Chapter 5 - Love Isn't For Me

"Love is in the air" Len quibbled with Cassandra.

“There you are again” Cassandra puts back the phone in her pocket.

“I heard him say the 143” Len chuckled, Cassandra rolled her eyes on Len.

“What did you mean when you said ‘You already know my reply to that’” Len raised an eyebrow, Cassandra pursed her lips.

“Is that 143 too?” she asked curiously. 

“Hey, don’t be nosy.” Cassandra chided her, Len wasn’t bothered at all and laughed.  

“It’s our turn to get our food, let’s go.” she pulled Len towards the buffet table, intending to distract Len from inquiring further. 

On the other hand, Marty was unsettled when he heard Len teased Cassandra about the 143 (I love you) that Graham said over the phone. 

"Well, she's got a boyfriend." He clenched his teeth. He was agitated by the myriad of emotions he was feeling today. 

‘I have to put a stop to this, I can’t have her that power over me’ he said to himself. 

When lunch was over, they began to film more scenes. This time, Cassandra wasn't part of it. 

Cassandra stayed in the dressing room and rehearsed her script. Four hours later, Marty called for a break. Immediately, Len went to the dressing room, Cassandra was taking a nap. Len, slightly tapped Cassandra’s shoulder to wake her up.

Cassandra stirred up “Are they finished yet?” she asked Len, she put her hand on her mouth as she yawned 

“Sir Marty, called for a break.” Len said. 

“Let’s have coffee to fight off that sleepiness” Len pulled Cassandra from the couch.

“Alright, give me a minute to brush my hair.” Cassandra rummaged through her bag to fish out a hair brush and brush her hair.

“I’m all set” Cassandra said with a smile, both her and Len went to have a coffee. 

Cassandra looked around, everyone had a cup of coffee except for Marty, who was looking at the script while massaging his temple.  

She made two cups of coffee and put a slice of blueberry cheesecake on a small plate. 

"Len, take this to Sir Marty." Cassandra said to her friend, handing over the coffee and the blueberry cheesecake. 

Len raised an eyebrow and Cassandra knew that she was asking for an explanation for such an act. 

"Make no mistake, he helped me escape those scenes that I dread the most. I just want to thank him. He was the only film director that considered how I feel” Cassandra explained to Len. 

“Alright” Len said and sauntered toward Marty with the coffee and blueberry cheesecake in her hands. 

"Ahem" Len cleared her throat when she stood next to Marty. He cocked his head and saw Len, smiling at him.

“Sir Marty, coffee and blueberry cheesecake for you” Len placed the coffee and cake on top of the table. 

“Thank you,” Marty smiled.

“Don’t thank me, sir, it was Cassandra, who asked me to give it to you.” Len said and chuckled. 

Marty looked around and saw Cassandra speaking with her co - actors while holding a cup of coffee. 

“Tell her, thank you.” Marty said. 

“I will, sir.” Len said and left. 

"I'd be happier if it was her who brought it to me." he murmured. 

"Hey, you better cut it out. You're not going to allow her to have power over you, ” he scolded himself. 

He took a sip of his coffee. “Wow, how come she knows exactly what I like in my coffee? And the blueberry cheese cake as well. Did she stalk me? ” He mumbled.

“It’s impossible, when I saw her this morning, she obviously didn't know me.” Marty took a bite of the blueberry cheesecake. 

He stole glances at Cassandra who was busy listening to her co - actor who was obviously telling an interesting story based on Cassandra’s expression. 

Marty was mesmerized looking at Cassandra’s face. 

Marty sighed and muttered to himself “I can’t allow this to happen to me. Love isn’t for me.” 

They continued to film after their break. This time Cassandra decided to stay and  watch her co - actors instead of staying in the dressing room. 

Cassandra lost count of how many times Marty shouted “cut”. The film crew and the cast were bemused why does he always call “cut” 

Marty couldn’t focus, he couldn't control himself, he kept on glancing at Cassandra, hence he lost track of the filming. 

Marty stood and went to get a bottle of water, opened it and gulped the water. Afterwards, he sighed and said to himself. ‘Get a hold of yourself’.

Marty came back, he waved at Johnson to come near him. Johnson came near and Marty whispered to him. Johnson nodded. 

“Alright, those who are watching while the filming is ongoing can you please stay farther back so you won’t distract the filming. Thank you!” Johnson said. 

They all obeyed and the filming began and it went smoothly. They had 2-3 times of retakes and they were finished with the scene. They were filming for another scene when Graham arrived with a bouquet of roses. Cassandra, who was currently not filming came near him. 

Marty saw Cassandra smiling sweetly at Graham when he gave the flower to her. Graham held Cassandra’s hand and lifted to kiss the back of her hand.

Marty felt a sting in his heart, he then averted his gaze and looked back at the ongoing filming then he called cut.  They did a retake, he restrained himself to look towards where Cassandra and Graham were. They did a few retakes and finished filming the scene.

Marty announces that they will make the next scene, this time Cassandra is part of the scene they are filming.  

 

“Graham, I’m sorry, I've got to film right now.” Cassandra said while Len took the bouquet of roses from Cassandra and brought it in the dressing room. 

 

"It’s alright, I am going to watch. ” Graham walked with Cassandra.    Graham stood behind Marty to watch the filming. 

 

With Marty calling for action, the actors began to act. Whenever Marty calls ‘cut', Cassandra stares at Graham and smiles at him. Marty thought Cassandra smiled at him, but he didn't smile in return.    For the fourth time that Marty called "cut," Cassandra looked up and smiled. He wondered why she was still smiling at him, even though he wasn't smiling back. He looked back and was surprised to see Graham smiling and giving her a thumbs up.  He looked back at Cassandra and she was smiling sweetly at Graham.

 

Marty said with a loud, overbearing tone, "Concentrate while filming and don't get distracted!"