"Derek~!"
Derek's smile faded the closer Melissa came. Deep lines appeared on his forehead as soon as he saw the look on her face.
"Dere—" Melissa stopped when he suddenly held her shoulders. "Derek?"
Derek pinched her cheek and moved it to the side to get a better look. "What happened here?" he asked in disbelief, checking the other side. "Melissa, why is your face swollen?"
"Ah…" A conflicted smile flickered in her eyes as she bit her lip and forced a smile. "This is nothing, Derek."
"Nothing? Your face is swollen! I can still see a palm print on it! Not just on this side, but on the other too!"
"Derek."
"Melissa, is someone bullying you on the set? Because I know one of the executives, and they think you don't deserve it? Is that it?"
Her mouth curved down. "Is that what you think?"
"What?"
"Do you think that I don't deserve the role too? That I wouldn't get it if not for you?" Her eyes were red with disappointment.
