Broken Rules
I wake with a start, the last images of my nightmare just out of reach. I sit up and rub the horrible scene from my mind, then I glance at the clock and sigh. The bright red numbers laugh at me, showing just after three in the morning. Can't a guy get some sleep around here? I throw the covers back and stand, stretching my sore muscles before heading into the closet to put on some running sweats.
In the early morning, just before the sun rises, a kind of stillness sets over the land. The nocturnal hunters bed down for the long day, and the diurnal prey still slumber soundly in their roosts. At this time I can run without the aid of music, preferring to absorb the peace of the limbo around me. I listen to the pounding of my feet, rythmic against the pavement. I listen to the rush of air as I desperately pull it in, only for it to rush back out.
I arrive back at my condo just as the first bit of gold taints the starry sky, pleasantly exhausted from my ten mile run, and head to the bathroom for a much needed shower. The hot water relaxes my overused muscles and I allow myself to rest under the scalding stream before quickly washing myself and stepping out. Staring into the mirror, I clear the steam. Looking back at me I find the rich, socialite model everyone thinks I am. My high cheekbones, green eyes, straight nose, and square jaw taunt me with their facade of perfection. Shaking my head and avoiding my own gaze, I apply some shaving cream to my face and carefully guide the razor over my night's worth of stubble.
Freshly showered and shaved, I head into the closet once again and pick out my signature look: designer jeans, Italian leather loafers, some graphic tee or another, and a black casual blazer. A quick glance in the full length mirror reveals the usual outward appearance everyone expects, though I give a quick tossel to my bronze overgrown mane to ensure the stylish bed-head look sits just right. I sigh and shake my head again, walking out of the closet and into the kitchen.
Just then my phone rings, and I mosey over to check the caller ID. My agent, as usual.
"Edward Masen," I answer in a bored tone.
"Oh Edward, good, you're up. I have some wonderful news!" Jessica Stanley all but shouted into the phone. How could she be so chipper at six in the morning?
"You always do," I replied somewhat sarcastically and waited patiently for her to burst with the 'exciting' news.
"Oh Edward cheer up! I booked you the Polo ads!" I pulled the phone away from my ear and cringed. "They are doing a male and female duo and they said you are exactly what they're looking for. They want to do a bad boy/good girl mash up for their new fragrance called Innocence Lost or something like that. Anyway, you'll get to help them pick the girl! You've always said you wanted to get to pick your partner for the duo shoots and..." I let her ramble on as I poked through the fridge and pulled out some leftover pineapple and jalapeno pizza, my favorite.
I chewed some pizza while making all the appropriate hums of agreement, only half paying attention to whatever Jessica was going on about. After my second slice I threw the box away and Jess finally got to the important stuff. I glanced at the clock and it read almost seven in the morning, man this girl could talk.
"...and they want to meet with you today so you can sit in on the casting call. They narrowed it down from hundreds at the open call to just about ten for you to choose from. They thought it would save you some time. So can you be there in about an hour?" She finally took a breath. Good, I thought she might pass out from lack of oxygen.
"Yeah, I'll drive myself. No need to wake Mike. I'm sure you kept him up late anyway." I could almost hear her blush as she stammered to cover up their little fling. "It's no big deal, your personal life is none of my business. I'll see you at HQ in an hour." I hung up and smirked at the phone, at least someone was getting some around here.
I brushed my teeth and tossled my hair once more before heading down the hall to the elevator. Their were only four condos, including mine, on the top floor, though two were currently vacant. I stood near one that was unoccupied, leaning on the wall by the door, and waited for the elevator. To my mild surprise, the door next to me opened and a tiny woman with long mahogany hair and giant light brown, almost gold, eyes stepped out.
"Oh, hello. You must be my neighbor, the model, right? All the girls raged about your looks." The stranger looked me up and down, but not in the usual hungry way most women did, but more cold and analytical. "Well, since your manners have escaped you, I'm Bella." She didn't offer her hand but instead turned to close and lock her door.
"I...I'm Edward. Edward Masen. Pleased to meet you." I stammered, trying to regain my composure. This girl nearly glowed in the muted light. She stunned me.
"I know." And with that she turned and entered the elevator. I nearly had to jump in before the door shut. She giggled quietly, but otherwise ignored me, pulling out her phone and putting in her headphones to listen to music.
I stared unabashedly at her, still overwhelmed by her beauty, and even moreso when I noticed she didn't have any makeup on. Her skin did not show any signs of blemishes or scarring, and her lips naturally plumped in a deep pink, almost red. She wore a simple v-neck tee that clung to her feminine curves and rested just over the top of her designer black slacks which swished over her powder pink pointed-toe flats. A matching three-quarter sleeve blazer hung over her arm that also carried a small black handbag; Coach, from the looks of it. Then the elevator stopped at the ground floor and the doors opened, blowing her softly sweet, floral scent my way. I inhaled deeply, and she smiled at me before stepping out, runway walking to a towncar waiting outside.
I nearly collapsed as the spell she had on me broke. Shaking my head, I briskly walked to the vallet and waited for him to bring my Astin Martin around. What a weird day, and it was only quarter after seven.