The next morning, sunlight spilled through the blinds as Travier buttoned his shirt, his mind restless from the night before. Saphirra had already left for the studio, a soft kiss pressed to his cheek before she slipped out. She hadn't said much—only, "Good luck today."
___________________________________
Now, seated in the back of the car with Ms. Travez, he couldn't shake the unease tightening in his chest.
At exactly ten, they arrived at a sleek building with mirrored walls that reflected the busy city streets. Ms. Travez walked with her usual sharp stride, her heels clicking against the marble floor as they entered the director's office.
Director Yelric, a broad-shouldered man with keen eyes, greeted them warmly. "Travier. We've been waiting for you. I believe you'll be perfect for this role." Papers shuffled across the table—contracts thick with promises of fame, endorsements, and international reach.
Director Yelric doesn't look too old or young; he's in his mid-30s but still looks handsome to some staff around the building.
Travier signed with steady hands, but his heart wasn't steady at all.
_____________________________________________
They were reviewing schedules when the door opened behind them.
"Ah, she's here," Yelric said with delight. "Our female lead has arrived."
Travier turned, a polite smile ready—
And froze.
It was her.
Vanessa.
Her long hair spilled over her shoulders, her steps were graceful, and that bright yellow star mark glowed faintly beneath the studio lights. Her eyes widened the moment she saw him, lips parting in shock.
"You—" she whispered, stunned. "Travier?"
Ms. Travez clapped her hands together. "Perfect! You two already know each other? That will make the chemistry so much easier on-screen."
Travier's pulse quickened, his throat dry. He forced a stiff smile, trying to ignore the strange pull in his chest—the same pull he had felt at the fan sign, stronger now, more undeniable. But he remembered what happened during his date with Saphirra, guilt and pain ached in his chest before shaking his head and clearing his throat.
"Oh! Look at that. You two have the same mark? " Director Yelric suddenly said, which made Travier freeze, while Ms. Travez looked at their mark twice.
Meanwhile, Vanessa hid her smirk beneath her shy smile as she tried to cover her mark.
"Ah, yes, I-I also didn't notice that we have the same mark," Vanessa said and turned to gaze at Travier shyly.
Travier could feel his chest tighten, his teeth gritted in anger, and his fist tightened in anger.
"Well, isn't it perfect then? You two will become a top-notch love team!" The director said and grinned at the idea.
Travier's jaw locked so hard it hurt. The words' same mark still rang in his head, echoing with a weight he didn't want to acknowledge. He fixed his stare on the floor, as if sheer willpower could erase the burn of the mark on his skin.
Vanessa, on the other hand, looked almost radiant. She lifted a delicate hand to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, feigning bashfulness, but the small curl at the corner of her lips betrayed her delight.
"I think Director Yelric has a point," Vanessa said softly, her tone carrying just enough sweetness to sound innocent, though her eyes flickered with triumph. "If fate already paired us this way, the audience will feel it too. Don't you think so, Travier?"
Her question was pointed, a dart aimed directly at him.
Travier's throat tightened. He clenched his fist at his side, fighting to control his voice. "This is work," he ground out. "Marks don't decide how a film should succeed. Chemistry on screen does. That's all."
"Exactly!" Director Yelric clapped his hands together, mistaking Travier's irritation for agreement. "That's why the two of you will be unstoppable together! The camera will love your connection. I can already see it."
Vanessa chuckled, and her shy smile blossomed into something brighter, victorious. She tilted her head toward Travier as if they already shared a secret the rest of the room couldn't touch.
Travier's chest ached with the weight of it all. He wanted to snap, to push back, to deny the way Vanessa's words threatened the fragile balance of his life. Instead, he inhaled sharply through his nose and muttered, "Let's just focus on the script," though the tension in his voice betrayed every crack in his control.
Vanessa's gaze lingered on him, filled with something between wonder and certainty.
But in the back of his mind, an image of Saphirra's gentle smile flickered, and guilt clawed at him.
Director Yelric slid a thick stack of pages across the polished table. "This is the working script. Read it carefully. We'll refine details as filming progresses, but the heart of the story is here."
Travier flipped open the script, scanning line after line. At first, it seemed harmless enough—a tale of rivalry, love, and ambition set in a grand empire. But as he turned the pages, his brows began to knit tighter.
By the time he reached the final act, his jaw had locked in place.
Scene after scene.
Prolonged embraces.
Lingering touches.
Whispers too close.
A kiss—no, not just one, several.
He set the script down with a heavy thud. "Why… are there so many of these scenes?" His voice was low but edged with irritation. "They feel unnecessary to the story."
Ms. Travez shot him a sharp look, as if silently warning him not to ruin this opportunity.
But Yelric only chuckled, leaning back in his chair. "Unnecessary? My boy, passion is the story. The audience craves it. It's what will make this film unforgettable. We need the intensity—the heat—so the romance feels real."
Travier's frown deepened. He shifted uncomfortably, glancing at Vanessa, who was quietly skimming her own script. When she caught his eyes, she gave him a small, almost playful smile, as if the scenes didn't bother her at all.
That smile made his chest tighten with unease.
He cleared his throat, looking back to Yelric. "But it feels… excessive. There has to be a balance. Doesn't the story matter more than forcing this?"
Ms. Travez quickly interjected, her tone sugary but firm. "Travier, this is how the industry works. If you want to be taken seriously as a lead, you follow the director's vision. Isn't that right, Director Yelric?"
"Exactly," Yelric agreed, tapping the table with a pen. "Trust me, Travier. The world will adore you after this."
But all Travier could think of was Saphirra—her soft voice, her quiet strength, and the way she had smiled at him yesterday, even as her heart surely ached.
And now, he was staring at a script that threatened to undo it all.