"Why do you all look surprised? Am I that hard to deal with?" Luigi asked, the obvious.
"Very hard to deal with, but you did well today." Wanda responded.
"That's because June acted well." Luigi complimented June in front of everyone.
"This is the first time; Luigi is speaking well of someone. I guess June's acting was okay." Renda said, a little loud.
"Director Sun, are irrelevant people allowed to tag along to team dinners just because it's a free meal? Why do I have to listen to them even when I'm eating?" Luigi turned to look at Director Sun.
The table became silent.
"I'm sorry! I said the wrong thing." Renda immediately apologized.
"You shouldn't be apologizing to me. Apologize to the one you spoke I'll off." Luigi looked at Renda coldly.
"June, I'm sorry. I didn't mean it in a negative way." Renda was embarrassed but could do nothing about it.
"As long as you don't repeat it again, I'm fine." June replied.
"I don't care about what you ladies do in private but don't try to bring up such unnecessary things in my presence. It's disgusting!" Luigi stood up. "I'm done eating. I still have another appointment to attend. I shall be on my way."
As he got to the door, he turned and locked eyes with June, whom quickly looked away and lowered her gaze. Luigi smirked and left.
The dinner became a rather awkward one, as everyone minded their business and only had small talks here and there.
June mostly answered the questions by the director and producer and had a little chat with Wanda before the dinner was over.
"Miss Renda, hold on!" Sari stopped Renda just when she was about to get into her car at the car park.
"Can I do something for you?" Renda folded her arms smugly. She glanced at the blue Corolla parked a few steps from her, where June sat in and curved her lips mockingly.
"I'm here to warn you! Let today be the last time you will disrespect my actress ever again. I don't care what imaginary beef you have with June, but I won't let you off the next time you pass such rude comments about her again." Sari's expression was different from her usual calm appearance.
Renda chuckled. "Pray, tell! What are you going to do to me? Do you think Luigi is going to protect her again like tonight?"
"I don't care about that, but if you really want to know what I can do, then, you can give it a try. Mess with June again, and I will make sure you pay for it."
"Sari, do you know who my father is? Despite the fact that Luigi took June's side today, in front of my father, he still has to give me face. My father is a director in Oren Group and Mrs. Oren values him a lot." Renda bragged.
"Sari, instead of coming to warn me, why don't you keep your actress in check, so that she doesn't get caught in another scandal? She is your cousin and I believe you don't want her to go another five years without a job." Renda laughed.
"Does your father also know that you go about using his position to throw your weight around? Should I send this recording to Luigi and see what happens to you?" Sari asked and replayed the recording to her.
"What?" Renda tried to snatch the phone but Sari pushed her away before pinning her against the car.
"I'm not done!" Sari said coldly. "Does your father also know that you are messing with your stepbrother? If the media catches wing of this family incest of a scandal, they are surely going to eat it up." Sari smiled when she saw the terrified expression of Renda.
"I thought so to. Actually, I don't care for your family affairs, but if you mess with June again, then, I won't be held responsible for what happens with this information. I believe you don't want it out. So, be good!" Sari snickered and walked away.
Renda adjusted her dress and cussed. She couldn't believe Sari actually knew about her affair with her stepbrother. She was scared and couldn't leave until they were out of the parking lot.
"Sari, June! This is not the end!" Renda mumbled before getting into her car.
...
"Whoa! You should have seen her face, June! She was so speechless, spooked and couldn't even rebuke it." Sari laughed as she drove the car into the main road.
"As long as she doesn't try to get into my business again." June said, expressionlessly.
"But how did you get such dirt on her?" Sari asked.
June had a moment of a flashback when Sari asked her.
It was back in the private room, when Luigi was about to leave. As soon as their eyes met, he raised his phone up and just then, a message popped up on June's phone and she checked it out.
Although the number was a private one, with no digits to it, she could tell it was from Luigi. She was shocked when she saw the pictures he sent her, and confused as to what his aim was. He really didn't live according to the rules.
June came back to her senses and responded. "Someone anonymous. I guess I wasn't the only one who found her annoying." June glanced at her phone in her hand.
.....
A week later.
A week has passed since filming began. Everything was going on smoothly, and everyone seemed to be in tone with their lines.
Today's scenes were all about June and Luigi's characters. There was a kissing scene, four other scenes of them. These scenes were crucial to the entire movie, because it was going to determine how good it will turn out.
Especially, their first kiss scene, which was divided into two. One was supposed to be an accidental one, while the one was of them in a room.
June didn't have much thoughts of the arrangements because she already knew that Luigi always had a stunt double, doing his kissing scenes for him.
June finished dressing up in a black mini-dress with dotted patterns, which fitted her so well. She came out and saw everyone looking at her and whispering. She didn't understand what was going on until Sari walked up to her.
"Sari, what's going on?" June asked.
"Someone pissed off Luigi and he's quite angry. Director Sun suggested postponing today's shooting but he said he must finish his scenes because he had other appointments and won't be available for the next two weeks." Sari said to June as they went to sit down.
"Who pissed him?" June asked curiously.
"Who else? It's Renda. I didn't see it but I heard she apparently informed Luigi's family that he was favoring a particular actress on set. I learnt he keeps his personal life private from his work, but Renda not only anonymously tipped his family, but also tipped the media."
"That's a lot! Who is this actress he's favoring?" June asked softly.
"Darling, that's what I want to know. Apparently, the actress he's favoring is you, June Dame!" Sari said and June looked at her.
"Huh? Sari, you are kidding me, right?" June exclaimed and looked up.
Now that she was noticing, everyone seemed to be stealing glances at her, subtly. But what in the world made them think that he was favoring her?
"Sari, are these people blind or just want something to talk about? He hasn't even paid any attention to me besides the time we are acting together. Also, I barely had any scenes with him and didn't see him more than twice in the past week. How can they say that?" June couldn't believe what crazy rumor that was.
"Well, I guess we have Renda to thank for that. The director has since sacked her from the filming grounds but the rumors are still running wild."
"Why didn't you tell me anything? I had no idea what was going on outside here."
"You think I didn't want to? I was about to come into the room when Luigi and Director Sun stopped me. They said you left the set very late and I should allow you get a little sleep."
"Are they that kind?"
"Director Sun has warned the entire crew to not let the matter get out. Let me tell you, Gita called me a while back. Even she got wind of the scandal but somehow it got pulled out from the internet before it could gain traction."
"That must be his doing, right? But it's good that it died before getting out. I really can't afford a scandal right now. My image is picking up and I'm gaining more support."
"We really have Luigi to thank for that. As for that Renda, her scandal is now spreading like wildfire. Everyone now knows about her secret relationship with her stepbrother." Sari showed June some of the trending news on social media.
June sighed. She should have just remained quiet. Why did she try to play smart with someone like Luigi Oren. That man clearly is petty and holds grudges.
"I don't think I've ever been petty to you, Miss June!" A familiar voice stated behind them.