"You have to understand—the scene we are shooting today is important," the director said to both leads. "I will do as many takes as I deem necessary to get the result I want. So please, stay focused and do your best."
He had taken them to the location that morning, where they spent a full hour rehearsing a mere five-minute scene. It was a scene in which Rohart's and Shona's love is tasted, because he thinks she has betrayed him.
Luca tried hard to stay focused, as the director had advised. He tried to do his best, as was expected of him, despite the fact that his co-star, Camilla Jones, was being especially flirty today. At any given moment, she was blowing him kisses or winking whenever the director looked the other way. Every time a vein was pulsing on his temples and his teeth were grinding. He wished he could just scream at her.
But he couldn't do that.
That woman was one of the top Fisher female leads. Men all over the world were craving her curves - except Luca. And their director, the talented and independent Edward York, has specifically insisted that she would play the role - he wanted a success since it was his first collaboration with Fisher Productions.
For the last two years, he had endured Camilla's constant harassment. He had made it clear there wouldn't be—couldn't be—anything between them. In fact, he found her so repellent that he would rather sleep with York than with her. Even the fact that his relationships were public knowledge did nothing to deter her.
Only a couple more weeks to go until the next season… Wouldn't it be nice for the show to get canceled?
There would be promotional activities and joint appearances afterward, of course, but at least he wouldn't be forced to spend hours with her every other day.
Luca felt sick in these romantic scenes. Camilla never held back. He still remembered their first kiss scene—her complete lack of professionalism when she had actually French-kissed him. At the time, he thought he'd misunderstood, but that moment became a turning point. Her behavior became pressing, insistent.
She wanted a piece of him, as she had so bluntly explained. One very particular piece. Luca had turned her down a million times, but she'd made it clear: by the end of this series, she would have what she wanted.
"Edward," Camilla said as they prepared to return to basecamp for final touches, "I noticed that she doesn't kiss him in this scene. Shouldn't we try that? I feel the character wants to affirm her feelings."
Oh, she isn't missing a chance…
"Camilla, we won't do a kiss," the director said, his tone final. "He is certain she crossed him. Rohart keeps distances."
Clever guy that Rohart!
"But such intense scenes are so dull without intimacy. I believe—" Camilla continued, but was interrupted.
"My scene will not be dull if you do your job as expected," York concluded, walking away. He was obviously pissed off.
Just great.
"That old geezer..." Camilla muttered to Luca in a low voice. "At least I have you to take my mind off his misery." Her hand brushed against his, supposedly absentmindedly.
Luca sighed and started walking. There was no point in talking to that woman.
"Oh... What I fancy even more is a reticent man who plays hard to get," Camilla commented, chasing after him.
She was so talkative that Luca couldn't stay silent, or their escorts would wonder what was going on. "I'm not playing hard to get. I'm not interested," he said in a low voice, a smile plastered on his face.
"Come on... You've slept with half of East Coast showbiz. Why shouldn't I get some?"
Luca shook his head. This girl had gone too far. "What nonsense are you talking about? What makes you say that?" he asked, his smile widening unnaturally.
"It's not a secret, Luca. Apart from your countless girlfriends over the years, rumor has it you love one-night stands with various crew members," she replied shamelessly.
"If there were such a rumor, I would have heard. If you keep provoking me with these absurd claims, I will lose my temper in front of the whole crew. Guess what kind of rumors that would generate," Luca threatened her.
Camila giggled. "I know a true rumor: Luca never loses his temper," she said. "But half of what I said is true. You've had so many girls. And I don't even want a relationship. Isn't that the best deal?"
"My relationships are my personal life. Since you know all the rumors, you should have heard that I'm also a professional who doesn't mix his personal life with his work," Luca reminded her.
"Wrong... You've dated actresses you worked with. I've been watching you closely."
It was true. He had a couple of co-stars on his track record—probably more than he cared to admit. "I'll skip the part where you watch me, because that creeps me out, and I will make clear that no relationship started on the set. I just met them there," he said, pointlessly defending his honor.
"So, does this mean I'll have you once filming is over?" she asked excitedly.
"No! I have a girlfriend!"
"I don't see any flames there. Try me; I'll spark you up," she said, leaning closer.
He didn't reply, instead quickening his pace to clear distance between them. For the entirety of their walk, they had maintained the illusion of two colleagues sharing a light conversation. But as they neared the base camp, the risk of being overheard grew. No matter how persistent Camilla was, she remained a well-known actress, aware of her reputation. She wouldn't dare risk having scandalous stories get out.
Luca, a couple of metres ahead of the others, was heading towards his trailer—his cool, private trailer where he would put on the rest of his attire and the crew would help him with that damn wig and final makeup. He caught a glimpse of Lexi. It was her turn to babysit. But the one standing next to her, wearing an awful yellow hat and having just turned to face him, was totally unexpected.
That French girl had the nerve to appear on his set! In front of him!
What is she doing here? Who told her to come?
Because of her, he wasn't allowed to go to the office whenever he wanted and had to submit a schedule just to visit. And now, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, she just popped up here. He couldn't hide his feelings; his anger and frustration were carved into his face. But he had to control himself. So many eyes were on him. He had to maintain that freaking reputation.
He lowered his gaze and took a deep breath. Luca knew he had to channel his annoyance toward Lexi, in case anyone was watching. He stopped in front of her, looked down at her from his full height, and asked: "You're here again... Don't you have anything better to do?"
He felt his nostrils flaring.
"Hello, Luca. No, I don't. I deal with you all day and night; you're the reason I'm alive," Lexi mocked him. That only stoked his anger further. But with the production crew nearby, what could he possibly say?
"While you are here, make yourself useful. Alert the makeup team that I'm ready," he ordered.
"Sir," Lexi said, her voice pitched to carry to the nearby crew, "the makeup team knows their schedule. I'm not here to interfere with production tasks."
Luca thought he had masked it all well. Without another word—without even turning to look at the intern—he walked to his trailer. He bumped into the girl with the wig—Jenny, was it? He wasn't certain.
"Good morning, Mr. West!" she said.
"Hi! How are you doing today?"
"Good! How about you?"
"It will turn out..." he replied, smiling.
Then she noticed that the makeup artist assigned to him, Charlotte, was waiting outside the trailer. He had seen her early that morning before the rehearsal. She looked worried.
"What's up?" Luca asked.
"Mr. West, while you were away, the air conditioning inside broke down. We have to do your makeup somewhere else. It's really hot in there," Charlotte explained.
That sounded like a nightmare. During breaks and preparation, he found solace in that cool trailer. Why did this have to happen now? Today was already awful. He had to endure Camilla, the intern's unexpected appearance, and now the air conditioning was faulty. What else could go wrong?
"Bummer... Where should we go?" he asked, a smile on his face. No matter how he felt, the crew was doing their job. He could never misbehave just because he was frustrated or having a bad day.
"Let's go to the main makeup station. It's cooler there because of the fans," Charlotte proposed.
"Okay. Let me put the rest of the costume on, and I'll be there in five minutes. Unless I pass out from the heat..." he said, raising an eyebrow.
"I hope it won't come to that! I'll be waiting for you," Charlotte said and walked away.
He entered the trailer or rather, his sauna. The whole place was boiling. He quickly started preparing, suffocating with every movement. Fortunately, he did not have to don his full armor that day. He only needed to gird his sword and put on his baldric.
The day was just one problem after another. Wouldn't it be lovely if he could at least use that sword to slay Camilla like the other monsters Rohart hunted?