Off Camera

Chapter 19

Tee POV

The director's harsh words repeat in my head, but I don't know what I did wrong. I glance across the set at Tae, wanting to see his warm and loving brown eyes to give me the encouragement I need. Unfortunately, he follows and does what the director has told him to do and gets back into place for the scene, completely ignoring my struggles.

My heart twists, but I know I can't say or do anything. We still haven't told anyone about our relationship, and it must stay a secret, at all cost.

I take a deep breath.

"AND ACTION!"

I can do this.

I bury any lingering emotions I have for Tae deep inside me and put my character's mask on. My mind tries to find something to think about, which will irritate me right away.

Wait. Rhonda.

The image of her being overly touchy with Tae pops into my mind. I press my lips together and hold back a snarl, fighting to come out. I turn my attention towards the older couple on the couch and walk onto the set.

We run through the scene with no issues. Any time I would get the urge to let my character's mask drop and look at Tae, I would think of Rhonda and feed on my anger to carry me through the scene.

"CUT!" The director steps onto the set and gives me a thumbs up. "Tee, that is exactly what I wanted. I don't know what you did to give off your look of anger, but I'm happy with the scene. It was exactly what I wanted."

He turns towards Tae. "You, on the other hand, was almost too lovey dovey with Tee. I almost called cut because you had this sad puppy dog look, but I think the viewers will love it. So, I didn't cut it and request to redo the scene. Plus, I think the viewers will understand with the way Tee was coming off so harsh and cold and feel sorry for you. It is very relatable."

The corners of my lips itch to curl upwards. The thought of Tae giving me sad puppy dog eyes sends my stomach into chaos. Good thing I didn't look at him properly or I would have been thrown out of character.

The director doesn't wait for a response before he claps his hands. "Okay, everyone. Let's go onto the next scene."

I run through the list of scenes in my mind we are filming today, trying to remember which one it is. As if the director knows what I'm thinking, he calls out while walking around the set. "We need to move over to the dining room table. This is the scene where Tae is tutoring Tee. I still want Tee to be irritated and upset, because he thinks it is a waste of time."

The director waves his finger towards me. "Tee, I still need your annoyed and irritated look. But towards the end of the scene, I need your look to morph into something else. I'm thinking you will find Tae's effort nice and maybe even sweet, but you aren't falling for him yet. Understand?"

I choke down a laugh and bob my head up and down. "Yeah, I understand." I understand better than he can imagine.

I nibble the inside of my cheek while my nerves rattle. The director stares at me for a moment. He looks like he has something else on the tip of his tongue to say. After a few seconds, he shakes his head and turns away from me. "Everyone, get into place, and move the cameras to the next spot."

My eyes follow the director for a bit, but when he doesn't turn back to me, I spin around and head towards the dining room area and the long oak table in the middle of it. Forcing myself to think of anything but Tae, I mentally run through the script and my lines.

I can do this.

I'll be sitting close to Tae, but I can't react to him, especially not to his alluring cologne, which normally has my knees wobbling as soon as I smell it. It also brings back the vivid images of our nights together when all Tae wore was his amazing cologne.

I nervously tap my teeth together and sit down at the table. A staff member rushes towards me. "Tee, do you need a quick drink or something else? We will start filming soon."

I shift my focus to him and shake my head. "No. I'm fine."

I'm far from being okay, but no one else needs to know it.

My foot bounces while I wipe my sweaty palms on my pants. Can we go back to a kissing scene or even another bed scene? I would feel more comfortable doing either of those than trying to hide my attraction to and love for Tae.

I can feel his presence as he sits down beside me. My hair on my arm stands upright and goosebumps explode across my body.

How am I'm supposed to act like I hate Tae when my body reacts to him like this?

A lump forms in my throat, but I don't dare look at him. I won't be able to stay in character if I do.

Someone, please, make this go by fast. This is torture being this close to my handsome boyfriend and not touch him.

I take a deep breath, trying to calm my frazzled nerves, but instantly realize I shouldn't have, when my lungs fill with Tae's musky cologne.

His warm breath and deep, husky voice brush across my ear. "Are you ready? Do you need help?"

I bite the inside of my cheek again.

Is he serious? He knows he isn't any help right now. It is more like sweet torture than anything else.

With my attention focused on a spot on the floor, I shake my head. "No. I'm good."

He leans in closer to me, and my hair on that side of my body stands straight up while Tae's warmth burrows into me.

Please, stop.

I shift in my chair, trying to put more space between us and calm the turmoil within me.

He whispers, "Are you sure?"

Every part of me wants to scream, "NO!" But I can't.

I sit frozen in place, wishing I could do something that doesn't announce like a bright neon sign we are together, but nothing comes to mind. Instead, I imagine not caring whether others see us or not and turn around, capturing his luscious lips in a passionate kiss.

Every part of my body sizzles in excitement and is overly sensitive to the slightest movement or breeze. I'm sure if Tae would touch me now, I would explode in my pants and moan for my hidden desires.

Why is no one listening to my silent pleas for this to stop? Does Tae love to torture me? Is the rest of our shooting going to be like this? Please, no. I don't know if I'll be able to handle it.

I fidget my fingers along the side of my pants and turn my back to him slightly and nod. "Yeah, I'm sure." My voice cracks.

Shit.

A faint chuckle echoes in my ear, and my heart skips a beat. His warmth grows stronger, almost an inferno. My breath becomes shallow, like short pants.

Looking for help, my eyes dart around for anyone who I can call, but I can't find anyone who is paying attention to me. A part of me is happy no one is noticing, but another part of me which is screaming for help can't believe no one is watching.

My breath hitches when Tae's moist lips graze the bottom of my earlobe and he whispers, "I don't think so."

Published September 24, 2022