CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

IVAN'S POV

"Okay, everyone. Bring it all in," tawag sa amin ni Mr. Davies.

Pumunta naman kaming lahat ng nasa set sa pwesto ni direk.

Automatic na hinanap ng mga mata ko si Tres. Pagkatapos kasi nung araw na bigla na lang siyang pumasok sa apartment ko, at nagkaroon kami ng pagtatalo, ay hindi na muli kaming nagkita. In short, she cancelled the rest of the practice session.

Hindi naman na ako nangulit dahil kahit ako ay ayokong kausapin siya noong mga panahon na 'yun. We were both having heavy feelings—heavy enough to cause another possible fight between us. So I chose to give us the space we needed.

But truth to be told, I missed her so damn much. Those four days without her made me realize how much I long for her. Na kung kailan ay mas mabilis ko na naman siyang maaabot ay parang ang layo-layo niya pa rin.

Within those four days, I also did not see her or her boyfriend on the news or on social media. Hindi rin naman siya nagt-tweet o nagpo-post sa IG kaya hindi ko malaman kung nasaan na siya, kung kumusta na siya. Nothing.

Kaya naman looking forward din ako rito sa first shooting namin. I was hoping to see her. I won't ask to talk to her about what happened that day, I just... I just have to know that she's okay.

"Where's the leading lady, Mr. Davies?" Belinda asked, which caught my attention.

Mr. Davies then smiled. "She just got stuck in traffic, but she'll be here any minute. Besides, Trecia wouldn't be in the first couple of scenes." Nakaramdam naman ako ng kaba nang tumingin siya sa akin saka ngumiti ng seryoso. "Now, let's see your practices in action, Mr. Myers."

Napunta sa akin ang mga mata ng mga taong naroroon kaya napahinga ako nang malalim. Yep. Definitely pressure on me. "Rest assured, I won't cause disappointment, Mr. Davies, everyone." I let out a tight smile.

Nawala naman sa akin ang tingin nila nang may magsalitang babae sa likuran ko. "Sorry, I'm late."

I stopped breathing and made sure that my ears did not play with me. She's finally here. I can finally see her face. Dahan-dahan naman akong lumingon para hindi nila mahalata kung gaano ko siya gustong tingnan.

"We still haven't started, Trecia, but I hope that you won't be late again," striktong sabi ni Direk Davies. Tumango lang naman si Tres.

I wasn't expecting her to at least throw me a glance, so she did, I lost my will to breathe again. Just great. Ikamamatay ko talaga 'tong nararamdaman ko sa kanya.

Inayos naman na kami ni Direk at in-explain lahat ng kailangan niyang makita sa first scene. Kaunting retouch na lang ang ginawa sa amin ni Belinda bago kami isinalang sa first take ng first scene.

The funny thing is that Belinda plays as my character's best friend—the woman Simon cheated with. "Don't be so nervous, big guy. It'll only be a quick sexy scene." I think I sensed seduction in her tone as she said her last sentence.

Nangilabot naman ako pero hindi ko pwedeng ipahalata dahil acting ito, at seryoso nang shoot, hindi practice. Mahirap kapag naka-ilang take pa ng scene na ito.

Huminga ako nang malalim saka bumuga. "Okay, let's do this," ani ko. Honestly, the first scene is already intense for me. Kailangang magmukhang may nangyayari sa amin ni Belinda. Bakit ba kasi ang cheater nitong si Simon‽ Nadadamay pa tuloy ako. Nakanang!

Narinig ko naman ang palakpak ni Direk. "I want to see those emotions, Belinda, Ivan. Scene one, take one. Ready? Action!"

~•~

TRECIA'S POV

This is just acting, Trecia. Just acting. I tried calming myself as I watched Belinda's hand sensually touch and caress Ivan's arm.

I could not stop my eyebrow from raising nor my eyes from squinting. I could also feel my blood boiling, the longer she plasters her flirty smile as she stares at him.

I'm only feeling this to properly execute my character. Yes, that's the reason. I kept lying to myself as the scene took another and another.

Mukhang hindi satisfied si Dad sa acting nung dalawa. The first scene took almost seven takes.

For fvcker's sake, they're already so intimate looking from my view, what more does Dad want‽

Gustong-gusto kong magreklamo, but first of all, why would I do that? Why would I rant? It's not like I have feelings for Ivan to the point that I want to let everyone on the set know that he's mine.

I rolled my eyes and looked elsewhere, softly thanking that scene one has finally ended.

"Okay, proceed to scene three. Trecia, get ready." I nodded at my dad's command and walked to the second set.

This would be our first conversation after four days, Ivan and I, and it's all because of work. Napailing na lang ako saka hinanda ang sarili ko sa mangyayari.

"Scene three, take one. Ready? Action!"

I smelled the flowers and smiled. "I would've loved these flowers in our front yard." Lumingon ako sa nasa likuran ko. "They would look so pretty, don't you think, Simon?"

Inubos naman ni Ivan ang kape niya saka tumayo at lumapit sa akin. He wrapped his arms around my waist and stared into my eyes, with a smile on his face. I swear I felt something ticklish. "Pretty, but you'll always be prettier."

I felt my heart beating faster. Pilit kong inalis ang pakiramdam na iyon saka ipinalibot ang braso sa leeg naman niya. "Such flowery words, my soon to be husband." I smiled. "I'm so lucky to have met you."

Tinitigan naman ako ni Ivan bago niya ako biglang niyakap—wala ito sa script! "And I'm so lucky that you chose and loved me." Mas humigpit naman ang yakap niya. His face was buried in my neck.

Natigilan ako pero hindi pwedeng mawala ang ngiti sa mukha ko dahil nagro-roll pa rin ang camera.

"And... cut!" I heard Dad shout.

Agad nawala ang ngiti sa labi ko. Akala ko ay bibitawan agad ako ni Ivan pero saglit pa rin siyang nanatili sa pwestong iyon mas bumilis naman ang tibok ng puso ko sa linyang ibinulong niya.

"I... missed... you."