Love's Deception

Bonus Chapter: Part 1

Bonus Chapter: Part 1

Another day was set to start in the city of New York. As the sun began to soar towards the peachy skies surrounded by candy-like cotton clouds, gradually turning the cold and crisp dawn into a prickly sunny morning. The birds performed the dawn chorus ritual, singing chirps in the early morning to announce their respective territories. Others flocked their wings and went along singing, finding a potential mate while parking on sturdy branches. The wind blew against the evergreen trees, pushing dead leaves to depart from the branches and swing down slowly until they arrived at the ground.

However, rather than reach the ground as it was expected to be, a minibus suddenly drove its way through the undisturbed road, causing another gust of wind that made the leaves be driven away and perform another waltz in the air.

"Good morning to our enthusiastic parents and babies! We are back at The Dadlicity, episode 31st! We are here to meet a family that is known for... ugh! I suck at reading when in a car!" actress and television host Janine Gonzaga asked. She used to be a small-time actress who had minimal roles in primetime shows and films. However, her extraordinary makeup skills and funny skits that led to relentless content posting on Youtube made her viral and known to the point that one could hear or read her name on a daily basis, giving her the most awaited debut to stardom that she had always been dreaming of.

"You're supposed to do the narrating tomorrow, so you have more time to practice," said Haroun, the director and show's producer, while wiping the pearls of sweat persistently forming on his forehead and rubbing tired eyes that had large bags underneath. The man was sleepless the entire week coordinating with the scriptwriters on what they should input on this episode's screenplay while recording his first indie movie that was close to its release, in which he had invested countless dollars in.

Today was a special day for the crew. Their television show The Dadlicity, a reality-based television show that features famous notables turned fathers bonding an entire day with their children, would be featuring one of America's leading businessmen. Hades de Vries. The show featured countless actors and stars along with their children, but a tycoon? This was their first time, and they would hate to spoil it. Especially since Mr. de Vries was one of the company's major shareholders, displeasing him would mean displeasing their boss.

"Why are you here, anyway?" he then popped a question. The host wasn't really necessary to be part of the recording with the crew since they were only designated in the studio to watch the entire episode and pull out comments, jokes, and compliments.

"I wanted to see Mr. de Vries in person!" the excited actress immediately retorted, crossing her arms and looking up as her eyes began to sparkle dreamily. "I heard that he's such a catch in person."

"You're speaking about the man as if he isn't married."

"Doesn't matter. It's just a small crush anyway," the actress immediately put up her defense. "And divorce is legal in this state anyway," she added, her voice fizzling in a sunken fantasy.

The tired director could only sigh and roll his eyes at her, praying to the odds that her annoying antics would disappear. The woman was a good actress and entertainer. However, she had this unlikely antic of being annoying with everything she did. May it be her side comments, her sudden attitude changes, the way she would change her tone, and the likes just to get all the attention on her. "Dream on, Janine. Dream on."

"I heard that Mr. de Vries is very doting to his wife. Is that true?" a voice behind them asked. It was Padgett, an assistant scriptwriter who just got into the management a year ago. It was rumored that she had connections with one of the most prominent screenwriters in the industry. It was a wonder to the crew why she chose to be part of them when she could have gone with her aunt and assisted with a big film if the rumor was true.