CHAPTER 1

/LEOX ACHERON SOLACE/

It's a wrap!"

Everyone applauded when Direk said it. Some were even jumping, knowing we could finally get eight hours of sleep. While everyone celebrated, I stayed quietly in the corner, watching them go about their business.

Honestly, I was exhausted to the point that I didn’t even feel like smiling or greeting anyone. But I had a reputation to maintain, and I had to act like I was fine.

"Good job, Leox!" my co-star Isaac greeted. He's basically one of my closest artists in the showbiz.

He’s one of the highlights of this movie. Isaac's character was a dedicated detective who never tires of solving the crime my character committed. I enjoyed working with him because he’s professional. I never heard him any complaints, even during our toughest fight scenes.

"Same to you, Isaac!" I replied, smiling politely.

"I had a great time too. But honestly, every cast member was amazing."

He was right. The directors really did find the perfect cast. I’m confident this movie will collect a lot of awards this year.

"Leox!"

Isaac and I turned toward the woman calling my name. She was still covered in red stains, but her beauty hadn’t faded. She smiled from ear to ear as she walked toward us.

"It was nice working with you, Gerica," Isaac said first, beaming. "Hope we can work together again."

Gerica smiled and shook hands with him, but I noticed her eyes on me. Actually, I’d been aware of her gaze since earlier. It's kinda creepy though.

"Me too, Isaac. I hope to work with you both again," she said sweetly. "By the way, there’s an after-party at Haven’s Bar at eight tonight. You should be there—you two are the stars of this project after all."

We both nodded. That was it and she turned and went to her tent. Isaac left too, heading to another event.

It was still seven in the morning, and the weather was freezing as we finished the last shoot in San Dimartino. I was wearing only a thin t-shirt and jeans, still smeared with red stains and fake wounds.

Before changing, I went to Direk’s tent. Inside, everyone was facing the equipment in the middle, and on the screen, the scene we filmed earlier was playing.

Isaac, Gerica, and I. Gerica lay on the ground, covered in blood, unmoving, while Isaac walked through sticky mud searching for her—his character’s girlfriend.

On the other side, I held a bloody hammer which was the weapon my character used to kill the last victim.

The location was near the reservoir, and it was raining. We were soaked, covered in dirt, but none of us complained.

I couldn’t help smiling quietly. It looked so real and the emotions in the scene was really heavy and realistic.

The movie was titled The Reservoir—the place where the murderer disposes of his victims. Honestly, I did all the difficult parts. I had to act, think, and move like a psychopath. It was exhausting, but I did justice to my character. Almost all my scenes were messy, sticky, and heavy.

I left Direk’s tent and went to my own to change. My second manager Kim and her assistant Jeric were waiting, and on the other side stood Bobby, my P.A.

"Good job, Leox! For sure ikaw na naman ang magiging Best Actor sa taong ito!" Kim said, clapping. "'Di ba, Bobby? Nakita mo 'yung mga mata niya? Nangungusap! Nakakadala! Bagay na bagay sa'yo ang role mo this time, Leox!"

I exhaled. They were my number one supporters, my family at work. They’d been with me for two decades, so it wasn’t surprising how casual and comfortable they were with me.

"Truee! Binuhat mo lahat ng character! Kung hindi dahil sa'yo, hindi magiging maganda ang kahihinatnan ng palabas na 'to."

"Hep! That’s enough," I interjected. "Everyone did their best. I didn’t carry them it's just my character had more scenes."

Tinanggal ko ang suot kong t-shirt at iniabot naman ni Bobby ang basang tissue sa akin. Pinunasan niya ang pekeng dugo sa likod ko, saka binigyan ako ng itim na t-shirt at jacket. Malamig ang hangin ngayon sa San Dimartino dahil umuulan ng niyebe. Iyong pekeng dugo sa katawan ko ay tumigas na, kaya wipes ang kailangan para matanggal.

Pagkatapos kong ayusin ang sarili ko, nagsimula na akong mag-empake. Naghahanda na rin ang iba na  umuwi. Hindi naman kalayuan ang bahay ko mula sa set pero kailangan ko rin magpahinga ng mahaba dahil babalik ako sa Quintessa bukas

Lumabas na kami ng tent pagkatapos at nadatnan kong naghihintay si Gerica sa labas. Nakasuot na siya ngayon ng puting bestida, wala na rin ang pulang mantsa sa katawan niya. Natigilan din sila Bobby, pero pinili nilang hindi siya pansinin.

"Mauna na kayo," I said to my team. Once they left, I turned to face her.

"Is there something you haven’t told me?" I asked directly. Pagod na pagod ako at sa totoo lang ay wala akong balak kausapin pa siya, pero ayoko naman maging bastos.

"It seems like you’re not really a kind man, Leox," she said with a smile. She shamelessly placed her hand on my shoulder, slowly moving it toward my hair. Tilting her head while smiling sweetly.

Hindi ko nagustuhan ang inasta niya pero wala akong ginawa. Napapansin ko ang mga tao sa paligid na napapatingin sa aming dalawa.

"Stop," I said firmly in a lower voice. "We’re not on set, Gerica."

She chuckled lightly and withdrew her hand.

"I know, I know. But people would think we’re an item if they saw us this close. I mean, no one knows if you have a girlfriend or fiancé. This would be the first hint."

I wiped my face and avoided her eyes. I avoid people like her in this industry. They act sweet in public, but around you, their true colors show.

"I’m open to that kind of topic, but not with you. So please, excuse me. I need to rest."

I thought I could finally get away, but she blocked my path. Her chest pressed against mine. I couldn’t help closing my eyes, not from excitement, but from anger.

I was so annoyed pero hindi ko siya pwedeng sigawan. Ang mga taong tulad niya ay gusto lamang ng drama para makahakot ng issue. The more na pag-usapan sila ng mga tao, the more na babango ang pangalan nila.

And how dare is she using me as a tool? Ako pa talaga ha?

"We made out once and I thought you liked me! Why act like you have amnesia, Leox?"

I froze, remembering that night. I composed myself, controlling my anger. I didn’t want my name get entangled by hers.

"I was drunk, and you forced yourself to kiss me. I didn’t kiss you back because you smelled like a rotten herb," I whispered. "You still smell like one, so please stay away from me."

I saw red creeping across her face. She was clearly annoyed, her fists clenched, trying to control herself.

"Honestly, you’re just pretty, but that’s it. And please, learn to respect someone’s privacy. You ruin the mood."

She gawked at me, probably not expecting such blunt words. Sino naman kasi ang nagsabing pumapatol ako sa mga tulad niya? She used to having the upper hand when in comes to seducing guys, but I'm not like those guys.

She miscalculated me.

"Quit trying to please people, they don't like the drama," sabi ko at malamig siyang tinignan.

"Huh! We’re all people-pleasers here, so don’t act high, Leox!" she snapped before turning away. I was left standing there, replaying her words in my head.

People-pleasers, huh.

I used to be one, but I realized it got me nowhere. I do what my fans want, but only if it benefits me. I won’t do silly things just to please them. I’m no puppet. Pero hindi ibig sabihin na hindi ko pinapahalagahan ang mga tagahanga ko. Isa pa, kilala nila ang personality ko and they respect me.

Ika nga nila, kung ano ang personality mo, ganon din ang fans mo. They knew I hate dramas, issues, and scandals at kapag nadadawit ang pangalan ko, sila na mismo ang dumedepensa sa akin. They didn't force people to believe their truth, as long as they stood up for what they believed in... that's enough.

Ayoko ng war between fans. Ayoko ng toxicity. I want peace kaya minsan ay hindi na ako nagsasalita pa.

I pushed the encounter with Gerica out of my mind. I didn’t want her ruining my day further. I hurried to my car, sinking into the soft seat. Finally!

"Ano'ng sinabi nung hitad na 'yon?" Kim asked suddenly. "Ilang beses siyang nagtangkang lumapit sa'yo."

Yeah, I know, pero gumagawa ako ng paraan para hindi siya makalapit nang tuluyan, liban na lang kung nasa shoot. People entangled by her always gets into her drama, a red flag to be exact.

"She’s clingy too," I muttered.

Everyone laughed in the car, and I gave them a glare. I wasn’t angry. Actually, I was grateful. They didn’t judge me for who I was. They only supported me.

"Hoy, may chika ako. Kilala niyo ba 'yung sikat na photographer?" Jeric asked while driving, changing the subject.

"Oooh, nakilala ko siya no'ng may photoshoot si Sir Isaac. Sobrang galing nga no’n, eh! Tapos sobrang bait pa," Bobby replied.

When did he join Isaac for a photoshoot? I didn’t know.

"Well, baka nagkakamali ka sa part na mabait siya, Bobby, dahil may issue siyang kinakaharap ngayon. Siya nga ang laman ng mga social media accounts ko."

"Gosh! Is this real?" Kim exclaimed, staring at her phone. She was reading an article about the photographer.

I’d never met him personally, but I’d heard of him. His work was praised, and I knew he had a big upcoming project, it was a fashion show, if I remembered correctly.

"Who knows what really is happening? Pero sa ganitong klase ng issue, mahirap pagkatiwalaan ang parehong panig. Alam naman natin kung paano gumagana ang industriyang ‘to sa likod ng kurtina."

I nodded at Bobby’s comment. That’s why I’m always careful with my every move.

I glanced at Kim’s phone. I didn’t see the photographer’s full face, but I immediately recognized the tattoo on his right hand and read the caption:

“…was said to harm his friend and tried to rape her…”

- B M -