283: Perception

Perception

"Mhm…" Paula's brows creased, moving her head sideways. Her eyes were still shut, moaning at the trickling liquid down her face.  0

"Mhm…"

When she felt slowly suffocated, as if drowning, Paula suddenly sprung up from the bed, gasping for air. Her mouth was wide open, eyes shaking in confusion. 

"What…" she touched her face, realizing it was drenched with water. 

Catching a figure from the corner of her eyes, she turned her head, only to see Heaven putting down an empty glass of water on the bedside table.

"Heaven!" shouted Paula as realization sank in. "Did you just pour water on me while I'm sleeping?!" 

"Yea." Heaven didn't deny, folding her arms under her chest. "Paula Shen, have you gone crazy?"

"Huh?! Hah! Heaven, shouldn't I be the one asking?! Have you gone crazy? How dare you splash water on someone sleeping?"

"You are in the set, Paula," Heaven stressed each syllable, making Paula's breath hitch. "I tried waking you up, even turning off the air conditioning as you can see, but you won't wake up. I thought you were dead since you weren't moving, so I didn't have a choice."

Paula processed her remarks, looking around the room. "Right." she calmed down upon realizing she was in the presidential suite and not in her place. 

"Goodness." Heaven clicked her tongue, eyes on the drenched lady on the bed. "Paula, what is wrong with you, hmm? Do you know that Director Guan is reconsidering retaking all your scenes with another artist?"

"What?!"

"I know." A sigh escaped Heaven's as she marched toward the bed, sitting on the edge. "However, I can't blame Director Guan. You've been slacking and even now, instead of rehearsing your scenes and memorizing your lines, you were sleeping."

Heaven waited for Paula to face her before she continued. "I had to beg and argue with Director Guan so he doesn't make rush decisions. Still, I can't change his mind anymore if you keep slacking."

Paula studied Heaven's countenance, a little doubtful of Heaven's remarks. However, considering Director Guan favored Heaven, what the latter said was possible. 

'Is he planning to replace me with her?'her brain panicked, putting a frown on her face. 

"Paula, you're not like this." Before Paula could say anything she might regret, Heaven spoke again. "I know you, and I know how you value this project. This is not how you work. Is there something wrong? Are you pregnant?"

"What?!" Paula gasped, almost shouting at Heaven. "What nonsense are you talking about now, Heaven?! Do you know what will happen if someone else heard you? Are you crazy?"

"I'm sorry, but it's just strange." Heaven shrugged, hands on either side of her. "You sleep like a log, which is strange since you were always a light sleeper. So, I was just..."

"That's stupid!" Paula clicked her tongue, frowning. "How can I get pregnant? Also, I'm not dumb to get pregnant just after a night of passion with a man I just met recently."

Silence instantly fell in the room after Paula's remarks. 

"Have you... always think of me as dumb, Paula?" asked Heaven after an entire minute of profound silence, making Paula realize what she had just said. "I got pregnant after a one-night stand, after all."

"Heaven." Paula panicked, reaching for Heaven's hand in a hurry. "That's not what I meant — that's not true! I just woke up, so I wasn't thinking straight."

The frown on Heaven's face remained, but she didn't retrieve her hand from her.

"I'm sorry, okay? I wasn't careful in my words, but that's not what I really mean. It's just that your question is surprising, and I just woke up, so I reacted like that." Paula forced a smile, squeezing Heaven's hand mildly. "Please, don't get angry anymore."

"Then, what's wrong?" Heaven asked, still frowning. "If you're not pregnant, why is it that you seemed very tired? It's affecting your career. Or were you just complacent that the production won't take you out just because Zyon Network is the biggest investor in the film?"

"Huh?" Paula blinked, mouth falling open. "Heaven, how did you —"

"I heard from Director Guan."

"What?! Is he talking about the artists behind their backs now?"

"Does it really matter?" Heaven cocked her head to the side. "I don't mind, really. After all, you're my best friend. So, it's only natural that my husband's company will back up my best friend. Still, if you keep this up, it might put the Zyon Network in a tight position. I can't help you if the company decides to terminate their deal with you."

Paula went completely silent, looking at the worried expression plastered on Heaven's face. But alas, she couldn't see the concern in Heaven's. If anything, her mind twisted the latter's intention as if Heaven was telling her Paula wouldn't get the role without "Heaven's" help.

As if. 

'This vixen… just how long does she think she can keep me under her? Hah! I can take everything she is gloating about if I wanted to,' Paula mentally hissed, secretly grinding her teeth. 'Dominic likes me and that's why he helped me. Why does she have to make it sound like it was because of her? Hah! If only she knows how her husband gave countless signals and that I just ignored it because of her, she would be worshiping me!'

If only Heaven could read how twisted Paula's thoughts were, she would be clapping and wowing. 

"I'm sorry, Heaven." In contrast to her twisted thoughts, Paula sighed. She held her head and massaged her brows. "It's just that I feel very tired sometimes, and then too energetic. It's messing up with my mood."

"Should I recommend a doctor?"

"No!" Heaven flinched slightly, making Paula clear her throat. "I mean, there's no need for that. It's probably just stress taking its toll on me. After all, I barely get rest since the filming started."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes." Paula smiled widely. "Don't worry and thank you for waking me up. I'll stretch and prepare for my scenes."

"Alright." Heaven rocked her head before she clapped. "Right. Assistant Lyn went to have a day off."

"What?"

"Well, she was sick. So I told her to take a day off."

"Heaven, I can understand that you pour water on me to wake me up, but you don't have the right to give my staff a day off."

"I know, but you were sleeping, and she's very sick." Heaven pouted. "I won't do it again. Sorry." — not sorry.

Paula pressed her lips into a thin line but didn't want to drag this out anymore. Therefore, she just nodded and told Heaven not to make noises so she could concentrate. Meanwhile, Heaven stayed on the corner armchair and watched Paula and her team get ready. 

pqdm.com