|| 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒎 || 𝑴𝒂𝒓𝒌/𝑮𝒖𝒏 || 𝗘𝗡𝗚 ||

𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒓 4

The sun was beginning its descending ascent, tinting the sky with pretty orange colors and installing a more soothing atmosphere on the port. The travelers crowded noisily into the boat and responded to the greetings of the escorts who watched them from the pontoon. After checking tickets and identities, several sailors invited passengers to go inside in the closed rooms to rest on the various benches arranged or on the deck to enjoy the invigorating breeze.A bar was available to them in the restaurant area, but only a privileged few had a private cabin. The Stranded film group didn't have that luxury so they scattered around the boat laughing and chatting amiably. Most of the passengers were vacationing families or couples enjoying their free time. Their group was much larger and attracted attention. 

And finally, after several interminable hours, the boat announced the departure and sank into the endless blue ocean.

The journey was not particularly long. Just two hours and Mark was happy that the weather was good. Crossing the ocean with bad weather conditions would have been much more complicated and unpleasant.

Instead of being locked in the interior cabins being tossed around amid loud passengers and bawling children, Mark, Gun and Perth had spent most of the trip on the deck observing the majestic ocean reflected in orange rays of the start of twilight. The cool wind whipped their faces and chased away the fatigue they had felt since the start of the day.

Gun had been silent the entire start of the trip. His mood was pensive, bordering on brooding, as he gazed at the horizon without a word. Mark had tried twice to get his attention with no real success. Despite Peam's absence from their field of vision, Gun had failed to relax. He who was usually so jovial. He who was so delighted with this shoot. Now he only wanted things to end quickly. But Mark was utterly helpless face to this and decided there was nothing he could do about his partner's mood.

 At Perth's insistence, the two boys abandoned Gun to his gaze of the horizon and set out to find the restaurant booth to buy a drink.

"What's wrong with Gun ?" Perth asked as they lined up to buy their drinks.

"Maybe he's just tired," Mark answered haphazardly.

Perth didn't raise, content to glance thoughtfully at his friend before turning his attention to the young woman who asked him what he wanted to order.

As they strolled on the ferry with their drinks, the boys passed several actors with whom they chatted enthusiastically. They exchanged news, memories and funny anecdotes. They shared their congratulations on the various projects they had worked on which had been quite successful.

"I loved your performance on Destiny Of Life !" Mei, the young actress debut who had followed them in the taxi, told him.

"Thank you, I'm touched that you watched the serie," Mark replied modestly with an embarrassed smile, like every time he received compliments.

"I loved the chemistry between you and Peam ! Is it true that he is a great actor ?" She continued eagerly.

Mark's face froze furtively, but he retained his sympathetic air despite the unease that had stung him.