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( The Beauty Inside… )
CHAPTER 8&9
By, Naomi Cindy B.
★★★★★
Juliet’s shoulders hurt more and her back aches from the hit.
“Tell me what you heard” Romeo demanded again, placing his face right in front of hers.
She opened her mouth to talk but nothing came out.
She doesn’t get intimidated easily but this man in front of her is scary than the devil himself, his eyes always hold a burning fire, ready to hurt.
Romeo was still holding her when Justus climbed up and rushed to the scene.
He for-cefully took her from Romeo and she started breathing heavily.
“Are you ok?” He asked and she nodded fast.
“What has she done to deserve this animalistic treatment from you?” Justus asked, facing Romeo.
“Animalistic?” Romeo said.
“Yes animalistic, you’re behaving like….
Justus stopped and released an heavy breath.
“Like an animal” Romeo said and went downstairs straight.
“Are you sure you’re ok?” Justus asked
“Of course ” Juliet replied and they heard cries from outside.
Justus opened the door and met Thiago sitting on the ground, crying slowly.
“Dad!” He shouted, running to him.
“I thought the doctor wasn’t serious when he said you came here, You’re still recu-perating, how could you come here with your condition” he said, helping him up.
“Justus I don’t think he can ever forgive us, especially me, his eyes holds a lot of hatred for me trust me, his eyes” Thiago cried.
Justus watched as his tears cascaded down his wrinkled old face.
“Dad stop this, I un-derstand how you feel, I feel the same way too, who’d be happy that his stepbrother has never had a lovely conversation with him since seven years ago?, It’s Fu-cking painful but we have to endure, he’ll come around one day trust me ” Justus said, hu-gging Thiago afterwards.
Juliet watched from the door and when she sensed the nee-d to go back, she rushed down the stairs.
“Where are you coming from?, You have a lot on your plate right now you aren’t supposed to be rigmaroling” Lovelyn said when she entered the office.
“I’m sorry, I’ll start right now” Juliet smiled, sitting on her desk.
“He hasn’t been talking to his family for seven years?, His mother died seven years ago so….they really are involved in her death?” She thought.
She snapped out of it and got to work, starting with the synopsis.
There are fifty synopsis of same book and he has to pick just one that’s the best so reading throu-ghit all is important.
She took off her heels and placed her foot on the ground as her legs hurt.
She picked her pen and held her hair with a band.
“Let’s get started” she said.
*******
BULLET NEWS**
“Where the hell is Merritt!” Her supervisor yelled, coming into the office.
Merritt quickly hid un-der her table.
“She’s on her seat” one of the other reporters replied.
He walked over to her seat but she’s not there.
“Where’s she?” He asked again.
“She was here just now” the other reporter replied again.
Supervisor Kent hit his palms on the table and everyone turned to him.
“I think I accepted my death the day I accepted her here” he said and closed his eyes in frustration.
“Do you know what that troublemaker did this time around?” He said, opening his eyes.
“What?” Most of them asked.
“Check the article she wrote about Shawn Dalton some minutes ago” he replied and everyone started checking, gasping as they checked.
The heading of the new article says; SHAWN DALTON IS AN HE-GOAT
“How could she!” The others started muttering.
“The title was supposed to be; SHAWN DALTON IS AN HERO” Supervisor Kent said.
“What are we gonna do now?, Shawn is threatening to sue us” the others said.
“Delete the article first” the he replied and noticed movements un-der the table.
He squ-atted and peeped un-der the table, his eyes met with Merritt’s.
“Come out” he said calmly.
“No” Merritt replied.
“Come out!” He yelled and she slowly came out but she ran far from him immediately.
“It was a typo, I’m sorry boss” she pouted.
“What kind of blind typo is that?, What has hero got to do with hegoat?, Did you even proofread it?” Kent replied, going after her.
“Boss!!!” She shouted, running away from him.
He started chasing her round the office.
“Shawn is planning to sue us, how are you gonna handle that?” Kent said.
“What if I promise to get news about Romeo Spencer?” She replied, stopping her race.
“The Romeo Spencer we all know?” He said.
“Of course” Merritt winked.
*******
EN-JOY MOVIE INDUSTRY, 11AM**
Romeo walked in and the ladies started adjusting themselves, arranging their hair and p-ulling up their skirts so he’ll notice them but he’s not even looking sidewards.
He’s looking straight as he walked with Ben beside him.
He never @$$ociates or talk with any other actor or actress in the industry so no one came forward to talk to him.
He made his way to the director’s office and the middle aged man stood immediately he entered.
“Welcome Romeo” he smiled.
Romeo took his seat in front of him.
“What were you talking about on phone?” He asked straight.
“LOVE RAIN shoots will be over next week and I’ll be out next month unfailingly, but we just got a hit, a big story and you were nominated as the male lead again, with Megan Mel” director said.
“LOVE RAIN will be out next month, my new book will be out next month too, I have a lot on my plate and I don’t think shooting another movie will be possible, I nee-d two months rest at least” he replied.
Director gave him a script which he took.
“Check it out” he said and Romeo opened the script.
He read the movie storyline and looked at the director.
“Who wrote the story?” He asked.
“She told us to make it anonymous but it’s a Fu-cking crazy storyline right?, And I’m ready to pay you thrice the actual charge per scene” director replied and Romeo inhaled.
“Are you in touch with Megan?” He asked.
“Wait…. you’re both shooting LOVE RAIN together, how come you don’t have her number?” Director replied.
Romeo didn’t talk so he gave him her contact.
“Is that a yes?” He asked.
“I’ll think about it after meeting with Megan” he replied and left the office.
“He’ll definitely do it” Ben whispered to the director before rushing after Romeo.
“How many minutes before the shoot starts?” Romeo asked when they left the building.
“Forty minutes” Ben replied .
“Contact Megan, we nee-d to meet” he replied.
“Sure” Ben replied.
****
A PRIVATE RESTAURANT**
Romeo was already seated when Megan came in, dressed excessively, obviously to get his attention.
“Sorry, dressing up took a lot of time” she said, sitting in front of him.
Ben excused them.
“You probably heard about the new movie from the director” he said.
“Of course, are you in?” She asked eagerly.
“Maybe” he replied.
“Really?, Gosh I can’t wait!” She said happily, p-ulling down her gown stylishly in the front so her bo-obs became more exp-osed.
His hands are on the table so she quickly held them.
“I want to continue being on set with you” she said, ru-b-bing the back of his hand.
A server came in immediately , wearing gl@$$es and cap.
“What can I offer you sir and ma?” She asked.
“We don’t nee-d anything” Megan replied and the server left.
Romeo took his hand from her rou-ghly.
“If you continue being like this, I might have to reject shooting with you again, and try to dress responsibly, see you on set by 12, I don’t think I can continue this discussion” he said and stood.
“Romeo!” Megan called out as he left the place.
Merritt came out of her hiding place and smiled.
She was actually the server who went in the other time.
“Bingo!” She said, taking off her gl@$$es.
There’s a capturing camera inside it and luckily she was able to capture when Megan held Romeo’s hand.
“Yes!” She gushed, dialling Kent’s number.
“Yes troublemaker?” He picked up
“You won’t believe what I have in my hands right now, a big scoop!”
“You aren’t a server, how come you’re wearing the uniform” someone said from behind her.
“Shit!” She screamed inwardly.
“Turn around” the voice said again but instead of turning, she ran out of the restaurant while the servers chased after her.
*****
Romeo noticed his ne-cklace is gone on his way to the location of today’s shoot so he went back to the office.
He walked past the girls and went straight to his office but couldn’t find it no matter how ha-rd he searched.
He disorganized the whole office because of it but after an hour search, he couldn’t find it.
His phone kept ringing, definitely from the director on set but he doesn’t even wanna pick.
“Boss it’s time for the shoot, you’re forty minutes late already” Ben said, entering the office but he rushed out of the office without answering.
He drove himself home and started searching everywhere again.
He still couldn’t find it, he even searched the bathroom.
“I can’t lose it, I can’t” he said, fighting his tears .
It’s his mum’s last gift before her death so it’s what he cherishes most in the world.
“Where the hell is it?, Where?” He thought, sitting dejectedly on his bed.
When his eyes caught his mother’s frame again, he was oblivious of when tears sli-pped out of his eyes.
*”****
UNKNOWN LOCATION**
His eyelids moved first then his fingers, his toes did the same and his eyes finally opened.
Seeing his environment, he spranged up.
“You’re awake Joel, I can’t believe this” the man beside him said and Joel faced him.
“Where am I?, Why did you save me? Thought you said you disowned me already?” Joel replied darkly.
“You’re still my son no matter how ha-rd I try to deny, you’ve been in coma for seven years, you should forget about everything right now and turn a new leaf, the whole Mexico thought you’re dead already so lay low and just travel out” the man replied and Joel smiled evilly.
“Lay low?, no I don’t want to do that, I love attention you know, and right now I want the smell of blood, I nee-d to see tears” Joel replied.
“You’re still a psycho” the man replied and Joel got down from the bed.
He grabbed a spoon from the cu-p on the table and rushed to the man.
He shoved the spoon into his belly and the man let out tears as his blood coloured the ground.
Joel removed the spoon from his belly and dived it into his che-st too, more blood gushed out.
He laughed as the scent of blood filled his nose.
“I’m back… Mexico will feel me once again” he continued laughing.
******
10pm, JEWELL BOOKS**
Juliet walked out of the company ba-refooted, her heels is in her hand.
She’s limping and her ankle still hurts.
She finished the pile of work some minutes ago.
“What’s up with your leg?” Justus asked when she came out.
“Mr Justus” she smiled.
“Get in I’ll get your ankle treated at the hospital” he said.
“No, I’ll rather go home, I have a presentation tommorow so I have to read overnight, no time to waste” she replied.
“But..
“I’ll be fine, are you gonna drive me home again?” She asked expectantly.
“Yeah, I’ll make up for what my grumpy brother did” he replied and she smiled before getting into his car.
“I won’t forget my phone this time around” she said when they got to her house.
Justus laughed and she smiled before coming out.
He said sorry countless times during the drive, apologizing for Romeo’s behavior earlier.
“Thanks again” she waved.
“After your presentation tommorow, you must go treat your ankle” he said and she nodded.
“Goodnight” he smiled and she waved again as he drove off.
Merritt is staking out so she’s not home, only Gina is home and when she saw her ankles, she gasped.
“It got redder!, Is he the one doing this?, What in the holy hell” she said, taking her bag and shoes from her.
“I’m damn tired” she fell on the couch.
Gina placed her legs on her lap-s and started m@$$aging them.
“Mum water” she said and Gina got it from her.
“Who did this to your ankle?, Is it your boss?, Just tell me it’s him and I’ll go to his house tonight to teach him something” Gina said and Juliet smiled tiredly.
“Not him” she said and stood, she started limping in.
“Justus Spencer drove you home again?, Is there something you’re not telling me?” Gina said and Juliet looked back.
“Like?”
“Is there something tingle-tingle going on?, He’s actually the kind of son-in-law I want, he’s tall, handsome, rich and…
“Mum please!, Don’t even start!” Juliet snapped and Gina held her li-ps.
She went in after scowling at Gina.
She took off her clothes and turned her back on the mirror.
The pa-rts of her shoulders he held the other time are so red, his fingers left marks.
“Gr@$$hopper” she muttered tiredly and didn’t bother to take her night shower before getting the book he gave her earlier, titled GUNS AND ROSES
It’s about teen lovers (Seth and Bethany) who broke up because Seth was caught cheating with her bestie but when they met six years later, Bethany was determined to pay him back so she started destroying all his relationships.
Juliet started reading and jotting.
Gina came in and looks surprised to see her reading again.
“You look tired, you should shower and have dinner then go to bed” she said.
“I have no time for that, this presentation is my life” she replied.
Gina sighed and came to her, she kizzed her hair and Juliet smiled.
“I hate you” Gina said.
“I hate you more mum” she said and Gina left the room.
******
NEXT MORNING, JEWELL BOOKS**
“Don’t be scared, that’ll be worse” Lovelyn said when she got to the door of the presentation room with Juliet.
“Sure, I can do it” Juliet replied.
She didn’t sleep last night because she had to read throu-ghout.
She went in and met all the board of editors on seat, ten of them plus Romeo himself.
She went to the front and put on the projector.
The editors introduced themselves and she was able to recognize Mr Goldminner but she decided to name him Mr Golddigger.
He really looks stern and unfriendly.
“Goodmorning, I’m Juliet Hayes and I’m presenting on the novel GUNS AND ROSES written by Romeo Spencer” she started.
Pointing out her points and the important pa-rts of the story took just twenty minutes so she inhaled when she was done.
Romeo looked at her and then at the book
She just presented excellently despite the fact that he informed her just yesterday.
Now the dreaded pa-rt, questions and answers.
“Do you think Bethany did the right thing by terminating all Seth’s relationships?” Mr Golddigger asked.
“Of course, if it was me, I’ll get a gun and kill him seriously, how can a guy be so heartless and cruel?, I mean…why would he do that to her, cheating on her with her best friend?, There are some animals like him in the world today” she replied hotly.
Romeo looked at her again.
“What do you mean?” Mr Golddigger asked.
“I mean…men who hurt ladies with their actions, men who do things to make ladies tired and worn out, men who treat ladies like mosquitoes, such men deserve bullets in their hearts” Juliet replied.
“Is she for real?” Romeo muttered.
“Please keep talking” another editor said.
“Ladies are supposed to be handled with care but some men don’t know that, one of such men might be sitting in here right now, who knows?” She replied.
“In here?” Mr Goldminner asked.
“Yes Mr Golddigger” Juliet replied and everyone gasped.
“Golddigger?” Mr Goldminner stood.
Juliet quickly covered her mouth.
“I mean… Mr… Goldminner” she said quickly and Romeo stood.
“Come pack your things at the office” he said and her eyes wide-ned as he started leaving.
“Boss it was a mistake I swear it!” She said, limping after him.
A little before she’ll get to him, her legs hit on each other and she fell on her knees.
She’d have fallen on her face too but she held the only thing available for support, Romeo’s trousers.
Romeo’s eyes wide-ned as his trousers left his wa-ist and went down his legs as a result of Juliet’s hold.
His boxers came to view and the editors gasp with wide eyes.
TBC