Behind The Scenes

100. Jo

The event is over and we are in taxi, returning to the hotel; tomorrow we leave for Mexico.
It was good, tiring and satisfying at the same time. I am happy that I made my dream come true this time. I am the lead actress of a movie that I am sure will make a great success. I've always wanted to act in my life, ever since I was a child. I remember I was a little girl when I first appeared in a TV series: I was an extra in an episode of Sex Education and probably no one ever noticed me, but I was proud of myself. The only thing that scares me about this movie is that readers will probably be a little disappointed. The adaptation has nothing to do with the book, just zero. I think they should have produced After as a television series, so we could have known more, every little detail. I really hope we get a chance to shoot the sequel, and then the sequel to the sequel, and so on. We have more story to tell, that's for sure.
A very nice thing from the fans, someone printed some stills of me and Hero from the trailer and glued them on the first page of the book. When we saw the first one, we looked at each other with a furtive smile and signed a copy of a girl who told us she wanted to marry both of us. Hero has even received more than one 'marriage proposal' and has kept a few.
"Can I see that sheet with the proposal?" I ask curiously, he nods out of his pocket and puts it in my hands.
It's a really lovely thought and over the top at the same time. On the paper it is written, with a neat handwriting, "Dear Hero,
You are the love of my life, I hope you know it. Even if I didn't get to know you, just the sight of your eyes and your smile make you the perfect man for me. Here is the question: will you marry me?"
I let out a few chuckles as I read it in my mind. "Cute of her," and I hand the paper back to Hero. "Did you organize the bachelor party?" I make fun of him.
He pretends to think, running his hand over his chin and makes a thoughtful expression. "Mhm, yes. You know, there will be only four stripp—"
I put my hand on his mouth to silence him. "If you do something like that at your real bachelor party, I swear I'll leave you on the altar in front of everyone."
Oh. Did I really say those words? As if we're ever gonna get married for real... but who am I kidding.
Hero looks at me and moves my hand from his mouth. "What?"
Even Anna now looks at me with a strange expression.
I look away from his magnetic eyes. I'm embarrassed now. "Um... I..."
I feel that Hero is also uncomfortable.
Why don't I think before I speak?
"Don't worry, tell me later what you're going to do at your bachelorette party," he and smiles.
I don't like the way he said it. He said it as if he is the only one who has control over me, over us. When it is not and doesn't have to be like this. We both have to have it, and he knows it.
I look at him without saying anything and try to fake a laugh that should be sarcastic. I rest my head on the headrest and look forward, my jaw set. Maybe I'm overreacting, but, God, he has bothered me enormously.
He suddenly puts his hand on my thigh. "What's wrong?"
I don't look him in the face, I don't want to. I take a very quick look at his hand. "Everything is alright." There is no need to make a scene in the car.
He reaches out to touch mine but I retract it immediately.
He snorts and I roll my eyes. "Did I say something wrong?"
Anna looks at me, understanding. She understands why I'm getting nervous.
"Can you please answer me?" she insists.
I turn to look at him. "Do you think is this the time?" I snap.
He rolls his eyes and takes his hand off my thigh, putting it in his pocket. "Okay, keep that fucking pout on your lips, but be told you're childish."
What? "What do you have—"
Anna interrupts us. "You guys are both childish right now, so stop it!" she scolds us.
Hero is also sulking now, which irritates me even more.
"I don't understand what the problem is," he says at one point without looking at me.
"Of course you don't," I reply sourly.
He sighs, and opens his mouth to insist again probably.
"Look, I'm just tired, okay?" I tell him, maybe now he stops pushing the thing again. This is not the time to make a scene.