After the screening, we all slumped into our seats, exhausted. As for me, I dropped my head on the table—thankfully, the pile of papers cushioned the fall.
"You okay?" Catherine asked, concern in her voice.
I nodded and closed my eyes. "My head hurts... It's so hard to decide," I whispered.
"Well, at least now it's obvious who the leading man is," Aries chimed in. "He was amazing—he's really my idol. Never disappoints!"
"Hey, jerk, keep it down—you're too loud."
And just like that, they were about to start bickering again. I swear, it's a miracle they didn't argue during the entire screening. Truly professional.
"Anyway—let's just start the meeting and get this over with," I said once I'd collected myself.
But first, dinner. The whole production team ended up craving Jollibee after nearly an hour of walking around like restless kids.
"What are you getting?" Catherine asked.
"The usual," I replied, before joining the rest of the team.
Aries and Catherine offered to order for everyone. I just hoped they wouldn't start squabbling in public—and thank goodness, they didn't. Professionals, after all.
Out of boredom, I looked around. It was a quarter to midnight, so there weren't many people left inside. My gaze stopped at a man sitting alone in the farthest corner—he wore a blue cap and kept his head down the whole time. What stood out was the amount of food in front of him. It was the same combo I usually ordered, but he had ordered way more. And yet, he looked completely alone.
It made me sad for a moment.
But then my mouth slightly parted and my eyes widened as I caught a glimpse of his side profile—just the side of his face, and I already knew.
Without thinking, I stood up—just as a family walked in through the doors of Jollibee. I rushed to him, instinctively, the moment I saw him glance toward the entrance.
Crap, is that really him? He can't be seen here…
I quickly adjusted his cap as I took the seat beside him. Thankfully, he was tucked into the corner, mostly hidden from view. He seemed a bit startled by my sudden presence—froze, even. And that's when it hit me what I had just done.
"Sorry," I muttered, eyes drifting back toward our table.
"It's fine," he said, barely a whisper.
I didn't say anything else and let him eat in peace. Then suddenly—"Want some?" he offered.
Of course—it was ice cream and fries. I couldn't say no. I'm not the type to dip fries in ice cream, so I ate the fries first, then the ice cream. He, on the other hand, was doing just that—mashing his fries into the ice cream.
We're really opposites.
"I didn't know you still liked eating at Jollibee," I said quietly, just to break the silence.
"I missed this," he murmured, and I felt his eyes glance toward me.
I nodded. "Same," I whispered, knowing he heard. I looked at him briefly but quickly looked away when I realized I couldn't handle his gaze. "I missed this combo," I added, trying to stay composed.
He nodded back, adjusting his cap even more. I stood up when I saw Cathy and the others heading back to our table. But even as I rejoined them, I kept glancing back at him every now and then—he was so hunched over, it looked like he was about to kiss the table.
"Go to him," Catherine suddenly whispered in my ear, making me flinch. "Relax, I brushed my teeth. I just didn't want anyone else to hear."
I sighed. "No need. He's a grown man. He can handle himself," I said, though my eyes drifted to his table again.
"Yeah, right. That's not what your face is saying," she teased.
Before I could reply, Aries butted in, "Whatever it is, I already agree with Catherine," he said, flashing a grin at her.
I chuckled and shook my head, but eventually stood and made my way back to his table. The moment I sat down again, I could feel him glance at me.
"I couldn't help it," I said softly while chewing on a fry. Three large fries? What was he thinking? "Didn't you eat at home? Looks like a feast on your table," I added, raising a brow.
He chuckled. "Still worried, huh?" he teased. "I've been on a diet for months, so I'm making the most of it before they start restricting me again," he said, one hand holding fried chicken, the other twirling a forkful of Jolly Spaghetti.
I shook my head at him. "Does your manager know about this?"
"No," he replied after a while. "But you're not going to snitch on me, right?" He glanced at me again.
I rolled my eyes. "As if," I said.
He let out a soft laugh. And yes, even his laugh is unfairly attractive.
"Is your schedule not packed right now?" I asked.
He shook his head. "I'm planning to turn down most offers. I still have a shoot in America. But I also want to focus on your project."
My eyes narrowed. "You do realize America isn't just around the corner, right? The way you flew back to the Philippines like it was just a 30-minute commute from Cubao."
He scoffed. "Tsh. I just didn't want to lose a spot, Naure."
My heart jumped at the sound of that name. Naure. I cleared my throat, realizing I'd been staring at him too long. "You really haven't changed, Emilliano Gabriel Aceves," I said, emphasizing his full name.
"Oh, so it's full name basis now? I wasn't informed, Azaleiah Naure García," he replied playfully.
I pouted and stayed silent. When was the last time we talked like this?
"You never change," he suddenly said. "You still go quiet when you're annoyed." I wasn't even looking, but I could tell he was smiling.
"You're still the same," I muttered. "Always teasing."
He laughed softly, eyes still down. "This is what I missed most about the Philippines," he said with meaning, then took another bite.
I didn't dwell on it. I just ate with him—of course, I shared the food. I wasn't about to sit there like a sad puppy.
When we finished eating, he stood up—but before he left, he handed me his phone. "Take it," he said, motioning toward it.
I frowned. "Wow, iPhone X16 Pro Max? What am I supposed to do with this?"
"Keep it for now," he said with a grin before putting on his mask and walking out.
And there I was, stunned, holding his phone. What the heck is going on in that guy's head?!
I only snapped out of it when Alexis suddenly shouted my name—with that teasing grin of his. I quickly stuffed the phone in my pocket and walked back to join the others.
"Our writer is glowing today," Aries teased.
"Oohhh…" the entire team chimed in with playful grins.
I just shook my head, smiling to myself. "Stop assuming. It's nothing," I said, settling into my seat.
"But who was that? He looked kinda hot," asked Phia, one of the production crew.
I looked away and found myself glancing toward the Jollibee doors.
"No one. Just... a friend."