On Set Sparks

Between moments 

The afternoon after the interview, Vera found herself back on set, where the atmosphere was a blend of focus and relaxation. The crew was taking a break from shooting, and a lunch spread had been laid out in the catering area. The scent of various dishes filled the room, mingling with the familiar smell of grease and paint from the set.

Vera grabbed a plate and filled it with a bit of everything, her mind still buzzing from the morning's events. The interview had been a whirlwind, and she was relieved to finally have a moment to unwind. As she made her way to a table, she noticed Malachi sitting with a few crew members, engaged in a lively conversation.

The sight of him, casually leaning back in his chair, made her heart skip a beat. He was relaxed and laughing, his shirt slightly lifted as he reached for his food. Vera's gaze inadvertently followed the line of his shirt, revealing a glimpse of his boxers. She quickly looked away, her cheeks warming at the unexpected view.

"Hey, join us!" Malachi called out, noticing her approach.

Vera hesitated for a moment before nodding and walking over. She took a seat beside him, trying to ignore the flutter of nerves in her stomach. The conversation around the table was easygoing, and Malachi's presence added a layer of casual charm that was hard to ignore.

"So, how's the day treating you?" Malachi asked, his gaze meeting hers with a smile.

Vera offered a smile of her own. "Not too bad. Just trying to keep it together after this morning's chaos."

Malachi chuckled. "You handled it like a pro. And, by the way, you were great in that scene yesterday. It was intense."

"Thanks," Vera replied, feeling a bit of the tension from earlier ease. "It was a challenging one, but I think it came out well."

As they continued to chat, Vera found herself slipping into a more relaxed state. Malachi's easy demeanor and genuine interest made her feel at ease, and the earlier awkwardness from the interview seemed to fade. They joked about the blooper reel from the morning, and Malachi's laughter was infectious.

In the midst of their conversation, Vera's phone buzzed with a new message. She glanced at the screen and saw it was from Rafael, who had sent her a picture from their lunch break—a candid shot of Malachi mid-laugh, his shirt lifted just enough to reveal his boxers again. Rafael's caption read: *"Looks like someone's been checking out your co-star. 😉"*

Vera quickly typed a reply, trying to play it cool.

**Vera:** *Oh, shut up. You're such a tease.*

Malachi, noticing her reaction, leaned in with a playful grin. "What's got you smiling like that?"

Vera shrugged, trying to hide her embarrassment. "Just my brother being his usual self."

Malachi's eyes twinkled with curiosity. "Anything interesting?"

Vera hesitated, then shook her head with a laugh. "Nothing too scandalous. Just family stuff."

As the lunch break continued, Vera and Malachi's conversation grew more personal, moving beyond the confines of their on-screen personas. They shared stories about their lives, their passions, and their quirks. The more they talked, the more Vera felt a genuine connection forming.

When lunch finally came to an end, Vera stood up, feeling a mix of reluctance and contentment. Malachi walked with her toward the set, their conversation flowing easily.

"Thanks for lunch," Vera said, glancing up at him. "It was nice to have a break and just hang out."

Malachi smiled, his gaze lingering on her for a moment. "Anytime. And if you ever want to continue our chat—or if you just want to hang out—let me know."

Vera's heart skipped a beat at the suggestion. "I might just take you up on that."

As they parted ways to return to their respective tasks, Vera felt a renewed sense of clarity. The boundaries between her personal feelings and professional life were becoming more defined, and she was beginning to see where things with Malachi might lead.

With a smile, she walked back to the set, ready to embrace whatever came next.