Trapped

Chapter Sixteen: Life Without Love

The next few days had been hard for everyone. The tension between Vera and Nestor had been felt by everyone. Their on screen chemistry had taken a hit, making their scenes go longer than usual due to the need to reshoot multiple times. And then, came the morning that changed everything.
It started off normal, Nestor waking up in his own bed by himself. He stared at himself in the mirror for ten minutes, his thoughts filled with self hatred and loathing over what he has done. He would skip the shower and the breakfast and just go to work. But today, when he stepped outside, he was stopped in his tracks.
There, standing across the lot, is none other than Renn. Vera's ex boyfriend.
Or new boyfriend.
He watches as she walks outside and kisses him passionately before taking his hand and walking inside of the studio. He can feel the rage build as his fists clench.
"Hey bro, you okay?" Max asks, clapping him on the back. Nestor grabs his hand, twisting it so that his arm is behind his back. Max cries out with surprise.
"What the fuck, man?" he shouts. Nestor releases him, already feeling guilty.
"Max I'm sorry. I'm really sorry. I just...can you talk?" Nestor asks. Max rubs his wrist but nods anyways.
"I think Vera is back together with Renn." Nestor says, sitting on a large rock. Max sits next to him.
"And that's a problem because?"
"Because I love Vera." Nestor blurts out.
"No. No I...that's not what I meant." Nestor says, his thoughts confusing him.
"Are you sure? Because you could be saying something that is true and you didn't even know it until now. Do you love her?" Max asks.
"I...I don't know. I just know that I love the way I feel when I'm around her."
"But you're married. What did you expect her to do? Hide in the shadows for the rest of her life? Never to be completely connected to another? What kind of life is that?" Max asks.
"I don't know. I don't want her to be with someone else. But I also don't know if I can divorce my wife." Nestor says, rubbing his forehead.
"How the hell did I get myself into this mess?" he asks himself. Max pats his leg comfortingly.
"Just follow your heart. There comes a time when the world gets quiet and the only thing you can hear is your heart. Listen to what it's trying to say, Nestor." he says. A smile enters his face as if shaking off the deep meaningful conversation they just had.
"Hope I helped." he says, walking away.
Nestor sighs, not knowing what to do. But there is one thing that he has to do right now. And that is go inside and act like everything is alright between him and Vera. At least alright enough to where they can act together.
As he walks in, he sees Vera laughing at something that Renn had said. He kisses her cheek and smacks her butt, making her jump. Nestor knows that she hates that kind of affection in public. He can see it in her face.
"Alright, I'll see you tonight, kitten." he says, kissing her lips. Nestor also knows that she hates names like that. She thinks they're cheesy.
But she smiles anyway and nods. He walks past Nestor but Nestor keeps his eyes on Vera. He walks toward her once Renn is gone but she walks away, trying to avoid him.
"Hey, Vera." Nestor shouts, not letting her get away. Vera turns around and sends him a strained smile.
"Hey." she says.
"Hey, so you and Renn?" he asks nonchalantly.
"Yup." she says, popping the p.
"Well that's great. I'm happy for you." he says, missing being friends with her. She nods, not knowing what to say. Things have become so awkward between them. It's like some wire was cut and now they don't know how to act around each other. Nestor hated it and he needed it to be smoothed over. The only way that was going to happen was if they talked it out.
"Vera, can we-"
"Places!" the director calls out.
"V, wait." Nestor says while she walks on set. He grabs her arm before the director can call action. He leans down toward her face, whispering into her ear.
"Vera, we need to talk. After work. Please." he begs. She sighs, looking away before finally glancing up into his eyes. She hates looking into his eyes because inside their beauty is pain. And she hates knowing that she is the reason that pain is there.
"Okay. Fine. Meet me in my trailer." she whispers. He nods, getting excited even when he knew he shouldn't. It's not like she is going to just fall into his arms, begging him to take her back. No, it'll take time. And work. But he is okay with that.
The director calls action and the scene begins. Nestor's mind however, is far away. A couple hours away to be exact. He is running through every single scenario that might occur tonight. Before he knows it, they are done for the day and he is knocking at Vera's trailer door. His heart pounds in his chest as he waits for her to answer.
The door swings open, her scent immediately wafting out and suffocating him, making his thoughts unclear. He stares into her sad blue eyes and smiles softly.
"Let's get this over with." she says softly. The words break Nestor's heart but nonetheless, he steps inside. He sits on the couch and watches her pace the room. She finally stops and stares at him, her eyes red with the threat of tears.
"So are you going to yell at me or are we just going to sit here in silence?" she asks with exhaustion.