223: Primo

Primo

Paula's and Heaven's scene wasn't much. Heaven didn't pull off anything just so they could finish it quickly. However, even with that, Paula had a hard time. Fortunately, they didn't have to waste so much time, just like how Leo wasted everyone's time on the first day.  1

Heaven's original plan was to leave immediately after her last scene for the day. However, her curiosity triumphed. Therefore, she stayed longer, idling, listening to Director Guan's faint shouts from the studio as the filming continued. 

[To: Hubby <3

Baby, I might be late today. Paula invited me for dinner. I can't refuse her offer, so I'll tag along for a bit. Don't worry. I won't stay for too long. Xoxo! Mwah!]

Heaven quickly tapped send, smiling in satisfaction. From the past weeks, she learned to message Dominic beforehand so as not to worry him. 

"She's taking so long," she whistled, looking around the back door of the building where they filmed parts of the movie. "She should've finished her scene by this time."

It hadn't been long since Heaven bid the production farewell, only to idle in the back door. She leaned against the wall, waiting for anyone to show up in the parking space. Not long after, she caught a red sedan driving in the driveway before the back door not far away from Heaven opened. 

'Paula,' Heaven thought, arching a brow as she glanced behind Paula. 

Paula was always with her team anywhere she would go. That is why it was a bit strange to see her leaving the back door all alone. 

'Well. I guess this is normal for celebrities if they want to keep their private life private.' Heaven peeled her back from the wall, strutting her way to Paula as the latter approached the red sedan. 

Paula was smiling from ear to ear even though Heaven was walking from the distance and could see how elated she was. It was as if Director Guan didn't scold her harshly. She was still carrying the flower from the "friend" she called.

As Heaven approached, she caught the backseat door opening up. Her steps slowed down, furrowing her brows as she watched a man step out of the vehicle. Heaven studied the man from head to toe; the man was quite tall and lean, donning a flashy striped slim fit that made him appealing at first sight. 

'No wonder she was smiling like that,' thought Heaven, admitting this man's appeal was quite strong. However, after being with Dominic for quite some time now and being able to taste every part of him, this man's effect wasn't as strong as it was supposed to be. 

"Have you been waiting for me?" asked Paula sweetly, making Heaven scrunch her nose up in dismay. 

Why was she baby-talking?

"I just arrived — just in time, so you don't have to wait." The man smiled charmingly, making Paula blush slightly. "I came here straight from the airport, so I'm a bit… untidy. Please bear with me."

"It's alright," Paula chuckled. "You're still handsome, anyway."

"Oh, Miss Shen." The man chuckled, scratching his temple with his pinky. "Anyway, let me help you with those. I rented a restaurant near the area."

"You…" Paula pressed her lips into a thin line, hugging the bouquet while the man offered help to carry her bag. 

But just as the man carried her bag, a familiar voice took Paula and the man's attention. 

"Paula?" the man and Paula slowly turned their heads in Heaven's direction, only to see the latter looking at them with puzzlement. "What are you… this is the friend?"

Heaven shifted her eyes toward the man curiously. 

"Heaven, what are you doing here?" Paula frowned slightly with her brows furrowed. "Haven't you left minutes ago?"

"Yeah, but my driver is taking so long because there's something wrong with the tires," explained Heaven, but the truth was, she told her driver for the day to wait for her call. "So…"

Heaven trailed off, shifting her eyes back to the man. Her curious expression said it all that neither Paula nor the man had to wonder what she was thinking. After darting her eyes between the two, Heaven grinned mischievously. She shamelessly dashed towards Paula's side, standing before the man. 

"Hello, Paula's friend. I'm Heaven, Paula's best friend." Heaven offered her hand toward the man, making his brows raise. 

The man quickly recovered from this turn of events, smiling back at Heaven as he received her handshake. "I know you, Miss Liu. Primo."

'Primo?' Heaven mentally arched a brow. 'I see. That's why it was 1.'

There was a variety of meanings of the name in other languages, but since Paula had his contact name under one, Heaven assumed it meant 'first, beginning, the start' or something like that. 

What a name.

Somehow, Heaven felt a bit ominous about it. 

"Nice grip," the man named Primo pointed out, making her smile stretch a bit. 

"It's trained," Heaven humored back, retrieving her hand back from him. "Nice perfume."

"Heaven." Paula frowned, casting Heaven a knowing look. "You should ask your driver if the tires are okay now. I can call my assistant if you need help."

[Just go away.] was the literal translation of Paula's words, which Heaven knew very well. 

"It's okay." Heaven smiled innocently. "It'll get fixed soon, for sure."

Her smile broadened into a grin, facing the man squarely. "Anyway, I won't bother you two anymore. Please look after her. Paula is too precious for me. Have fun!" She took a step back, creating a distance between the two to give them privacy. 

"Why don't you join us, Miss Liu?" Heaven paused at the man's offer while Paula's frown deepened.

"Primo, what are you? Heaven is a busy woman. I'm sure she still has other things to do," Paula quickly refuted, maintaining her modest tone. "Right, Heaven?"

"Is that so?" Primo frowned slightly. "That's a shame then."

"Oh, actually, I don't have plans for the day." Heaven acted dumb as if she couldn't read the room. "But I don't want to bother you two with your date. So I'm okay."

'This dumb bitch!' Paula mentally seethed. 

"Then how about you join us while your driver is fixing the tires?" Primo offered kindly, eyes fixed on Heaven as he had never taken his eyes off of her since she arrived. "I don't think that will bother anyone, right, Miss Shen?"

Paula's frown deepened, looking at Primo reluctantly. This man knew Paula was not okay with Heaven, but why was he inviting her?! 

'He probably thinks he should impress her as well since Heaven thinks she's my best friend.' Paula secretly sighed, convincing herself Primo was just being considerate. "Yes, of course. I'm just worried that Heaven has something else to do, but that's fine. You can join us while you wait for your driver to fix the tires."

"Really?" Heaven's eyes lit up, grinning. "Then I will not refuse!" 

The man smiled in satisfaction, stepping aside as he motioned his hand toward the car. "Shall we?" his eyes, which were swirling with interest and intrigue, were still fixed on Heaven. 

And just like that, Heaven got a chance to study the person who sent those lethal flowers to her dearest friend, Paula.

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