Baby I Loved You First- Leonetta

Chapter 18:

\Leon\

Filming is really awkward for the next couple of weeks. Leon is keeping his distance and Violetta seems to be in her own thoughts most of the time. The director has called cut too many times to count and Leon is honestly feeling the stress right now.

There is only about a third of the film left to do and things have gone crazy in the struggle to get everything done. Leon and Violetta have been spending more time on set, finishing scenes and reshooting some that were out of focus or needed something else. Leon hardly has time to communicate with Vilu and even then it's just to run through lines for the scene. They haven't done anything non-work related for almost two weeks. He misses it.

Another Friday morning rolls around and Leon is already on set, the sun only barley peeking out from the horizon. Leon is beat, but he has his morning coffee to help wake him up. The set is still in its early bird haze, quiet atmosphere surrounding the area. Sure there are workers moving from here to there to set up, but Leon pays them no mind as he sits to watch the sunrise.

Early mornings can be relaxing at times; reminding him it's a new day to live life to the fullest. He plans to do that today. Today will be the day he lives his life to upmost potential. Maybe things could actually go well today and he could leave set early along Vilu. They could finally spend some much deserved free time together.

Except it doesn't go that way, not at all. For one, Violetta shows up almost two hours late, hair amiss and shoes mismatched. She has a hushed conversation with Fran as she is rushed to makeup, eyes wild as she tells her tale. Leon is confused as to what's going on, simply watching the exchange until they are out of sight. He sat on his chair for another half her before she emerged, shaking out her arms to calm her nerves, something Leon remembers her doing a lot back in high school.

Their first scene together ended horribly because Violetta calls line almost every other sentence. Leon could tell something was bothering her again, but couldn't comment on it because the director would make them do the scene until they got it right. After almost twenty takes, the scene was done and it was on to a few shots alone.

Leon concluded his scenes in under an hour whereas Violetta took most of the morning and just past noon. Leon watched as she shook her head every once in a while to concentrate, though it was fruitless as she still did badly. Leon desperately wanted to ask what was wrong; too bad he never got the chance.

Lunch was cut to a quick seven minutes in which Leon could not find Vilu so there was not option to talk there. She later appeared when break was over, still looking on edge and disoriented, but calmer. The final scenes were easier for her as there were more lines for Leon this time around. By six in the evening they were calling it a day and Leon could not be happier.

He waited outside Violetta's dressing room only to be told by Fran that it would be best to leave, Vilu would talk to him tomorrow.

Leon left with a heavy heart, not understanding the day at all.

/Violetta/

It's happened, Violetta had a meltdown. She had been doing so well for the last two weeks, but too much stress and too much feelings coursing through her head had made her break.

Ever since her recognition of still loving Leon, Violetta has had a hard time falling asleep at night. Most nights, she lies in bed with her eyes closed, hoping maybe she'll get some sleep that night. It usually works, but that night her mind was on overdrive. No matter how many times she tried to ignore it, there was a nagging feeling that she couldn't shake. Whatever it was, Vilu tried to disregard it to no avail.

Finally, she couldn't take it anymore. Jumping out of bed, Violetta stomped into the kitchen, shaking her arms out to ease the tension. She fixed herself a cup of coffee, sitting at her kitchen island with her head in her hands. For so long, Vilu has tried to forget. Leon was supposed to be a thing of the past. Her first love, not... not her only love. She was supposed to meet someone new like Tomas to keep her mind off of him and maybe they would get married and then Leon would truly be forgotten.

But life doesn't ever work that way does it? She's stuck, stuck with the feeling that Leon is destined to be with her no matter what she does. And she hates the idea as much as she loves it. Violetta imagined a life with Leon, a future where she would be happy and in love. Then things took a turn and she lost him. Their once strong love was shattered and it was over something so stupid.

Tears, tears, and more tears. Violetta is in tears as she trudges back to her room and into her closet. She throws shirts here and dresses there, revealing a box behind the clothing. Her hands go to grab it, only for it to slip through her fingers and crash onto the floor. She bends down, eyes roaming the contents on the floor. Everything is there, photos and letters and gifts, all from Leon. With watery eyes and shaky hands, she digs through the mess, finding the one thing that brings back the most memories.

|Flashback|

Back when they were happy, Leon thought it would be great if he got Violetta a parting gift, something for her to always remember him since he was planning on setting off for the big apple. When he walked by a vintage shop, he saw the perfect present.

It was a ring, a classic ring made of bronze and pearl. Leon knew Violetta had to have it and he spent half of his savings on it. The price wasn't important, not when it would symbolize their love. The minute he gave her the ring on a chain he knew he was so gone for her. She loved it, loved it so much and thanked him for weeks after he gave it to her.

It was the symbol of their love, even now as Violetta holds it in her grasp. It's the reason she never truly forgot because keeping that ring always meant that Leon would still be in her heart.