Roles Of A Lifetime (COMPLETE)

Chapter 19

The last few days, the temperature in New York had been slightly higher, which caused the snow to melt. The streets were covered with melted snow, slightly brown and blubbery. But today, the frost had returned. The thin coat of water on had frozen, making the sidewalk extremely slippery and difficult to walk on. Laura's boots weren't the best footgear to help her through it.

''Do you have any grip with those boots?'' Ross questions her after studying her wobbling for a minute. The bottom of her black boots were completely smooth, not giving her any hold on the ice covered road. She continues to put one foot before the other, carefully to step on the least icy parts.

''I haven't fallen yet!'' she answers, staying positive while using her arms to keep her balance. He walks behind her, watching her every move, being grateful for his choice to wear his comfortable sneakers. She keeps her eyes on her feet as she's gradually moving forward until she stops her pace.

In front of her, the little spots of uncovered pavement had disappeared. Instead, the whole sidewalk was covered by a thick layer of shiny ice, leaving not a single inch of it uncovered. She looks at the ground and then turns to Ross. He can't help but laugh at her sad form.

''The hotel isn't too far away, we can still go back to change your shoes,'' he assures her while pointing back and he's about to turn around to walk back when she stops him.

''No, I don't feel like walking back. I just need something to hold onto,'' she speaks while holding her chin, looking up in a thinking position. She turns around to look at the ice one more time, thinking of any solutions. Ross sighs deeply before walking up to her and bending his arm. She's still looking around, not noticing him as she stands with her back to him.

She turns around, her mouth open as she's about to tell him something when she notices his silent gesture. Gratefully grabbing his upper arm, she looks up smiling before they start walking together. She holds herself up by putting both her hands on his elbow and slightly leaning against him.

''You really like holding onto people, don't you?'' Ross smirks, looking straight forward. Laura blushes as she grips his arm tighter.

''You're saying that like it's a bad thing,'' she responds, laughing at him. Suddenly, her face is filled with worry. ''You don't mind, do you?'' she's about to let go when his other hand covers hers.

''Don't be ridiculous, of course, I don't. On the contrary-'' his sentence is interrupted by a lot of flashing lights blinding the two. In front of them, three men with photo cameras block their way as they ask them multiple questions, all at once. Laura and Ross hold a hand in front of their faces, eyes narrowing, to protect them from the bright flashes.

''Laura, Ross, are you guys on a date?'' one of them asks while snapping a few photos. The two look at each other, nervous and irritated at the same time.

''No, we're not. Just...going out,'' Ross answers as he leads Laura forward. As they take a few steps, the men don't get out of the way but walk a few steps back, leaving only a few feet between them. They don't seem to have gotten all they wanted as they keep shooting questions at them.

''Where are you going? You look great together! Ross, tell us the truth, did you ask her out?'' the other two men follow the other's example and question the two even more.

''I did not ask her out, could you please leave us alone?'' Ross continues to answer, now starting to get angry with the paparazzi. Laura holds her head down, trying to hide her face, as she keeps quiet. While two of them keep their attention on Ross, one turns to Laura. He drops his camera, brings out a small recording device and brings it close to Laura as he keeps walking backwards. She looks at Ross nervously, but he doesn't notice her as he's still trying to get the other two man to leave. His face turns into a frown as his voice starts to get louder with every annoyed answer he gives.