mind?" Lis halted placing her hands on her tiny waist.

"I don't know what you like," he shrugged stopping on his tracks as well.

"Hmm, let's check out Subway." Now it was Lisie's turn to grab his hand.

Tait didn't mind at all.

The two of them decided to take out two Subway meals because it's getting late in the evening. Paparazzis are active after 9pm so the both of them decided they didn't want any ruckus happening while having their dinner.

They ended up eating inside Tait's Mercedes.

"Thanks for the treat," Lisie said after a bite.

"It's nothing," Tait answered.

Lisie smiled thinking that maybe this is a start of a great relationship with a costar. But there's one thing she wanted to know and she's curious about it ever since they met for the first time at the cake shop.

"So...since we're here chilling eating Subways" Lis started, "while listening to Gallant..."

"Go on..." Tait chuckled.

"We're vibing and this might ruin the mood but...why did you take a break?"

Tait continued to munch on his food but Lisie noticed the question didn't bother him at all. His face remained vapid.

"Ah, we're doing the 20 questions now are we," Tait nodded to himself liking the idea.

"You didn't really go to rehab right?" Lis proceed to ask. "20 dollars says you were trying to make money by vlogging but you realized you were an A-lister so Youtube couldn't pay much and now you're back?"

"Tch. You gotta be creative than that."

"Try to open a franchise? In-N-Out?"

"Not even close."

"Join the football league?"

Tait shook his head. "Wish I was that talented..."

Lisie thought hard and come up with a crazy idea. "Aha! Maybe you were running away from a huge debt because you trusted the wrong person..." Lisie chided but took it back. "Nah, you're so high profile, that's impossible..."

Tait nodded blatantly. "That's it."

"What?!?!"

"My previous manager practically sold me off to a syndicate. Some gangster were after my ass and it didn't help that my ex used me for clout to get her name out of it's cave. The funny thing was, it was all happening under my nose and I didn't even do shit about it."

Tait almost laughed at Lisie's bewildered expression.

"My family suffered, almost lost my best friend and before I knew it, my career's out on the dumps." He continued.

Lisie was silent.

"One of the worst thing was my so-called fans. Most o'them wished I'd die." Lisie's face was apologetic after he narrated what happened to him in the last few years.

Tait smirked. "Some mess huh? You know sometimes I think since I've been to hell, nothing worse than that could happen if I go back to Star Avenue. So that leads to now."

"Were you really planning to go back?" Lisie asked since he didn't really confirm anything until a few days before production starts.

"No." Tait met her eyes and they continue to stare at each other for long.

Tait thought her eyes were like a safe place that he didn't fit in to. He could stare at them but the longer he does, it felt too much like he doesn't deserve it.

"If you keep looking at me like that, I promise you, you'll fall in love with me," he joked and his plan worked because Lisie turned away.

"You're not my type."

Tait rolled his eyes. "Well who do you like? That soccer guy?"

Lisie almost spit her drink. She eyed him accusingly, surprised that he's following what's on the news about her. She knew it's all around the news but him bringing it up was interesting.

"I'm surprised you know about Jacey." She scoffed.

"Who doesn't? Guys like that are all over Star Avenue. You gotta up your taste." He said lowering the volume of the stereo when Jonas Brothers Sucker played on the radio.

"Why don't you just admit that you still like me? Your tweet from 10 years ago said so," he teased earning him a whack on the arm from her.

"I can't believe you'd go for that!" She continued whacking him. The guy wasn't bothered because his arm is as hard as steel.

"Don't be shy now, it's only the two of us here," Tait laughed because her face was turning scarlet red.

"You asshole!"

"Hey, will you keep it down. The paparazzis might be around and they'll think we're having some kind of fight yet you're not even my girlfriend."

"And I'm never going to be!"

"Tch. Do you want to lick me then? My tan's almost gone though."

"Fuck you!" Lis tried to get out but Tait was fast to lock the doors.

"Okay, I'll shut up now." Tait bit his lip to keep from laughing. "OW!" He yelled when she whacked him with brute force for the last time.

Lis calmed down when she noticed Tait was comforting his pained arm. If she's in a better mood, she would've laughed at his pouty face.

"Take me home."

"Yes, ma'am."

Tait couldn't wipe the smile off his face when he got home. He was still thinking about earlier when he dropped her off her place.

"I'll see you tomorrow, Lily. You can lick me anytime. I won't hold it against you!" he called out playfully while she slams the door to his face.

Lis sneered at him muttering something inaudible under her breath never looking back.

Tait shook his head at the memory. It was still early to tell, but she was very different from everyone else. If he's like this to his sister, Jane will probably fight back with hurtful words. This is why he continues to let her win every argument or else they'll always be on each other's nerves all the time.

When he reached the penthouse, a visitor was waiting for him. It was none other than his friend from New Zealand, Hayes.

Tait beamed looking back at his old friend. "So I guess you've made a decision."

"I hope I don't regret it though." Hayes smiled brightly stepping closer to give Tait a brotherly hug.

They entered the house together while catching up on things. Tait toured his friend around while explaining how things work etc. They were both hanging out in the kitchen when he almost forgot Jeremy.

"The guy you love?"

Tait considered hitting him but held himself back. He thought Lisie was already rubbing off on him. He kept it cool and replied,

"Of course I love him. But not as much as I love you." He winked at him.

Hayes groaned. "Ack. Cut it out."

"You started it."

"You're weird, Tait."

He shrugged and pulled out his phone. He dialed Jim's number.

"I'll just call Jim. We should celebrate." Tait said while waiting for the other end to answer.

"I guess I came in a perfect time. You seem to be in a good mood."

Tait just smirk at his comment.

When Jim didn't answer, he called Nash.

"Yeah?" Nash answered.

"Hey, you seen Jim?"

"Jim? Shouldn't he be with you? You live together."

Tait almost gritted his teeth. "Yeah, he's not home yet."

"Dude, I'm your manager. Not your father."

This "dude" was making him look stupid. "Well, he's not here. And he's not answering his phone."

"Aish, why didn't you go home with him then?" Nash asked getting annoyed.

"I...I was..." Tait scratched his head then turned to Hayes. The guy raised an eyebrow at him.

"What?" Hayes muttered.

"What?" Nash asked on the phone.

"I had dinner with someone." Tait admitted. Hayes' lips pointed teasingly at him.

"I knew it. You went out with her."

"No, I didn't." Tait denied thinking about his ex.

"You didn't have dinner with Lisie Moore?"

"Oh, I...I did."

"That's what I said!"

Tait scrunched his nose. His hands went to the back of his head. A habit he has since he was a kid whenever he feels embarrassed.

"Look, I'm worried about Jim. He's usually back at this hour. Could you call him for me, please."

He heard Nash sigh on the line.

"Only because you said please."

"Thanks man."

When he turned to Hayes, the guy was viewing the trophy stand.

"So you found the gold stash." Tait joked looking at the awards he and Jim acquired through the years. "Those are fake by the way." He added.

"For a second there I forgot you're a celebrity." Hayes was overwhelmed by that fact at the same time, intimidated.

"Don't mind it. I prefer you treat me like a peasant. Just like New Zealand." Tait reminded him. The first time they met was at a computer cafe. He was playing e-games when he realized the guy on his team was Hayes who was just a seat across from him.

Tait needed a place to stay and Hayes was the cafe owner. He worked for him as a janitor and after a month gaining Hayes' trust, he told him about his identity.

Hayes stepped back to look at him. Like he's searching for Tait's imperfections.

"You're almost perfect huh grrr" Hayes pinched Tait's cheeks. "Stay nice."

"Get off!" Tait pushed his hands.

Hayes giggled. "So who's this chic?"

Tait ignored him and paid attention on his vibrating phone. There was a text message from Nash saying he had found Jimmy.

When he saw the location, Tait clenched his jaw in worry that something might have happened to his best man.

There can only be two reasons why Jim would go to Club Banana at this hour. One, is because Rian got mad. And second, is because he got jealous.

Those were the only possibilities.

When both Tait and Hayes had successfully retrieved a drunken Jim from the energetic crowd, Jim confirmed one possibility.

"Why can't shee believe meeee!? I do not like that woman!"

It was the first reason.

"Is your friend okay?" Hayes asked beside Tait while he puts on his seat belt.

"He'll be fine."

"Women are so savage!" Jim continued to slur. "I'm really scared man. What if she breaks up with me tomorrow...ooof, my stomach...."

"Hey don't throw up in my car!" Tait yelled.

"What happened to your woman?" Hayes asked the intoxicated one.

"Just ignore him, Hay."

"Well, I thought she's leaving Star Av first thing in the morning...but she turned up at work earlier..." Jim managed to say.

"She's soo cute dressed simply in her hoodie man. My girl's sooo sexy...mmm"

Tait made a face but concentrated on driving. 

Hayes just nodded glad that Jim had stopped narrating his story. 

Or so he thought.

"But when she frowned I knew something's up. My costar was just a casual flirt and that...that girl...I forgot her name...she...she embraced me from the back."

"Her name's Sheena Yen." Tait said flatly.

"And she saw that man! She just took off!"

"The girlfriend or the costar?" Hayes asked still interested.

"The costar."

"Will you both shut up! I'm the one who's in trouble here!" Jim complained like a kid having tantrums.

"Rian's not going to break up with you."

"You think so?" Jim pushed himself off his seat his breath fanning the two in front.

Hayes made a disgusted face.

"Aw man, how much have you been drinking?" Tait groaned.

It was a long night for Tait. Jim made a mess that made Hayes' first night an unforgettable one. That's why when the next day came, Tait arrived late on set.

His schedule for the day was moved and Nash prioritized his photoshoot for number one. He felt restless that he couldn't smile at his fans coming to set.

"Tough night, boss?" Yul smirked as he accompanied Tait inside.

"You should live with us, Yul." Tait wrapped an arm around his bodyguard.

"No thanks, I've enough shit to deal with."

"No, you should reconsider."

Yul shook his head then smiled when he saw someone approaching. "Hey Lisie!"

"Lisie?" Tait exclaimed in confusion.

"Hi guys." She said smiling politely at both of them.

"Sorry my boss is late." Yul beamed patting Tait's bum making the latter flinch a step forward.

"Oh" Lisie got out of balance when Tait's body bumped stiffly on hers.

"Sorry," Tait's eyes were shaking when his arm automatically caught her waist.

"Woah, my bad. I guess you needed a push there boss since you were having a terrible morning." Yul remarked. He turned his back on them and waved his hand dismissively.

"You're welcome," Yul cheered in a whisper.

To Be Continued...

*photo* Rian x Jim 

a/n

Taelice obvious once again.