Crushing Dreams

Chapter Fourteen

Isla: You are scheduled for a shampoo commercial on Friday in Kentucky. A plane ticket will be provided, so please ensure you are on the Thursday morning flight.

Why didn't she tell me in person, considering we're in the same building? But whatever.

Me: Okay thanks for letting me know.

I put my phone down on the table after replying to her and as I looked up, I could hear someone calling my name.

"Hey Gabriella, I was wondering if you'd like to grab some lunch with me?" Ross asked.

"I'm not hungry right now, but maybe next time," I told him firmly.

"Okay, maybe next time and tell Scarlett to answer my calls," Ross said.

"Why isn't she answering?"

He shrugged. "I wish to know, but she has been ignoring me lately, and I don't know what I did wrong. Can you please talk to her?"

"I will."

"Thanks."

Honestly, this is quite interesting...

*************

"Hey, you should totally throw a party," Scarlett suggested enthusiastically.

"Why should I?" I asked as I put the two cereal boxes in the shopping cart.

"Well, it been a while since you threw one," Scarlett told me.

The last party I hosted was likely last Christmas; however, I prefer to take a break from organizing another one.

"I am taking a break, but you could throw one."

Scarlett exhaled deeply. "I wish I could help, but I'm out of ideas, and besides, weren't we planning to go shoe shopping?" as

"We will go after I finish buying groceries, as nothing is left in my house because of Clayton."

She chuckled. "I can't fathom how Clayton can eat so much and yet not gain any weight."

Chuckling, I made my way to the snack aisle, whispering to myself, "I know, right?"

"Wait a minute, is that the photographer from that magazine?" she asked.

I glanced in the direction she indicated, and there was Kai, gripping a shopping cart brimming with groceries, eyeing the cookies with curiosity, debating whether to purchase them.

He donned an Eagles jersey, black shorts, and sported slightly unkempt hair.

"How long will you keep staring at him?" asked Scarlett.

I gave her an eye roll and a scoff. "I wasn't staring at him," I said.

She rolled her eyes at me. "Yeah, and I'm the Pope. Let's be serious, Gabby."

"I've decided to ignore everything that comes out of your mouth," I declared.

Scarlett smirked. "So, you're not going to deny it, huh?"

"Ross asked about you." I said, changing the subject.

She mumbled, "Of course he did."

"So why are you ignoring him?"

She sighed. "It's not that I'm opposed; I just need some time to think about whether I want to be in a relationship with him. It's all just so confusing."

"Do you like him?"

"Yes, even after the first date, I still like him."

"If you genuinely like him, then consider calling him; however, the decision on what to do is entirely yours."

"Yeah I think I know what I am about to do and one more thing?"

"What is it?"

"I would say don't turn around Gabriella since it is too late  but that cute photographer is coming towards our way." Scarlett spoke.

I turned around and was met face to face with Kai.

"Hey." I said.

"Hey."  Kai replied.