Morning sunlight spilled through the open window and into the kitchen. The sunlight was soft and golden. Saphirra moved with quiet efficiency, her hands busy arranging containers and packing a lunch for Travier. She put the packed Lunch inside the bag and stacked his script folder on top. She hummed faintly under her breath, the sounds light and calming, filling the silence of their little home.
Meanwhile, Travier just woke up and did his daily routine as usual before wearing casual attire and heading out of their shared bedroom.
Travier went toward the staircase and paused midway when he saw Saphirra moving around the kitchen. His gaze followed her every motion. She looks calm; just seeing her like this makes Travier smile faintly. It's a contrast to what he's feeling right now.
Travier can feel his chest tighten, a heavy knot settling deeper into his gut, and he knows the reason. The thought of Saphirra having no idea about his current state as an actor at Luminara Entertainment and the fact that he's being paired with Vanessa felt like a punch to his gut already.
For a fleeting moment, he imagined stepping down, walking over, and confessing everything to his wife, telling her about the director's plan, about Vanessa being the Female lead, and Vanessa's deliberate closeness toward him. He knows that confessing everything right now is the best idea and also wrong.
Travier knows that telling her everything now might cause damage, not only to his opportunity where she truly gives her support toward him, but also to their relationship. He was afraid to take a risk, and he knew that he hated seeing her eyes with tears, distress, and anger.
For now, he chose to stay silent. Maybe just maybe, when the time comes, he will be able to tell her everything, and all he hopes is that she'll understand and forgive her. But for now, he just wants to savor every moment with her.
Saphirra finally turned around and noticed him still standing at the staircase; she smiled. "You're just in time. Breakfast is ready," She said while putting his plate at the table.
Travier forced a smile and finally walked downstairs, walking behind her and hugging her waist, snuggling her face at the crook of her neck, which made her chuckle.
"Still tired?" Saphirra asked, and Travier just nodded. "Yeah," He said shortly, while Saphirra turned to face her and wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Well, just be patient a little longer, okay?" Saphirra said, to which Travier nodded and pulled away a little to look at her eyes.
"I'll try, but I already miss you being around me," Travier said with a small pout, which made Saphirra chuckle and break the hug.
"Geez, just focus on your new role as the Male lead first, then after that, you can come back to the Soun Studio again," Saphirra said, which made Travier smile.
That's right, after his work at the Luminara Entertainment, he can finally go back to his normal life, and to Saphirra.
"That's right. Well, I guess I should get going now, because I really want to work back with you again." Travier said with a smile, which Saphirra laughed and nodded.
"Well, I'll be waiting for you then, husband," Saphirra said playfully, which made Travier laugh and take a seat.
Saphirra takes a seat on the opposite side of the table, facing Travier as they start to eat their breakfast.
Travier glanced at his bag at the counter; surely Saphirra had already packed everything he needed for later. "You always make sure I don't forget anything,"
Saphirra laughed gently. "Someone has to." She said while handing him a bowl of rice, "You should eat before it gets cold."
Travier nodded and accepted the bowl of rice before taking the main dish. "You're amazing, you know that?" he murmured. "I don't know how you do all this and still make the food taste so good."
Her laugh was soft, her cheeks tinged with color. "You exaggerate. It's just breakfast."
Travier chuckled and shrugged his shoulders. "Well, I'm just stating the facts. Whether it was breakfast, lunch, snacks, or dinner. You still make everything taste delicious," Travier said, making Saphirra laugh and shake her head.
They sat together, eating as though it were just another ordinary morning. Their conversation wandered from small jokes to lighthearted talk about groceries running out, or how she should rest more instead of fussing over him. For a while, it felt normal, almost peaceful, like the storm brewing outside their little world didn't exist.
When they finished, Saphirra rose to wash the dishes. Travier gathered his things, slipping the strap of his bag over his shoulder. His phone buzzed—Ms. Travez was waiting outside.
He came up behind her, touching her shoulder lightly. "I have to go."
She dried her hands quickly and turned, offering him that same steady smile. "Do well today."
He leaned down, brushed her cheek with a kiss, and she whispered goodbye before he stepped out the door.
Saphirra's point of view
The House felt too quiet once the door closed. She stood there for a moment, staring at the window, and saw Ms. Travez inside the car. The window was open, and Ms. Travez looked at her before she rolled the window of the car up. Saphirra watched the car leave as soon as Travier was already inside the car.
Saphirra shakes her head and wipes her hand dry before heading upstairs to their shared bedroom. She finished doing all the house chores before she took a quick shower and put on casual clothes.
Saphirra went downstairs and grabbed her car key. She doesn't have a work schedule today, so she decided to go to the grocery store. She slipped into the car, the morning sun glinting across the windshield. Sliding behind the wheel, she exhaled slowly, letting the hum of the engine fill the silence.
The drive to the grocery store was silent; it was a routine whenever it was her day off and Travier wasn't around. Saphirra's thoughts drifted when she remembered the times when Travier was there with her, buying groceries and having their small dates afterward. The memories make her smile. She already misses those times when they didn't have to worry about anything and just focused on themselves, but as time goes by, things are starting to get out of our hands. It is as if they're breaking apart slowly.
Saphirra shook her head, trying to focus back on the road ahead. She knows she's just overthinking it and that she shouldn't dwell on it too much, or it might cause another argument between her and Travier. With that, she just turned on the radio and listened to music, then drove toward the store.
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The grocery store was calm; a lot of shoppers were there to buy too. The aisles were filled with the quiet shuffle of carts and the occasional chatter of shoppers.
Saphirra pushed her cart slowly, checking her list as she added fresh vegetables and a carton of milk. She's just reaching for a pack of eggs when a voice suddenly calls out behind her.
"Saphirra? Hey! I knew it was you."
Saphirra turned around to look at the person, blinking in surprise. A familiar face jogged toward her, smiling widely and waving his hand. It was the CEO's subordinate she had run into before. She smiled awkwardly before facing him completely as he stood in front of her.
"I thought I was just seeing things, but luckily it was really you," He said with a smile, which Saphirra chuckled. She could clearly see his relief.
Saphirra rested her hand on the cart's handle. "Yeah, right, is something wrong? Or... is there something you wanted to talk about?"
"Nothing at all, it's just that I forgot to properly introduce myself to you," He said and extended his hand toward her. "I am Laren Calvessan. I'm Mr. Flame's loyal assistant," He said, to which Saphirra nodded slowly and reached his hand.
"I'm Saphirra-" She paused, thinking that she can't use her married surname since she can't just trust anyone. "Framirez... Saphirra Framirez" Saphirra said and forced a smile, then shook his hand.
"Well, it's nice to finally properly introduce ourselves," Laren said, which made her chuckle and nod.
"Anyways..." Laren reached inside his small bag and pulled out a white, sleek card that had a contact number and company name, extending it toward her. "Here. If you ever need anything, or if you'd finally want to join our business, then don't hesitate to reach out and contact me," Laren said with a friendly smile.
Saphirra accepted the card carefully, her fingers brushing against the embossed lettering. "Thank you," She said, nodding once while her eyes scanned the card.
"Well, I guess. I won't keep you from shopping. But I do hope we'll speak again," Laren said, showing his thin smile, as if he were holding back and still wanted to talk to her.
Saphirra chuckled. "May I know what a CEO assistant is doing here?" Saphirra asked, trying to decrease the tension, which made Laren chuckle.
"Ah, right, I was trying to find a pure coffee bean for Mr. Flame. He kind of... craving" Laren whispered jokingly, making Saphirra take back at first before laughing.
"You seriously have some guts to joke about your boss," Saphirra said, to which Laren chuckled and shook his head.
"Not really. I could only talk shit and joke behind his back, he's really scary to be honest," Laren said and let out a heavy sigh before smiling again.
"Anyways, I should probably buy a coffee bean now. Boss might get furious if he didn't take it in time," Laren joked again, making her laugh and watch Laren dash off in a hurry.
Saphirra smiled faintly and stared at the card in her hand for a moment before slipping it inside her bag and exhaled quietly, returning her attention to her groceries.
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Saphirra finished buying groceries as she balanced the grocery bags carefully and unlocked the car, the late morning sun pressing warmth against her back. The ride home was uneventful, a steady hum of traffic and her thoughts drifting toward the conversation with Laren.
The offer is tempting, but she knows best not to get involved in technologies. Working there even for a short period of time might damage her relationship with Travier. After all, he hated seeing her work or even searching for things about technology.
It didn't take too long when she arrived back home and closed the door behind her. She placed the bags on the kitchen counter and started to unpack, sorted everything neatly into the fridge and shelves, then finally allowed herself to sink into the couch. A sigh slipped from her lips. Rest — if only her mind would let her.
She closed her eyes slowly, but the weight of the business card in her purse felt heavier than it should, whispering possibilities she wasn't sure she should consider. She knows that whatever happens, as long as the business card is near her, the temptation won't stop, but she also knows that she can't just throw it away.
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(ON THE OTHER SIDE)
At Luminara Studios, the air buzzed with energy as cameras clicked and the stage crew adjusted lights for rehearsal. Travier stands out among the actors, which makes the director proud, knowing that he picked the right person to take the role as the Male lead.
It's Travier's break time, script still in his hand while he sat at the corner and eating his lunch that his wife cooked for him. The lines rolling off his tongue were smoother than the first. The director, Mr. Yelric, clapped once, his eyes gleaming as he turned to look at Travier after checking the video.
"That was Excellent, Travier! That's the depth I was looking for. I knew you could do it, so keep it up, you're shaping into a real actor!"
The praise earned a few nods from the crew, and for a brief moment, pride flickered in Travier's chest. He wasn't just a model anymore, and he knew that if this kept improving, then he wouldn't have to stick to his previous job, modeling the same clothes over and over again.
But then, he remembered that working here at Luminara Studio as an actor means having less time with his wife.
Travier just smiled faintly toward the crew and his director, saying his thanks before focusing back on the script in his hand and eating his lunch.
Suddenly. Vanessa took a seat beside him and laughed softly as she gently reached to adjust the lapel of his costume. "You're improving so fast," She teased, her fingers lingering a little longer than necessary on his collar. "I knew you could do it."
Travier stiffened, forcing a polite half-smile as he cleared his throat and removed her hand from his lapel.
"Thanks," He said coldly. Vanessa smiles, but she nods and forces her smile back.
She knows that he's still avoiding her behind the camera, but if having him in front of the camera this close, she's willing to take things too far.
Travier glanced at Vanessa, who was still sitting beside him, and her head hung low. He felt sorry for her, but he also knew that he should put distance and a barrier between them. She might be his soulmate, but he also knows that he's committed to someone else.
Yes, Vanessa was beautiful. Yes, the ease with which she leaned into her role made the rehearsals smoother. But the touch, the playful remarks, the way her gaze lingered—all of it tugged at places he couldn't allow. Not when he had Saphirra waiting at home, smiling at him every morning, packing his lunch, believing in him.
Travier clenched his jaw, inhaling through his nose. No personal stuff. No distractions. This is just work.
He forced himself to relax his grip on the script and lifted his head. "Alright," he said firmly, cutting through the silence that had stretched too long. "Let's run it again. From the top."
Vanessa blinked at his tone but smirked anyway, clearly unfazed.
Mr. Yelric raised his hand, signaling the crew to reset the scene. "Good. Let's see if we can capture that spark one more time."
And just like that, the rehearsal pressed forward, but deep in Travier's chest, the unease lingered like a shadow.