The light shimmered in a never-ending golden mist, and as my shadows swept across my eyes, I saw a glimpse of the events that transpired five years prior.
A pair of drab silhouettes moved through a room with transparent windows, exchanging giggles and smiles as the young woman put her arms around the young man's neck. Until the man leans on her and presses their noses together, their faces are inches apart.
Their comfort with each other's bodies, as though they could communicate through their movements, gave me the impression that everything he said to me that evening—including the paper—was false.
I exhaled.
You never really loved Jasmine after all.
Such idealistic notions.
I gave a headshake. After a little while, I noticed the red automobile that Sophia always drove. It emerged from the condominium where Lucas is lodging.
I squinted and took another peek out the window. I let go of my pouch and squeezed harder.
***
"Lucas, what's up?" I enquired.
I ultimately rang his doorbell after knocking on his door. Anne was in a tricky spot where she might eventually be exposed like a paparazzi when she wasn't, so I hope he heard me.
I rang his doorbell repeatedly until someone answered. He was definitely not at home. But why didn't I notice him go earlier if he hadn't?
When I had previously looked at Sophia's automobile, he wasn't even inside.
Or did he depart, following her, just before I went to the lift?
The door opened abruptly, revealing a young man who was drenched and only had his towel covering his lower half. This interrupted my train of thought.
I could see how his eyes became wide when he opened his door, and the smoke had been crazy to stream out like he had just entered a sauna.
"Oh my gosh, Lady Scarlett! E-Excuse me while I put on my clothes and—"
But I laughed before he could say anything more.
"Okay, that's what you should do. Besides, I never thought you'd act this way when someone knocked on your door."
"Lady, you ought to have rung the bell first."
"Scarlett, have I not told you to address me by name already?"
I caught him giggling and grinning broadly as he nodded.
He grinned and continued, "Then, if you'll excuse me for a while, Scarlett," but I stopped the door with my feet.
"You realize that not extending an invitation to a guest while you are aware of my presence is impolite. You know that making me wait outside was much more impolite?" I said those things and arched an eyebrow.
He quickly stopped closing the door, but there was a look of uncertainty on his face as well as a raised eyebrow and an open mouth.
I thought he was going to say anything, but all he did was laugh and shake his head.
The last thing he said before entering his room to change was, "Suit yourself."
I sat on his couch. All I could imagine was the flavor of honey lemon soaked in a minty woodland as I closed my eyes and breathed in some of the familiar scents from the location.
Although it had always been that way, I felt as though Lucas no longer owned it at that moment.
As though the aroma already belonged to someone more particular than himself.
I may have sought retribution and craved what Raven had given me the words for, even though I was not taught how to exact revenge in this world.
Ultimately, though, is it my desire to live a depressing existence and ruin someone else's because they have ruined mine?
I'm not sure why I'm doing this; maybe it's because I want them to experience the same pain that I have been experiencing for the past five years, but didn't that all go away?
Indeed, time healed all the scars in my heart, but looking back, it seems like the longer I stay in his place, the more difficult it is for me to move on.
I took a quick look around and noticed that everything was tidy, with frames hanging from the spotless white walls. A portion of the images were of Sophia and Lucas, while others came from their friend get-togethers and Lucas' award photos.
However, I never saw anything or anyone that looked like Jasmine; there were no sunflowers, no floral wallpaper, and no slippers in the shoe rack like there had been in his previous apartment.
But why did it feel like I couldn't breathe, even though I felt nothing at all?
I believe that I decided to let go at this time. I had thought I had found the location where my soul belonged, but in the end, everyone and everything I had ever wanted had already taken it.
However, did I own Raven in the first place?
No.
He couldn't get past Sophia, his childhood buddy, and he would always be a part of her.
He has supported me over the last five years, helped me heal the void in my heart, made me a better person, assisted me in locating my true family, and most importantly, instilled in me the belief that everything happens for a reason.
He turned into the light that helped me get through my difficult moments, and just like the last time, I fell in love again due to his support.
But this time, it was much more devastating because that wasn't the only major component—rather, it wasn't because he is my fiancé.
We were only acting, but his heart really belonged to someone else, which is why it was so painful.
It was only after he left me to live with my true family that I realized how essential he was.
I can only stifle these feelings from my heart now that we are together.
At the moment when I most desired his heart, I was unable to inform him. I would just appear to be the loser initially. When I was at home with Lucas, why in the world did I think about him?
"Scarlett, I'm sorry for keeping you waiting." I caught him grinning.
I laughed and added, "It's better to have waited for you than talk to you in that previous second attire," because he constantly acts like that and scratches the back of his head when he feels embarrassed.
His ears started to turn red, but he was able to pretend to cough.
"Can I then make you an offer?" I gave him a sly smile in response to my question, which astonished the young man.
"In addition, I was just dropping by to see you as a buddy. I was hoping you might join the crew for a movie called Summer in My Life." I answered, presenting him with the documents I had ready in my purse.
I could see his eyes expand at that point, but in the end, he grabbed the paper, looked it over, and grinned warmly, almost grasping both of my hands.
"Scarlett, I would really love to. Thank you."
"It's okay; I'm just enjoying myself by helping a friend."
I was aware that he was one of the most well-liked actors in the business, but thanks to Raven's lessons, I haven't wasted a single opportunity in the last five years.
I worked as a model for Diana's Secret, a well-known American fashion company, for five years. I even tried out for the movie "Playful Girls," where I was cast in the lead role. From then on, my fame remained steady until I returned home, where I was only offered a few roles in films after a few weeks of work.
However, Director Kouichi, who was among Raven's closest friends, is the person I spoke with about this.
I looked at the director and said, "If you have many pending films because Lady Sophia couldn't make it, then send them to me." He looked shocked.
He murmured, "But," at first, but all I could do was sneer and narrow my eyes.
"Wouldn't I think about lending a hand to a friend who is in need instead? In addition, Sophia and I have a great friendship."
He gulped and nodded as soon as I said that, giving me what I wanted—the title of the movie Summer in My Life.
My life's conditions are the same in a remake, just like in the play. The sole distinction was that I would be assuming the part of Sophia from my past, which dates back five years.
"Would you like us to see the director right away, then?" When I asked, he nodded right away.
"Knowing that I could collaborate with you, I would gladly welcome it! In addition, Sophia must be pleased with this. The one person I've been dying to collaborate with is Director Kouichi." He spoke, and as soon as I met his eyes, I could tell how sincere he was.
I see. I smirked in private since this wasn't just an ordinary movie; Raven had a specific plan that he wanted us to follow.
This wouldn't just be any movie, though, because from what I understand, Lucas and Sophia, as well as my life and Raven's, would be extremely familiar with this.
***
"But keep in mind that not everyone will enjoy this movie, which is why I'm happy Lady Scarlett was able to suggest you, Sir Lucas." They shook hands and gave each other hugs as the director added, "I look forward to working with you."
Then he put us to the test.
"I understand you two have a fiancé, but could we have a quick kiss right now?"
"What?" I ask you. Lucas acted in the same way that I did.
"I would see if you two had chemistry first, and you two expect me to put you in the lead roles so that you should also know the consequences."
I assumed I'd be the bad guy in this situation. Has Raven decided to reconsider my role?