Morning: Elan Beauty Campaign Photoshoot
Outside the studio, the air hummed like a hive. Assistants burst in with armloads of clothes, stylists followed rolling racks, and the tech crews fiddled with lights. Everyone was assigned a purpose, everyone had a beat.
Today counted. It was the photo shoot centerpiece for Elan Beauty's campaign the images that would top billboards, subway posters, and global magazines. Malee was the face, the gamble, the risk Sam had argued would pay off.
Malee was fashionably late or, in her words, perfect timing. She emerged from her sporty car, phone in one hand, coffee in the other. Her oversized sunglasses were covering most of her face, but her lips wore the trace of a smile. She was typing mid-text:
Malee:
"No seafood. Promise. Come talk to me today?"
She didn't even get the chance to send it twice.
Her heel slipped against a slick patch of tile near the entrance. With a startled yelp, Malee's coffee went airborne before splattering across the ground. She landed hard, grimacing, one hand clutching her ankle.
"Oh crap. Malee!" an assistant gasped, rushing toward her.
Malee waved it off, biting her lip through the sting. "I'm fine. Totally fine. Just... enjoying gravity."
But her ankle throbbed.
Timed to Perfection : Aria's Arrival
The rumble of a low engine cut through the noise outside. Heads turned as a black motorcycle pulled up to the curb. Aria slid off in one fluid movement leather jacket, helmet under her arm, folder stuffed under the other.
As always, she seemed as though she were from another world one where things were cooler, sharper, quieter.
She saw the commotion immediately. And at its center: Malee, perched on the ground with her ankle cradled in hand, hair awry, pride most certainly bruised.
Aria's serene face altered almost imperceptibly for a fraction of a second, a flash of urgency in her eyes. She moved forward, her tone low but insistent:
"Tell me what happened."
Malee attempted casual. "Slipped. Nothing serious."
But Aria knelt down instinctively. "Let me look."
Malee blinked at her, surprised by the proximity. "Wait, I can."
Too late. Aria hooked an arm around her knees, another around her back, and swept her up in one swift movement.
The gasp that escaped Malee was much too audible. "A-Aria! You can't just"
"Nope," Aria cut in tonelessly, cradling her as if it was nothing. "You're not walking on that.
Malee's heart pounded, her arms naturally wrapping around Aria's shoulders. The assistants parted in shocked silence, murmuring frantically as the two of them vanished into the building.
Dressing Room :Silent Worry
Aria gently set her on the couch, sitting her down like an object delicate. Then, with no warning, she dropped down, ripped off Malee's shoe, and looked at the ankle.
"You didn't have to carry me," Malee breathlessly said.
"You were limping." Aria's voice brooked no argument. She gently pressed against the swelling. "This ankle's sensitive. Bruise, not break. You'll be fine."
Malee suppressed a smile. "So what, you moonlight as a medic too?"
Aria shot her an unimpressed glance. "Do you want me to assist or not?"
"I do enjoy a woman with more than one skill set," Malee teased.
Aria didn't respond, wrapping the ankle in methodical efficiency. Malee's smile lessened as she observed the intensity on her face the quiet hands, the unspoken concern.
Why does she feel so much?
Or worse... why does it taste so good?
On Set : The Show Goes On
Even with the tumble, Malee performed when the cameras were rolling. She radiated under the lights, striking poses with mischievous accuracy, facial expressions that skittered from ferocious to flirtatious. The crew devoured it.
But Aria wasn't gazing at the pictures. She was observing the slight shift of Malee's weight, the way her right foot touched the floor hardly at all when she didn't think anyone saw.
From behind the monitor, Aria's arms stayed crossed, her jaw tight.
Pim sidled up beside her, smirking. "You know you've been staring at her for, like, twenty minutes."
"She fell," Aria said flatly.
"She's also a grown woman." Pim arched an eyebrow. "You okay?"
Aria didn't answer. Her silence said enough.
Break Room : Team Gossip
While grabbing water, Malee found herself intercepted by Tessa and a cluster of assistants.
Are you all right? That fall did look bad," one of them asked.
"I'm fine," Malee reassured, smiling. "Aria drug me around like a knight in shining leather. No complaints."
The assistants gasped. Tessa grinned knowingly. "Oh, that's why she looked like she was about to kill anyone within five feet of you on the shoot."
Malee laughed, slouching against the counter. "Good to know she cares. Even if she won't admit it.
After the Shoot : Office Tension
Aria was back at her desk, scribbling notes when Malee appeared at the door.
"Survived," Malee announced lightly, stepping inside with flats on.
Aria looked up slowly. "No limping?"
"Minimal. See? Practical shoes." Malee pointed at her feet with mock pride.
"Good."
Malee leaned against the doorframe, biting her lip. "So... still mad at me for slipping?"
"I'm not mad," Aria said, pausing. "Just." She cut herself off.
"Just what?" Malee pushed softly.
Aria's eyes fluttered, softer for an instant. "Just... don't make a habit of hurting yourself."
Malee's heart felt warm. She smiled small and real. "That almost sounded like you care."
Aria held her look, then shifted away. "Don't put too much into it."
Evening : A Different Kind of Reply
Back in her apartment, Aria sat with her laptop propped open, reading through campaign drafts. But her eyes kept straying to her phone.
It buzzed.
Malee:
"Today was unexpectedly fun. Not the falling part. The being carried part."
Aria slowly let out a breath, typing back:
Aria:
"Try standing next time."
The response was immediate.
Malee:
"No promises ????"
Aria's lips twitched nearly into a smile. She typed again.
Aria:
"At least promise no shrimp or heels near wet tile."
Malee:
"Now that sounds like concern."
Aria gazed at the letters, a warm flush creeping up her chest. Her thumbs quivered before she finally typed:
Aria:
"Goodnight, Malee."
The dots bounced.
Malee:
"Goodnight, Aria ????????"
For once, Aria didn't roll her eyes. She placed her phone on the table and let the corner of her mouth lift.
Just a little.