Eating For Show (Eduardo)

[Lilianna Cooper]

The Ivy has one of the highest concentrations of paparazzi photographers lurking behind corners, cars, and bushes in the city. However, celebrities still choose to frequent the restaurant and even sit at tables that are practically on the sidewalk. This, my friends, it was it called "eating for show". People go to The Ivy for the sole purpose of being seen. Seriously, name ten people in Beverly Hills who actually eat on the regular basis. The Ivy is a red carpet, only with less glitz and more commoners.

It was early afternoon when Lilianna Cooper decided to make an appearance at The Ivy. Lilianna was your everyday uber-celebrity. As a matter of fact, she doubted that the general public would even recognize her in a picture. However, she was still plagued by the flashing bulbs of photographers. The latest story about her was that she was anorexic. Great. Now Lilianna was added to the list of people to slam for being skinny. Sure, it wasn't entirely false, but that was her personal business. So, it attempt to set the record straight, Lilianna was seated beside the white fence of the restaurant and promptly ordered a pasta dish.

Before she had left the house, Lilianna had made sure to look at least presentable without appearing as if she was trying too hard. The warm weather in Southern California is so different from that in Connecticut that she still had yet to master her wardrobe. Today she wore simple green cotton sun dress that hit just above her knee paired with an off-white cropped cardigan that was left unbuttoned. Brown strappy sandals gave her height, covered her feet, and even made that nifty clicking noise whenever she took a step. Her light brown locks were wavy and left down white her make-up was minimal and natural looking.

She sat alone at the table, wondering if this was a bad idea. She then pulled out her cell phone, a Blackberry. She typed in Eduardo's number, a guy she had known for a while and happened to have just a small crush on. Hey, I'm at The Ivy all by my lonesome. Care to join me? My treat. She sent him the previous words in a text message and waited impatiently for a reply. God she was bored.

[Eduardo Munoz]

Eduardo? Turn down a chance for free food? No way. Only moments before receiving the invite via text message, he was in his study. His father wanted him to get involved with politics and what not so he had to learn a thousand and one languages. Woooo. So what was he up to? Studying as usual. A slender hand raked through his messy locks finding that each passing minute made it harder for him to focus. Sometimes he thought this way of life wasn't for him. It was too nerve racking and though he never showed it...it stressed him out.

A low rumbling was heard and he sighed, knowing exactly what it was. His stomach had been growling for about an hour now...but he had to get this work done. His hazel eyes shut slowly out of frustration and he placed his pencil on the table. That's when his pocket vibrated...a welcomed distraction. Pulling out his black Razor, he couldn't help grinning. Ivy, Treat, Lil was all he comprehended before practically jumping out of his chair. Sure, Be Right There, was his reply message.

He and Lil had grown close since he moved to LA. They were great friends who loved to hang out with each other, so what was wrong with eating lunch with her? Nothing...well nothing serious. The Ivy was paparazzi heaven and being seen there with her might mean trouble. You see, he had a slight crush on the girl, but he was dating Sam so there were some limits on their friendliness. As far as he knew word of this crush hadn't got out yet but if it did...it meant trouble.

After changing into a blue polo shirt and a nice pair of jeans, Eddy left the house in his Jag, heading to the Ivy. Almost immediately his car was swarmed. God he hated that. Being a well known politician's son had its cons. Eddy smiled faintly as he made his way toward the restaurant. He spotted his friend and grinned making his way over. "Trying to clear your name of something?" he said quietly as he took a seat. She knew he wasn't too fond of cameras being everywhere. The boy relaxed still hearing clicks in the distance. "So how are you, Lil?"

[Lilianna Cooper]

Lilianna tapped her fingers unconsciously on her thigh as she sat cross-legged, waiting for Eduardo's reply. If she knew him well, and she was sure she did, she knew that he would never pass up the opportunity to stop whatever he was doing and eat. Most men were like that, she's found. Moments later his text message reply was all too expected. He'd be right there. That wasn't an exaggeration. Within minutes she saw Eduardo's Jaguar pull toward the Ivy, practically covered with paparazzi clinging to it. Lilianna was lucky that she wasn't too well known or else that scene would be her.

Lilianna giggled lightly at Eduardo's question. "What is that supposed to mean?" she teased. "Of course I am. According to the latest tabloid I'm joining the ranks with Nicole Richie and Mary Kate Olsen." Lilianna said rolling her eyes. "Half of those readers don't even know who I am. The writers have to clarify that I am "Heiress to Vanderbilt and Rockefeller fortune." Seriously, the write stuff about me and people don't even know me. I don't understand." she continued.

"So I see the photographers are hot on your tail too." she commented with a light tone of sarcasm in her voice. Her pasta plate was set in front of her before she could continue on that subject. "It's show time." she stated nonchalantly. "Sorry. I didn't order you anything because I didn't know if you were like..going to come or not." she apologized before taking a bite of her food.

[Eduardo Munoz]

If Eduardo didn't know better he'd give those photographers something to go on about. Though normally calm in nature, those cameras really brought out the worst in a guy...namely him. It took all his strength to keep from lashing out at them sometimes. But this was Eduardo Munoz we were talking about. He'd never loose his cool like that in front of anyone, let alone a camera.

He couldn't help but chuckle a little as Lilanna explained her position. He hated that as well. Being a heart throb was all he was really known for. A handsome and intelligent latin boy with a powerful father. The girls loved him and that was the only reason the paparazzi stalked him constantly. "I know what you mean. But I guess it's a part of life," he sighed.

"Aren't they always? I can hardly get a moments peace. I love my little fan girls, but come on. Do they have to follow me everywhere?" The boy laughed a little and noticed a photographer inching closer. Eddy ran his fingers through his hair nice and slow letting the guy get a picture and waved him off the minute he heard the clicking increase. "Maybe that'll hold them for now. And no worries. I didn't expect you to."

A waitress passed and he called for her. After ordering a plate of Chicken Alfredo, he turned back to Lil. "So, your in MK and Nicole's range now? You could stand to gain a little more weight," he teased. She was growing skinnier and though it worried him, he kept things in a playful manner not wanting to ruin their little meeting.

[Lilianna Cooper]

"I'm just sick of it all. You know, the publicity and stuff. Back in Connecticut there weren't any paparazzi." she said, almost complaining. She often found herself comparing Los Angeles to her hometown of Greenwich, Connecticut. The comparison was like dark and light. They were two completely different places, which is probably why Lilianna feels so out of place sometimes in Los Angeles. It would take her a while to adjust. It always took her forever to adjust to things.

Lilianna ignored Eduardo's comment about her weight being a bit on the low side. She wasn't entirely sure if he was joking or not, although she was pretty certain that he was. It was no secret that Lilianna was an extreme dieter, but an eating disorder? Now that's just going a bit too far with the exaggeration. She took another bite of her pasta. She wasn't sure exactly what it was because she had just pointed to the first item under the pasta section of her menu, but it really wasn't too bad. By the look and taste of it, she guessed that it was some sort of linguine in a tomato sauce. It was pretty good.

"So what were you doing today before you came here?" Lilianna asked, changing the subject. She didn't want to spend the entire time talking about how much she hated the paparazzi, weight loss, and eating for the cameras. If she did that, next thing she'd know she'd be quoted on the page of some trashy tabloid. That'd just be great, no?

[Eduardo Munoz]

Relating to her was something easily done. It was much more peaceful for him back home. Sure, there were cameras and people wanting pictures...but he hadn't seen anything like this there. Tabloids weren't as bad either. Yep, Eddy definitely knew where she was coming from and nodded to show it.

Lil side stepped his comment about her weight and he let her...for now. If they'd been out of the public eye, he would've pursued the topic. Girls were so self conscious anymore. Worrying about their weight, wrinkles, how much their butt jiggled. It was insane really. Something Eddy had always misunderstood was why women were so selfconscious but then he realized it was the media. One minute they weren't skinny enough, the next minute too skinny. Personally Eduardo liked a girl with meat on her bones. You know somewhat athletic with curves.

Makeup was another thing he didn't quite get. Sure, they looked good in it but he thought most girls were prettier without it. Lilanna's question brought him back into reality and he shrugged. "Same thing I always am...studying." he sighed. "Sam has been busy with her movie making and I've been stuck in the house all day reading up on Italian. What about you?"