𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐎𝐌 | ⁿⁱᶜʰᵒˡᵃˢ ᶜʰᵃᵛᵉᶻ

4 | spilled coffee

I realized two months had slipped too fast, as I walked onto the set. Today was the first day of shooting, and while I had played through every possible scenario in my head, nothing could quite prepare me for the real thing.

The set was bustling with crew members, adjusting lights, setting up cameras, and finalizing the set decor.

"Perla!" the producer called, waving me over with a warm smile. Beside him, looking relaxed and completely at ease, was Nicholas. He glanced up as I approached, his expression unreadable, but there was a flicker of something in his eyes. Confidence, perhaps, or maybe just amusement. He looked as though he'd been waiting for this moment.

"Good to see you again," I said with a polite smile, trying to ignore the way he watched me.

"Likewise," Nicholas replied, his tone casual, but I caught the way his gaze lingered just a little too long. It was subtle, but his glances quick, almost hesitant didn't escape my notice.

The producer gestured between us. "Alright, you two, here's the plan for today. We're keeping it simple. No cameras, no crew. Just the two of you, the script, and as much time as you need to start building chemistry. You'll run your lines, improvise, get comfortable with each other. Let the story and the tension between your characters develop naturally."

I forced a smile, nodding as if everything was perfectly fine. Just us, building chemistry. No big deal.

As soon as the producer walked off, Nicholas turned to me, folding his arms with that smug, easy grin that had become his signature. "So, I'm stuck with you. Just what I needed"

"Guess we don't have much choice," I replied, keeping my tone neutral. I could feel my defenses going up, bracing myself for whatever attitude he was about to throw my way.

We found a quieter corner of the set, away from the buzz of activity, and sat down with our scripts. I glanced over at him as he scanned his lines, his brow furrowing in concentration. For a moment, I thought maybe this wouldn't be so bad. But as soon as we started reading, that hope evaporated.

"Look, I don't think your character would actually say this," he interjected, pointing at one of my lines. "It's too passive. You'd push back more, stand your ground."

I raised an eyebrow, annoyed at his presumption. "You do realize I've played this type of role before, right? I think I know how to handle it."

He shrugged, clearly unimpressed. "I'm just saying, if you're going for something real, maybe try a little less forced attitude."

I felt a spark of irritation flare up. "And you're the expert now?"

"I mean, someone has to be," he shot back, smirking. "I can't let you bring this whole project down with your dramatics."

"Dramatics?" I could feel my temper rising. "I let my authenticity act. It's not dramatic."

His smirk faded, replaced by a flash of annoyance. "Maybe you should try focusing on the story instead of whatever it is you're doing."

"Oh, please," I scoffed, crossing my arms. "As if I care what you think."

We stood there, glaring at each other, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife. His dark eyes bore into mine, and I could feel the heat rising in my cheeks, partly from anger and partly from the unsettling energy sparking between us.

Finally, he broke the silence, his tone clipped. "You know what? Let's just get through this scene. We don't have to like each other to make it work."

"Fine by me," I replied, my voice sharp. But as we went back to reading our lines, the words took on a new intensity, driven by the real tension flaring between us. Every line, every glance, every movement seemed to crackle with frustration, and I couldn't tell if I wanted to scream or laugh.

While preparing a scene he accidentally spilled his coffee all over my notebook that was laying on the table. My insides started shaking out of anger and I tried stay calm but I couldn't. I wanted to scream at him, telling him that he should screw himself and that I never want to see him ever again. Because this notebook was special. It was my grandmas favorite book and she gave it to me before she ... died.

''Geez my coffee'', he said frustrated ignoring that he ruined something of hers.

''You know what Nicholas? I knew you were cocky and arrogant.'', I took a deep breath before I continued speaking. ''But I thought at least you would have the balls to apologize if you do something wrong. Well I guess you are selfish too'', I said before storming out the room leaving him completely shocked there.

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ouuuu tension tension tensioooon!! i know he is an asshole at first. maybe that will change who knowsssss