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Chapter 174: The Walking Street

Mikael blinked in surprise.

The secretary actually spoke to him. Either she was getting bolder or getting careless. Still, this opportunity shouldn't be wasted. They walked side by side behind the group. He wanted to test if she could pretend under pressure. The results should be interesting enough.

"It's almost sunset soon." He sighed, fighting the urge to touch his hair. They had used too much wax for his comfort. "If I don't get this right, I'll run out of daylight and film again on another day." 

"I'm sure you'll be fine."

"Going to wish me luck?"

"Of course not." Eve scoffed. 

A funny look painted over Mikael's face. His brows knitted together as he stared at nothing. Wasn't she supposed to be nice? So much for his efforts at small talk. Maybe she was trying to push him away?

Eve rolled her eyes. 

She patted his upper back and said, "I wish you to break a leg."

Mikael stiffened. Then, he glared in her directionthrough the corner of his eye.

Jordan and Luna rode with the director. Ambryan waited by the second golf cart. Standing, he already had one hand on the steering wheel. Four pairs of eyes turned towards the studio as Eve and Mikael walked out.

The latecomers quickened their pace.

Mikael rode at the back while Eve sat beside her boss. The other cart led the way to their location. Laughter echoed out of the first cart, its melodic sound carried by the wind. Eve smiled despite not knowing the subject of conversation. 

The laughter was simply contagious.

"That's much better."

"What is?" Eve asked, shifting her attention to her left. 

Ambryan had his back straight and opted not to use the backrest. His hands and limbs moved in a steady motion. Every movement seemed calculated and certain. His gaze never strayed off from the other cartexcept for a second. 

"You're looking better is what I meant to say," he elaborated. The wheels under them turned at a corner. People in the streets whirled their heads towards the golf carts. Collective gasps spread like a tidal wave.

Mikael held up his script and flashed them a smile.

Since he faced the back, he saw everyone they passed by.

Eve caught his actions and chuckled. She focused back to the front. "Guess I was just under the weather. Told you that you had nothing to worry about."

Ambryan hid a smile. "Good. Then, let's overtake them."

"Let's wha"

The cart sped down the road. Eve held onto the backrest for dear life. Wind, leaves and dust blew into their faces. The hem of her jacket flapped against her torso. If this was a golf cart, how could it be this fast? Wasn't it dangerous?

Mikael also clung to the backrest. His hair flew all over the place. The pages of the script fluttered in his hands. His head stayed low and used Ambryan's back as a shield. Wind still ruffled his hair but it had tamed even a little.

Ambryan went ahead of Director Sam and the others. Their destination was already nearby. The sudden boost in speed wasn't meant to last long. Out of everyone, he was the only one thrilled by the ride.

Crew members blocked one street. The staff workers inside the shops there remained, preparing for the shoot. They would continue their duties like they weren't going to be on film. This was a strict rule for working in the studios.

But that didn't stop a handful of people from trying to impress.

Eve heaved when the cart stopped under her. She patted her hair, taming it. This was probably a sign for her to get it cut. She spared Mikael a glance. Since he was the current star of the day, they needed to give him extra attention.

Ambryan fixed her skewed glasses. "Did you ever think of getting contact lenses?"

"You sound just like Andie." Eve snorted. "They're still in amiable condition and are much easier to use. I don't need to waste money on something I wouldn't choose to wear. It would just waste away."

Mikael hopped off the vehicle. If he didn't leave right then, ants might crawl up the seats and bite him. He dusted his clothes and checked his hair through his phone camera. With the amount of hair products they used, he'd be surprised if it got ruined. 

"Alright, Mikael," Sam called out. He pulled the model towards the main part of the shoot, introducing the crew and pointing out the cameras. "You ready? You'll be walking half of this street. Every time we'll get another take, you'll have to start from the other side again. Understand?"

"Yes, sir." Mikael nodded. 

Being on one's feet was part of his job description. 

He could handle this without a hitch. 

The director continued to elaborate. There had been a discussion during their trip as Luna shared her input. Since Mikael's features capture immediate attention, she proposed to give him more screen time and more activities. He briefed the same to the male model.

Mikael nodded along. Crease lines emerged on his forehead.

Could he do this?

"You got it?" Sam asked. He clapped the other's back. "Since it's last minute, we'll have a test run."

A crewmate brought two folding chairs. Ambryan offered them to Luna, who took it happily, and Eve, who refused to be seated. He insisted, using her heels as a reason for her to accept it. In the end, another set of chairs had been brought out.

All of them, including Jorgan, sat together.

Sam pulled out a megaphone. "Ready? Lights, camera, Action!"

Someone with a clapper board stood in front of the main camera.

"Episode 3, Scene 1. Action!"

Mikael walked around the corner, his hands tucked in his pants pocket. The clouds rolled in the sky and revealed the sun. He paused to look up and shield his eyes. Sunrays glinted on his gold watch. He smiled a little.

Then, his legs strut down the street.

He checked the time.

Just enough room for a quick stop at a cafe.

He passed by a few street vendors and greeted them. Their reactions were mixed. For anyone who greeted him back in a pleasant manner, he gave a blinding smile in return. He swept back his bangs and hopped onto the doormat of the nearest cafe.

There was a long line to the counter.

He looked down at his watch.

The line moved, convincing him that it would be quick. He joined the queue and waited. His fingers drummed inside his pockets. Was this okay? Or was it too long? No orders came his way so he continued to wait in line.

"Hey, man. What time is it?" The man in front of him asked.

"Oh, um," Mikael uttered, startled by the ad lib. He glanced at the watch and read the time, "Quarter to five."

"Thanks." 

He looked up to reply with a nod of his head. The other person had already turned around. He paid it little attention. It didn't take long for him to reach second in line. His ears picked up the voice of the man in front of him.

"I'd like a triple mocha but without the espresso shot. Is that possible? Yeah, cool."

He flickered his eyes off the menu and onto the head of chocolate brown hair. The man carried a camera bag on one shoulder. His army green jacket made his frame bigger. Charcoal-like dirt was smeared on the soles of his sneakers. His dark jeans wrinkled all over the place.

"Oh! I'd also like to pay for the guy behind me," the man said. "Whatever his order is, it's on me."

Mikael arched an eyebrow.

Now, that was peculiar.

He questioned himself whether to reprimand the person or not. By this point, he was convinced that this was a gimmick from the other personprobably an extra that wanted more screen time or a worker here who hadn't been given his big break. 

Why hadn't the director said anything?

"Hey, man," Mikael spoke, caring a little less at the moment. If he needed to start over, he'd rather have it done now instead of another block later. He reached out to tap the person's arm. "That's not really necessary. You don't need to spend money on me."

'Because Eros would be paying for my drink,' he added in his head. 

The man turned around. His chocolate eyes landed on Mikael. There was a casual smile on his lips. "But I insist! Take it as a treat from one good-looking guy to another."

Mikael's hands flinched. He had seen this face before. He hid his irritation inside his pockets, nails digging into his palms. The corner of his lip curled up. "There's no need. Besides, I think your drink is ready. Don't want to clog the line now, do we?"

The lady behind the counter called the customer's name. "Sir, here's your triple mocha!"

Elias Walker remained unfazed. He faced the server and grabbed his drink. Taking the straw between his teeth, he said, "Since he doesn't want to take it, here. Put it in your tips."

"Ah, thank you!"

Over at the equipment area, Ambryan leaned forward. They watched the shoot from a small screen. His brows scowled in concentration. Luna had shared her idea while Mikael went down the sidewalk. It let them in on what to expect.

None of this was meant to happen.

He snatched the megaphone from the director.

"Lock the street."

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