Behind the Curtains: A Tale of Hidden Emotions

Chapter 5

It's been a week since that last encounter, and I'm back here at the university again. I had a list of errands to run to prepare for my upcoming projects. I felt so fortunate that P'Wanwan had volunteered to talk to the school heads and ask if I could submit my work online. I was touched by how much they respected and valued my education.

"Yoko!" I was startled when I heard Jane's voice. I saw her from a distance, running toward me like a wild cat.

When she reached my spot, she immediately hopped and hugged me tightly. "I miss you so much!" she exclaimed exaggeratedly.

My brows furrowed at what she said. "What are you talking about? We were just together yesterday."

"Come on, Yoko, you said you have a new project, right? Who will be my companion when you're gone?" She pouted.

"Oh, come on, Jane. It's not like we can't meet or FaceTime each other. Besides, I'll still visit if I get the chance." I shook my head, amused by her theatrics. "Remind me to edition you sometime; you're such an actress."

"Hmp! You're so annoying."

I jokingly rolled my eyes at her and walked past her to annoy her even more. I could hear her snort and stomp as she followed my trace.

We entered the classroom and settled into our seats. Jane turned to me, eager for gossip. "Apasra! You still haven't told me about your audition. Who's your partner? Is he handsome? Tall? How was it?"

"Oh, about that, didn't I tell you I auditioned for a GL series?" I said, trying to manage her excitement.

"GL?!" she nearly shouted. "Why would you audition for GL?"

"Why not?" I shrugged.

"Why not?! The last time I checked, you were so old-fashioned. Do you think I didn't notice you squinting whenever you heard about the news regarding the legalization of same-sex marriage? I know you're open-minded, but this is still surprising!"

"I was just curious about that topic. I was intrigued. I never said anything or reacted violently, Jane. Besides, you know my motto: 'You'll never know until you try.' I wanted to give it a shot. I'm open to new experiences, especially in this industry," I explained.

"But what if you have love scenes? Wouldn't you be uncomfortable kissing a girl?"

I was taken aback by her question. The thought of a love scene with a girl made me both nervous and excited. "What's the problem with that? We're professionals," I shrugged, enjoying her reaction.

"You're unbelievable," she muttered, settling down.

Our professor entered and started the class, which passed quickly. After the final class, Jane stretched her arms and groaned. "That was tiring!"

I organized my things, ready to leave. As we walked down the hallway, my phone beeped. I smiled unconsciously when I saw the message.

FAYE: Yooooo. How's your day? Have you eaten lunch already?

ME: Hi auntie, I'm a bit exhausted but I'm good. Yes, I've eaten. How about you?

I could imagine her annoyed face by reading my message.

I loved teasing Faye, and she seemed to enjoy teasing me back. I could hear her calling me 'yo' while whining.

Such a cutie.

She was also the only one who called me "Yo," and it felt unique and special.

It was Faye's idea for us to exchange numbers. She said it would be better for us to get to know each other and grow closer. I agreed, thinking it would be a good idea. Our characters would be more believable if we were close in real life.

"What are you smiling at? Who's that?" Jane asked, raising an eyebrow.

"It's Faye. She'll be my partner," I said casually.

"Faye?! As in Faye Peraya Malisorn?!" Jane's energy seemed endless.

"Yes, why?"

"God, girl! I get why you eagerly auditioned for that series! You're going to be paired with the famous 'Daddy Faye'!"

"Daddy Faye? What are you talking about?"

"Faye is known as the hottest gay in the industry. She openly says she prefers girls over guys. That's why girls drool over her and call her 'Daddy Faye.' Can't blame them—she's so hot!" Jane giggled like a schoolgirl.

So, Faye was really that famous, especially among girls. This thought lingered in my mind as I headed to my condo. I was becoming more interested in her with every new thing I learned. But I was confident that I wouldn't be affected by her charm. I believed we could be good friends, nothing more, right?

Over the next few weeks, Faye and I grew closer. We met for coffee, shared stories, and laughed about silly things. One evening, we decided to rehearse our lines together. We decided to meet at the same café we hung out at before. I really liked the atmosphere in that place. The location was also perfect, away from prying eyes.

"Ready to nail this scene?" Faye asked, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

"Absolutely," I replied, trying to match her enthusiasm.

We began rehearsing, and the chemistry between us was undeniable. During a break, Faye looked at me and smiled. "You know, Yo, I think we're going to make a great team."

I smiled back, feeling warmth spread through me. "I think so too."

As we continued practicing, I noticed how comfortable we were with each other. At one point, Faye leaned in closer, her breath warm on my cheek as she whispered a line. My heart skipped a beat, but I quickly reminded myself that we were professionals. Still, the butterflies in my stomach were hard to ignore.

One evening, after a long rehearsal, Faye suggested we take a walk. The night air was cool, and the streets were quiet. We strolled through a nearby park, talking about our dreams and fears.

"You know, Yo," Faye said, looking up at the stars, "I've always believed that every challenge is an opportunity to grow."

Her words resonated with me. I felt a deep connection with her, one that went beyond our professional relationship.

As the start of filming approached, I felt a mix of excitement and nervousness. The night before our first shoot, Faye sent me a message.

FAYE: Tomorrow's the big day! Ready to shine, Yo?

ME: Ready as I'll ever be. Thanks for being so supportive, Faye.

FAYE: We're in this together. Let's make it amazing!

Her words filled me with confidence. I went to bed that night, dreaming of the journey ahead. Working with Faye was going to be an incredible experience, and I couldn’t wait to see what the future held.

The next morning, I woke up early, my heart pounding with anticipation. I arrived on set to find Faye waiting for me, a reassuring smile on her face. She walked over and gave me a quick hug.

"We've got this, Yo," she whispered.

I nodded, feeling a surge of determination. Together, we were going to make this series unforgettable.

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