At the filming site, they were packing up their equipment since it was the last day and the final scene of shooting. The weather was harsh, so to prevent their favorite actresses from falling ill, they decided to use doubles in their place.
"Good work..."
"You all did a good job!"
"Let's wrap it up!"
You could hear the Director's voice cheering them on.
Tang Yu had just wrapped up a scene, her hair damp as the steady drizzle drummed against her head. The day had pushed her to the limit, first a grueling swimming scene, and now another, shot beneath the unrelenting rain.
Anyways, she needed a means to earn money and this seemed to be the only way.
"Tang Yu, will you be attending today's small welfare party after we finish filming?" one of the supporting actresses asked, glancing at her from head to toe.
Tang Yu was completely drenched from head to toe, her entire body trembled from the cold, and at this moment, she only wished to soak in a hot bathtub and lie underneath some clean duvets to warm her body up.
Her dark eyes, blurred with a mix of tears and coldness, lifted to the girl who had spoken. Before she could reply, the director finally spoke up.
"All of us will be having a small getaway at the usual place to close this project that has taken us an entire year to complete. Let's enjoy it as a farewell."
With the director's announcement, Tang Yu was left with no room to refuse. Even though her heart resisted, weighed down by exhaustion and heaviness she could not name, she had no choice but to attend.
"Director, I'll need to change and freshen up before joining you, so please excuse me for a few minutes," Tang Yu said politely before leaving the filming area and hailing a taxi home.
It was around 8 at night, and the highways didn't have much traffic going on, and through the car window, she could see the luminous lights that were already turned on lighting through the entire city.
Even though there was no traffic, the streets seemed to be alive, and people moved up and down leisurely.
Because of her scandalous reputation in the entertainment industry, she was forced to take on odd jobs, while her boyfriend made it clear he despised the life of the limelight. This, she stayed in the shadows even though she knew this was her passion and talent.
She loved him, and the two had been looking forward to having a harmonious marriage. Closing her eyes, she leaned back against the car seat, trying to steady herself and stop her trembling body. Outside, the drizzle continued to fall, making the weather even colder.
She resided in a lavish villa with her boyfriend, just a short distance from the filming site. Within twenty minutes, the taxi rolled into Vescon Phase 2, an exclusive gated enclave where manicured lawns framed rows of elegant villas, each radiating quiet luxury and prestige.
This villa was a gift her grandpa had given her once she turned 18 years old. She has been living here for the past five years.
After paying the taxi fare, she slung her backpack over her shoulder and strolled toward the entrance of the villa.
Though smaller than most in the community, it carried a quiet charm of its own, with trimmed hedges lining the pathway and warm lights glowing softly against the dusk.
At the door, she pressed her fingertip against the scanner, the lock clicking open in recognition.
Stepping inside, she was greeted by the faint scent of sandalwood lingering in the air. Without pausing, she made her way up the polished staircase, her steps echoing lightly as she headed straight to the bedroom she shared with her boyfriend.
Inside the bedroom, Tang Yu wasted no time. She stripped off her damp clothes, the fabric clinging stubbornly to her skin before she tossed them into the laundry bin. Her body still felt chilled from the rain and the swimming scene, so she headed straight into the bathroom.
The huge shower filled quickly with steam as warm water cascaded over her, easing the tension from her trembling limbs. She stayed there for several minutes, letting the heat soak into her bones, before finally turning off the tap.
Wrapping a towel around herself, she stepped into their shared closet. The space was neatly arranged, with his suits on one side and her outfits on the other. She pulled out a pair of fitted leather trousers, a simple long-sleeved shirt, and a tailored coat.
After dressing, she slipped on a pair of black flat shoes, practical and comfortable, before tossing the towel back into the hamper.
With her phone and a few essentials tucked neatly into her tiny purse, she headed downstairs.
Just as she reached the bottom step, a faint sound drifted from the study room. She froze, at this hour, she hadn't expected her boyfriend to be home.