Chapter 2 - The Hangover

Come morning, Lika had her head resting heavily on one hand, her elbow kept slipping off several times on the shiny surface of the marble countertop in Henry's luxurious kitchen area. By the time he came back from his early jog, Lika kind of ignored him as she woe upon the bad decisions she had made last night.

"Hey sleepyhead."

A man about twice her size came into view, not quite meeting her eyes yet as he opened his fridge to take out a supplement water bottle. He faced her, giving her a look as he took off his bluetooth earpieces and dawned his drink. Lika stared blankly at his adam's apple as it bobbed while he quenched his thirst. The fair skin on his bare, sculpted arms had a glow that came with perspiration from his morning run.

Lika wasn't blind. She knew what a fine specimen Henry was. Tall, fair and handsome, especially with him wearing that work out tank top on his perfectly sculpted body. Honestly, Henry Kingsley could wear a plastic trash bag and still look good in it. The gossip tabloids weren't wrong to label him as the sexiest men of the year. Lika knew just how many people would pay to be on her seat right now where they can ogle Henry Kingsley's magnificence freely like she did at the time.

But while his fans often put ideas about Henry in their heads and often sexually objectified him, to Lika, Henry was just Henry. Though he was beautiful, she had seen him every day for the last seven years, while in turn he had seen her, even more than he was with his own family. They've been friends and partners even before he got his break and was this famous with an extra US$85M net worth in his pocket.

"Hi, boss," she greeted him back half heartedly, "Do you have a gun, or could you possibly strangle me to death?" dragged the short woman with the now sunken eyes as she looked at him pathetically. Her head weighed like a ton, "Please end my misery."

With that, Lika dropped her head to the table, hoping to die just so this killer hangover would pass. She heard his deep chuckle and the sound of him shuffling as he pulled one of the stools and sat across from her at the kitchen island.

"How did I even end up here at your house?" she questioned with a whine at the pounding on her head.

"What was the last thing that you remember?" asked Henry back, keeping his tone neutral as he concealed the nerve that had wracked his brain ever since he woke up this morning. He needed to know whether he had messed things up or not after what went down between them last night.

"I remember bribing the bouncer to let me in. After that," Lika shook her head, regretting the movement as it worsen the pounding in her head. A whimper escaped her.

There was relief and a surprising pang of disappointment in Henry's chest when he finally got the answer to his internal question. Lika didn't remember what happened between them last night; it was probably for the best.

"Why were you there alone, Lika? You're a lightweight. Could've asked me to accompany you."

"Why? So I can have pictures of me snapped while being silly drunk?" She quipped.

"I came there last night and no one noticed me," shrugged Henry as he scrolled through his Instagram page, confirming that there was no sighting of him at the club last night.

"You picked me up? I thought I got here by myself."

Henry snorted, "You're as drunk as Gimli in The Two Towers. You won't get anywhere by yourself. Hell, you might end up being in some strange man's bed this morning."

"I kinda did," Lika laughed in amusement, remembering herself waking up in Henry's guest room. "Though honestly I wouldn't have gone with just anyone no matter how drunk I get," she added with conviction.

"I beg to differ. If I can carry you on my shoulder and put you into my car, I'm sure any psychopath can do the same and easily load you into their car trunk," joked Henry.

"That's dark," muttered Lika, earning a charming grin from her handsome friend. "So I called you?"

"No, I called you. I wanted to ask whether Jackson called. You were incoherent, and here we are."

"Sorry for the trouble," apologized Lika, sincerely this time, "It won't happen again. I'm abstaining from drinking for the rest of my life."

"That's what everyone hangover says," smirked Henry.

"And no the director hasn't called," added Lika, "Don't worry to much about it. I have a good feeling this time."

Henry sighed, smiling as he put his head on his hand and slouched rather adorably-a 'normal people' gesture that he subconsciously never done in public's eyes. "If he does, it was probably to let me down gently. After all, this is my second try for the role since eons ago."

"Don't be pessimistic. This time you're older, wiser, bigger, and older," encouraged Lika, "Anyone would be blind if they can't see that you are the best fit to be in that skin tight hero costume."

"Am I really that old, though? You said older twice," pointed Henry out.

"I did?"

"Yes, Eliska."

"I meant more mature," Lika corrected herself, frowning, "I don't speak English well in the morning before coffee, all I want to blurt out at this state of mind is Spanish swear words."

Henry chuckled in amusement at that. "Come on, let's get coffee then," Henry announced, standing up.

"Oh, no need to move. I stocked your coffee two days ago before your return from New Zealand. Let me make us some."

Henry smiled. Lika had always been efficient and well-organized; he couldn't ask for a better personal assistant. The dark haired man shook his head. "Nah, forget it. I think you need clear air as well. Let's go out instead."

With a shrug and an 'okay', Lika stood up and almost made it to the door before realizing that she was still in Henry's borrowed hoodie.

"Wait, let me get changed."

"You look fine."

"You got your picture snapped by a paparazzi once while wearing this. Do you want to add more rumors today after the whole debacle about your latest ex girlfriend?"

Henry's expression turned sour at the memory of being accused impregnating the Australian Victoria's Secret model by some gossip magazines.

"I think I remember I have spare clothes left in here," Lika said thoughtfully.

"It's in the dryer. Though I'm not sure it's okay to wear since we left it there for three months before flying to Australia," thought Henry out loud.

"Better than smoke and alcohol smelled dress from last night."

"Don't forget the puke smell," teased Henry.

Lika spoke with a chagrin on her round yet pretty face. "I puked?"

"Yeah. You puked Chinese," laughed Henry, flashing the pearly teeth of his, "Kung Pao Chicken, I presume?" he recalled.

The woman cringed. "That's nasty. I'm very sorry," she blushed in embarrassment.

"It's okay. You've dealt with my puking way more often than that," he laughed good naturedly.

Lika shook her head and went to the laundry room.

In ten minutes, the two best friends were seated at an outdoor café, sipping at their coffee. For once after three months, the two of them could finally enjoy their morning, hassle free. No film shooting schedule to catch up to. No makeup to sit and wait for hours. No scripts to memorize for Henry, and no crazy actor schedules to juggle with for Lika. Henry's lips pulled into a smile, flashing his fangs as he charmingly thanked the waiter who brought him his coffee.

"Strawberry Mousse Latte," read Lika, sending Henry a mocking smirk, "As usual, a masculine choice of drink, Mr. Kingsley."

"Thank you," he gracefully accept her insult, pushing their coffee receipt towards his personal assistant slash best friend, "I'll tell you what's more masculine. She gave me her number," grinned Henry smugly. He hummed, "Should I give...Linda, a call?"

Lika smiled in amusement when she saw the phone number scribbled on the receipt with three hearts next to it. "One night stands with random girls in your hometown is a no go, remember?"

"How could I. You keep on reminding me how fast ex friends with benefit could turn into stalkers," smiled Henry handsomely, looking pleased with himself, "That's too bad, though. She's cute."

Henry noticed the sudden change in Lika's demeanor immediately when something caught her eyes. The girl rested her cheek on her left hand, her dark hair spilling to the side of her face.

"Paparazzi at your three o'clock," she mumbled, "Please refrain from picking your nose."

Henry sent her an amused smile, gracefully turning his head towards the direction of people snapping their pictures, but his demeanor didn't change a bit. "Noted."

As Lika sipped on her espresso, Henry began. "Why were you out there last night?" he asked, paying no mind to a group of paparazzi hiding in the bush.

"My aunt is getting worse than when I left her. She threw away the cookies I baked for her and called security on me," mumbled Lika dejectedly as she reminisced the stranger look in her beloved aunt's face when she last visited her in the old folk's home.

"I'm sorry," offered Henry sympathetically, his baby blue eyes gentle and caring, "Is there anything I can do?"

"Just keep working hard. Keep the money coming," Lika shot him an easy smile, her eyes soft as she glanced up at him. "You're doing great, Henry."

"Yes ma'am."

"By the way," Lika reached into her bag, her mind was now cleared enough that she could stare at the screen of her phone without feeling nauseous, "The agency called yesterday, you're up for the Legend of The Sword interview this Sunday. They request a meet in their studio in Los Angeles."

"Perfect. Who are my rivals?"

Lika began dutifully listing the names of other actors who were also gunning for the main lead in the series. Henry crossed his muscular arms, his gaze faraway as the two of them contemplated his chances at getting the male lead in one of the most anticipated TV show of the year.

"Oh and another good-to-know for you," Lika showed him the picture of an exotic looking American actress who was already chosen as the female lead in the show, "Annika Mendez. Rumor has it she's going to be included in the interview process, probably to see if there are any chemistry between her and any of the male lead candidates. You have to woo her and woo her hard, Henry," said Lika with determination in her eyes.

Henry had a childish expression on his face as he pondered the information. "I can always show her my sense of humor."

"As long as you don't mention anything about Rick Riordan books or any Harry Potter reference," she warned, "Because no one in Hollywood actually gets that."

"You understand," he quipped. Lika shook her head.

"We're wizards. They're muggles," said Lika with conviction, as if pointing out the obvious.

"Now who sounds like a total dork right now?" smirked Henry teasingly at her.

"I'm not the one whose room is decorated with posters of all dragons in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire."

"You have to admit they are magnificent."

Lika shrugged in defeat, "They are," she admitted. She couldn't actually argue about that. "Just control yourself and refrain from revealing too much too early to Miss Mendez, will you?"

"Well, I'm thinking of delivering the non-political Obama joke that Tom Skarsgard once told me."

The image of the charming, ultra rich triple A actor that Henry referred to came to Lika's mind. She shrugged, biting on to the buttery croissant on her plate. "Coming from guy with $350 million net worth, it must be good. Let's hear it."

Henry straightened and leaned his weight on the small, round glass table between them, "What did Obama said to Michelle when he proposed to her?"

The dark haired girl pinched her chin, her dark eyes turned up, gazing searchingly at the London's gloomy grey sky as she pondered the riddle. "Would you be my first lady?" she guessed, earning a light laugh from the British actor.

"Nice one. But incorrect, since they got married before he was even president."

"I give up."

Henry locked eyes with her. He exhaled gently before flashing her the romantic smile he often pulled for the romantic scenes in his movies. "Marry me, Michelle," he said softly in his sincere lover voice, his British accent gone, replaced with an impeccable American accent as he put much of his acting skills into the punchline, "I don't wanna be obama self."

"OOOOOOOOHHHH!!!" Lika exclaimed in glee, the two friends cracked up with laughter as they exchanged fist bumps on the table. "Rad!"

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The Edward Richer Trilogy star Henry Kingsley spotted enjoying casual morning coffee at local cafe in London with assistant Eliska Denail on Monday

By Jennifer Clarkson for Daily Mail UK
21 June 2017

The heartthrob actor Henry Kingsley, 34, appeared uber delicious next to his best friend slash PA as the two sipped their coffee and chatted on Monday morning at a local cafe.

The man hunk actor Henry Kingsley effortlessly stole hearts as he laughed with a friend, wearing a drool-worthy gym tank top and sweat pants that leaves men and women in awe at his muscular, god-like physique.

Handsome: He wore a light-grey Nike gym tank top with a navy sweat pants for the occasion as he caffeinated from a black coffee mug.

The handsome movie star sported masculine, light facial hair and happily conversed with his friend while enjoying the crisp morning air and taking in the sights of the streets of London.

Talk about BFFs: Henry seemed to be in good spirits as he fist bumped his buddy whilst letting out a carefree laugh at a joke shared between two friends. What a lucky gal to have Henry's attention all for herself!

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While the extremely charming actor have kept his involvement in the upcoming Warner Bros' big screen project relatively low-key over the past few months, it seems that the actor had buffed up his physique perfectly for the lead hero role. Try hard not to gawk too long, ladies!

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[Author's Note: I totally stole and paraphrase that from dailymail😭😭😭 Also I'm letting you know that I have a solid plan and plot for this book. Let's all pray that I get to finish this book yet again! ❤️ Please don't forget to leave a vote, kudos, or like if you like this chapter. But most importantly, please let me know your thoughts through comments. Your reviews worth the world to me. Thanks for reading and giving my book a chance]