Chapter 11
I tapped my finger rhythmically on the cool glass surface of the tablet, staring pensively at the schedule before me. A tangled thicket of meetings, appearances, and responsibilities stretched endlessly across the calendar, threatening to suffocate me under its weight.
As I steadied myself against the oncoming dizziness, a notification suddenly popped up, its bold sans-serif font demanding attention. "Fan Mail Management," it declared resolutely.
Curiosity piqued, I gave in and tapped the notification. The screen exploded with a virtual mountain range of emails, handwritten letters, and bizarre packages—all addressed to none other than Daniel Hunter himself.
I felt a wave of sympathy for Stevo, Daniel's poor long-suffering manager. Wading through this digital deluge on the regular must have been a truly herculean task. Just the mental image of it was exhausting.
Steeling myself, I began scrolling through the sea of adoration. Messages ranged from sweetly heartfelt ("Dear Mr. Hunter, your performance in 'Starlight Savior' reminded me there are still good people in the world. Thank you for giving me hope!") to vaguely unsettling ("Daniel, my uncaged love burns only for you. I know in my soul we were meant to be together forever and ever...").
As I scrolled past a series of haiku extolling Daniel's impressively arched brows, I couldn't help but mutter "This is insane." Just imagining telling Sarah about it gave me a little chuckle. I could just hear her snort with laughter and say "Dude gets poems about his eyebrows? Now that's dedication."
I tapped away at the tablet, scrolling through fan letters at lightning speed. Greetings from Gifu, sonnets about stubble, it was all a blur. But one message caught my eye - a short note from a teenage girl in Nebraska.
"Dear Daniel, I know you get lots of letters but I had to write. School's been hard since Dad deployed. When I watch your movies it's like escaping to a place where good always wins. Thanks for bringing light to dark times."
But soon the task at hand sobered me up again. According to instructions, it wasn't just about sorting—I was to craft clever replies to fans "in Daniel's unique voice and style." Whatever that meant.
I set to work, keeping the tone light yet sincere. "Dear Amanda, thanks for sharing your story. Though I can't ease your troubles directly, I'm glad my work provides an escape. Dark times make even the sunshine seem bleak...but they don't last, with time and patience, they pass. A light always finds a way. Wishing you peace and brighter days ahead."
Daniel scanned the letter, "Oooh ... touching".
I rolled my eyes good-naturedly. "The intention was earnest comfort ".
Daniel scanned the responses, lips slowly curling into an impressed smile. "Not bad at all. You've definitely got a way with words. I'd say you've got the role of unofficial biographer down rather well already."
One fan asked Daniel what shampoo he uses to get that sun-kissed surfboy look, even in landlocked LA. Another wanted to know the secret to his panty-dropping grin.
It amazed me how invested some people got in the private lives of celebrities they'd never meet. I wondered if they'd be so interested if they knew the real Daniel.
There was certainly more to him than his good looks and charm on screen. But I suppose that's the nature of fame - it allows fans to project their fantasies onto larger-than-life icons, regardless of reality.
Navigating this online admiration wasn't always easy though. Scrolling further, I noticed an uptick in mean-spirited tweets starting to emerge. One user called Daniel arrogant and washed up, citing his recent string of box office flops. Another accused him of being a Hollywood elite out of touch with real people.
I sighed. The fickle nature of fans was definitely part of this job too. Just a few bad roles and the tides could turn against you in an instant. It seemed Daniel's charm was wearing thin for some.
"I believe I'm stuffed enough to pop, Ms. Watson," he proclaimed. "Time to digest more than just fan letters over a spot of lunch, don't you think?"
"Lunch?" I echoed, surprised. "It's barely..." I checked the clock on the wall. "Oh right, it's late. My internal clock must be stuck in the 23rd century."
He raised an eyebrow, which looked like a furry caterpillar attempting to escape his face. "My dear Ms. Watson, you of all people should know that inspiration cares not for schedules or clocks. It strikes when it will and leaves just as abruptly. I dare say we've both been quite productive this morning and deserve a proper refueling if we hope to continue this work at such a frantic pace. Besides," he added with a gentle chuckle, "an early lunch has never done anyone harm."
I felt a flush of warmth creep up my neck at the unexpected praise. "You exaggerate, Mr. Hunter."
"Modesty does not become you, my dear," Daniel declared. "Now, shall we?"
Daniel chuckled, the sound like a chainsaw grinding against the rubble.
Eventually he stood from his desk and walked around the corner from behind it, holding out his hand.
"Oh, Ms Watson. Come along please."
I smiled, surprised. "Where are we going?"
"Just come on, I'll show you." I took his hand, and he led me outside.
He led me out of the office, leaving behind the plush confines that had become my prison for the past three hours and the chaos of the schedule on the tablet.
We emerged into the bustling lobby, where Veronica shot us a curious look that said "I have no idea what you two are up to but I don't get paid enough to ask."
"Lunch break, Veronica. "And tell anyone who asks that I've been... abducted by aliens," Daniel announced, a playful smirk on his face that made me wonder if the food would be edible or if I'd just spent my last moments on Earth.
Veronica's lips turned up, like she was trying not to smile. "Yes, Mr. Hunter. Enjoy your... productive lunchtime."
With a wink, Daniel led me out of the building and into the blazing California sunshine. I squinted as my eyes adjusted to the bright light. It was one of those perfect sunny days where you couldn't help but feel happy.
A sleek silver Rolls-Royce Phantom EWB glinted like a metallic predator in the sun. "Is that...?" I gasped, already knowing the answer. You didn't need a car expert to recognize this beauty. "Your chariot for the afternoon," Daniel finished with a flourish, gesturing towards the car. "But... but this is..." I stammered, completely in awe. "Awesome? Luxurious? A complete indulgence?" he supplied with a grin, clearly enjoying my reaction. I could only nod vigorously, too stunned for words. This was like something out of a movie.
Daniel opened the passenger door with a gentlemanly gesture, ushering me into the plush leather interior. "Wowee" I said under my breath as I slid onto the comfy seats. The car smelled divine, like expensive leather mixed with a hint of Daniel's intoxicating cologne. It was overwhelming in the best way. As I buckled myself in, I felt flutters in my tummy. What had I gotten myself into? Lunch at a fancy restaurant in Hollywood star Daniel Hunter's fancy car? This day was taking a crazy turn.
The drive was absolutely exhilarating. The roar of the engine pulsated in my ears like a thrilled heartbeat. I gripped my seat as Daniel skillfully navigated the winding roads. It felt like we were flying! He was clearly an experienced driver, making daring maneuvers look easy as pie. As we zoomed through beautiful California landscapes, my fear turned to thrill. I found myself whooping and cheering Daniel on, feeling happier than I had in a long time.
All too soon, we arrived at our destination - a towering skyscraper that loomed over everything. Its sleek glass outer wall was so clean you could see perfect reflections of surrounding buildings and the clear blue sky. "Here we are," Daniel announced proudly as he parallel-parked like a pro. I let out a low whistle, still catching my breath from the ride. "Where are we going?" I asked, praying my nerves didn't betray me. "Up," he said simply, shooting me a mysterious grin that made my stomach do a backflip.
We entered a private elevator, so luxurious it had nicer furniture than my living room. As the doors closed and we smoothly rose upwards, I felt like I was floating. My ears popped from the rapid change in elevation. I gripped the ornate handrail and peered out the tall windows, watching buildings and people shrink smaller and smaller below us.
"Are you afraid of heights?" Daniel asked kindly. I shook my head no, too awestruck for words. The digital floor counter kept climbing higher until - ding! The doors slid open, revealing a stunning surprise.
We had arrived in paradise. A breathtaking rooftop oasis overlooked the sprawling city bathed in golden sunlight. But the modern restaurant was the real showstopper. Floor-to-ceiling windows offered 360-degree views of the glittering cityscape and hills beyond. Lush greenery and flowering plants lined the perimeter, making it feel like an enchanted garden among the skyscrapers. In the center, a crystal clear pool mirrored the beautiful blue sky, creating a mesmerizing illusion of floating above the clouds. Wafting aromas made my mouth water. It was all unbelievably beautiful.
"Welcome to Cielo...Ms Watson," Daniel said proudly, beaming at my gobsmacked reaction.
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