Dillema of Love | Lustfully Sin #3

01.

CHAPTER ONE: Dark Brown Eyes

The crisp morning air bit at my skin as I stand at the edge of the sprawling film studio lot, my gaze fixed on the grand building in front of me. The sun had only just risen, casting long shadows across the paved ground. I'm damn shivering in cold.

I had been on the phone for nearly twenty minutes, going back and forth with my manager, but it felt like a waste of time. I heard all the details-most of them, anyway-but one particular piece of information was still dangling in the air, a piece that would make or break my interest in this new project.

"What do you mean 'co-actor'?" My voice was sharp, impatient, as I click my heels against the pavement. I ain't a fan of ambiguity, especially not when it comes to my career.

[Sinabi ko naman sa 'yo, Celestine. Major production 'to. Big names involved. Mabubuhat niya ang pangalan mo, and you're perfect for the role. The director is thrilled to have you on board.] My manager, Clevia, sighed heavily on the other line.

"Who's my co-actor ba?" My voice slightly raised in frustration.

[Uhm... tungkol diyan...] I could hear the nervousness in her tone.

"Who. Is. It?" I repeated. I bit my nails, feeling like my patience is going thin.

[Si Evron.]

I stopped in my tracks. I suddenly felt like I had just been punched in the stomach, and my heart gave an involuntary lurch. Evron Reyes? That name... It felt like an eternity since I had last heard it.

My ex.

"Ahh...Eron, huh?"

[Y-yes.]

I scoffed. "I'd like to back out." I said without a second thought.

[Hindi pwede. Just act like you don't know him--or you forgot about him.] I could feel her frustration by the way she speaks.

"You don't understand, he's married!" I slightly raised my voice as my eyebrows met.

Even on the other line, I could feel that she froze, leaving her momentarily suspended in disbelief.

[Hindi ko alam 'yan. Walang sinabi sa akin ang management niya.]

I was taken aback by what I had heard, a wave of confusion washed over me as I tried to make sense of it.

"Maybe he wanted to keep it a secret. It was an arranged marriage after all." I bit my lower lip.

Suddenly, I remembered our painful and bitter past, and I couldn't help but feel the same feeling as before.

[Basta! You will do this project, Celeste. Don't disappoint me. Ayaw ko rin mapahiya sa big management na 'yon, at lalong-lalo na kay Direk Marcus.]

I let out a heavy sigh, frustration creeping in, before I ended the call without another word.

I couldn't do anything because I already signed the contract. I committed myself to this project, and it's already too late to back out. I squeezed my eyes shut for a moment, letting the anger simmer beneath the moment.

The next few hours passed in a blur as I was ushered from one place to another-makeup, wardrobe, a quick rehearsal. I am prepped and primed for the day, but my mind never strayed far from the fact that I would soon be face-to-face with Evron.

Hindi ako ready. I don't even know when I'll be able to be ready.

The studio set buzzed around me as I was led to the soundstage where most of the filming would take place. Cast and crew were scattered everywhere, prepping for the first scenes of the day. Voices murmured, laughter rang out here and there, but it all felt distant, like I wasn't really part of it.