Make Believe (2 page)

I am never very providential. It was just typical that on my first day I would be late. Sensibly, I had prepared my kits beforehand, by now I was well aware of how unfortunate I could be, so to combat this I tried being prepared for every eventuality.

“Jess, the car’s here. Hurry and I’ll grab you a cereal bar and coffee!” Mia shouts.

Mia and I have been friends for years. We had enrolled on the same makeup course at university. I didn’t want to live with Henry straight away and ended up moving into student digs with Mia. We hit it off from the word go as we both had the same warped sense of humor. Neither of us was like your typical students. I had been really lucky with one of my first jobs; it was in television, for a dance show.  I needed an assistant and Mia was my ideal candidate and has been ever since. But her talents weren’t just worked related, she was the best flat-mate you could wish for. She was always organizing me, even though I was twenty-three!

I smiled at the car driver as he opened the door for me.

“Right, Mia, here’s the list of all the actors. We are in the trailers out the back of the set. It has been duly asked that Elliott only be attended by the senior makeup artist. They say that I’m
allowed to be assisted but only if Elliott agrees!” I wink at her.

“
Oh my God, what a pretentious idiot. Only if he agrees! Well, I might not want to assist such an asshole anyway!” she giggles.

“I thought I would share that useful information with you
so you can blow off steam before we attend to him,” I laugh.

“God, when did you find that out?”

“I spoke to Claire yesterday.  Elliott’s agent, Hudson Creech, had phoned her telling her their requests! She said to try and stay on the right side of Hudson as he is a good guy but has a bad reputation for being a ruthless bastard in business. Elliott’s just one of his many protégés.”

“Sounds like a nice guy!” Mia teases.

I roll my eyes at her “Yes, just the type you want to be stuck with for three months of your life.”

“Well it’s too late now, we’re here.”

I gather my things together and clutch my case; the amount of makeup you can manage to squeeze into a medium size case is amazing. We head towards security where there is a man standing at the front gate. He strides towards us with a clipboard under his arm.

“Name and the purpose of your visit please ma’am?”

“Jessica Ing and Mia Ambrose. Senior makeup artists from Avalon.”

“Thank you. Please go straight to reception, which is along this driveway, and then right. There, you will be issued with your security passes. You need to keep them on you at all times. You’re working on a closed set, security is paramount. Which one of you is Jessica Ing?”

“That would be me,” I reply waving my hand.

“You have been granted an all access pass, which means you can go anywhere in the studio grounds, including Mr. Tate’s trailer.”  I look at Mia and raise my eyebrow.  “Mr. Creech has also requested that you go straight to Mr. Tate’s trailer as soon as you have received your pass.”  He smiles, rolling his eyes.

“Thank you,” I reply.

Once I have my pass in my hand I head down towards the trailers. God, I wish I was going with Mia to meet the rest of the production team. I hate first meetings, especially when it involves such a controlling asshole.

As I head towards them I instantly realize which one is his. It’s the biggest of course and has a security guard standing directly outside. I feel my hands becoming clammy. God, I hate it when my nerves kick in.

“Hi, I’m here to see Mr. Tate and Mr. Creech,” I say in my sweetest voice.

He takes my pass and looks at it for several minutes, and then points at the door. How rude, not even an acknowledgement. God, I feel so out of place here that my nerves are getting the better of me. With my heart in my hand I knock on the door.

It opens, and I immediately recognize the two men from the plane.

“Hi,” I manage just a whisper.

“Sorry, you are?” The blonde man snaps.

I grab my self-confidence from somewhere near my feet and pull it upwards. Jessica, you are a strong professional woman. They have asked for you! Act like one.

“I’m Jessica Ing, senior makeup artist, and you’ve asked to see me immediately,” I smile.

“Yes, do come in. You’re later than we expected.”

“I’m sorry about that; the security thing took longer.” I smile.

“Well now that you’re here, this is Elliott Tate, and I’m his agent, Hudson Creech. We would like to discuss our expectations with you.” He turns and sits down without offering me a chair. I look towards Elliott for some form of reassurance but he doesn’t even look at me! But one thing instantly hits me, he hasn’t been photo-shopped.  He really is that striking. I can’t take my eyes away from him.  He looks up and catches my stare. I look away immediately like an embarrassed child caught doing something wrong. But not before I notice a slight smile appear at the corner of his mouth.

I’m just standing there, feeling really awkward. No one is saying anything. I tug on my diamond pendant necklace which I got for my Twenty first,  It’s a nervous thing I do.  Sod this, I need to take the lead.

“So you want to discuss ‘expectations’?”  I quote.

Hudson turns towards me and nods, and then Elliott actually turns himself to look at me.

“And they are…..?” I’m on fire now.

Hudson stands up and hands me a file.

“Everything Mr. Tate needs is in here. This is for your eyes only. Do not leave it lying around. Only the heads of each department receive these. They are all individual, specific to what he expects from each person working on him. I’m not sure, Miss Ing, if you are really aware of whom you’re working on and the potential he can bring to your career. I suggest you study this and conform to it. Hopefully that will keep us all happy.” He smirks and turns his back on me and goes and sits down.

Oh my God, what a pretentious dick!  “Right, ok, I will take these and study them.” 

“Good girl,” the asshole replies.

With the paperwork in hand, I turn and open the door.

“Jessica?”  a voice calls from behind me.

“Yep?”

“It was nice to meet you.” Elliott smiles his perfect smile.

I nod and smile back, feeling totally bewildered.

Why is this car journey taking such a long time? The traffic in LA is horrendous. I have the confidential file s on my lap. I daren’t open it until I’m on my own. As much as I trust Mia, I don’t want us both to lose our jobs because of her nosiness.

“God, Jess, you’re quiet. Did you not enjoy your first day on set?”

“Um yes…. no, I did enjoy the meeting where we discussed the look we are going for. I can’t wait to do the fight scene, but my meeting with Elliott and his agent was as awkward as hell.” I smile.

She winks gently at me feeling my embarrassment.

My job is my passion. I love creating different moods and looks and making people feel beautiful. It can sometimes take so long to apply the makeup, you’re working for several hours on that same person, and, my God, you really hope that they appreciate it.

My phone vibrates in my back pocket. I pull it out and notice I have a text message.

Jessica,

I thought that you may need my number for any emergency makeup ;)

Looking forward to tomorrow!

Elliott.

What the hell! How the hell did he get my number? Why would he text me? He could barely even look at me four hours ago.

“Who’s that, Jess?” Mia interrupts my thoughts.

“Sorry, I’ve just had a message from Elliott.” I pass her the phone so she can read it.

“ELLIOTT TATE?”

“Yes, the one and only!”

I smile, offering her my phone again.

“Wait, so you now have Elliott Tate texting you.  How come? I thought you didn’t like him?”

“I don’t. He’s a complete and utter asshole who is only interested in himself!”

“Well, you say that but he’s looking forward to tomorrow!” Mia smiles, handing the phone back.

“At least someone is!” I half smile, wrapping my arms around myself stopping this very odd world from descending on me.

As soon as we are home I make my excuse. “Mia, I’m just going to phone my mum. I’ll be in my room if you need me.”  I grab the confidentiality file and run upstairs with it.

I turn to page one.

This is a confidentiality agreement between Senior Makeup Artist, Jessica Ing and Actor, Elliott Tate.

1/ Elliott Tate will only be attended to by Jessica Ing.

2/Jessica Ing is solely responsible for all makeup matters regarding Elliott Tate.

3/ Elliott Tate will have the final say in any instant.

4/ No other makeup artists/assistants are to come into contact with Elliott Tate, unless previously agreed to by Elliott Tate.

5/ Jessica Ing will be on call24/7 regardless of day/time at the instant request of Elliott Tate.

6/ Jessica Ing is to accompany Elliott Tate to any events if the need arises.

7/ Jessica Ing is not allowed to discuss any matter with regards to Elliott Tate with any one without prior agreement.

This contract is legally binding and if any of the clauses or confidentiality is broken it becomes null and void with immediate dismissal of the appointee!

Sign ………………………………………………..

Jessica Ing

Sign……………………………………………………

Elliott Tate

Oh my God, they want me to be at his beck and call twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week?  Only I’m allowed do his make up? No other females in the vicinity. He really has let this fame thing go to his head.  I am used to having to sign confidentiality agreements, that’s all part and parcel of this job, but this one has some ridiculous requests.  Of course I will sign it. I have to or I won’t have the job, but as for obeying it? Well that’s another totally different thing! 

***

I place my brushes on the work surface. As I glance up I notice how the lights are reflected around the room by the mirror. Now this is a great space to work in- the light is amazing, no standing by the window trying to create light. I bend down and unpack more of my kit, placing it in all into different sections. Foundation, blusher, non-shine powder, HD products. I glance up again and notice I’m being watched in the mirror.

“Hi.” He makes me jump.

“Hi, Mr. Tate,” I stutter.

“Please, call me Elliott. I feel like a school teacher when you call me that.” He smiles.

God, who is this person in front of me? Yesterday he couldn’t bring himself to be polite to me. Now we are on first name terms.

“Sorry….. Elliott.” I smile.

“Are you ready for me?” he asks.

“Yes. of course. Take a seat.”  I smile gesturing to the chair. But in my head I’m screaming “NO! I need at least another twenty minutes.”

Mia appears at the door.

I notice Elliott’s face change.

“Hey Jess, would you like me to assist you?” She smiles.

Elliott turns his head towards me and glares.

“Um…No, I think I’m ok, thanks.” I half smile, noticing the disappointment on her face.

God, I feel so bad. Normally I would always let her assist me, especially when I was working on one of her favourite celebrities.

I turn to look down at Elliott.

He’s still staring at me but with a hint of a smile on his face.

“I take it you had a look at the agreement yesterday?” He smiles.

“Yes, I did, but to be honest I don’t really understand it.  I’ve been asked to be your makeup artist so of course it will just be me, but as for having other assistants, I always use others to help, it makes the job so much easier. And as for being on call 24/ 7? I’m not sure that’s really appropriate, do you? Helping you get ready for events, well yes of course, that’s all part of the job.” I smile.

“Jessica, it is not for me to have to explain to you what I expect. You either agree to work the way I want you to work or not. And if you’re unhappy with the arrangements, I will find someone else who isn’t. I expect to have the agreement signed by the end of the day, ok?” He replies sternly. 

Once again I’m made to feel like an errand school girl. “Yes of course, I will sign it over lunch,” I reply quietly.

The rest of my morning goes so painfully slow, until Elliott is called away to set.

Once I’ve had my lunch I go back to the makeup room and sit and glance over the agreement again.

It really is a superficial contract!  I grab my pen and sign across the line feeling like I’ve just signed my life away!

“Ahem.” I turn to the door to see Elliott standing there again.

“Hello Jessica, may I come in? Is that for me?” He points to the table.

“Yep.” I hand the contract to him; he takes it and bends down to sign it also.