note:
Y/F/N - your friend's name

title: focused by enesse

WORD COUNT: 2.2k words

✭・.・✫・゜

You were a part-time model who models for advertisements, especially for clothing brands. Luckily, Y/F/N is your agent so she tells you what your photo-shoots will be and who you will be shooting with.

But this day, wasn't so lucky for you.

"What?!"

"I know, I know, Y/N. But you really don't have a choice. I mean you do but it's your career we're talking about here." Your friend said through the phone.

"You are fucking kidding me, right? I can't work with him. He's just...ugh! After what he did? I can't. I just can't." You said and sat down on your bed. You already felt wrinkles forming in your eyebrows.

"But they chose you and him. I know things didn't work with the both of you, but it's for your career. Not for you guys to make up with each other. Well, that's your choice already. Plus, this is a huge project. You could earn a lot. And when I say a lot I mean a lot." Y/F/N said emphasizing a lot.

You sighed and said, "Give me time. I'll think about it, Y/F/N." You ended the call after that. You laid down and suddenly thought about him.

Rami Malek. You haven't seen him for a year now since you guys broke up. You dated for almost three years until he did something stupid that caused you to break up with him. Well, he made out with another girl.

He claimed that he was drunk that night, then suddenly a girl went over him and they started making out. The worst thing was, you knew it from one of his friends who went to the party with him. You didn't believe at first until he showed you a picture. When Rami got home, you already packed your things and didn't give him time to explain.

You had to go out and pursue your dream in modeling and also to forget about him. At least this issue didn't go public. Your relationship was private but some people knew about it. And now you had to work with him. Great.

You groaned and stood up to get your coat from the hanger. I need some fresh air to think about this.

✭・.・✫・゜

"Alright, Y/F/N. I'm doing it. For my career. Not for that bastard." You said and took a sip of your coffee.

"Great! I'll tell them that you already approved. Just remember to relax and forget about the both of you. Just your career, alright?" She said.

"It's been a year now, Y/F/N. I'll be fine." You said. Hopefully I will be. You thought in your head.

"I'll see you tomorrow then. Rest well and don't be late like the last time!" She exclaimed through the phone. You chuckled and remembered how you came to work late because you overslept.

"I won't." You said and ended the call. You looked at yourself in the mirror and told yourself, "You're going to be fine. It's just Rami. You've forgotten about what happened."

You sighed and thought about him. You're not really a hundred percent sure that you got over him. Your heart would ache every time people would mention him, especially in televisions. You wanted to talk to him, but you just couldn't. You were scared he might do it again.

You stood up again and went to your bed. You covered yourself with your blanket and lay down. You felt tears coming from your eyes. That was the time you realized you are still affected by him.

✭・.・✫・゜

"Give me a smile, Y/N!"

You smiled and posed for the camera. The flash from the camera went on and your eyes are starting to hurt.

"One more pose, Y/N!" The photographer said and you posed one last time.

"Great job! Let's take a break until Malek arrives." The photographer said, walking away to edit the photos. You chuckled when you heard him say Malek. So he's the late one. I wonder why.

You sat down and ate the snack they gave you. You makeup artist retouched your hair and makeup while you took a break. You were kind of sweating since you've done this for over an hour now. And he still hasn't arrived.

You saw Y/F/N approached you. "So, how you are doing?" She asked.

"I'm alright, since he is not yet here." You said and you heard your makeup artist chuckle. She knew about you and Rami. She continued doing your hair.

"Are you sure you're going to be okay when he's here?" Y/F/N asked worriedly.

"I told you, Y/F/N. It's been a year. I'm fine, you don't have to worry. It's just for work." You assured her and gave her a small smile.

She was about to say something until you heard the doors opened and heard a familiar voice.

"Sorry, I'm late." His deep voice echoed in the studio.

He's here.

You turned back to look at him and everything went slow motion. He stopped walking when he saw you and you saw his eyes widen. You didn't know that you were already staring at each other's eyes until the photographer called him.

"Mr. Malek! You're finally here."

"Oh, uh yeah. Sorry I'm late, I just had a little emergency in filming today." Rami said.

"It's alright. Just catch up and go get ready. We have about 5 minutes left until break is over." The photographer said and walked away. You saw Rami looked at you for a second and looked away when you caught him. He walked going to his makeup and hairstylist to get ready.

You shook your mind about him and went to change clothes for the shooting. After how many minutes, you got out of the dressing room and waited for the to start.

Rami got out of his dressing room. He wore a pink suit with red underneath it. He walked towards you. You looked away from him and pretended you didn't see him until he spoke to you.

"Hey, Y/N." Your heart started beating fast and you felt your hands turn cold. You have to show him that you're over him.

"Hello, Rami." You greeted back and gave a fake smile.

"I didn't expect you to be here." He said and place his hand inside his pockets.

"Well, I did because they told me." You said. You heard him chuckled and the photographer called him. He excused himself from you and went to do his individual photoshoot.

You sat down and watched his whole photoshoot. A part of you felt happy to see him in person again, but a part of you is still hurting. He probably changed already, Y/N.

Once he was done, they already called you. You stood up and went beside Rami.

"I need the both of you to act as if you're a couple, alright? Just do some romantic poses." The photographer said. Your eyes blinked because of what he said. What the actual hell.

Rami faced you and said, "Let's just do it for the job." You nodded. You did some romantic poses and it made your heart beat so fast every time both of you are near each other or when he touches you.

You had to keep changing clothes and go back to shooting. This was a clothing advertisment after all.

"Y/N, go behind Rami and hug him from behind and put your head in his right shoulder. Rami, you sit down while she hugs you and hold her left arm. Both of you do a fierce face and look at the camera."

Both of you did exactly what he told you to do. Rami sat down in the chair and you went behind him. You wrapped your arms around him and bend down a bit so that you could placed your head on his shoulder. You felt his hand on your arm and you tensed a bit. You looked at the camera and gave a fierce look.

"Do one when you guys look at each other like you're talking to each other. A candid one."

You looked at Rami and he looked at you too. You pretended to laugh while he gave a smile, still looking at you. This wasn't so bad after all.

✭・.・✫・゜

After that, you changed to another outfit to do your final shooting together. Honestly, you were kind of having fun with this photoshoot. In the middle of each shooting, you and Rami would just talk like friends and your poses were just natural.

"Good job everyone! We did well today. The photos will be out either tomorrow or the next day. You're all dismissed!"

You began walking away and went to Y/F/N to prepare your things to go home.

"You did well today, Y/N." You heard Y/F/N say while preparing her stuff. "Both of you were so natural. It's like you guys are okay now?"

"Oh-" You were about to speak until you heard Rami interrupted you.

"Y/N. Mind if I talk to you?" He said. You looked at Y/F/N and she nodded.

"I'll wait for you outside." She said and went out with her handbag.

"So, what do you need?" You asked Rami.

"I just really want to talk to you. I mean, it's been a year." He started. "I just can't pretend that we didn't exist."

I don't want to have this kind of conversation.

"Rami, I really think we shouldn't talk about this." You said and start to walk backwards.

"Please, Y/N. Just hear me out." He begged. You saw the sadness in his eyes. You sighed and went near him. "Say it."

"I was drunk that time. And yes, we made out but that was like a few minutes until I realized what was happening. She came over me and-"

"And yet you still made out with her." You interrupted.

"I know, but after that when I came to my senses and I pushed her off and went back home to you. But when I arrived, you already packed your stuff and left." He explained. You didn't say anything and he sighed.

"I regretted doing that, Y/N and I just want you to hear me out." He went closer to you and grabbed your hands and kissed it.

"I still love you, Y/N." He said softly with his deep voice and looked at you deeply in your eyes. Your heart started beating so fast again when he said those.

"I'm sorry. I just want you to know that I still love you. I know you've moved on already and it's fine. You have a better life without me." He said and that broke you. He let go of your hands and gave you a small smile. He slowly walked away from you and you just stood there until you were the only one left in the studio.

You felt tears coming out of your eyes. Your heart was aching because he was ready to let go of you. And that was when you realized...

I still love him.

You ran going to the door which he exited. I have to tell him before it's too late.

You went outside and tried to look for him. You looked at both sides and you saw him walking near the coffeeshops. You ran going towards him.

"Rami!" You shouted his name but at first he didn't hear it so you have to shout it again.

"Rami!" This time, it was louder and you saw him turned back. He thought it was just one of his fans shouting for him until he saw you.

You stopped running when he was already in front of you and you panted.

"Wait, let me catch my breath." You raised a finger to his face and breathe heavily. You heard him chuckle and you looked up to him.

"Rami, I.." You started. You can do this, Y/N.

"You?" Rami asked and moved closer to you and you tensed.

"I... I..." You stopped because his face was closer to yours.

"I lo-" Before you could even finish what you were going to say, Rami's face went even more closer to you. All of a sudden, you felt his lips pressed on yours. You eyes widen for a second until you gave in to the kiss. You respond to his kiss and he placed his hand on your cheek to deepen it. Your kiss moved in sync and you felt the world suddenly was spinning.

You pulled away and you tried to catch your breathe once again.

"Wow." You mumbled and you saw Rami smiled.

"So, you were saying?" He asked and smirked.

"I still love you too, Rami." You said and gave him a smile. "And I'm sorry I didn't give you time to explain."

"It's my fault, I shouldn't have--" You placed a finger to his lips.

"It's all in the past now, Rami. And I forgive you." You said.

"Paparazzi probably saw us and took photos of us already. People are going to know about us." Rami said.

"I don't mind as long as I'm with you." You said and gave him a peck on the lips. He held your hand and both of you walked away.

"Hey, isn't Y/F/N waiting for you?"

"She'll be alright. She'll figure it out."