111: [Bonus chapter]Helping out

[Bonus chapter]Helping out

From a bystander's perspective, Heaven, Paula, and Leo were just friends having a good time. They were chatting, laughing, and teasing from time to time. At this point, without thinking of Paula's wicked ulterior motives, Heaven almost believed she got to have real friends.0

"Please, let's not talk about that. It's very embarrassing." Heaven shook her head as the two teased him about something in the past. In the past where she was very active in the entertainment scene. "How about we talk about something more recent? For instance, your project together!"

"You heard we're going to have a project together?"

"I slipped." Leo raised his hands. "I was so excited to see Heaven that I told her about the film."

"Paula, I understand why you didn't mention it to me. But why do you sound like you don't trust me?" Heaven frowned, using this opportunity to make herself look extra innocent and friendly. The more Paula believe Heaven was an unsuspecting fool, the deeper her grave would be.

"I know not a word should be out until the official announcement," continued Heaven, sighing. "But I'll keep my mouth shut. You know me."

Paula chuckled awkwardly. "It's not that I don't trust you. Of course, I know you won't spill this information anywhere. But I was a bit surprised since the preparations are still underway. You know the industry. It's hard to speak in public before anything else."

"It's fine," Leo chimed in. "It was my fault since I was the one who told her."

"Hehe. Anyway, speaking of this current project, weren't you supposed to practice your chemistry?" Heaven rubbed her chin, darting her eyes between Paula and Leo. "To be honest, you two don't look bad together. It's just that… how do I say it?"

"We don't look like we are suited to be lovers?" Leo guessed with a smile while Paula's smile lines faded. "That's why we're working things out."

Leo's focus immediately went into work mode, considering the purpose of this meeting. "Even Director Guan pointed out that problem."

"Well." Paula forced a smile, shrugging. "They told us we looked better as friends."

That was true.

Looking at the two of them, Heaven was no expert, but she could tell they had no chemistry. Leo and Paula were both good-looking. However, they just didn't have that spark. Now that Paula mentioned it, Heaven realized what Paula said was true. 

They looked better as friends. After all, they had been chatting since half an hour ago, so she observed them enough. 

"Can you two sit closer together?" Heaven suggested innocently. "I've been away from the industry, but I hope my little knowledge can help a bit."

Huh?

Paula held her breath while Leo thought about Heaven's suggestion. This was work, after all. Therefore, Leo didn't think much about it. It didn't matter to Paula as well, since she would be doing sexy scenes with Leo, but why did Heaven look as if her suggestion didn't bother her?

  'Well, probably, because it's work,' Paula told herself, telling herself not to think much about it. 'No matter how dumb she was, I have to admit, work is work.'

No matter how Paula twist her beliefs, Heaven's passion for acting was something one couldn't deny. Even if she was on an indefinite hiatus, it was better to have someone else see their chemistry from another perspective.

With that thought in mind, Leo dragged his seat closer to Paula. The two of them smiled at each other, not minding the close distance between them. 

"Hmm…" Heaven rubbed her chin, narrowing her eyes. "That's not good."

"What's not good?" Leo asked, facing Heaven's direction.

"How you two smiled at each other," Heaven pointed out, folding her arms underneath her chest. "It's the way you two look at each other. That's the problem. Even if you two are that close, your smiles are too polite."

"What are you spewing now?" Paula frowned. "Don't nitpick, Heaven –"

"I'm not nitpicking on you," Heaven cut her off mid-sentence. "All I'm saying is if you are thinking of working in your chemistry, you should breathe and think like the characters you'd be playing. Isn't that the reason you guys met today? To resolve the problem?"

Heaven took a deliberate pause, cocking her head to the side. "When Senior Wu moved his chair closer, you should've at least blushed. Your smile shouldn't be that wide – act like he is your crush. Someone you liked deeply."

"You have to believe you guys like each other with or without the camera," she continued. "Your eyes are the only thing you can use to resolve this problem, after all."

Hearing Heaven's comments, Leo couldn't help but smile. Seeing and listening to her brought him back to those times Heaven was still in the industry. Heaven was like this back then. She was strict and took her character very seriously. 

That was why… sometimes, he thought, their thing back then was because Heaven was in character. Did she like him genuinely as Heaven Liu? Or did she like him as her character in the film? Myriads of unanswered questions resurfaced in his mind, but Leo chose to keep them to himself for now. 

"Pretend — no. Act like a couple and I'd be the third wheel," Heaven suggested innocently, smiling at the two brightly. "How about that?"

"I don't mind." Leo nodded, facing Paula. "Is that alright with you, Miss Shen?"

"Well, of course." Paula let out a short laugh. "How can I refuse? We only have one goal in this meeting, and that is to fix this chemistry. I don't want to disappoint Director Guan."

"The feeling is mutual." Leo's lips stretched even wider, maintaining his gaze on Paula. "Don't worry. We'll be fine."

Paula almost flinched when Leo suddenly patted her head. Her eyes shook a little, studying the affection in his eyes. Even as an actress, she was waiting for the go signal. However, Leo started even without prior notice. 

She bit her inner lower lip, lowering her head. This wasn't acting. Her cheek slightly turned pinkish, a little flattered at how she appeared in his eyes. Right now, Paula felt like she was the only woman in Leo's eyes and it was flattering in every meaning of the word. 

'Dumb fucking fool.' Heaven bit her tongue, telling herself to stop cursing in her head. 'Even without Heaven's memories' help, I think I can distinguish between acting and reality. Well, I can't blame her.'

She shifted her eyes to Leo. 'He's a heartthrob and getting even the slightest attention from him is flattering. It's not Paula's fault she is incompetent. He was just undeniably good in his craft and a convincing actor.'

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