Gerald furrowed his brow, focusing on Zak's phone with a hint of uncertainty in his tone. "So, you're recording? I suppose our conversation won't flow as smoothly."Zak chuckled softly and casually showed his phone, but the expected recording remained inactive. Undeterred, Zak promptly turned off his device. "I need to review the script. You've got five minutes."With no recording in sight, Gerald visibly relaxed, dropping his usual façade. Seated across from Zak, he casually crossed his legs, getting straight to the point. "Are you romantically involved with Camilla?"Zak took a tissue from his pocket, tidied the table with precision, and leaned against his hand, offering a nonchalant response. "Why does our relationship concern you? In what capacity do you ask? Let me guess. If I confirm my association with Camilla, would you stir up another online frenzy? And if I deny it, would you suggest I distance myself from her, claiming I'm unworthy?"Gerald posed the question, his penetrati
Carlos's demeanor presented a stark contrast. Initially perceived as a troublemaker with a short fuse upon joining the crew, it soon became apparent that he possessed a playful side, and many found him easy to get along with.So, when Gerald was absent today, Carlos swiftly learned the truth from others. Leaning in, his voice lowered, he confided in Zak, "Remember what the director said to him earlier? Just because of that, he's in a foul mood and deliberately skipped out. He's really making everyone wait, playing hardball."Zak remained silent, his gaze shifting to the side.Not far away, the director's expression was grim, clearly displeased with Gerald. With finality, he slammed down the script and declared, "Let's shoot the others first."Zak only had three scenes left. He could have wrapped up filming in the past two days, but Gerald's absence, fueled by anger, disrupted the schedule. Then, Gerald missed another two days for a commercial shoot. Zak couldn't film their shared scen
Juelz lingered in the coffee shop until dusk settled over the streets, yet no one arrived to meet him. In that solitary moment, he confronted the reality of his miscalculations—perhaps he had underestimated Zak's determination or overestimated his own abilities. With a solemn resolve, he transitioned to his wheelchair, silently preparing to depart.A nearby employee, sensing Juelz's impending departure, briefly entertained the idea of offering assistance. However, a single glance from Juelz extinguished any intentions, prompting a swift retreat."I am self-sufficient; your assistance is unnecessary," Juelz remarked with a frosty detachment as he settled into his wheelchair. With this succinct dismissal, he propelled himself out of the coffee shop, flagging down a taxi.Observing Juelz's wheelchair-bound state, the driver remained seated, impatiently urging, "Hurry up, you disabled..."Mid-sentence, a wave of remorse washed over him, prompting an abrupt halt to his words. Meanwhile, Ju
Zak and Camilla stepped into a cozy seafood restaurant.The establishment was small, with only a dozen seats, and luck was on their side as they snagged the last available table upon their arrival.After Zak placed his order, he handed the menu to Camilla, then caught a familiar voice drifting in from the door."This place is pretty good. I heard it's better than the cafeteria... Oh, isn't that person over there our roommate?"Zak glanced over and spotted Peyton Valencia and Myles Avila.With no free seats in sight, Peyton Valencia approached Zak with a smile, not wanting to come all this way for nothing."Looks like there's no room left. Mind if we squeeze in with you? Is this your friend? I hope she's okay with it."Camilla handed the menu she had chosen to the waiter, poured a glass of sour plum juice for Zak, then folded her arms on the table with a chilly expression."Sorry, but I do mind."Myles grabbed Peyton with a displeased tone, glancing at Camilla, and sneered inexplicably
"Ah, so he's your brother. What's it like having a famous sibling?""Well, I'm not exactly a celebrity, so I wouldn't really know."Kendrick wasn't in the mood for a chat with Myles. He stood up abruptly. "I'm heading for a shower."Silence filled the dorm room as Kendrick left without making a stop at the bathroom.Before closing the door, he cast a deliberate glance at Zak lying on the bed. Then, standing in the corridor, he dialed a number on his phone. "Guess who I ran into today?""It's the guy you mentioned earlier, my roommate.""Yeah, I agree with you. Not much besides being good-looking.""..."After speaking without receiving any response, Kendrick felt perplexed. "Hey, bro?"Finally, the voice on the other end replied. "Got it.""What are you up to, bro? If you're busy, I'll hang up."Gerald placed the envelope he was holding on the table and gazed at his phone. "Not too busy. It's late; you should get some rest."As the call ended, he picked up the envelope again. To confi
He swiftly blocked the unfamiliar number, paying no mind to the threats in the text message.It wasn't until Friday night that Carlos called."Zak, congratulations on the success of your TV drama. It's gaining popularity, and the ratings are rising. Also, you've been embroiled in some scandals and are trending again."The playground buzzed with activity, voices blending into the background."Could it be Juelz? That account? It seems like no one else would be so mundane. Oh, and there's this Gerald guy," Carlos speculated about the identity of the account owner.Zak unscrewed the cap of his mineral water bottle, took a swig, and casually tossed the empty bottle into the nearby trash can. "Can't say for sure, but it's definitely connected to him," he replied nonchalantly.The bottle landed neatly in the trash can.Turning his head, Zak noticed a boy standing beneath a nearby tree, gazing their way.Perhaps sensing he had been noticed, the boy turned somewhat sheepishly and shifted his g
Zak casually scrolled through the comments, his demeanor unfazed. However, the endless stream of text eventually wore him down, prompting him to set aside his phone and attend to the flowers in the vase. It was during this momentary break that he noticed a shift in the trending topics. Shortly after, a blogger swiftly uploaded a video from their past filming sessions together. The video subtly insinuated Zak's disregard for Gerald, capturing their exchanges in a subtly confrontational light. Despite this, Gerald's unwavering support for Zak during this ordeal was a testament to his genuine generosity. The collision between Juelz and Gerald marked a pivotal moment in the unfolding drama. The orchestrated campaign to besmirch Zak's character demanded significant effort and resources. Unfazed by the flurry of comments, Zak confidently reposted the video with a mischievous grin, playfully asking, "Anyone interested in an unedited video with crystal-clear audio? If so, I'm happy to shar
The advertising shoot was a whirlwind of activity, with people bustling about. Juelz maneuvered his wheelchair, encountering difficulty in making progress.When he reached a set of steps, he found himself unable to ascend. He glanced at the nearby staff and began, "Excuse me..."Before he could say more than two words, the staff member was called away for duty, their fleeting glance showing no change in expression.Instantly, Juelz felt a wave of discouragement wash over him.Zak was present for the ad shoot. Juelz had hoped to catch Zak's attention, perhaps gain some advantage, but the dismissive staff member shattered that hope entirely.Amidst the hustle and bustle, no one spared a moment to offer help. Left to his own devices, Juelz struggled to rise from his wheelchair and laboriously maneuver it onto the steps.Just three steps, yet it took him five painstaking minutes. Nearly toppling over upon returning to his wheelchair, he was flooded with a mix of humiliation and anger.As