Mag-log inDirector Cauan Santos pondered for a moment. He couldn't risk damaging Josh Angelito's precious face on the first day with a fight scene.
“I know!” he exclaimed, snapping his fingers. “Let's go with Scene 28 from the first draft of the script!”
Helena felt a chill run down her spine.
As a screenwriter and editor, she knew every comma of that script inside out. Her eidetic memory instantly brought Scene 28 to mind, and her expression darkened.
Although it wasn't an explicit sex scene or a passionate kiss, the dynamic wasn't much better for her sanity. It was a scene of... forced seduction and intimidation.
The director called them both to the center of the set, his eyes shining with the possibility of capturing something magical.
He had high hopes for Helena; she had the beauty, but if she proved she had the talent, her fame would skyrocket.
“Listen carefully,” Cauan began, gesturing
“And then...” continued his younger brother, excitedly. “You weren't careful, you were too intense, and you ended up waking Helena up? Caught red-handed, with no way to explain why you were on top of her, you panicked and used the lamest excuse in the world: you pretended you were sleepwalking?”Axel clapped his hands.“Am I right? That's what happened, isn't it? That's why she called me asking about your medical history!”Axel's ability to fill in the gaps and deduce the truth was frightening. All of this guy's intelligence was wasted on gossip and romantic dramas, instead of being used in business.Henrique slowly looked up and stared at his brother. There was no denial in his eyes. Just a cold acknowledgment that he had been found out.Seeing the resigned expression on his beloved tyrant brother's face, Axel knew immediately that he had hit the nail on the head.“Heavens! I'm a genius!” Axel threw the pillow up in the air, exultant.“Brother, do I know you well or what?! I'm the Sh
It was a legendary and dangerous technique that only elite actors could master. It consisted of using one's own aura, gaze, and rhythm to mentally crush one's scene partner. The dominant actor would “suck” all the air out of the room, making the other feel small, watched, and panicked, leading to abnormal mistakes and mental blocks.Helena wasn't just acting well; she was waging a silent psychological war. She destroyed Sabrina's mind without saying a word outside the script.“I can't use my ‘tricks’ just like that, out of the blue!” Helena rolled her eyes. “This technique consumes a lot of energy and affects the progress of filming.”I needed the perfect situation. Today's scene, with the direct confrontation, was the ideal stage to subdue Sabrina. She asked for it.Josh shuddered slightly, remembering old and unhappy memories.“So... I should feel very honored, right?” He curved his lips
Half an hour later.The set was almost empty. Helena had removed her “sick” makeup and was getting ready to leave, exhausted but victorious.The dressing room door opened silently.Camila entered. The mask of the good girl had fallen, revealing her usual cold and calculating face. She crossed her arms over her chest, blocking the exit.“Helena...” Camila began, her voice dripping with disdain. “I really underestimated you. I didn't imagine you would be so cunning as to turn the tables like this.”Helena stopped packing her bag. A slight, ironic smile curved her lips. Her eyes drifted down to Camila's arm, where a bloody scratch—courtesy of Sabrina's outburst—was still visible."Oh, really? I'm the cunning one?Helena took a step forward, blinking with exaggerated innocence.“Funny... Wasn't it you who had that keen and strategic vision, choosing an ally as ‘talented&rs
Cauan Santos finally lost his patience. He rose from his director's chair, his face red with rage.“Sabrina Collet, what the hell is going on?!” he thundered, his voice making the assistants tremble. “It's three lines! Three damn lines! Can't you remember a simple sentence? Did you even bother to read the script before coming here, or were you too busy picking out bracelets?!”The silence on set was deadly.Cauan couldn't be blamed for exploding. Helena was delivering a golden performance, stirring everyone's emotions, creating the perfect atmosphere... only to be brutally interrupted by Sabrina's stupid incompetence. It was like watching someone scratch a Da Vinci painting.The crew around them exchanged meaningful glances. Their contempt for Sabrina was palpable.They looked at Helena—professional, talented, patient, even with her injured arm—and then at Sabrina—spoiled, aggressive, and incompetent.
It was the first time in her life that Sabrina had been unjustly accused (in Helena's case) and justly judged (in the assistant's case) at the same time. Her face turned purple, her breathing became labored, and she was on the verge of a nervous breakdown.She raised her hand again, ready to lunge at Helena and end the charade with real violence.But before she could take a step, a firm, cold hand grabbed her wrist in midair.“Sabrina. Stop. Now.”A soft but authoritative voice cut through the tension.It was Camila.She had just arrived on set, running, her designer bag still slung over her shoulder. She had no scenes that day, but she had come to savor Helena's humiliation. She had no idea she would find the opposite scenario: her ally about to commit professional suicide.Idiot! Camila thought. It was a golden opportunity, and she ruined it all with her spoiled child temper!Camila assessed the
“Director Cauan!” Sabrina, who had never shown any interest in discussing art before, raised her hand enthusiastically. “I've been thinking... for this scene, I think the result would be much more visceral and realistic if I actually slapped her. What do you think? For the sake of art, you know?”Cauan Santos frowned. He was familiar with that kind of “artistic suggestion.” He knew exactly what she was up to.“Sabrina, the important thing here is technique,” he said seriously. “We'll use camera angles and sound in post-production. There's no need for real violence. At most, just touch her face lightly to mark the position. Understood?”“Understood! Of course, Director!” Sabrina agreed verbally, with an obedient girl's smile.But inside, she scoffed at the order.Touch lightly? Not a chance.She had no intention of obeying. She decided right then and there: she w







