I do what I can, which isn't much. Just like Gareth is focused on his career, I'm focused on this production. If I do a decent job and keep anything from blowing up and ending, then I have a chance to do this again and keep the honour of the family.

Although it is painful, Gareth is right. Love and relationships are a distraction, hence dangerous for our goals. Even a one-side crush is already jeopardising my work, keeping my mind distracted when I should be a hundred percent in this production. But even when I'm in meetings his name manages to slip into my mind, breaking any train of thoughts and making me look like an idiot in front of important people.

That is why I do my best to stay away from him in order to stop myself from falling for him anymore than I did already. I book even more meetings and I'm all the time with Teru, discussing all sort of ideas to promote the film and at the same time be different and creative. Not that we succeed at that, but we are trying. Especially now that we are coming back to England.

The outdoors shooting is finally over. Unless they need to add something or re-shoot a scene, we won't be coming back to Glencoe, which means I don't need to be around the crew the whole time. Which also means I'll be in the office and having meetings with different people, face-to-face instead of through video conference. I'm extremely grateful for that.

Now, as the scenes will be shot in set in our studios in London, I just have to visit the set for a while every day to make sure things are going smoothly; by now I don't need to be twenty-four-seven there. It would be better if I were constantly supervising, considering I don't really trust Jerry, but there are other things I need to take care of, especially when we've been already three months shooting.

But spending less time on set means not only that I can avoid Gareth but also that I can't spend as much time with Cece. To be honest, I was even scared that the moment we came back everything would change with him. He's older, he has his boyfriend and all his other friends here, so why would he keep hanging out with a girl ten-years younger than him? When we were on set we were kind of pushed together due to the situation, but nothing keeps us like that now. But Cece surprises me when he shows up in TP's offices demanding to see me.

"My babe demands to finally meet you. Why do you keep hiding here? I barely see you now!" he whines, hugging me tight, almost asphyxiating me.

"I've been busy," I reply. Or try to, considering I have my face buried in his chest and all my words are muffled.

"Bullshit!" Cece cries out. "How can you not have time for your bestie? I get you are not even trying 'cos Ice Prince is there, but aren't I even worth it for you to pay me a visit?"

I wrap my arms around him and actually relax in his embrace instead of struggling, and that helps him to loosen up a bit until the hug is comfortable.

"Gomen," I mutter. "But I've been really busy. We need to settle everything for promotion and you know that with me it takes three meetings instead of one because they don't trust me, so I have three times more work," I explain better this time and Cece pats my head.

"My poor little Ann. This fucked up society can't see how capable you are. Okay, are you done for today? Let me treat you and finally introduce you to my man."

"I have just one more meeting and I'm done. Can you wait for an hour or so?" He nods. "Great, then I'll see you in a while. You can wait here."

That's how I meet Teru outside, leaving my friend inside my temporary office, and head to the next meeting. I also use that opportunity to call home.

"Mi niña!" Soledad answers the phone, calling me her child in Spanish.

My family missed me a lot during these three months, even Grandma showed a bit of emotion and expressed having missed having me around. I never noticed this before but Grandma is actually quite like Gareth, stoic and standoffish, easily misjudged for heartless when in fact she is just very reserved. Maybe that's why it isn't hard for me to read Gareth, because I'm used to my Grandma and to reading the small expressions that she shows to the world.

Father was also happy to see me again and asked me more how I was dealing with things instead of about the production itself. I think he's just making sure I'm doing things properly, not caring so much what the result might be because he gave up on that already.

Mum and Sol were the most excited about my return, suffocating me in hugs and feeding me until I couldn't move, saying I was too skinny and that I needed some meat on my bones. I think I gained two kilos in the first weekend back home.

"Hola, Sol," I reply to the nurse that has become a second mother already. I think it's just her loving nature. "I'm sorry but I won't make it for dinner tonight. My friend Cece invited me over."

"Oh, what a pity, mi niña, but don't worry, I'll tell your parents," she replies with her accent. It's not that thick because she's been here for years and I know she can actually mask it almost perfectly, but she chooses not to, saying it's part of her identity and a way to still feel connected to her homeland.

"Gracias, Sol," I thank her and I'm sure she is smiling as brightly as usual.

"But make sure you bring this friend of yours over soon. You know your mother can't wait to meet your friends. She's been dreaming of showing your baby pictures to someone," Sol tells me and I shiver.

"And for that, I will never take a friend home," I joke, knowing that no matter what I'll take Cece home pretty soon for him to meet my family. "See you later today, Sol."

"Chao, mi niña," she bids me goodbye and I do the same for her.

After that comes the meeting, which is not easy. Through video conference it was easier to fool them into thinking I'm older, but now they can see me and it's a bit harder. I still try my hardest to repress any sign that can give me away and be more professional than anyone here. It's still hard to get to anything when there's such animosity and mistrust. And I can understand them. Tachibana Productions has done amazing things, but under my Father's control, not mine. I haven't done anything to earn their trust yet.

When the meeting is over we still haven't come to a decision yet, but we are closer and we'll be settled with it by the end of the week. Still, I'm exhausted and I'm just thinking of going home but when I enter the office and see Cece, I remember we have plans.

"Blimey! Ann, you look exhausted. I think I didn't really believe it was that hard. My poor girl. No worries, Pete is making an incredible dinner for you. Let's go!" he hurries me, hooking arms and saying goodbye to Teru, and informing Aaron, Father's driver, to just go because he'll take me home when we are done.

I get nervous in our way to their flat, I'm not sure why. Pete is delightful over the phone and I doubt he'll be different in person, yet still, I'm nervous and I can't even hide it as we take the lift. It's an old five storey building, with an old lift from films like in The Ring, and I get a bit excited about that. I'm silly like that.

Once we reach the last floor and Cece opens the door, another man comes running, taking off his apron and trying to fix himself. He's tall and skinny, light brown hair that he shaves at the sides of his head and keeps in a tall quiff on top, thick beard and big, dark-framed glasses, dressed now in skinny jeans, brown ankle boots, white tee and a plaid flannel shirt on top. It's evident this epitome of hipster is the famous Pete.

"Ann! Welcome!" He greets and hugs me, which surprises me and catches me off guard. "I'm so happy we finally get to meet. Cece always speaks of you. If he weren't so gay, I'd be jealous," he jokes and I laugh out loud.

"You should still be jealous. Ann makes me question my allegiances," Cece comments, wrapping an arm around Pete's waist and pulling him for a short kiss on the lips. I just smile.

"Yeah right." Pete replies, rolling his eyes and pushing the makeup artist aside. "Come, Ann. You look exhausted so you need something to boost your mood."

Just like Cece, Pete grabs my arm and hooks his with mine, guiding me to the kitchen and giving me a small tour of the flat. It's a three room flat, with a big space for the kitchen and living room that is divided with a counter where they keep a homey bar, and next to it the table that is already set. One of the rooms is their bedroom and it's like a picture taken from tumblr. Maybe I have even seen it on my dashboard, as Pete is a photographer and likes to share some of his work there.

I start following him right away.

The other rooms are studios, one for Cece and one for Pete. They tell me that they help each other, Cece modelling for Pete and Pete letting Cece try new makeups and the like on him.

They are both so nice and funny, constantly making me laugh with their jokes and teasing. They are also madly in love with each other, looking so cute every time they steal a kiss from one another when they think I'm not watching.

We have a good time, joking, laughing and eating. Pete is an amazing cook and Cece an amazing bartender. He mixes some special cocktails for me that are just delicious, and I can't believe they have actual alcohol in them.

I don't notice the moment Pete brings one of his cameras and takes pictures of our evening together. He says he likes natural pictures the most instead of having people posing or preparing for one. He says those are real and the ones he keeps for himself. I spend quite a while watching albums he has of different random pictures he takes during his trips and a lot of Cece just carrying on with his daily life.

"I'm so used to that thing already, I don't even see it anymore," Cece comments when I point out the amount of pictures of him just being himself.

One of my favourites is when he received some parcel with products he ordered specially from Korea. Pete captured that excitement and happiness when he opened the box revealing all his new toys.

After I've showed them exactly how to use the chopsticks, had a contest moving beans from one bowl to the other in a minute, giving me the victory with an extra portion of dessert as reward, my phone goes off. At first I think it's Mum calling and asking when I'll be home, but I'm surprised when I see it's just a text message from Gareth.

I haven't see you in a while. How's everything going? - Gareth

I'm not sure how to react at first when I see that. Both happiness and longing stir in my guts, but I can't settle with just one emotion. I think my expression falls because both Cece and Pete ask what's going on.

"Gareth just texted me," I share and Pete looks confused so Cece provides a small summary, telling him who Gareth is and what's his relationship with me. Meaning, he's the guy I have a crush on and I'm trying to move on from.

"Just tell him you've been too busy. Be sharp so the conversation ends there. If you're trying to move on, the best thing is to cut contact and avoid any sort of conversation," advises Pete and I sigh.

I've been busy that's all - Ann

You barely come to set now. Is something wrong? I've tried calling you - Gareth 

Comes his reply and I heave a more exhausted sigh. It's true he's called and it's also true I haven't had the time to call him back or the heart to listen to his voice just yet.

Extremely busy. Drowning in meetings - Ann

I stare at my mobile screen and I see the bubble with three dots telling me he's writing. And this stays for a while to vanish next. Showing up and disappearing just to show up again. It keeps that for a while until the reply finally comes and I don't know why I feel so disappointed, it's what I was looking for, to cut this conversation.

Oh. Work hard then - Gareth

I don't reply. I don't know how, whether with a thanks or an emoji, and before I can overthink this even more, Cece takes my mobile from my hands and gives me a new cocktail.

"It'll be okay," Pete says with a smile that I shakily return. He pats my shoulder and hands me another portion of dessert. "Comfort food," is all he says and my smile widens a bit.

Things are not going any better with Gareth and work is as hard as usual, but I think I've made a new friend and that's good. I'll focus on that for now. Positive thoughts bring a positive attitude and positive feelings. That's how I'll deal with everything until I'm fine. That's the choice I've made.

~:~

I just love Pete and Cece. And I can't add a picture of him right now, but I'll try for next chapter.

Let me know your thoughts on the comments!

Dedication to DiannaMoralesBooks

Bel, xx

NU: Tuesday