My attitude has changed after that talk with Ella, and I have to be honest, I feel so much better. Avoiding Gareth was more painful than actually struggling with my feelings in front of him. As the blonde told me, these feelings are too beautiful to kill that fast. They make me happy, they make me fee l like it's spring every day. Sometimes I think I'm falling harder, sometimes I think I'm okay and with my feelings under control. But that doesn't really matter because now Gareth and I are spending more time together and I feel better. It's not like I spend all my time on set, I am still horribly busy with meetings, but when Im there I make sure to at least greet him.

Ariel is also often there, watching carefully and when I ask her how things are going, she always answers enthusiastically.

"I's so fun!" she usually replies. "I didn't think it'd be like this. And it helps loads to visualise things, so I can give a better feeling to the song. I'm doing the arrangements and I'm liking it even more now."

"Well, when you have it done let me hear it first, please. I can't wait any longer," I tease her and she smiles radiantly.

"Of course!"

I'm happy that she seems more at ease around me, able to laugh and answer without stuttering or blushing. I think it's because Cece is aways near and she feels protected with such a big man standing close, looking after her. I haven't seen her making up with Mare, and the only time I asked her about it she just looked really sad. I wish I could help, but that is not my call and I can't also try to fix my employees' lives.

Today in particular has been quite a difficult day. I can't even think of helping others and my head is actually anywhere.

There's a particular investor, the one that provided the largest investment for the production, who is giving me more trouble than usual. Donald O'Connors, CEO of DROC Inc., is giving me migraines. For some reason he's asking for all details and complaining a lot, rushing us to show him something concrete from the production, but we haven't even edited for a trailer or anything. We have all the raw material so we can't send him something definitive yet.

I honestly detest him. I regret working with him because as his company is the one that gave the most for Typhoon to happen he has the right to actually complain.

I wish Father hadn't picked him to work with us. I'd do so much better without him.

When I arrive to the set I'm drained and grumpy. I had a three hours meeting with Mr. O'Connors, so no, I can't really think of creating an opportunity for Ariel and Mare to make up. I can only think of the film and pray Jerry hasn't decided to only focus on the romance again and change more things than necessary.

I don't see Cece around but it's not like I actually look for him, I just take a quick look and then carry on. I don't really walk, I drag my feet to where all the crew is focused shooting.

"Ann!" someone calls and when I turn around I see Gareth coming my way.

My smile is automatic when I see him. A happy sight in a dreadful day. "Hi," I greet him but even I can notice my voice lacks the energy I always pour in it.

We've been working for months on this, of course I'm more exhausted than at the beginning, but this week in particular has been specially more difficult than any of the others.

"I was going to ask how you're doing but I don't think I need to," he comments, stopping once we are face to face. "You look exhausted."

"'Cos I am," I reply, heaving a very tired sigh, my shoulders rounding in exhausting. "I've had so many meetings lately and such a hard time. I swear I respect my father even more now."

Gareth looks at me with concern in his eyes, his brows slightly furrowed, and his lips tightly pressed together.

"And then people say you're just playing around. It's crazy how they don't see how seriously you're taking this," he gives me a little smile. "You need to take a break, Ann."

"I'd like to but it's not something I can just easily do. There's loads of work and I have to take care of that," I reply, wishing I could take at least one day off.

"Well if you can't take a break what about a few hours? Do you have free tonight after the shooting? Or do you have another meeting?" he asks and I mentally go over my schedule.

"Nope. I'll go home and let my family pamper me," I reply, not noticing how he looks a bit disappointed.

"Oh, I thought I could take you somewhere so you'd distract yourself. I think you deserve that after so much work and it's the least I could do for you,"

"Oh," I mumble, still processing his words. "Oh!" I say louder when I finally understand.

I know Cece would be rolling over, laughing at me for being so slow and naïve. Anyone else would've noticed why he asked that and if I have any hope to one day get him to like me back, I shouldn't give such a lame answer.

"We can do that!" I hurry to say. "It's not like I don't see my family every day."

Gareth chuckles at my reaction and I mentally scold myself for sounding so eager. But it doesn't seem he minds, he only seems amused. If he is really aware of my feelings, I think he's okay with them. He isn't troubled or anything and he probably knows that I'm not going to force my own crush on him or anything. Even if it's not ideal or what I'd like, I think we are in good terms, and if we can stay as friends then I guess I'm also okay with it.

"Then let's go somewhere. I have one more scene and we can go," he replies with a little smile.

"Where? Shouldn't you be careful of paparazzi following you or anything? Are we going with someone else to avoid rumours?" I ask, thinking of those problems just now.

Gareth shrugs, as if it weren't a big issue at all so I stare at him, expectantly. "We can go to my flat if you're uncomfortable going somewhere public. I think I'd be hard going somewhere from here where fans and paparazzi are gathered to get a glimpse of us," he replies and I nod, agreeing with him. "So maybe we can go to my flat and I cook for you. What do you say? It'd be my chance to give back to the producer."

"I think that works fine," I say, trying not to look too happy although that's how I feel. I'm at the edge of bouncing on my heels.

He smirks once again before leaving for next scene. Once I'm left alone I let out a squeak worthy of any fangirl. I can't believe I'm going to have dinner with Gareth tonight. That he actually asked me to join him. I know we are friends and I'm the closest to him, but besides that time Cece and I dragged him to that bar in Glencoe, we never hang out outside the set. This is totally new and unnerving. I'm regretting right now agreeing because I'm growing self-conscious

Even though, I call home to let them know I'll be having dinner outside. Mum asks me if I'm hanging out with Cece and Pete again, and for the first time I consider lying. I don't know why, I shouldn't make out of this a big deal. It's actually like hanging out with the couple, just dinner between friends. But because I like him I tend to overthink. If I do that I'll be disappointed at the end because the expectations I create in my mind will never meet reality.

That is why I tell Mum the truth, that I'm going out with another friend, an actor from the film. I haven't told her he's the one I like, my first love, and I don't even know how to tell her. The idea is already so awkward.

After about two hours, Gareth finds me again and to avoid any pictures taken of the two of us leaving together he tells me to go ahead first and wait for him in his van. He'll join me once he takes all the makeup off and goes back to his own clothes. I do as told, finding Cece on my way and telling him about it. He gets more excited than I do.

"This is a date. It's a date! I have to tell Pete. Oh my God!" I laugh at how flamboyant he's acting. He clears his throat and goes back to his normal self. "Be cool. This is your chance to make him fall."

"Thank you for the added pressure," I say and he looks so surprised.

"Oh, our little Ann is acting sassy now. Isn't she a grownup now?" I just laugh and he gives me a hug. "Never mind. Just have fun and tell me everything tomorrow!"

"Fine," I agree, stepping back and waving goodbye.

When I find Gareth's van I greet his driver who's waiting and who apparently is aware I'm going with the actor this time. I just have to wait about twenty minutes before the door opens and Gareth slides in. He smiles more comfortably and I have to blink a few times to take in what I'm seeing. I got used to have him most of the time in costume so seeing him with ripped jeans, army boots and a humongous hoodie is weird, yet it does weird things to my heart.

On our way we keep a casual conversation. He asks me about the meetings and what is exactly giving me trouble. I give him a summarised version and rant a lot. He seem amused with my reactions and how much I move my hands when I speak. I think I do that, more than usual, no to think that we are going to his flat, just the two of us.

When we are there I am surprised. I don't know what I was expecting. Maybe a flashy flat, typical of celebrity. Ridiculously big and unpractical. But his is just a normal flat, comfortable and very minimalistic. The decoration is modern and scarce, but everything looks comfortable. A place to rest.

"Make yourself at home, I'll be right back," he says, heading to his room. I keep taking a look around and I stop at the balcony because the view is breathtaking. The flat can be small or huge, it doesn't really matter because the view is worth everything.

I'm so captivated by the view of London at twilight that I don't notice when Gareth is back.

"That view is why I chose this place," he says from behind and I jump a little, too startled. He chuckles at my reaction. "So... I'm not that good at cooking, just a few things. My speciality is sushi, but I'm afraid you will judge me if I give you that."

Now I'm the one chuckling. "You'd feel like in Master Chef," I tease him and he fakes horror. "I want to try your sushi. Impress me, Mr. Maddox."

"This is too much pressure," he jokes along but the smile on his lips tells me he doesn't mind.

I follow him to the kitchen where he starts gathering all he needs. It's a spacious kitchen and well equipped. I grab a stool and sit at the other side of the isle, where I won't bother him, and watch him get ready to start cooking.

"If you wanna play some music, be my guest. There's the sound system," he tells me, pointing with his chin to a dock nearby. I get up and go there to plug my mobile. I look for a playlist with traditional Japanese music, just to set the mood. I look at him for his approval and he gives it with a wider smile.

I go back and keep watching him but I also use this chance to ask him some questions and start a conversation. We talk a bit about everything and he is even more open now to answer things about himself and his life. I ask a lot about his childhood and I even get to hear some anecdotes. He also asks a lot, especially getting my opinion about how he is doing with the sushi. I tell him about grandma teaching me traditional cooking and how strict she is.

"Then next time I have to try your cooking," he makes a bargain and I agree immediately, loving the idea of doing this again.

"Deal!"

By the time he is wrapping the sushi we are talking about his mother. He tells me even more about her and the kind of person she is. How brave and strong she is for taking care of him all on his own. How sweet and still hopeful despite everything. How much he loves her.

"I'd love if you ever meet her," he tells me. "I think she'd like you and also see how hard you're working to make the best out of this film."

I'm so touched by his words that I don't even know what to say. For a few seconds I only stare at him, impressed that he would really like me to meet his mother, the most precious person in his world.

I reply, with my voice a bit shaky because I'm too moved, especially when his smile is so honest and eager, "I'd love that."

>>>·<<<<

Hey there! Did you like this? It seems we'll have a bit more of Anneth again! It's all about give and take, right?

Dedication to laura_sheerio I liked how you put it: "Ella the Wise, Ariel the Sweet, Belle the Clever and Ann the Fighter" And just to let everyone know,  I'm already working on the summary for the fifth book in the series. Soon you will meet Blanca <3

Bel, xx

NU: Friday