"Cut!"
#18 relaxed as the director gave a thumbs-up sign. "Good work, #18!" he said, smiling. Her co-worker, Jewel, heaved a sigh of relief. The scene was particularly difficult to act, and they had to redo it twenty times before the director was satisfied.
"That's it for today," the director said, and got up from his shaded chair. An assistant handed him a bottle of mineral water and a towel. They were doing the shot in a hot desert, and everybody was feeling the heat. #18 picked up her towel and wiped the sweat from her face. She then proceeded to powder her nose. She ran her hand through her golden hair, making it fly gracefully. The act never failed to attract the attention of men, for #18 was exceptionally beautiful. It was a pity she had to cut her beautiful mane, but it was necessary for the part. Nevertheless, heads still turned whenever she entered a room.
"How about it, #18?" #18 looked up to see Jewel looking at her seductively. "Wanna go out with me tonight? I know a great club in town," Jewel said. "Sorry, I'm not interested," #18 replied nonchalantly, and resumed powdering her face.
"Aww, c'mon #18," Jewel tried to persuade her. "It'll be fun, besides, what else are you going to do in this godforsaken desert? Hey, this is Jewel asking you out here, you're not just going to say 'not interested', are you?"
"Which part of 'not interested' did you not understand?" #18 stared at him coldly. Jewel was taken aback for a while, then put up his hands in exasperation. "Fine! Don't regret your decision later!" He left in a huff, murmuring to himself that the tabloids were indeed right about #18; she's beautiful but cold and rude.
"As if I would," #18 snorted after Jewel had left with three minor actresses hanging on to his arms. Jewel was one of those actors who went from fighting to acting. He had achieved good results at the Tenkaichi Boudukai and attracted the attention of a talent seeker. His first movie was a hit, and from there he starred in a few more movies (always playing a handsome hero who has a lot of fighting scenes and little dialogue) and now he had managed to star alongside her in her latest movie. No real acting talent, #18 thought disdainfully. Just depending on his good looks and martial arts skills (which #18 personally thought, wasn't that good).
She sighed. She was beginning to tire of this life. Being hounded by the press wherever she went and having no privacy whatsoever. And the horrible gossip columns in the entertaiment magazines. Yes, she's had a string of relationships; it had seemed an inevitable part of her career, but none of it ever lasted. And the press only made things worse by their crazy speculations and pictures of her taken without her having the slightest idea how. It was the price of fame; she had gone into acting because her adopted parents were actors and singers, and it was just natural to follow in their footsteps. It had been fun, but maybe it's time to quit. It would be nice to exit this world of glamour and settle down quietly somewhere. An island, maybe. In the tropics, with the sunshine, blue sea and coconut palms; the whole package. #18 smiled wistfully. It sounded like an ideal life, only you'd want someone to share all that with.
For her part, #18 defended herself by saying she had yet to find anybody who understood her. Aside from her twin brother, nobody really knew her. #18 shook her head. She had been looking for the perfect man, her knight in shining armour, but perhaps she'll never find him. In her mind, she could picture him clearly. He had shining black shoulder-length hair, a dashing but sometimes cold face and a bandana around his neck. It was the image of their saviour from long ago. They never saw him again, despite their best efforts to find him. And they probably will never will.
"The car is ready, Miss #18."
#18 looked up and smiled gratefully. "Thanks, Ten," she said as she put on her sunglasses and adjusted her hat. Her bodyguard escorted her as they made their way out from the studio to the car through the backdoor. He opened the door for her and made sure she was comfortable and safe before taking his seat beside her in the backseat as the driver drove off. From her dark shades, #18 studied him. Tenshinhan, or Ten, as #19 called him, was a huge muscular man. He was strong too, and a way better fighter then Jewel could ever be. #18 could see that from the way he fended off fans and reporters who were too rough. He was always in control of his skills; using just enough force to keep them at bay, but he wasn't afraid to use them on anybody who endangered her. A distinguishing physical feature of Tenshinhan, aside from his build and bald head was his third eye, which was in the middle of his forehead. He once had a shady past, but then repented and became a monk. But later he got married and had to work to support his family, and found a job as her bodyguard. He has stayed at the job since then.
#18 was glad she had him. She felt safe around him. Once he saved her from an obsessed fan. The little runt had consistently called her and told her he loved her. One day, he broke into her home. How he managed to break the security system, #18 didn't know. It was Tenshinhan who fought off against him. Finally the weirdo agreed to leave her alone after a long battle. #18 had only managed to catch a few glimpses of the man as he fought with Tenshinhan. It was a spectacular battle; she's never seen anything like it. But the intruder's features were equally striking. He was short, bald and had no nose. In short, he was ugly. Later she found out that the short man was an acquantaince of Tenshinhan's, and with Ten's assurance that he will never harass her again, she decided not to press charges.
They arrived at her home. Tenshinhan escorted her to the front door and made sure she was safely in before leaving. Tomorrow was a festival day, and Ten had the day off to spend with his family.
"If you're free tomorrow evening, you're welcome to come over to my house for dinner," he invited her. "Thanks, Ten," #18 smiled warmly. "Maybe I will," she said.
Tenshinhan nodded and left. And #18 was left again to spend the night alone.
Next: The Bodyguard (Tenshinhan's Story), or if you prefer, a short omake before we proceed to the next chapter.