Lights, camera, love.

Chapter 1

Y/N's Perspective

Being a cinematographer on time-consuming projects makes it challenging to have a personal life. Nevertheless, I managed to strike a balance between these two aspects. Working on the TV series "Criminal Minds," maintaining a small but close-knit group of friends, and having someone special in my life is what kept me going.

Meeting Adri was one of the best things that ever happened to me. We crossed paths during the premiere of one of the new seasons of "Criminal Minds." She was a guest model, and from that day on, we became inseparable. We created unforgettable moments, shared our worlds, and grew together as a couple. We supported each other in our projects and were there for one another, both emotionally and morally. Eventually, we decided to move in together to an apartment with a view to the future, hoping to build a family.

However, the last year we spent together was undoubtedly one of the most complicated. I spent long hours working on the final episodes of the season and the series, while Adri embarked on campaigns and fashion shows. Months of little contact and few meetings led her to seek in someone else what I couldn't provide: my presence, affection, and time.

Discovering betrayal is not something you prepare for. Each person reacts differently and experiences a range of emotions. When I found Adri with another woman in our apartment, my reaction was emotionless. I just stood there, looking at both of them in the living room, with Adri's head between the legs of the other model. It was an image I never expected to experience in reality, even though my job involved creating strong images. At that moment, I couldn't move or make a sound; everything seemed to be happening in slow motion.

Several minutes passed before they realized my presence. That's when I managed to snap out of my stupor and simply said, "goodbye." I gathered my belongings, and with a glance at Adri, we confirmed what was evident: there was no "us" anymore. With a broken heart, I turned around and walked away from a nearly 5-year relationship without looking back.

The plans we had once made for our future faded away, and I didn't know how to feel about it. So, I decided to channel my time and energy into my work, in what I did best, and that worked for a while.

As we approached the end of the series, those feelings and thoughts I had kept hidden resurfaced. This time, there was nothing I could do to avoid them. I tried to distract myself by getting to know other women, going on some dates, but I couldn't focus on the person in front of me or their interests or intentions. I wasn't looking for a serious relationship, but I also didn't want to feel completely alone.

Have you heard the saying, "Do what you love, and you'll never work a day in your life"? Well, I love my job and what I do, but I reached a point where I needed to step away from what I loved, even if only for a while. When that didn't calm my mind either, I decided to change things up and travel to an unfamiliar place. Take a break from everything and everyone.

After wrapping up my work on the series, I boarded a flight and headed to Barcelona, Spain, to enjoy the sun and the beach. The change of scenery helped me find peace once again. The energy of the place, the warmth, the salty sea breeze, and the conversations of the people around me managed to silence the voices in my mind that I had tried so hard to avoid.

After a week in this place, I came to the conclusion that what had happened to me was not my fault. Adri and I simply lost the connection we once shared at the beginning of our relationship. Instead of openly discussing it, she chose to betray me by getting involved with someone else.

During my vacation, my peaceful rest was interrupted by a call from an unknown number. It was a job offer for a new project based on true events, a story I was familiar with due to the genre I work in, but it somehow felt personal to me. It was an irresistible project, impossible to turn down. So, I packed my things and returned to Los Angeles.

...

First part of this story!

Thank you for reading, and I'm open to any comments you may have.

Regards ✌🏽

V