"Ann, Ann, Ann, Ann!" Cece calls me in a excessively high pitch just to make sure I can't miss him. I turn around, almost dropping my iPad that I was checking regarding the notes for the next meeting.

"What? Is something wrong?" I ask immediately, concerned when I see his anxious expression but once I get a closer look I realise he looks excited, not troubled.

"This is your chance!" he blurts out next and I tilt my head to the right in that confused-puppy expression. It must work at throwing him off because Cece stops on his track when we're face-to-face and seems to forget what he was about to say and just looks at me with an overcome expression.

"Oh, you cute little thing," he says, pinching my cheeks and making this excited face. "But no matter how adorable you look today, I didn't come to see that. Instead, you should be showing that adorable puppy face to our lead actor."

His words just confuse me, and I frown. As his hands are still on my cheeks he ends up basically squashing my face and I can't even utter a word.

"I just saw him, per usual, leave the set all alone, to a far, far away corner of the world to hunt deers," I can't stop frowning even if I know he's just exaggerating. I'm really used to his ways by now but that doesn't mean I can keep up all the time. "And as you are the only one he's slightly nice to maybe you should take advantage of that and befriend him. And on the way you totally figure him out and explain things to me because I'm curious."

"Who?" I ask, although it sounds more like 'fu' as Cece is still squashing my face.

He rolls his eyes and lets go of my face. "Who else? The Ice Prince. He's the only asocial in this enormous crew. Go to him and try to talk to him. He doesn't ignore you. I would go myself but he barely nodded when I greeted him. I wanna know if he's arrogant or something else. Can you help me? Come on, I know you're curious, too."

I blink, still a bit confused after that fast speech. I'm trying to arrange the words in my head so they make sense and it takes me a few seconds to manage that. Once I do, I feel my cheeks blushing although I can't exactly know why, I just feel embarrassed.

Cece is right, I am curious, especially because Gareth's been somewhat nice to me and I can't just believe what people tell about him, although he gives people evidence to say such things. But then, going to him and just trying to figure him out... well, that makes me anxious and a bit suffocated.

"M-me?" I stutter and I have to cough to clear my throat. But this doesn't go unnoticed by Cece, his expression tells me he knows exactly how I'm feeling.

"Y-yes, y-you," he teases me and I think even my ears are red now. "Come on, he'll talk to you. And come on, this is the perfect excuse to talk to your celebrity crush. Are you really telling me you're going to let this chance slip?"

"I-" I look away, trying to hide my blush.

I can't even deny my celebrity crush on Gareth. I admire him for the talented actor he is and I can't deny he is incredibly handsome. I mean, of course he is, he wouldn't be a famous movie actor if he weren't. That's how the industry works, it's not a secret or anything.

It's probably because Gareth is my celebrity crush that the idea of going to talk to him makes me so anxious. It's different when we run into each other. This time I would purposely go to him with the intention to talk. That is nerve wracking!

Cece just grabs my wrist and makes us hook arms and before I can protest we are walking.

"He should at least make a friend on set. Don't you feel pity for the poor boy? Always alone," he laments and I do feel a bit bad for him, but if that is his choice then I guess I can't do anything about that. Besides, I just realise now Cece is saying that to make me go. "It's not that hard. You've talked to him already."

"It's different now, Cece. And I'm busy, I have to go over-"

"You can do it later! You won't run away with him or stay the whole afternoon together. He also has work to do. Just use the break to get better acquainted. That's all," my friend continues and I sigh. I don't even try to keep arguing because I'm sure he'll just drag me and then shove me towards Gareth so I better make things less complicated and comply. "Just remember to report to me at the end of the day!"

"He's also your celebrity crush, isn't he?" I ask and Cece laughs.

"Don't tell Pete," he says in a whisper and I just shake my head, amused.

Pete is Cece's boyfriend and he's really nice. Yes, Cece made me talk to him over Skype a few days ago and I'm officially invited to their flat to have dinner when we're back to England. He's as happy-go-lucky as Cece, maybe a bit more laid-back and a total hipster. And I'm quoting Cece on that. Pete is also a photographer and he's amazing, like mind-blowing amazing.

"I won't. Your secret is safe," I promise and Cece just smiles brightly at me.

Not much later I can see Gareth sitting under a tree and for what it seems he is reading. Maybe he's reading lines. Cece leaves me alone and gives me one last push towards the actor before heading back to get his own lunch. I take a deep breath and just then a step forward. It's not a big deal, I'm just going to have a conversation with him, asking him how he's doing or if he has any complaint. I can use the excuse of being concerned as producer, wondering if there's something I can do for him. It isn't that weird that I check on the cast, is it?

"Hi," I say but it sounds more like a squeak and he looks up with his brow slightly furrowed. I wouldn't say he looks curious, more like bothered maybe. But then his expression relaxes when he sees me.

"Ann," he says in greeting and although his expression isn't exactly cold, it isn't warm either. And he doesn't say anything else, he just looks at me as if he were waiting for me to say something else. He probably is.

"How are you? How's everything?" I question and I think I sound a bit nervous so I clear my throat. "Is there anything I can help with? You know, as a producer," I add and I think that makes it sound more like an excuse, even if it already is.

"I'm fine," he replies without a change of expression and then it's silence again.

When he looks down back to the script in his hand-because that is what it is-I know that's a cue for me to leave but I haven't even talked to him properly yet. I mean, we've interacted more before when we accidentally ran into each other.

"What are you reading? Memorising lines?" I ask next, crouching down in front of him so we are at the same eye level. I make sure to leave the iPad protected between my knees and torso.

"Just checking a script that I was sent for a new film. An action film. I'm contemplating the project, the scenario looks good so far," he explains and I nod, following him.

"You get many offers, I assume. I requested Teru to send you a script, after all. I'm glad you were interested enough to audition," I confess and I notice a slight change in his eyes, but it's so small I can't even put my finger on it.

"It was you who made that choice? I mean, to send the script to me," he questions and I nod. "Thanks," he adds next and I can't help my surprise when he smiles a little. "My agent wouldn't have even looked into the project if you hadn't called to give him the script. He was busy handling other projects but at the end I'm the one who decides what I want to be in and Typhoon was the most interesting project of the lot. I was a fan of the books before."

"Really? That's great. So I guess you're happy to play Sasha, then," I comment and he nods but his expression doesn't show it. "But you don't look happy, though."

"I am, though," he insists but I tilt my head and I still can't see it. I think I'm giving him the same confused-puppy expression because the corners of his lips curl up in a proper smile this time. "I'm not good at showing my emotions, that's all."

"Then how can you be such a good actor? Because let's be honest, your skills are mind-blowing." I cringe when I realise how much of a fangirl I sound, but if he notices he doesn't pay attention to it.

Gareth shrugs before replying, "It's easier to pretend to have emotions than showing what I actually feel. But it's not like I'm unable to feel."

"People think you are, though," I comment next and he nods, which is a confirmation he's aware of the rumours.

He looks me in the eyes, even leaning a bit closer and one corner of his mouth curls up in something similar to a smirk. "You wanna hear a secret?" he then adds and my eyes widen as my heart races. I can only nod. "It's a marketing staggery. I mean, I'm introvert by nature but instead of overcoming that, my manager encourages me to keep that cold and detached image because mystery is my trademark, apparently. And to be honest, it is more convenient to me. I just like acting, the rest is stuff I have to deal with, but I don't like it."

"Oh, so that's why you are so evasive and detached on interviews and such?" he nods. "But you do have a heart and you're not made of ice."

He chuckles, he really does this time as he leans back, resting on the tree.

"I'm not made of ice. The fact that people refer to me as Ice Prince actually amuses me," he confesses and now I'm smiling as I realise I'm learning a little more about him. "I guess you could just say I'm shy and not a people person."

"And how's that someone like you ended up becoming an actor? I don't see those things matching," I question next.

"It was my mum's idea," he replies and I press my lips together to control my excitement. I watched many of his interviews and he's never mentioned his family. "Because I've always been shy she thought that maybe taking part of the school play would be nice and would help me to make friends."

"Did it work?" I ask, realising I'm quite interested in the story as I try to imagine a younger Gareth, a kid who wouldn't say a word and look expressionless whilst all the other kids are running and playing together. I'm not sure how to feel about that.

Gareth shakes his head but the smile is still on his lips, so I think that the thought amuses him.

"But I did find out I like acting and have been doing it since then. I also happen to be good at it," he then continues.

"Extremely good," I remind him, giving him two thumbs up. He chuckles again, every so softly. "You know, for someone shy as you said you are, you don't seem to have that problem with me. It's not like you're the most expressive person I've ever met, but you don't seem that cold to me, borderline arrogant. Everyone else seem to think you are but I can't agree."

He once again looks at me intently and I start to get nervous, I even feel the blood rushing to my cheeks to give me away.

"Hm, maybe I just find you comfortable." He shrugs but my heart is hammering. "I think that the fact you're trying to do your best in the most honest way makes you trust worthy in my eyes. I find admirable that you don't step over people despite you're above them, on the contrary, you try to earn their respect with hard work end efficiency," he compliments me and my heart is practically beating in my throat, and when he smiles I can't even swallow the lump in my throat.

"Th-thanks," I mutter, looking down. I feel so anxious that I can't even meet his eyes, so I need to change the topic before I do something really embarrassing. "So, besides acting what else do you enjoy?" I notice from the corner of my eye he shrugs instead of verbally answering. "What do you do to have fun then?"

"I'm always working," he says and although it is a very dry reply, it tells me a lot. I can look at him again and he doesn't look sad but I do feel very sorry for him.

"Bummer," I mumble because I can't think of anything else. He just shrugs, dismissing the issue but I still feel that weight in my chest. Why do I even feel like that?

__________________

Yay! Finally and update. I hope you liked it. As Cece told you, guys, I'll try to post another chapter today. I'm not sure if I'll manage because I'm dealing with some other project right now (I'll tell you about later! But I'm excited about it), but if not, then don't worry, we still have an update for Friday.

I'm glad you all liked the AN from Ann and Cece. I'll keep doing that so if you'd like another character to come, let me know. Or even if you'd like them to talk about something in particular. So I can have that stored for when I can't update.

Dedication to @itskiahere for a good comment.

Bel, xx

NU: Friday