Phoenix
Part 40: Between Two Worlds
Phoenix takes a deep breath after Sanem calls Albatross away. She tries to return to her makeup table and work in a normal way.
Except…
Her head is still full of the morning scene.
Her heart is beating faster, her hands are trembling, and her legs seem to have a life of their own.
“Okay, Phoenix, focus…” she mutters to herself as she prepares the palettes for the next model’s makeup.
“It’s no big deal… just a man… just a smile… just a… a… ohhh, why does he look at me like that?!”
Then she looks to her left.
Albatross is there.
Right there.
He’s adjusting the photography equipment… or at least pretending to. In reality, he’s watching her the entire time.
Phoenix almost knocks over a tray full of makeup brushes.
“Oh my God…” she whispers to herself.
“Is he following me?!”
Albatross turns toward her slowly with a half-smile, as if it were pure coincidence.
Albatross:
“Everything alright, Phoenix?”
Phoenix:
“Y–yes! Of course! It’s just… this… this is a chair…”
She points at her own makeup chair, which she has just walked around as if it were a dangerous obstacle.
Albatross steps closer.
“I know,” he says in a deep, calm voice.
“Chairs usually are.”
Phoenix blushes, then quickly looks into her makeup bag as if searching for refuge there.
A few minutes later…
Phoenix tries to organize her steps so that she won’t accidentally run into Albatross again.
“Coffee… coffee… I need coffee…” she mutters.
She reaches the kitchen.
Stops.
Leans against the counter.
“I’m safe here. Just coffee. Not a man. Not a smile. Not a scent. No danger at all…”
Behind her, a deep voice speaks.
“You can’t live without coffee, can you?”
Phoenix almost jumps to the ceiling.
“A–Albatross?! You… what are you doing here?”
Albatross smiles lightly—dangerously attractive.
“The same thing as you. Coffee. And… company.”
Phoenix’s hand trembles as she pours the cup.
The coffee overflows.
Onto the counter.
Then onto the floor.
“Oh… oh… no, no…” she whispers desperately.
Albatross chuckles softly and kneels down beside her with a paper towel.
“Well, look at that… you’re embarrassed around me again.”
Phoenix turns pale.
“M–me? No! It’s just… gravity… and the coffee… they… they conspired against me.”
Albatross leans a little closer, his gaze soft, warm, attentive.
“If I make you this flustered… maybe I should be here more often.”
Phoenix freezes completely.
Blinks.
Then suddenly jumps up.
“I—I have to go… makeup… work… yes… makeup…”
Albatross leans against the counter with a half-smile.
“We’ll meet again, Phoenix…”
As Phoenix rushes out, Melike chuckles with Albatross from behind the reception desk.
Melike:
“Phoenix is very shy, isn’t she?”
Albatross keeps his gaze fixed on Phoenix, warm and gentle.
“She’s not shy. She’s just… honest. And… beautiful when she’s embarrassed.”
Melike blushes.
“Oh wow… this is serious, Albatross.”
“Yes,” Albatross smiles,
“Very serious.”
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