𝘣𝘢𝘥 𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘢 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵? 𝘸.𝘴𝘤𝘰𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘭

008 - the perfect pair

The next day on set, the atmosphere between Annika and Walker was still thick with tension. As they prepared for another round of filming, their exchanges were laced with sarcastic barbs.

"Ready for another day of drama?" Walker asked, adjusting his costume.

"Oh, absolutely," Annika replied, rolling her eyes. "I'm sure it'll be just as enjoyable as yesterday."

"Let's hope it's less of a train wreck, then," Walker said, his tone dry.

"Hey, if we're lucky, we'll both make it through the day without getting on each other's nerves," Annika retorted.

During a rehearsal, they were tasked with a particularly intense scene. As they delivered their lines, the raw emotion of their characters mirrored their real-life discomfort.

"That's the kind of intensity I want," James directed, watching them closely. "Dig deeper."

Walker glanced at Annika as they reset. "If only our real conversations were this easy."

"Tell me about it," Annika responded, adjusting her script. "Sometimes it feels like we're acting more off-screen than on."

As the day progressed, their interactions remained charged, but there were moments when their conversation revealed a bit more honesty.

"So, what's your plan for the weekend?" Walker asked, trying to break the ice.

"I hadn't really thought about it," Annika answered. "Probably just try to relax. What about you?"

"Same here," Walker said. "Maybe catch up on some reading or something. Or just zone out completely."

"Sounds like a plan," Annika said with a half-smile. "We could both use a break from all this."

When they took a break from filming, their conversation turned more personal.

"Ever think about what you'd be doing if you weren't acting?" Walker asked.

"Sometimes," Annika admitted. "Maybe something totally different. Art, or maybe something more grounded."

"Yeah," Walker said thoughtfully. "I get that. Acting's great, but it's not exactly normal life."

"True," Annika agreed. "It's a weird world we're in."

As the day wound down, they prepared for their final scenes. The earlier intensity had shifted into a more genuine, if tentative, connection.

"Not bad today," Walker said. "We managed to get through without too many issues."

"Yeah," Annika replied. "I guess we did. Maybe we're figuring this out after all."

"Maybe," Walker said with a nod. "One step at a time, right?"

"Exactly," Annika agreed. "One step at a time."

That evening, the cast decided to go to a fancy restaurant to unwind after a long day of filming. Annika spent extra time getting ready, donning a dark red silky dress that flowed effortlessly with every movement. The dress hugged her figure just enough to highlight her silhouette, and the deep red made her stand out in the best possible way.

When she walked into the hotel lobby, the other cast members were already gathered, but Walker's attention was immediately drawn to her. His eyes widened, and he was momentarily speechless.

"Wow," he finally managed, his voice barely above a whisper. "You look... incredible."

Annika raised an eyebrow, noticing the genuine surprise in his expression. "Thanks," she said, trying to keep her tone casual. "I figured I'd make an effort tonight."

Walker struggled to find his words. "I mean, seriously, I didn't expect..."

"Didn't expect what?" Annika teased, enjoying his reaction.

Walker shook his head, still clearly taken aback. "I didn't expect you to look... so stunning."

Annika smirked, enjoying the effect she was having. "Well, that's a nice change. I'll take it as a compliment."

As they walked out to the restaurant, Walker's gaze kept drifting back to Annika, clearly unable to tear his eyes away.

During dinner, the conversation flowed easily among the cast, but Walker's attention often shifted to Annika, who seemed to be enjoying the evening. He found himself wanting to engage her in conversation, though he was still grappling with the surprising effect she had on him.

At one point, he leaned in and said, "You know, for someone who claims to avoid the spotlight, you sure know how to steal it."

Annika laughed, a genuine, happy sound. "Maybe I've just been hiding my talents."

Walker shook his head, still trying to process his reaction. "Well, if you keep this up, you might just have to give up acting for a career in making jaws drop."

Annika grinned, clearly pleased with his reaction. "I'll keep that in mind."

---------- Authors note
short ahh chapter
i need to make them talk more i realized that i write much but i don't make them talk enough yk??
voteeee