𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐎𝐌 | ⁿⁱᶜʰᵒˡᵃˢ ᶜʰᵃᵛᵉᶻ

17 | tense air

Today's the day of the interview, and I'm standing in front of my mirror, making sure every detail is right. I start with a glowy foundation, blending it until my skin looks smooth and natural. For my lips, I pick my favorite nude gloss, giving them a full, shiny look without being too much.

I choose a tight grey dress with a simple, low neckline, something that's both bold and elegant. Golden earrings complete the look, giving me a classy style that feels just right for today.

When I saw myself, I felt ready. Calm, like nothing could throw me off.

As I arrived on set, I immediately saw Nicholas. He was standing off to the side, phone in hand, his brow slightly furrowed as he scrolled through something on the screen. He looked really good in a loose, oversized white t-shirt, enhancing his muscles. I could feel my heart rate quicken just seeing him there.

When he noticed me, his gaze locked onto mine. For a moment, it felt like the world around us faded, but I quickly looked away, pretending to check my own phone instead. Ignoring him was easier than facing whatever tension hung between us.

As I walked past him, I could feel his eyes on me, and I tried to keep my expression neutral. The last thing I wanted was to show any vulnerability. I focused on the crew setting up lights and adjusting cameras, reminding myself of why I was here. This interview was important, and I couldn't let him distract me.

He cleared his throat, as if trying to say something. "Perla, can we—"

But I didn't wait for him to finish. I quickly cut him off, my eyes scanning the area for any sign of the production team. "Excuse me," I called out to a nearby staff member, who was adjusting some equipment. "Do you know when the interview starts?"

The staff member looked up, clearly surprised by my sudden interruption. "Oh, uh, they're just wrapping up some last minute details. It should start in about ten minutes," they replied.

I nodded, thanking them before turning back to Nicholas.
He opened his mouth again, but I didn't give him the chance to speak. "Thank you," I smiled brightly, determined to keep the conversation focused on the interview and away from whatever he wanted to discuss. I walked away, purposefully putting some distance between us as I mentally prepared for the interview ahead.
Behind my back I heard him scoff. That's what I wanted- for him to feel the way I did.

"Alright, everyone, we're rolling in three, two, one..." the director called out, and the energy shifted.

"So, Nicholas and Perla, it's great to have you both here. The chemistry in this film is just unbelievable. How did you find working together on such intense scenes?"

I felt a knot tighten in my stomach, unsure of how Nicholas would respond. He leaned forward slightly, his charisma shining through. "Working with Perla has been an experience, for sure," he said, a hint of playful sarcasm in his tone. "I mean, we had our moments ... right, Perla?"

I shot him a quick glance, unsure how to respond. "Yeah, definitely some moments," I replied, trying to keep my voice light. "But it's all part of the process, right? The passion translates to the screen."

The host nodded, clearly intrigued. "Absolutely. There are so many layers to your characters. Can you tell us a bit about what drew you to the roles?"

Nicholas spoke first, his voice steady and confident. "For me, it was the complexity of my character. He starts off as this tough guy with a lot of walls built up. As the story unfolds, you see his vulnerabilities, his struggles, and I found that really compelling. It made me want to dig deeper."

"Yeah, I can see that," the host said, leaning in. "And Perla, what about you? What made you want to take on this role?"

I paused, weighing my words carefully. "For me, it was the emotional journey. My character faces a lot of challenges and goes through significant growth. I felt a strong connection to her story—she's not just in a romantic relationship, she's trying to understand herself amidst the chaos."

Nicholas nodded in agreement. "That's what makes the film-." he tried to finish the sentence but I interrupted him.

"-resonate with so many people. It's relatable, and it goes beyond just a simple love story," I added, feeling the tension between us shift slightly. "It's about facing your demons and coming out stronger. There's a moment in the film where everything changes for both our characters, and it's heartbreaking yet beautiful."

Nicholas leaned back slightly, his eyes meeting mine with a spark of something unspoken. "It's crazy that a moment can change everything. But I wonder which moment it was exactly?" he asked and I knew exactly that he wasn't talking about the movie anymorey

I nodded, the memory of that moment flickering in my mind. "The betrayal scene," I quickly answered looking at him with a flick of pain.

The host chimed in, clearly enjoying the banter. "It sounds like you two really pushed each other during filming. How did you both feel about the final kissing scene? It was such a beautiful moment.''

I felt my pulse quicken at the mention of that scene. "Honestly, it wasn't that hard. You see, I'm not that difficult to work with. Wouldn't you agree, Chavez?", I teasingly asked him.

Nicholas gave me a confused look when he finally realized what I was getting at, a more serious look crossing his face. "Yeah, you were making it easier."

I swallowed hard, the interview was flowing, but I could feel the unresolved tension between us lurking just beneath the surface. As the questions continued, I tried to focus, but part of me was acutely aware of Nicholas sitting next to me, the unspoken words hanging in the air, waiting for a chance to break free.

The interviewer turned to Nicholas with an intrigued smile. "So, Nicholas, the fans wanna know, what's your favorite thing about Perla?

I felt my breath hitch slightly, a mixture of curiosity flooding me. What would he say?

Nicholas paused, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. "That's a good question," he said, his tone shifting to something more serious. "Honestly, I'd say her determination. She really knows what she wants and isn't afraid to go for it."

I blinked, taken aback by his answer. I expected him to go for something cheeky or sarcastic, but there was a sincerity in his voice that caught me off guard.

"The way she approaches her work is inspiring," he continued, his gaze steady. "It pushes me to be better, and it's motivating to see someone so passionate about their job."

The host chimed in, "Now that's a real compliment right there!''

Nicholas looked at me, a spark of something in his eyes. "It's genuine."

The interviewer smiled, clearly enjoying our energy. "Alright, we are going to spice things up with a little game challenge. We have a lie detector test set up right here."

I glanced at Nicholas, my expression confused. He looked surprised, and I couldn't help but feel a mix of irritation and curiosity about how this would play out. "A lie detector test? Really?" I muttered under my breath, trying to keep my composure. Oh no.

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here is a longer chapter. be prepared for the next one 🤫🤫🤫