A myriad of emotions flashed through her eyes but none of them could bring an answer to her lips. But they did bring a fake smile. "Yes. Everything is fine."
"Is he still-"
"No way! We have already sorted out everything."
Yating peered at her smile which seemed to have the intent of washing his worries away. But they were doing the opposite thing.
Chyou wouldn't look like that…If everything was truly fine then she wouldn't smile like that.
It painfully tugged his heart further. His wry smile held a hint of grievance. "I…I think you are lying, Chyou."
She stiffened.
"I know the Chyou I have talked to. I know how you express yourself. This is not looking fine at all. You…" he awkwardly pushed his hands in his pockets, "don't have to lie to me to keep me out of your life."
Chyou was staring into the empty space in front of her but not quite into his eyes. She couldn't find the courage to see the hurt her lie had caused. She saw his figure retreating very slowly until he completely vanished from her sight.
Chyou stood rooted at her place, her body trembling and tears beginning to brim her eyes.
That was pathetic of me…I am the worst.
—
The director saw them in their positions and asked, "Are you ready?"
Yating and Chyou nodded. Outwardly, their smiles radiated normalcy as if nothing was wrong. But the wide distance between their hearts had another story to tell.
"Good. Let's start."
With the signal of the director, the lights on the set dimmed. Yating held her cheek just like the script, stepping closer until their chests almost bumped into each other. With his gaze transfixed at her, his low, deep voice whispered. "I will do anything to protect you."
Her lips quivered and Chyou couldn't tell if it was because it was quite chilly at the set or that Yating's words felt all too real.
What if I want that woman to be you?
She shook and felt her breath stuck in her throat.
Concentrate Chyou! This is just the shooting. Don't think of anything else!
She comforted her heart but it jumped back in her chest frenziedly when the warmth from his palm and the soft touch of his fingertips became more pronounced.
"You…" with a hint of breathless voice, he said, "don't have to feel frightened. I won't let any hurt, any terror touch you."
Chyou unconsciously swallowed a gulp. Suddenly, she wasn't so sure anymore.
Did this intimacy mean something more to Yating?
He was holding her cheek so tenderly that Chyou couldn't tell if he was just acting or that his real feelings were taking over him.
Which was it?
His gaze confused her.
Was he only following the script or did it hold something else too?
The very notion frightened her. She didn't know why. Even if Yating did love her, the only way to come to a closure for his sake was for her to reject him.
It would hurt him. After a one-sided love with Ai, a second rejection might even cripple him. Still, the truth would need to be told.
So why was it that the thought of rejecting Yating's possible feelings for her was not sitting so well for her? Why was it leaving a crushing emotion in her chest as if something heavy was dropping on it?
"Cut!"
She jolted with the director's booming voice.
"Chyou, you didn't speak your lines."
Her eyelids blinked rapidly and she seemed to come to her senses. She looked around, dazed and confused.
"Yating gave such a perfect take. Didn't miss a single line. But you remained still. Is anything the problem?"
"O-oh…I-I was actually lost in something else…"
The people at the set gasped.
Chyou was that actress who never made mistakes with her takes. She never forgot her lines or lost her focus. Of course, she was a human and she could still make mistakes no matter the Queen she was.
But still it was difficult to digest. People were so used to winding up with just one take when it came to her that they couldn't fathom doing retakes because she fumbled herself.
One of the assistants RanRan whispered. "You know…It's definitely because of Gu Yating."
The other assistant, Qiu, asked, "You are referring to the scandal?"
"I cannot help it. Didn't you see that picture taken at the fireworks festival? The way they gazed at each other? Queen's expression is just like that."
"You overthink. Didn't Prince Cheng clarify everything? She would never betray our prince," she grinned.
RanRan eyed away. "Well…he is not 'ours' exactly…"
"Huh?"
"Well…!" She gushed blushingly. "Ever since we went on that team dinner that night and got to talk to Sir Gu, I have found him more and more appealing. You know the things he talked about not finding your love like anybody else? Finding somebody with whom you can be your silliest self? That was so adorable! And he was soooo charming!
I am sorry but I have changed my ship! He was so dashing and hot!"
Qiu's eyes darkened. "You!"
"Um…"
They looked over and froze seeing Yating standing before them. Apparently, the director had given Chyou some break to prepare.
He smiled. "Can I get through?"
RanRan lost her voice. "Did you…hear us?"
"...Well, yes," he cleared his throat. "I appreciate your sentiments. Thank you for the compliments."
She felt like she lost all her face.
He listened to me calling him adorable, charming, dashing and hot!
Well since I have lost my face anyway, I will go all the way!
She took out her handkerchief and asked, "Please give me your autograph!"
The director had his jaw dropped. Even Chyou stared at her, shocked.
Yating - "..."
"Me? I am not an actor."
"Who cares? I am your fan as a person!"
"..."
Yating coughed.
"Please!"
He scratched his head helplessly and took out his pen. He signed on her handkerchief and smiled. "Here."
She cried emotionally. "Thank you…This will be my family's heirloom..."
Seriously, my signature?
Yating took out his small diary notebook and asked, "Will you sign for me?"
RanRan blinked. "Huh? I-I am not an actor."
"Who cares? As a hardworking assistant doing all sorts of odd jobs on the set, I sincerely respect your work. Every dedicated person on this set is a star."
RanRan felt dizzy. As if her heart exploded in her chest, she fainted.
The director exhaled a long sigh. "Call the medic and take her away. And Gu Yating. Try not to make every woman fall for you here. You will impede the shooting."
"..."
Everybody burst into a laughter including Chyou. But amidst that laughter, her eyes glistened with tears.
An expression somebody on the set didn't fail to notice...
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