𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐎𝐌 | ⁿⁱᶜʰᵒˡᵃˢ ᶜʰᵃᵛᵉᶻ

6 | camera action

Perla Pov:

Today was our first official day of shooting. As I walked onto set, I tried to focus on the scene, reminding myself that it was just a job. A role, a story, a co-star. Nothing more. But my heart drummed a little faster when I saw Nicholas already there, pacing in a corner, script in hand. His face was set in that same unreadable expression, the one he always wore when we had to work together, as if he was holding back something he'd rather say out loud. He wore a black oversized sweater but you could still see his toned muscles through it. But then I was pulled out of my thoughts.

"Perla, Nicholas! Let's run through the argument scene. Just let yourselves get into it," the director called, clapping his hands and motioning for us to take our places.

I took a deep breath, sliding into my character's mindset. It wasn't hard, the tension between us was real, simmering beneath the surface, and it only seemed to grow with every encounter. Nicholas took his position across from me, his gaze unwavering, almost challenging. I held my ground, narrowing my eyes, waiting for the cue.

The director shouted, "Action!"

It started out simple enough, lines we had rehearsed, back and forth arguments between our characters. But there was something different in the way he delivered his lines, the way he seemed to pour an extra edge of anger into every word. The words cut a little deeper, hit a little closer. And soon, I found myself responding not just as my character, but as myself.

He threw a line my way, voice low and condescending. "Why do you always have to act like you know everything?"

I clenched my jaw, snapping back with a little more venom than necessary. "Maybe if you actually listened for once, you'd realize I don't have to act like anything."

I could feel the tension thickening with every line we exchanged, the energy building until it felt like the air might crack around us. My pulse raced, my cheeks heated. It was like we were both releasing every ounce of frustration we'd bottled up since we met. Each comeback, each glare felt sharper, more personal, as if we were venting actual grievances instead of just sticking to the script.

He took a step closer, his eyes blazing. "You think you're so much better than everyone else. Like no one else's opinion matters."

I scoffed, my voice dripping with sarcasm. "Please. If I wanted validation, I'd find it somewhere besides an ego driven agent with a superiority complex."

For a split second, his expression shifted, almost like he was actually hurt. But he covered it up quickly, spitting out his next line with even more intensity. The anger, the irritation, the raw heat it felt like we were toeing the line between performance and something real.

"Cut!" The director's voice rang out, breaking the tension. "That was perfect. Exactly what I wanted. Let's take five."

The moment the director called the scene, reality came rushing back. I stepped back, trying to catch my breath, realizing just how close I'd been standing to Nicholas. He looked at me, his expression still unreadable, but there was a flicker of something in his eyes, surprise? Frustration? Maybe both.

I forced myself to look away, crossing my arms tightly as I tried to process what had just happened. It was just a scene, I reminded myself. Just acting.

But as I walked off to take a break, I couldn't shake the feeling that, for a few minutes, it had been something more.

''That Perla was just wow!'', Marco exclaimed. ''I mean your chemistry is undeniable. The fans are gonna LOVE it''

I thanked him but the moment he turned away I let out a scoff. Seeing Nicholas there, in a room, with me drives me crazy. The way he thinks he is better. The way he tries to make this personal. Argh- just everything.

Generally I hate negative energy and I always try not to argue or get into conflicts. I would say I'm definitely full of love but with Nicholas it's like he brings out the worst side of me.

''Next time try even harder'', Nicholas said while standing behind me. I turned around just to see his cocky grin on his face.

''Very funny, Chavez. You and I, we both know I nailed this'', I snapped back noticing him clenching his jaw. I obviously had this effect on him otherwise his body language wouldn't be like this.

''Perla, Nicholas back to your places'', I heard the director shout in our direction. I gave Nicholas a quick glance before turning around. I could feel his annoyed energy from meters.

The next scene went easier than the first, due to me and Nicholas not having to engage as much as before. But even though we didn't have to talk much, it felt like both of us wanted to say something.

When the director told us to call it quits for today, Nicholas immediately turned away not even looking at me once. He was pissed - really pissed. But fairly so was I. He ruined the dearest thing I had. My notebook. And I will never forgive him for that- not because he did it but because he never apologized for it.

I guess that's how he is. An asshole.

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First day on set and it's pure fireeeee! I love the tension between them and the pure hate wowwww 👏🏼