Főnix

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Phoenix

Part 32: Captive to the Heart

In the studio, preparations before the photoshoot begin. The models are already lining up. Phoenix is adjusting a makeup look when she notices:

One of the models—a beautiful, confident woman, Lina—is smiling far too much at Albatross.
And what’s worse…

Albatross smiles back.

Phoenix’s eyes narrow. Her hand trembles, and a bit too much highlighter ends up on Lina’s face.

Lina (slightly surprised):
“Uh… isn’t this going to be a bit too much?”

Phoenix (with a forced smile):
“No! It’s perfect! You’ll shine… like a… like a… star explosion!”

Albatross stands nearby with his arms crossed, enjoying the scene.

Lina steps closer to him:

Lina:
“Albatross, you’ll tell me which pose works best, right? You know, last time we worked so well together…”

Phoenix’s ear twitches like a radar.

She steps closer—slowly, very suspiciously.

Phoenix (without a smile, tense voice):
“Hi. We’re done with the makeup. Yes. Done. Perfect. You can go… take photos. Right away. Now.”

Lina leaves, and Phoenix stands in front of Albatross with her arms crossed.

Albatross (with a half-smile):
“Is there a problem?”

Phoenix (muttering quickly, nervously):
“Me? No! No problem! What would be? Just… just… you smiled… interestingly. Yes. Interestingly. Very interestingly.”

Albatross steps closer.
Too close.

Albatross:
“Interestingly… or jealously?”

Phoenix’s eyes widen.

Phoenix:
“W–what? Me? Jealous? No! I was just… looking professionally! The pose… or the light… or the… whatever.”

Albatross (slowly, deep voice):
“Which ‘whatever’?”

Phoenix stammers, nervously playing with her brush.

Phoenix:
“Well… that… whatever… that happened there… you know… when… she smiled at you… and you… smiled back…”

Albatross smiles. That dangerously sweet smile.

Albatross:
“So you saw it.”

Phoenix:
“I… I wasn’t looking… I just… I just saw it because the scene crawled right in front of me!”

Albatross laughs, then gently lifts Phoenix’s chin with a fingertip.

Albatross:
“Why are you nervous, Phoenix?”

Phoenix flinches and turns as red as the lipstick she applied minutes ago.

Phoenix:
“I… I’m not nervous… this… this is… just a slight fever… yes… definitely because of the lights…”

Albatross steps even closer, only inches away.

Albatross:
“I like it when you’re jealous.”

Phoenix can barely breathe.

Phoenix:
“I’m not jealous… just… professional concern… yes. That exists too. Maybe. I mean… from now on it does.”

Albatross (softly, playfully):
“Alright. If it’s professional… then I’ll stay close to you a bit longer. Just in case you ‘accidentally’ start worrying about my work again.”

Phoenix turns away, but her ears are bright red.

Phoenix:
“Don’t stay close to me… I mean, stay… but not too close… or maybe… oh no…”

Albatross just smiles.

Exactly the way he does when Phoenix completely falls apart because of him.