Winning My Ex-Crush

Fenella’s POV

Shooting this condom commercial was my last project this year before we go on winter break. After this, we can move on quickly, finish other projects at the beginning of the year, and then I can be free from Gene. So, I just had to endure for a little while.

“Fenella, welcome,” Alan said, stretching out his arms as if to hug me when he saw me entering the meeting room. I didn’t pay attention to him, of course.

“Hey, Alan,” Jessy greeted him.

I remained silent, not responding to his greeting. I still didn’t want to talk to him, thinking he deserved to get my cold shoulder. Besides, whether I was friendly to him or not, I still had to finish this darn project.

“You’re not saying hi to me?” he playfully asked me again.

I persisted in walking away from him, entering the meeting room. The three of us were going to meet with the director and the producer for the shooting preparations. But before I could even sit down and wait for them, Alan grabbed my arm tightly.

“What the-” my mouth hung open, and I nearly yelled.

Seeing Alan’s tense jaw and piercing gaze, I quickly shut my mouth. His hands gripped my arm firmly, and then he whispered to me.

“I demand your respect. Even if you’re reluctant and you’re going to leave Gene, I’m still your boss. Do you understand?” He hissed in front of my face.

“Answer me.” Although he whispered softly, there was firmness in each of his voices that came out between his gritted teeth.

My knees trembled momentarily. I felt he was becoming more aggressive, almost feral. It was as if he was dominating the room, and I felt it wasn’t good to continue ignoring him. He would only push me and make me look weak.

“Yes, Alan,” I finally whispered in response.

I swallowed it. All of this will soon end. Repeatedly, I whispered those words to myself in my head.

“Good,” he said, slowly releasing his grip on my hand.

The three of us then entered the meeting room and sat down to wait. Not long after, two women and a man entered the room. Alan stood up immediately, and I followed suit. They introduced themselves, and we shook hands with smiles on our faces.

“So, you are going to be the models, right? I hope you can relax, make yourselves comfortable, and believe in me,” Martha, the female director, said with a laugh.

“Don’t worry, Martha, we trust you one hundred percent,” Alan added with laughter in the room.

“Gosh, I didn’t expect you to hop on to be the star of this commercial,” Lorenzo, the producer, chuckled as he looked at Alan with widened eyes.

“Anything for Mallory, right?” Alan shrugged and responded with the same hearty laughter.

“Yeah, you’re right. Besides, it’s also your brand, and this personal approach makes everything more emotional,” Lorenzo nodded.

What did he say? ‘Your brand’?

“Oh, really? I didn’t know 4U was yours, Alan.” I asked loudly, turning my body to face Alan immediately.

“Half of the shares are mine; the rest belong to Mallory. I haven’t mentioned that yet, have I?” Alan shrugged once more.

“Surprise!” I raised both of my hands cheerfully, accompanied by fake laughter. Everyone in the room then laughed as well.

Damn it. I’ve been trapped by him. No wonder he easily slipped in the contract documents and demanded the project be completed as soon as possible.

“Alright, I guess now you need to read the script, and you can ask me anything that catches your attention.” Martha clapped the hands of the female assistant beside her, and the woman immediately handed out a small, roughly bound book to each of us.

The three of us received one book each. Immediately, I started to read the script. The dialogue was brief, but the setting was detailed as if reading a short story.

“Wow, this is very funny! I’m sure this ad will attract a lot of attention,” Alan smiled while reading the script.

Set in a minimarket, a couple was confused about choosing a condom at the pharmacy. The pharmacist explained the advantages and disadvantages of the 4U condom brand they were considering while the couple tried it on directly at the store in front of everyone. Once they found the condom they were comfortable with, they bought a box.

“Er… will there be any nudity?” I swallowed hard.

“Hm, a little. But most likely, it will be Alan’s body that will be more exposed, while I plan to cover your chest with your long hair to make it look more natural,” Martha explained to me, swinging her arms in the air and showing how excited she was about the project.Text © owned by NôvelDrama.Org.

“So, there won’t be any sensual scenes or lips kissing?” Alan asked suddenly.

“No kissing, but maybe just movements and gestures as if engaging in sexual activity. I will position the camera to block the lower areas,” Martha explained enthusiastically.

“Hmm, so our bodies might still touch in the lower area and move around?” I asked again to make sure.

“Yes. Is that okay?” Martha turned to Alan and Lorenzo.

“Yes, I heard from Mallory that you are indeed a couple. So, this shouldn’t be a problem, right?” Lorenzo asked, looking at me and Alan. I stood silent, stunned, but Alan immediately interrupted whatever I was about to say.

“Well, there was a little problem in paradise, and she was sulking at me, but everything will be fine. I will practice this scene with her later,” Alan winked, and they all laughed.

Of course, I could only pretend to laugh. I was already dipping my toe, so I might as well just swim all the way. Besides, it seemed like it wouldn’t be as bad as I initially thought. It was all make-believe.

***

The meeting concluded, and we walked home together, leaving Lorenzo’s production house office. I walked to the car with Jessy, but Alan stood right in front of my car door. I sighed, forced a smile, and looked up to stare at him up close.

“Yes, Alan?”

What else did he want now?

“How about it? I think you’ve agreed to work with me, right?” He asked, anticipation evident on his face.

“Like it or not, you’ll still force me, won’t you?” I shrugged.

“I heard you met Mallory at the studio yesterday. Do you really think you have a chance to cancel the project?”

“Well, I can’t just give up. Now that we know it’s failed, I have no choice but to continue it. Now, move aside. I want to go home,” I said in a cold voice.

“I told you, Fenella. You just need to follow my directions, and I will make you the most famous supermodel in the world. Why do you insist on throwing it all away for a man?”

“If you did it honestly, didn’t disturb my personal life, and respected my privacy boundaries, I might still be enthusiastic about being part of Gene.” I shook my head, folding my arms across my chest.

“You’re too naive, Fenella. Sometimes things like that are what lead us to success.”

“If that’s the case, I don’t want to achieve success with you. I will find my own way. Now, please, step aside.” I narrowed my eyes sharply.

Alan snorted and chuckled softly. He laughed to belittle me, but I didn’t care. Seeing my determination, he finally stepped back and opened the door for me.

“Please, milady,” he said.

I entered and sat in the seat. Alan closed the door slowly. He stepped back, and Jessy immediately hit the gas pedal, leaving Alan alone on the roadside. I glanced at the side mirror and saw his figure looking pitiful, but I immediately convinced myself that he was an evil force-as wicked as his sister, Amy.

“When did Martha say the shooting would start?” I confirmed with Jessy.

“Next week.”

“Do you think I should show this script to Laird?”

“Oh, no, honey. Don’t do that. He could go ballistic and turn Alan upside down at the Statue of Liberty.” Jessy shook his head and quickly advised me against it.

“Yeah, you’re right. He promised not to look at the ad. Besides, it’s unlikely he’d see it, right?” I rested my chin on the car window as my fingers twirled my hair.

“Yeah, of course. Don’t worry, most condom ads are aired in a limited manner.” Jessy nodded in agreement.