The Policeman

A loud interruption shattered the silence in Zee's room.

His phone rang insistently, the familiar sound of his friend's calls signaling the start of yet another day. This was their constant routine whenever he needed to wake up at an early hour.

It's 6 a.m., November 2nd today. Zee needs to be on set at 7 a.m. They have already filmed the other half of the series, and their shooting is expected to finish within six months.

"Mmmmh?" He mumbled as he answered the phone, still half-asleep.

"You need to get up now," Jen said. She's in the driver's seat, starting the engine of the van. "I'll be there in 30 minutes, and I have something to tell you later."

"What is it about?" Zee asked as he shrugged off his thick blanket. "Am I going viral again today?"

"You really enjoy being a viral sensation, don't you?" Jen smirked. "Hold on, someone's calling me."

"Why do –" He was cut off before he could say something. He shrugged and just focused on making his bed.

Even though he's earning a lot, he still manages to clean his own room. He'll organize his things before starting his day.

As he folds his blanket, a silver ring falls off. It's not his, but he knows whose ring it is. He swallowed hard as he placed the ring on the table in the living area.

Taking a shower and getting ready was the next thing he did. He usually wears matching casual pants, a simple black shirt, and dark green running shoes. Wearing a cap and shades is also his style when he leaves his house.

One of his favorite bags that he still uses is a small white bag. It has his initial on it, a big letter Z. It was given to him by a fan when he made his debut.

Putting on some makeup is not like him. He preferred to go out with just sunscreen on his face. It helps him stay moisturized and makes him look elegant even barefaced.

He looks at himself in the mirror. His thoughts wandered. He remembered a woman in a basement crying intensely.

He is starting to breathe in, breathe out. He does this whenever he wants to forget something.

"Let's focus on work, Zee." He said to himself while smiling forcefully, followed by a sigh.

By the time he got out of his bedroom, his friend had arrived with a box of sandwiches she had bought on the way. Jen let herself in the house and asked Zee to eat together. She always buys their breakfast outside so they can eat faster and be on time.

"Let's eat, hurry!" Jen said as she placed the box on the dining table. She quickly opened it and got a piece of bread.

"Why did you cut me off earlier?" Zee asked while getting a piece of sandwich.

"You're brother called earlier."

"What did you guys talked about?"

"He hung up before I could say hello," Jen replied. "I tried to call him again, but he did not pick up."

"He didn't even sent a text?"

"No, is something wrong?"

Before Zee could take another bite, the doorbell rang.

"Are you expecting someone?" Jen asked while chewing the sandwich.

"No, I don't," he said, putting the sandwich down. He walked to the peephole to see who was at the door.

By surprise, it was his brother, Chared. He excitedly opened the door and welcomed him with joy. "Long time no see, have you–"

"Was it you again?" Chared said as the door opened, looking stern. He's wearing a white shirt, a denim jacket, and black pants.

Zee was startled and wondered if he already knew what he had done.

Chared is a police officer with a well-defined face featuring sharp facial features. He boasts prominent cheekbones and a strong jawline, which add to his charm. His eyes typically exhibit shades of brown, ranging from medium to dark. His face is highly expressive, capable of conveying strictness and seriousness in his expression.

As he gazed intently, his eyes seemed to hold everything he wanted to express and ask. Just then, his gaze fixed upon the ring situated on his table, near the sofa.

With deliberate strides, he reached for the ring and carefully wrapped it in his handkerchief.

"I already told you, didn't I?" He uttered as he turned to him without meeting his eyes. "Don't interfere with this town. Take your curse elsewhere."

Chared pocketed his handkerchief before departing.

Zee did not utter a word. He's in complete silence, staring blankly.

Jen closed the door and asked him to sit down first. She knew everything Chared was referring to.

This encounter is not new to them.

"Are you okay?" Jen asked worriedly.

"Of course," Zee replied, as if he had recovered quickly from what happened. "We'll be late, let's go."

Jen agreed, and they began to clean their dining table and prepare their things to head out to the shooting location.

It took 3 hours for them to arrive at the shooting place. The place has an expansive open area near the shore. The setting is perfect for their current scene. The scene revolves around the main character, who will visit a friend near the shore.

When they got off the van, Zee headed inside the tent, where the staff and the director were having a discussion.

The tent is big and can accommodate the whole staff. It provides ample room for actors, crew members, and equipment. The entrance is partially open, so you can see a bit of the busy scene inside. Nearby the entrance are the folding chairs, camera, and other equipment that are neatly arranged.

"Good morning, everyone," he gracefully greeted the team. "Director, can I ask a question?"

"Of course," the director said, welcoming him and asking him to sit down. "What is it?"

Zee enjoys conversing with the people on set. He often thinks of questions to ask the director and staff, as this is his way of engaging happily and maintaining healthy relationships with them. He likes to be friendly, engage in conversation, and add humor while on set.

Meanwhile, Jen is still in the van preparing Zee's outfit for today's shoot. Just as she's about to head inside the tent, she receives a call from Chared.

"Yes, hello?" she answers.

"The police will be asking him to testify tomorrow morning." Chared quickly said. "A bracelet was left at the scene, and they already know it's his," he then ended the call.