Chapter 7

 ~The Comfort~

~AT LOCATION~

For many hours now, they have been at the location filming different scenes. 

Many scenes have been filmed already, and the one they're currently filming is that of Cove and Mokee together which they have been on for almost an hour now but it's not going well due to one mistake or the other.

"I can make you happy!" Mokee, playing the role of Dal held Cove's hand who's also playing the role of Ron. 

"All you have to do is just to loo_ah!" Mokee fell to the ground as Cove suddenly flings her hand away harshly.

"Cut!"The director yelled.

"Cove, you have to let her finish her lines first before you shove her away. You're going ahead of the script"The director said.

"I'm sorry Director. I guess I was too hasty" Cove apologize for the umpteenth time.

That's how he has been making different kinds of mistakes ever since they began the scene.

"Alright, let's take it again." The director announced.

"Act 14: Scene 3, Retake 16!"

"Action!" The director says.

"I can make you happy!"She held his hand.

"All you have to do is just to look at me, come with me and I promise to save you uh?"Mokee said her lines.

Cove flings her hand away according to the script and glares at her. But instead of talking, he only glares.

"Cut!"The director says again.

"Cove what's wrong? You're supposed to say your lines" The director said.

"Oh, Sorry director. I suddenly forgot my lines there. What's wrong with me?" He rubs the back of his neck. Mokee stood up dusting himself.

The director sighs.

"Are you feeling okay?" He asked.

"I'm kinda tired. Can we take a rest?"Cove requested.

Mokee couldn't help scoffing.

"We'll take a five!"The director announced and everyone starts to disperse. Cove made to go and sit also but Mokee held his hand, pulling him away from there.

"Hey! What are you doing!"

AT A SECLUDED PLACE.

"I told you my hand is expensive right? How dare you grab me" Cove said after removing his hand from her grip.

"Is this fun for you? Are you having fun??" Mokee asked pained.

"What? Why are you giving me that look?"He feigns ignorance.

"Is this your way of getting back at me? Acting immature?? Are you that bored?? This may mean nothing to you but this is a long life dream of mine! It's once in a lifetime opportunity for me and I really wanna do well but, must you be a jerk every damn time?? You Top Stars may not know since you live in luxury but this is a golden opportunity my life depends on. But you're using your immaturity to ruin it. You're really annoying!!" She pushed his chest back.

"I've heard a lot about the nasty things you've done. How you use and dump ladies, playing with their feelings as if it's nothing. Ruining things when it's not going your way, you think having money is everything? You think you're that mighty just because you're a celeb! So people like us are nothing but just pebbles you can step on however you like!!" She lashed out.

"Then you should have never crossed your boundaries. How dare a lowlife b*tch like you act up. You should know your place!" He shot back.

"I only thought you lack love but you lack sense also. You're not as bad as people say, you're actually a lot worse. Much more worse!"

"Shut up! What do you know about me?"

"Money? Popularity! Good looks, it seems like you don't know but a man with manners and respect is the true definition of Handsome. You not only you lack that, your insides are so rotten that an abandoned cat is more better than you!"

"I told you to shut it!"

"I don't shut up, I grow up! And when I look at you, I throw up. So, you should be the one to introduce your upper lip to your lower lip sometimes to shut up because nothing good comes out from that mouth of yours but TRASH!!" She pushed him away and ran out of there.

Cove just stood there perplexed, balling his fists.

LATER.

"OKAY, LET'S CONTINUE SHOOTING!!"The director announced.

"Director, I just got a call that Cove left"The Ass.director said.

"What? Without informing me?"The Director said.

Mokee sighs out where she is.

"That fool, what do I expect..."

COVE'S HOUSE

Remembering how Mokee talked to him earlier, he threw the glass cup in his hand on the wall smashing it.

"Who aggravated Mr Top star now?"Orion said coming behind him.

"What are you doing here?"Cove ask with a bore tone

"I heard you ran away from set and came to check up on you. What happened?"Orion asked taking a sit beside him.

"Some nuisance stepped on my wrong toe"He replied.

"So, are you going to bite him?"Orion asked.

"I don't know. She's too infuriating" He says.

"Oh! It's a she. Who is she?"Orion quizzes.

"Monkey" He replied.

"Monke...you mean Mokee??"

"Why act so surprised? Hey, do you really have something going on with her?" Cove frowns.

"Not really but, don't do anything funny to her"

"Why? Cause she's your fan?"

"I told you she's special. She's exceptional and interesting"

"Why do you find her interesting? Is she a play or what?"

"Who knows, I'm trying to figure out what she is also."

"Don't you dare fall in love with her. If you do I'll crush you two!" Cove glared. Orion only snickers.

"Only time will tell. I told you, she's interesting"

"I can't really figure out what you're thinking...you're always so complicated. Whatever..." He rolled his eyes.

DAYS LATER.

"You don't really have to follow me here" Mokee said to Nana who followed her to set.

"I have nothing to do anyway"Nana replied looking around.

"Why don't you become my manager then?" Mokee suggest.

"Do you wanna die?" Nana grits.

"Sorry" Mokee mouths.

"Oh! It's him!" Nana grins on seeing Orion getting down from his car from a distance. She ran over to him.

"Na_" Mokee sighs, taking a step a figure double crossed her.

"Oh! It you" Mokee smiles.

"And it you" Jemma who double crossed her gave her a disdainful look.

"What's with that look? Do you hate me?" Mokee ask.

"I don't like you" Jemma replied.

"Wow, what a fate we have uh? In the movie you don't like me. In reality you don't like me either also, isn't it funny? I find it funny" She chuckles.

"Sure. You life is indeed funny to begin with. A wench like you becoming an actress?" Jemma scoffs. 

"What a joke..." She says.

"You...are envious of me right?" Mokee asked.

"Hey, what arrant nonsense. Do you know who I am? Why would I be jealous of a thing like you!"

"Because you're just a replacement to a thing like me. We both know the female lead belonged to me in the first place. If not for that jerk...anyway I don't have any ill feelings towards you so you can rest assured. And the slap, I won't hold it against you also. Let's just please, work well together okay?"

"Hey, I'm not in the same caliber as you! How dare you little thing_"

"You Top stars act as if you're some kind of deities. Why? Should I worship you uh?"

"You're really clueless aren't you? If you keep doing this then you will really get on my bad side. It'll take me nothing to ruin the likes of you"

"Then I might have to trouble you Miss Top star" Mokee bows slightly, giving her a smirk.

"What?"

"I'm in a foul mood so I may have upset you Miss Top star I hope you forgive me. Satisfied? Excuse me..." She made to leave but Jemma put her leg on the way tripping her. She would have fell if not for Cove who held her back by her waist at that particular moment. He held her in his arms and they both stare at each other until he suddenly felt a sharp pain at his side. Mokee pinched him.

"Ow!" He let her go immediately.

"What are you doing??" He yelled at her.

"I should be asking that, what do you think you're doing you pervert?" Mokee says.

"What?" He scoffs.

"What a great thing to say to someone who just saved your sorry ass from hitting the ground" He said. Mokee rolled her eyes.

"As if..." She mutters walking away.

"I can't believe the Director picked such a crude lady like her" Jemma said.

"Oh Hey, Jemma Hi" Cove greeted.

"It's been two months now Cove. I called several times but you didn't answered or return my calls" Jemma pouted.

"Sorry. I was busy" Cove replied.

Jemma links hands with him.

"Since we're in the same movie now we'll have more time to spend together. I'm happy" She smiles widely.

"Sure...I...I will see you later" He remove his hand from hers and walk away.

Mokee joined Nana and Orion where they're busy chatting by his car.

"You're looking radiant this morning Mokee" Orion compliment, mokee smiles.

"Don't go red on me again" He says.

"You should stop teasing me."Mokee says back blushing slightly.

Orion chuckles.

"Don't mean to interrupt your flirting but Orion, can I get your contact?"Nana stretch her phone towards him.

"Yeah. Sure..." He made to collect it but another hand did before he could.

"You can call me anytime. I'll surely try my best to take your call beauty" Cove said pressing his own number.

"Here" He give it back to her smiling.

"Who asked for your number d*ckhead!" Nana frowns.

"Oh, seems you didn't recognize me cause of the glasses" He remove the shades he was wearing.

"It's me. Cove Lee" He smiles back at her.

"So what? Cove Lee or Coven I don't give a f**k!" Nana snapped.

"Hey, you don't...Hey, monkey tell her about me" Cove taps mokee.

"Hey who wouldn't know a f**k ass like you, the almighty Cove, the Play star uh?"

"Play star?"

"A Top star playboy. Play star. That's what you are. Can you let me punch you just once?" Nana requested.

"Do you perhaps have a problem with me?" Cove asked.

"Of course I do. A very serious one. Look at me well, say you don't remember me?"

"Do I know you?"

"Of course you won't remember since there are many you've dated and dumped!" Nana seethes.

"Ahh..I must have dated you before!" Cove snaps his fingers together.

"So, are you proud of that?" 

"To think a beauty like you was part of my past. I am proud" He smiles proudly.

"This fre_"

"Nana stop" Mokee held Nana back.

"Nana?" Cove mutters.

"You're Nana? Like banana or bandana? Wow, does that mean a Monkey and Banana are friends" He laughs referring to Mokee and Nana.

"It's Rowena" Nana replied rather calmly.

"Ahh...Rowena"

"You remember now?"

"No, why? Why must I remember you? Did I loved you dearly when we were dating or I tattooed your name in any part of my body?" Cove asked

"You're really a big jerk, aren't you?" Nana spat. Cove shrugged.

"Hey, we dated for a few weeks and the next thing you broke up doing s£x without any legitimate reasons!" Nana said pained.

"Hey, why would you say that out" Mokee chided her.

Cove laughs out.

"During...during what? Wow, that means we had such a hot break up. It must be eventful" He laughs.

"Do you find this funny?" Nana asked hurtfully.

"Aren't we all?" He shrugs.

"Nana let's just go. It's no use talking to someone like him. Let's go" Mokee held Nana taking her away from there.

"Good bye Rowenda!!" Cove waves at them.

"It's Rowena" Orion corrected.

"Right. Rowena" He mutters with a smile.

"Are you having fun?" Orion asked.

"Why not? It's funny isn't it?" He says, Orion only shook his head leaving also.

"Hey! Wait for me!!" He follows suit.

~LATER THAT EVENING~

After that incident with Cove in the morning, Nana returned home canceling her plan of waiting for Mokee till she finishes shooting.

"Gosh! Why is it raining so much suddenly?" Mokee put her hand out in the rain.

"I don't have an umbrella, how do I get home?" She sighs.

* * *

"I'll get the car ready" Jemma's manager said to her.

"Be fast it's cold!" She snaps at him and the manager left.

While waiting, Cove came out and met her standing by the entrance.

"You haven't left?" He said to her.

"Ohh Cove..." She got closer to him.

"My car suddenly developed some fault and it's raining hard. Can I get a ride from you?" She blinks cutely.

Cove was about answering but then he saw Mokee leaving in the rain. His brows furrows.

"Cove?" Jemma called his attention.

"Oh. Yeah, do you have an umbrella with you?" He asked.

"Yes" Gladly, Jemma gave him her umbrella she was holding.

"I'll call my manager to pick you up. I have to go first. Bye" He said and before Jemma could say jack! He ran into the rain with the umbrella over his head.

"Where are you_ Cove!" She called but got no response.

Mokee who was running in the rain with her bag on her head stops when she suddenly felt something else stopping the rain from hitting her.

She gasps a little on looking up to see Cove smiling down at her.

"Why? Did you heart fluttered? Walking in the rain with no umbrella then a handsome man suddenly covers you with one. Just like those scenes in the drama." He said while she rolls her eyes.

"What is he saying..." She mutters leaving.

"Hey!" He runs to her.

"It's raining so much, you should just share this with me" He said walking by her side.

"I don't need your help"

"I insist. Don't you know you catching a cold is a great disadvantage to me. You won't be able to shoot tomorrow and I'll have to push back my schedules. I'm such a busy man, you shouldn't use your stubbornness to implicate me, should you?" He says.

"Do whatever you want then" She replied.

"But why are you here by this time, don't you have a manager to pick you up or a driver?"

"How can I afford that kind of luxury when I'm only struggling to make ends meet?"

"Well you're right. You're as poor as a church rat. It shows in your dressing and everything" He agreed while she gives him a bad stare.

"Stay close, will you? You're getting rained on"

"Then you prefer to get rained on instead?" 

"Of course not. This is not a movie where the guy get all drenched on just because he doesn't want the girl to get rained on. I won't be that stupid" He says.

"Right. There's no way the almighty Cove would do that."

"I'll only catch a cold if I do that and I can't risk it. I can't catch a cold because of you"

"I'll just catch the cold instead"

"No. You can't either. None of us can so instead..." He pulled her closer to himself.

"We should stay more close to avoid the rain."

"Back off" She glared 

"Do you want me to piggyback you then. That would be better..."

"You wouldn't dare"

He snickered.

"I'm not planning to either. You'll only damage my precious back.just stay closer" he pulled her closer.

"I don't want to..." She shrugs herself off.

"I'll carry you if you argue with me"

"Don't you dare!"

"Just kidding"

"Don't come close to me. This is okay"

"More close"

"No"

"A little closer"

"This close is enough"

"You have to stay glued to me..."

"Oh! Isn't that Cove? He left me for her!!" Jemma who saw them through the car window frowns as her car drove past them.

DAYS LATER.

"Readyyy...ACTION!!" The Director calls out.

"I can't leave him, No. I won't just because you want me to" Jemma, playing the role of Nari said to Mokee, playing the role of Dal.

Mokee hesitated a bit before giving Jemma a slap.

"CUT!" The Director said.

"Mokee, how about you try to concentrate on your role. You're taking too much time before responding" The director said to her.

"I'm sorry director. I'm sorry" Mokee makes a short bow then face Jemma who gave her a bad stare.

"Let's take it again!" The director says.

"ACT 23: SCENE 4, RETAKE 2!" 

"ACTION!"

"I can't leave him, No. I won't just because you want me to" They repeated the scene but instead of Mokee slapping her this time, Jemma, gave Mokee a resonating slap before she could.

The place went silent as shocks and gasps filled the place.

"CUT!" The director sprang up.

"Jemma, you weren't supposed to do that, She'll do the slapping not you!" The director corrected.

But instead of Jemma replying, she gave Mokee another resounding slap.

"Ah!" She wince touching her cheek.

Jemma removed her palm from her cheek and gave her a hot one which send her falling to the floor this time around.

"Ah!!" Mokee groans on her floor, her cheek reddened already.

"Somebody stop her! Jemma what do you think you're doing!" The director yelled.

Jemma however squatted before Mokee, using a finger of hers to raise her chin up.

"Does it hurts?" She asked.

"That's how you do it. Hit really hard with a lot of spite, that way you'll get the role right and we'll be done with the scene quick. When you're acting, you act with all your might, Put yourself totally into the character you're acting and act properly like it. Once the director calls Action, you're no more Mokee, you become Dal, so do as Dal would have and stopped being a weakling. Alright?" Jemma said to her. 

Without waiting for her reply, she stood up.

"I'm sorry director. Her force was being too weak. When she slapped me I felt nothing. It was too light and I feel like she isn't doing it right enough so I thought I needed to teach her exactly what to do. I'm sure she has gotten it now she should be able to do it right. I must have scare you all. I'm sorry" She bows slightly.

"Ohh. That was it. You should have given us heads up. You got us startled for a while. Mokee, you just got your first lesson from a senior, I hope you learn from it. Let's take a short break, we'll continue after five minutes" The director announced.

Jemma smiles while mokee stood up still holding her cheek.

"Oh, that looks so red, does it hurts, let me see" Jemma tries checking her cheek but Mokee walks away from her. Jemma smirks.

"It feels good to be on set...I feel good" She snickers 

"Monkey..." Cove calls by the entrance but Mokee runs past him not answering.

"Wait, monkey!" He ran after her.

AT A CORNER.

"Where did she go...she was just here..." Cove mumbles looking around for Mokee.

"She should be around here..." He was still looking for her when he heard some sniffing.

Suspecting it to be her, he traced the sound and then met her crouching at a corner, crying.

Her knees cropped up with her head buried in it.

"Hey Monkey!" He rushed over to her, squatting in front of her.

"Monkey..." He calls again but she didn't answer him.

He tries lifting her head up but she didn't allow him.

"Go away..." Her voice came out muffled.

"Are you crying?" He asked trying to see her face.

"I'm not, just go away" She made to push him but he held her face.

"Lift your head up Mokee, let me see your face" He says but she refused.

"Come on, it doesn't matter if you're crying or not. Just let me see your face....please" He added and slowly, she succumbs. He raises her head up, her hair was all over her face, hiding it.

Slowly, he pushes her hair aside and her wet face came into view including her redden cheek.

She kept her gaze down so, he couldn't see her eyes.

"Look at me" He says but she refuses again.

"Come on Mokee, look at me" He says loftly and slowly she brought up her gaze up to his.

Sniffing in, as her red eyes met his.

"Oh, dear..." He exclaims softly, pulling her into his arms.

His arms engulf her, and her head rested on his shoulder.