CHAPTER 8 - RAGE

I was still feeling weak the following day, but it didn't seem like my uterus was going to burst out anymore.

"How are you doing, kid?"

Nathaniel inquired as I approached them and sat on the unoccupied chair beside him. I observed the grown man scribbling on the manuscript and ran my eyes over it. The cinematographer, Varun, was also seated next to us, and he offered me a smile, which I returned politely.

"Better. Are there any changes?"

I asked, my gaze fixed on the paper.

"Naah. I would not alter your work without your consent. I was just jotting down the sequence of the scenes to be covered this week. The sun may set sooner today, and Varun is quite particular about proper lighting."

I understood what he was implying. The quality of a film mostly depends on how it is captured in the frame. In the pre-production meeting, I emphasized Varun's name for this exact reason. I watched a few of his Indian movies, and I thought he was really underrated. As per Varun's suggestion, we decided to shoot all the crucial parts today and put off the rest until tomorrow.

........

"Cut! Short break."

When the Assistant Director yelled, everyone relaxed instantly and broke into audible conversations. However, the actors' flirtation still continued, and I smiled and shook my head. It was a fight scene between Kim's character and the protagonist's best friend. I believe her name was Aisha. They broke into laughter once the clapboard sound echoed, and Kim whispered something to her, which made the young girl blush profusely. Somehow, I was relieved that he gave up on me.

Speaking of which, where was Eugene? I brought the container he gave me yesterday to return to him and to see him, even though I would never openly admit it. He was nowhere to be found on the set, so I excused myself from Nathaniel's side and went for a stroll around.

Several cameras were filming the actors and the crew, and these footages would be broadcasted throughout the film's promotion period. They didn't have to act because the majority of them were genuinely hilarious. Although I didn't know everyone, I was growing to enjoy this team, although there were still some people who I believed had a hateful attitude. But who was I to make judgments when I constantly wore a poker face?

I was heading towards the VFX tent with a mug of espresso in my hand when I noticed the familiar shoulder of a certain tall guy. Upon seeing him, something heavy settled on my tummy, and I swallowed the coffee hastily. God, I was really behaving like a silly teenager.

As I neared him, I realized he was collecting some documents from a man I assumed was the special effects supervisor. I made no noise as I approached the tent and waited behind it. However, the fluttering fabric obscured me from their view.

"But I spent three hours typing this."

Eugene tried to remain as polite as possible, but his despair was apparent even through his voice.

The bald fellow shook his head as though he were the one offended.

"I know. But how was I to know they had modified the content? Eugene, please. I would have done it myself if it hadn't been for my sick wife. I have no one else to help me."

I expected Eugene to refuse the work, but the idiot shifted his legs clumsily while scratching his head and then accepted the paperwork from the supervisor, whom I suddenly found disagreeable. It took me so much self-control to stop myself from interrupting them and teaching the short man some vocabulary. Eugene had nothing to do with his wife's illness. He wasn't even in the same department, for heaven's sake. Is it really that difficult for him to say no?

"Thank you so much, Eugene. You are a lifesaver."

Lifesaver, my ass! Eugene gave him a feeble smile before arranging the papers and going into the subsequent tent, where I figured there would be more computers.

I remained still, staring at his recovering form, until I sensed another pair of footsteps from within the tent. A woman with black-rimmed spectacles emerged from inside and struck the bald head harshly.

"You tricked that poor boy again, didn't you?"

She was an elderly lady who appeared to be genuinely dissatisfied.

"Oh, please. He is young and energetic. It won't hurt him to put in some more hours."

I was about to throw the hot drink on his stupid face if it weren't for my common sense. Bastard!

"Wait till he tells someone."

Or you can wait till I bust your a$$.

The arrogant man shook his head and chuckled, his eyes flashing with confidence.

"Eugene isn't that type of person. He never betrays trust."

He won't, but I will.

.......

I didn't know why I was getting so worked up, but I was damn pissed. I called the VD/ Visual Effects Director and requested that she provide me with a preliminary description of the next scene along with the person in charge of it. A bit confused, the woman nodded her head before walking away.

Hours passed, and as they did, my irritation level rose. I kept checking my watch, and when I finally spotted the bald man, whose name was John, coming my way quickly, it was almost time to wrap up.

He greeted me politely, but I was in no mood. I snatched the papers from him, and the fact that Eugene had typed them all kept racing through my head.

"John, right?"

I asked, not taking my eyes off the papers. I might hit him if I see his wicked face.

"Yes, ma'am."

He sounded pretty shocked. He must have thought I didn't know his name.

"Say John, are you married?"

I queried, my gaze traveling to his ring-less finger. He paused for a few seconds, most likely in uncertainty, before responding.

"I am divorced, ma'am."

I clutched the papers so hard that they nearly ripped. I released a trembling breath, unable to hold back my rage.

"But I thought your wife was sick. Isn't that why you asked another person to do your job?"

As I looked at him squarely, I saw panic in his eyes. I was too angry to beat around the bush and eventually break out the topic. Shit, I even thought of firing him with a terrible recommendation letter. John said something, but it was incoherent since he continued to stammer.

"Mr. John Rodriguez, this is your first and last warning. Either do your own work or resign. I am not going to put up with this any longer. Everything will be retyped and delivered to me by tomorrow morning. If you fail, you will be fired. Understand?"

I was fuming on the inside, even though my words came out crisp and collected. I desperately wanted to smash his skull.

"I am sorry. I am really sorry."

He began to apologize, but I was unmoved.

"If you are sorry, then treat your fellow employees with respect and don't take advantage of them. Now, leave."

I didn't want to see his face again. John leaned down to take the papers from my grasp, but I swiftly moved them away.

"I will keep it."

He nodded and was ready to leave when I stopped him.

"I believe you will not mention this conversation to Eugene. And don't go venting your anger at him because he isn't the one who betrayed you. You won't even give him a rude look. Do you get me?"

That was a pretty scary warning from me, and I could tell by the widening of his small eyes that he realized how serious I was.

"Certainly, ma'am. I am not going to say anything to him. He's like a brother to me."

I nearly scoffed at his statement and motioned for him to leave. I have had enough. To calm myself, I kept my eyes closed and began counting to twenty.

"Is that a love letter or something? You appear to be holding it for dear life."

When I turned to look at what Kim was speaking about, my hands suddenly slipped the papers I was hugging tight to my body, causing them to spill all over the place.

"Shit."

I cursed and knelt down to gather them back. Kim also assisted me, and when we were convinced there was none left on the ground, he handed it all to me. He studied the pages quickly and smiled sympathetically at me.

"You are a true workaholic. I am glad I didn't wait for you."

I just smiled in return. He had no idea.

"So, Aisha, ha?"

I asked, wiggling my eyebrows. My thoughts were racing over how strangely I was acting when it came to Eugene, and I wanted a diversion. I never stood up for anyone or intervened in other people's affairs. In fact, I have witnessed many people abuse their position and delegate their responsibilities to their juniors, but I have never been so enraged with them like this before. So, what has changed now? Why do I still want to chase John down and kick him where the sun doesn't shine? And why the hell was I saving these papers?

Kim lifted his brows and grinned at me.

"Why? Jealous?"

I laughed out loud, as if that were the most amusing thing I had heard all day. And it was. Jealousy was never one of my greatest traits. When my ex-boyfriend kissed his best friend in front of me as a dare, I wasn't even upset. I accepted it in the spirit of a true sportsman. However, he was furious and ended our relationship, claiming that I was a living robot without any emotions. He is currently married to that very best friend and has two kids. Surprisingly, I feel happy for them.

"Ouch, that hurts."

Kim put his hand over his chest and feigned to be hurt. Kim was someone I might call an acquaintance or even a friend when he wasn't flirting.

"I heard we're changing the location tomorrow."

I nodded, placing the documents on another chair and a paperweight on top of them. When I go home, I will have to figure out what to do with them.

"Hmm... I heard there's a hanging bridge nearby. The filming was supposed to take place inside a dark chamber, but I feel the bridge would be a better setting."

He agreed with me and offered a few of his personal suggestions. Everything unfolded in my thoughts while writing books, and I was the only one who contributed. But when it came to films and music videos, things were different. Everyone was engrossed in their own roles, and fresh ideas and thoughts always popped up, which were welcome. The performers improvised their lines or scenarios on the spot and even did unscripted acts, which generally worked out well.

We conversed for the remainder of the hour while some panoramic videography was being taken. I was exhausted by the time I got home and had a long bath. I didn't see Eugene that day, but I still had the food container, which was a blessing in disguise. I could use it as an excuse to meet him tomorrow.

The final thought in my head before going to sleep was, why the heck did I store those papers amongst my other important documents??

.......