"How... How could you do this to me?" Summer cried.
Summer was standing outside of a building with a man in front of her. You could see the sadness and pain in her eyes. Her voice was cracking, with tears flowing down nonstop through her cheeks while saying those words.
"S-Sorry," the man spoke. He was avoiding looking at Summer's pitiful face.
"Sorry? That's it? Can your apology mend my heartache?!"
"No. But, I am hoping it would. I'm really sorry for hurting you."
"Do you love her?" Summer bravely asked the man even though she was not yet mentally ready for whatever answer she will get.
The man jolted his head and stared at her eyes for a moment. Summer clenched her knuckles while waiting for his reply.
The man hesitated, looking at Summer's dejected face. "Please. Don't as—"
"Just answer me!"
The man paused, then sighed.
"Yes."
Summer was astounded at his answer. Her body shivered. Her chest tightened. Her knees weakened. She already expected that answer, but she didn't anticipate that hearing it personally from him would worsen her torment. She lowered her head dazedly.
"You're so cruel," she offendedly mumbled.
"I'm sorry. I didn't think any of this would happen. Believe me, I didn't intend to hurt you. I loved you. It's just that... I—I fell in love with her. I hope you'll forget about me sooner, and find your happiness." The man embraced Summer for the last time and kissed her forehead.
"Take care of yourself," he said, then left.
Summer drooped to the ground and cried her heart out after. She was betrayed. Cheated. Hurt. Replaced... And left. But, despite all those, she couldn't bring herself to hate and be indignant. She deeply loved the man.
"You used to take care of me. But, now you told me to do it myself. How? How can I forget you? How can I be happy when you're only my happiness?" Summer shed tears, embracing the agony of their break-up.
.
"Okay..... CUT!" The director shouted which made them all relaxed.
"Good job Summer. Great job everyone!"
Summer stood up and bowed her head to the director. "Thank you, Director Nim!"
Melissa rushed to Summer and gave her a pack of tissue.
"Your acting was superb, Miss Summer!" Melissa cheerfully complimented.
"Your praise was too much, Melissa," Summer responded while gently wiping her face.
"Heh? Of course, not! It's true, Miss Summer! You're so extreme!"
"Alright. Alright. Hahaha," Summer smiled.
"Now. Now! The shoot went well than I expected! Okay. Let's have an hour's break!" the director announced to everyone.
"Nice!"
"Great!"
"Alrighttt!"
"Thanks, Director Nim!!"
Everyone said in relief, then started to go to their businesses separately.
Melissa looked at the lively crowds around her, then looked back at Summer.
"Uh. Do you need anything else, Miss Summer?"
"Mhm. None. You can go now." Summer sweetly smiled at Melissa.
"Are you sure, miss Summer?" Melissa's eyes sparkled. She felt excited to have her break time as well.
"Yes. Yes—Oh, wait!! I changed my mind. Could you—"
"E-Ehh! I-I'm leaving. I'm leaving! Thank you, miss Summer!!" she exulted, then ran off immediately.
Summer just chuckled at her. She paused when she suddenly remembered something.
'Where is that woman, by the way? Should I ask her to eat lunch with me?', she thought while making her way towards the dressing rooms that had been ready for them.
She was looking for her co-actress—who was one of the characters in the movie she was working on, and also her best friend—Heidi Alvarez.
"Hi! Have you seen Heidi?" she asked one of the staff that she bumped into.
The staff paused a bit, thinking before answering.
"Uh. I think I saw Miss Heidi enter that dressing room earlier," the staff smiled.
Summer glanced at the dressing room the staff was pointing to and then looked back at her and smiled. "Thank you!"
"You're welcome, miss Summer," the staff responded, then left.
Summer went to the dressing room and was about to knock, but the door was slightly open, so she instinctively pushed it and entered.
Her jaw dropped, her eyes widened and she became stiff as she saw the petite figure of Heidi, leaning against the wall and her sister Reign was pressed towards Heidi's body with their lips locked to each other.
"What the hell?!" she exclaimed after coming back to her senses.
"S-Summer!" Heidi froze. Her ocean blue-round eyes widened, looking at Summer's surprised face.
She quickly pushed Reign lightly, then stood properly.
Reign just calmly fixed her hair. You couldn't see any reaction on her face—indisputably, she was not bothered being caught at all!
"L-Let me explain!" Heidi said in a panic.
Summer looked outside the dressing room when she heard a couple of voices coming in their direction. They were laughing and chattering. It was getting nearer and louder, so, she immediately closed the door and locked it.
"Are you both crazy?! Of all places, really here? For Pete's sake! If it wasn't me—"
"If it wasn't you, what?" Reign coarsely asked.
"Of course, you'll be in big trouble!"
"So, you're saying we're lucky because it's you then?" Summer's brows knitted at Reign's tone of speaking.
"Yes! You didn't know some people were lurking around here! They might grab this opportunity to make a controversy or worst scandal, don't you think?!"
"And, you don't?"
"What kind of question is that, Reign? Of course, I won't! Why would I do something absurd that I know will surely harm you both?!"
"Why not?"
Summer was taken aback at Reign's question. She confusedly stared at her sister's emotionless gaze and rough tone.
"A-ah. Can we talk about this calmly, 'kay?" Heidi worriedly asked as she felt the arising tension between Summer and Reign.
"Just what are you trying to point out in this conversation?" Summer asked.
She was getting annoyed and heated by Reign's approach.
Reign sneered.
"What else could it be? Aren't we talking about the possible outcome if we got caught?"
"Are you doubting me?"
"What do you think?" Reign's attitude was really pissing Summer off. She didn't like the way she talked to her.
Summer's eyes were intensely pierced at Reign's.
"I already told you. I won't. I'm just warning you. I'm just concerned!" Summer scowled.
"Oh, really? Well actually, I'm also concerned about why won't you do it?" Reign started to walk closer to Summer.
"Is it because you truly are worried or perhaps," Reign roamed her eyes from Summer's head to toe.
"You're just taking us lightly because you don't see us as a threat to your career. That's why you would not bother to ruin our image. Right?" Reign goaded.
"I never thought that!" Summer fumed, glaring at Reign.
She was holding herself back and controlling her temper, not wanting their conversation to turn into a heated discussion.
"Enough!" she warned.
"Enough, what? Revealing your true colors?" Reign smirked.
Summer took a deep breath. She gave in. She couldn't tolerate her anymore.
Reign was bemused at Summer's sudden snort and chuckle while ridiculously looking at her.
"I'm really wondering. Why are you hitting a nerve all of a sudden when I'm just only forewarning you?" Summer ridiculed. Her expression became more annoying in Reign's eyes.
"Are you not getting the right recognition? Or are you jealous of me?" Summer derided.
Reign clenched her fist and intensely glared at Summer.
"Will you stop dissing each other, please! Stay cool, both of you!" Heidi interrupted, but the two were unstoppable. They were still throwing daggers at each other.
"Jealous?" Reign started, then slightly smirked.
"Who would be jealous of an orphan like you?"
"REIGN!" Heidi shouted, then pulled Reign away from Summer.
Heidi worriedly looked at her best friend, she knew those words will surely hit the sore.
Summer sneered.
"Are you that desperate to provoke me, my envious sister? Are you really that thirsty for attention? Woah. I never thought you'd be this pathetic."
Reign was stupefied and became irate as Summer struck a nerve.
She raised her hand and was about to crash it into Summer's face, but Summer caught her hand, then clutched her wrist.
"Do you think I'll allow you to physically hurt me again, just like before?" Summer glared at her, then harshly threw her hand.
She took a deep breath, then coldly stared at Reign, who was now inflamed.
"Let's stop this while I can still restrain myself," she added, then walked out of the dressing room.
There was still some staff that had been chattering outside and some were having their lunch.
She sighed and was about to leave, but she was pulled back when Reign grabbed the tip of her hair.
"Do you also think I will let you off just like that?!" Reign snarled, tweaking and holding tight on Summer while she was struggling to remove Reign's hand clasping her hair.
"Argh! You cretin woman! Let go!!" Summer cursed, hauling herself off.
They caught everyone's attention at the commotion they were in.
Heidi and the others rushed to separate them.
"Reign! Summer! Enough!!"
Heidi tried her best to part the two of them, but Reign was too aggressive and her grasp was too firm. She couldn't force it further, as she might hurt Summer by doing so.
Despite all the violent twitching, Summer still managed to free herself from Reign, then a loud slap was heard. Everyone was stunned as they saw the redness of Reign's right cheek. Reign glared at Summer while caressing her cheek that had been hit by Summer.
"What's happening here?!" They all looked at the director as he walked towards the ruckus.
Reign didn't bother to pay attention to the director's question and just furiously left.
"I'll talk to her," Heidi reassured, then followed Reign.
'Aist! That girl sure has a large pace! Where did she go?', Heidi thought while searching for Reign.
"REIGN!" Heidi loudly called as she spotted Reign. She quickly ran towards her. "Reign!"
"Leave me alone."
"Hey! Hold up! Wait!" Heidi grabbed her arm, then pulled Reign to face her. They stopped at an alley.
"What the—I said, leave me alone!!" Reign chided, then shoved Heidi away.
"What is your problem?!"
"Leave." Reign's gaze was on the side, not minding looking at Heidi.
"Come on! Why'd you become berserk?! Summer was just—"
"Just what, huh?" Reign sarcastically chuckled.
"If you followed me just to brag that to my face. Get lost!" she chastised, then was about to leave, but Heidi tugged her back again.
"Wait!"
"What the hell do you want?!"
"Talk to me properly! Ghad Reign, let me understand you for Christ's sake!!"
"Understand? Seriously?" Reign snickered.
"You couldn't even understand the word 'Leave'."
Heidi was staggered, but she brushed it off swiftly.
"Are you underestimating me? I swear I can understand!! If only you could openly express everything that was bothering you or anything that gave you a burden."
Reign mischievously laughed at every word that Heidi was conveying.
"I can... I can help you! Hey, why are you laughing!? I'm seriously trying to— Ack!" Heidi blenched in pain as Reign shoved her to the wall and roughly pinned her.
Reign squeezed Heidi's shoulder while looking fiercely into her eyes.
"Don't be so full of yourself! You... You will never understand me! No one will. NO ONE!" Reign was patently livid.
Heidi couldn't speak a word. She was completely intimidated.
Reign loosened her hold and detached her hand from Heidi's shoulder.
"Don't follow me again. Leave me alone," Reign coldly stated, then gave Heidi a daunted glance before she finally left.
Heidi dazedly drooped to the floor.
'Reign', she thought while worriedly staring at Reign's back, walking away from her. 'Sorry'
.
.
.
Tristan rolled over his bed when the successive ring of his phone awakened him. He picked it up and scanned it. He jumped out of bed after he found out it was a text from Summer. He immediately took his coat after he read the message.
'Why is she inviting me over in the middle of the night?', he thought while fixing himself and replying to Summer at the same time.
After a little adjustment, he went out of his room.
He froze when he recognized the back of a woman standing in front of his sister—who was sitting in a wheelchair—as he reached the living room.
'I didn't know she's here', he thought.
He shrugged off the feeling of distress, thinking that he wasn't called when his mother arrived. Not even invited to a small chat or even in a quick greet.
'What should I expect? She only sees Trish'
He quietly made his way to the door and was about to leave, but Trish noticed him and called him.
He looked in her direction and met his mother's eyes.
"Where are you going?" Trish asked, with her brows knitted.
"It's late. Are you going to buy snacks? I have some in the kitchen," she added.
He waited for his mother's words, but nothing came out of her mouth.
Trish sensed Tristan's desire, so she immediately held her mother's hand.
"Mom. You said you want to say something to Tristan!" Trish said, sending signals to her mother.
But, rather than receiving it clearly, her mother's brows furrowed in confusion instead.
"What? I have nothing to say to him. What are you talking about?"
Tristan felt a tightening in his chest. He was so dumb, he thought, hoping that his mom actually had something to say to him.
He made a fool of himself for believing and expecting that something warmful words would come out of his mother's mouth. Again, he was disappointed. How many times was it? Still, he didn't learn.
"If nothing, then maybe I should leave now," he coldly said, without showing any expressions on his face. But, his eyes couldn't lie.
Trish knew what he truly felt. She could see through him and that made her miserable for being unable to do something about it.
She heard the door open, then closed. Tristan left. With a bleeding heart for sure. Trish closed her fist, then lowered her head.
"Mom. Could you not be so insensitive and inconsiderate," she lamented, then turned her wheel in the direction of her room.
"I'm tired. I want to rest. You should too, mom. Be careful on your way," she added, then headed to her room.
Her mom was confused and annoyed at the same time.
'What's with that attitude?', her mom thought. She furiously fixed her things and then left, unaware of everything.
On the other hand, Tristan dazedly drove his way to Summer's place. He was trying to conceal the gloom he felt before showing himself to her.
He stopped in front of Summer's house, then took a long sigh before getting out of his car.
He was about to ring the doorbell, but he flinched when a lively, wide grin on Summer's face greeted him at the gate.
"I heard a car engine, so I thought it was you. And, yeah! I was right. Hihi," Summer enthusiastically said as she opened the gate.
Tristan unamusedly stared at thin air and sighed.
'I thought she was frustrated over something but, why Am I seeing the opposite? Did I read her message wrong?', he thought.