Do I have a crush on her?

~~ Magnificent Entertainment ~~

~ At "Broken" Shooting Set ~

The day wore on with relentless thunder and lightning, casting a monotonous hue across the sky.

Benedict stood facing the new director of "Broken," his eyes sharp and fierce, like a leopard peering into the director's soul.

The director trembled, his gaze quivering under Benedict's intense scrutiny.

"WHO GAVE YOU THE RIGHT TO ALTER THE SCRIPT? WAS IT ME? WAS IT ANYONE?" Benedict's words carried a sharp threat, hanging in the air like a sword.

"S-Sir, I-I d-didn't k-know i-it w-will b-be a... s-setback," the director stammered, his legs shaking uncontrollably.

"So, Mr. Director, what should I do? Should I let you compensate for the loss in reputation, or should I allow the author to sue you?" Benedict's tone was unforgiving as he threw the script at the director.

"S-Sir, please, please s-spare m-me. I beg you, please. I have a family to feed, and my wife is pregnant. Please don't fire me. I will never do this again," the director pleaded, falling to his knees.

"This isn't the first time, Director! I've received numerous complaints about your affairs with newcomer actresses. Here's the evidence I've been collecting." Benedict's voice was laced with anger. "Until now, I spared you because of my Uncle, who personally brought you in for this role. But this time, you've crossed all limits. Not only did you alter the script, but you had the audacity to add such indecent scenes on national television!"

"Si-Sir, please, my wife is pregnant, my wife..."

Benedict gripped the director's face and raised him up, his voice dripping with disdain. "You dare to call for your wife after your multiple affairs? Does she even know, or does she stay with you knowing? Speak!"

The director struggled for breath as Benedict's hold tightened, as if he was addressing someone else entirely, not the director.

"Hey Ben, stop it! Stop it! You'll break his jaw at this rate," Timmy intervened, rushing to defuse the situation.

Benedict snapped back to reality and immediately released the director, who gasped for air. His face bore the imprint of Benedict's hand, and his jaw ached.

"Listen, I'm doing you a final favor by not sending you to custody, thanks to my uncle's influence. Pack your belongings and leave this office. You're fired." Benedict's words were cold, final, and devoid of sympathy.

He turned to his secretary and issued orders, "Take him to HR and complete all the formalities for his release. Ensure he doesn't receive a cent from us. Directly pay his salary to his wife under her name. If he dares touch that money, I'll ensure he never sets foot in the entertainment world again."

"Roger that," the secretary acknowledged and ushered the director away.

Once they were gone, Benedict signaled the shooting crew to pause their work and join him.

"On behalf of Magnificent Entertainment, I apologize to each and every one of you for having to endure him and the negative backlash. I request your cooperation. Would you be willing to reshoot the scenes and future episodes that were already filmed? It was my mistake to appoint him as the director of this show and for causing this chaos. I'll compensate each of you accordingly."

"Will money solve everything, Mr. Auguste?" Hera, the lead actress of 'Broken,' stepped forward, her diva aura unmistakable.

Benedict responded firmly, "Absolutely not, Hera. I'll hear all your demands. I'll hold a press conference to ensure that yesterday's episode won't tarnish any of your reputations. Our team will manage that."

Hera's heart raced, her feisty nature showing as she whispered to herself, "Oh my! He's so hot and charming. His Adam's apple is so sexy when he speaks; I wanna take a bite."

Her assistant, sternly pressing her round spectacles, reprimanded, "Language! Control yourself. Your obsession is showing."

Hera coyly replied, "As expected from Mr. Auguste. I agree to continue working on it," accompanied by a smile.

The rest of the crew followed her lead, and chants of agreement filled the air.

Benedict smiled at their response. His charisma and integrity as a drama producer had won over the top-tier actors.

Benedict smiles at them.

Almost everyone in the crew squeals "Greek God".

He continues, " Great then. Today is a treat day for all of you. It will be a team dinner in honour of your dedication and hardwork despite the outcome. I will soon select a new director and this time it will be a hit! Thank you all for your cooperation. "

Everyone, except Lucas, the actor playing the male lead in the drama, rejoiced and exclaimed.

"I don't have time for frivolous dinners. Assistant, pack my bags; we have more work to do. I can't stay for some silly celebration," Lucas ordered his assistant.

Benedict couldn't please everyone, but he could pay them as they preferred.

~~~~

Benedict and Timmy's conversation continued as they made their way to the office.

"What were you thinking when you almost cracked his mouth, Ben? Don't give me any excuses, just tell me bluntly."

"I don't know what came over me. I couldn't control my strength. I was really angry at him," Benedict admitted, a hint of frustration in his voice.

"You were thinking about Peony, right?" Timmy asked knowingly.

Benedict fell silent for a moment, then denied it, "Why should I think about her? I'm not thinking about her."

"Lies. I know you had a crush on her even back in high school," Timmy stated with a grin.

Benedict shook his head vehemently, "No, never. Me and a crush on her? Impossible! She's just our class's Miss Drama Queen, almost an inspiration. I don't mix inspiration with crushes."

"Feed yourself lies, my friend, but one day this denial will eat you up. I'm your best bro, and I can understand how you feel," Timmy teased.

Benedict couldn't resist playfully pulling Timmy's ear and leaning in to whisper, "Oh, really? You understand me so well?"

Timmy, looking somewhat alarmed, quickly pushed Benedict away, joking, "Hey, keep five feet distance. Stay away from me."

The office crowd near the elevator secretly enjoyed the exchange, murmuring to each other, "Kyaaa! It's them again. The CEO and The VP."

Timmy decided to have the last word, declaring, "I'm leaving this mad company! Do whatever you want to!"

But Benedict confidently responded, "I know you won't!"

"I'm filing my complaint to HR. Suit yourself."

~~~~

In the private elevator, as Benedict reflected on his unusual outburst earlier, he couldn't help but ponder, "Did I really have a crush on her?"

His thoughts drifted, and he found himself lost in memories of a simple, bright girl with a mid-length ponytail, wearing a white shirt and navy blue skirt, making funny faces at him.

A soft grin played on his lips as he whispered to himself, "Peony, why would I have a crush on you? You can be funny, bickering with me all the time, not trusting me, making faces at me, a complete enigma now as well. But a crush? No, no, I don't have a crush on you. You're my muse and nothing more..."