“I’m so jealous,” Apple muttered as they got ready for another shoot.
“Me too,” Sora chimed beside her. “You’re so lucky, Misha.”
“Lucky?” Misha exclaimed, turning to the two of them. “Who decided that a budding romance between two contestants in a game where people kill each other out of desperation is a good thing?”
“So romantic,” Apple sighed, thinking about it already. “Andre’s character might be a red flag, but since he’s played by Zeno, consider me blind.”
Sora nodded in agreement, making Misha livid. “You actually agree with her?”
“Why, yes,” Sora smiled before dramatically placing her hand over her forehead. “A hot, steamy romance with a person you loathe is my ideal type of story. If only I was ten years younger; then I would have gotten this role,” she said with a determined expression.
Misha couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Then, she looked around and saw nearly everyone looking at her with envy. Even… Billy? What the heck was happening?
She shook her head and looked at the script. When she had first gotten it, she was very excited. Most people thought she only started acting by the end of the year, but that wasn’t true. Misha had been trying to make it in the industry for five long years. After graduating from high school, she was preparing to take up engineering when she was asked to become an extra in a film. She didn’t have any lines, and she barely had any screen time, but that was when her dream of becoming an actress was awakened.
Still, because she was an ordinary citizen, she continued with her college education. Her parents were both civil service workers, and she really did live that kind of life—ordinary. Acting was her step away from the ordinary. However, she quickly came to terms that it was not as easy as it looked.
In fact, it was brutal.
She had faced some of the worst discrimination when she was an extra. Some even treated her worse than the bottom of their shoes. However, despite it all, she persevered… until someone saw her potential and gave her a big role—one that propelled her to the career she has now.
Misha became the girl next door, appearing attainable yet goddess-like at the same time. The kind of girl you would meet in the supermarket once and never again but still continue to think of from time to time.
This image went platinum in their country, and just like that, she was one of the most sought-after actresses in the industry.
However, even then, she couldn’t forget about such inconsistencies in the industry.
Therefore, she swore that she would treat the people who were once like her with kindness. However, it also had an adverse effect—she was suspicious of those who made it to the top right away. That was why she was cautious of Zeno in the first place—because she knew he hit it big in his first series.
Of course, she tried to push such feelings away. However, after being approached by Devon without an audition and bullying Jace, as well as the stunt he pulled yesterday with Marvin, Misha’s prejudice ran deeper and deeper.
This particular project was exciting for her because it was the first non-romance drama she would participate in. Granted, her character also had some romance in it if you considered it as such. However, it still deviated from the hardworking, innocent love that she was used to playing.
This one was a true enemies-to-not-quite-lovers story that people would tune into because of the tension!
Yet, she was disappointed again because she was going to play alongside Zeno Han.
She sighed as she read through the dialogue once more. It was right after the knife-throwing scene. Sora manages to run away, but her character is caught by Andre.
“I heard they have a kissing scene, too,” Apple chimed, snapping Misha out of her thoughts.
Sora squealed while covering her mouth. “That’s so exciting! Isn’t it Zeno’s first onscreen kiss?”
“It is,” Apple said. “There wasn’t a kissing scene in The Forsaken Prince. Misha, you’re really so lucky. Did you save someone in your past life?”
“It’s not going to be for this scene,” Misha sighed. Fortunately.
“But there’s still a kissing scene!” Apple exclaimed. “I honestly can kiss his foot if he wants to.”
Misha turned to her with furrowed brows.
Just then, Zeno arrived in all of his glory, still with that confident yet nonchalant expression.
“There’s my man,” Apple said with a wide smile. “I want to watch how the two of you act.”
“Me too,” Sora nodded.
Misha pursed her lips. “Sorry, but aren’t you busy?”
“Nope,” they chimed at the same time.
Zen looked for a certain someone right away. However, he wasn’t there.
“Where’s Victor?” he asked Devon, who was in the director’s seat.
“Oh, he’s not feeling well,” Devon answered, making Zeno suppress the smirk that attempted to arise from his lips.
“That’s too bad,” Zeno muttered, but it was clear he wasn’t sincere at all. Devon picked up on this and tilted his head to the side. However, he brushed it aside and called for Misha instead.
“Are you both ready?”
Zeno glanced at Misha and noted the disdainful look in her eyes. The cameras hadn’t even started rolling yet and she already looked like this?
“Scene 41. Lights, Camera, Action!”
The skies were darkening because of the upcoming storm. There were only a few minutes left before the twelve hours of free killing in the First Circle would officially end. Yet, Desperate #1 found herself in the arms of one of the most dangerous players in the game—Desperate #25.
#25 held onto her wrist and slowly backed into the sturdy tree behind them, pinning her body and making her unable to escape.
“Let go!” she exclaimed with all her effort, but it was no use against the strength of #25.
“Tell me,” #25 started, his voice suddenly taking on an ambiguous tone, bordering between seductive and dangerous. He placed his finger under #1’s chin before leaning closer to her face, observing every inch of her skin.
#1’s breath hitched.
“Tell me one good reason why I should release a pretty little thing like you?”
Ba-dump.
In that moment, one of their hearts skipped a beat.