221: [Bonus chapter]Drawing lines

[Bonus chapter]Drawing lines

"Excellent work!"  0

Everyone clapped as soon as Director Guan yelled, "Cut!" The scene Heaven had done was phenomenal and once again, proved she was still that award-winning actress they once knew. 

"Good work, Heaven!" Director Guan praised as Heaven approached him, showing her a thumbs up. "Your expressions are on point. Take a look."

Heaven bent slightly over to watch the scene with Director Guan. The corner of her lips curled up in satisfaction, casting Director Guan a look. 

"The angle is good," she said, making the director laugh. 

"Of course!"

Director Guan boasted about everything he could broach but mostly praised Heaven for her great acting. Even though she gave everyone a hard time in the beginning, the results were worth it. Thanks to her suggestions.

Seeing how the director was in a great mood, the atmosphere in the set was much lighter than the previous days. Surely, Heaven had an effect on the set which people only realized now. Even Leo seemed a lot more approachable, unlike his irritable air over the past several days. 

"Anyway, keep up the good work." Director Guan showed Heaven another thumbs up. "We can move on to your scene later with Paula."

After praising Heaven to the high heavens, Director Guan discussed the next scene with her. Heaven listened attentively, as this would be her last scene for the day. 

"You can rest for a while." Director Guan smiled warmly. "We'll shoot the action scene first with the stuntmen. Though I will need you to stay around so you can study their movements."

"Yes, Director Guan."

"Go. You make me proud, gurl." Director Guan tapped her shoulder, warranting a subtle smile from her. 

With that being said, Heaven and Director Guan parted ways. Director Guan had to help with the set and production while Heaven planned to rest for a while. She had been here since early in the morning, leaving Sebastian in Axel's care. 

"Hey."

Heaven snapped her eyes to the side as Leo jogged his way to walk her. "You're still here?"

"Why? Did you think I'd ditch the set today?" he humored, handing her another bottle of water. "Are you going back to Paula's tent?"

"Huh?"

"Aren't you sharing a tent with her?" 

"Right." Heaven smacked her lips as she looked ahead. "Well, I didn't want to disturb her. So I just thought I'd rest somewhere else."

"You can use mine." 

As soon as Leo offered from the goodness of his heart, her steps halted. Heaven turned and faced him, tilting her head to the side.

Seeing her reaction, Leo innocently raised his brows. "I mean, I won't be there, anyway. So, you might as well use it so no one can disturb you."

'This guy…' Heaven sighed faintly, studying his innocent face. 'Should I tell him to scram? Or keep him around for now? Which one?'

Initially, Leo was just kind and considerate. Even though Heaven knew, this guy hadn't moved on from the original Heaven and probably hoped to rekindle their romance. Leo wasn't really pushy. However, even a blind person could see that he was giving her special treatment. Despite the fact that he knew she was married, it seemed it didn't deter him from pursuing her. 

'I wonder what Paula told this guy to make him think he can go up against Dominic,' she wondered to herself. Her silence made Leo furrow his brows as she was just staring at him.

"I'm just offering, but if you don't want or are not comfortable in it —"

"I'm not comfortable with the idea," Heaven cut him mid-sentence as she tried to speak her mind without hurting him that much. "Senior Wu, I owe you for inviting me to this project. However, people are noticing how you treat me differently. I don't want them to misunderstand you."

"There's nothing to misunderstand, Heaven." Leo frowned slightly. "If that is what they think, then they're not wrong. I'm giving you special treatments, and that is true."

"But you know I'm with someone."

"I know." His expression slowly disappeared, giving her this conflicted look. "But still, I want to be friends. Is it bad to be kind to your friend?"

'Uh, no. But you don't see me as just your friend.' Heaven bit her tongue to herself from slapping him with some truths he had denied. 'I feel bad for him, somehow.'

"Senior Wu, don't make your life complicated. I'm saying this for your sake. I know we had a past, but I don't live in the past anymore." Heaven sighed, still trying her best not to hurt his feelings, but couldn't think of another way how. "I'm grateful that you genuinely care for me, but I would appreciate it more if you treat me just like how you treat others."

Heaven took a step back and slightly lowered her head. "I'll see you around."

With that being said, Heaven turned on her heel to walk away. She should create a bit of distance from him even after drawing the line. After all, she already used him for getting into this production. Heaven didn't plan on exploiting this poor angel more than she already did and implicating him in a disaster. 

"Why?" her steps halted when Leo spoke. "Why would my life be complicated if I stick around?"

Huh? Wasn't that obvious?

Heaven turned around to look at him. Much to her dismay, Leo already stormed towards her and suddenly grabbed her arm. 

"Heaven, I can risk my career," he said under his breath. "Just tell me and I will."

"Senior Wu, what are you saying?"

"You're not like this before." His eyes swirled with worry as if silently telling her she could be open to him. "Did he tell you to stay away from me? Paula told me everything, Heaven. So, it's okay. I understand."

Heaven blinked before she slowly pulled her arm away from him. She only focused on one thing he said and then ignored the rest. 

"Senior Wu," she frowned, facing him squarely. Shaking her head, she uttered, "What made you think my husband know you?"

Huh?

"I don't know what Paula told you, but I think you misunderstood. I am drawing the line because I want to, not because I was told to." She took a step back, pointing down a finger as she drew an invisible line between them. "This line… Please don't cross it. Unless you don't want to be friends anymore. I'll talk to Paula so she can clarify whatever misunderstanding she told you."

With that being said, Heaven left without looking back. Meanwhile, Leo stood in the same spot while staring at her back. 

"Are you..." he whispered, unable to hide the pain in his eyes. "... that afraid of Dominic Zhu?"

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