Chapter 2

             Serena

I stared at the screen, the glow reflecting faintly in my eyes. It was already 9:50 p.m. Too late for anything normal, too late for anything good.

Could I just… say what I needed over the phone?

No.

I exhaled sharply, locking my phone.

Of course not. I had to meet the director.

A quiet frustration settled in my chest. I still hadn’t recovered from what happened that afternoon- Tristan. Even thinking his name felt like reopening something I had tried so hard to bury.

If I accepted this…

I’d be working with him.

Uh, it doesn't mean I should turn down the whole casting just because of one guy, right?

My fingers curled slightly at my sides.

Does he even remember me?

The thought came uninvited. Unwanted.

I grabbed my jacket and stepped out, hailing a cab without thinking twice. The night air felt colder than it should have, slipping through the thin fabric of my clothes.

If the director was still there, I’d be lucky.

If not… well, I’d deal with that later.

I didn’t bother dressing up.

A cap, a loose t-shirt, an oversized jacket, and cargo pants- that was enough. I wasn’t here to impress anyone.

As the cab drove through the dimly lit streets, my mind betrayed me.

Again.

And again.

That smile.

The way Tristan smiled… at her

My jaw tightened.

Are they together?

I looked out the window, watching blurred lights pass by.

OH MY GOD SERENA, WHY THE FREAKIN' SOURBALLS DO YOU WANT TO KNOW THAT!?

At this point, I shouldn’t care.

If he doesn’t care… what right do I have to?

Because you love him, you idiot, my mind snapped back.

CORRECTION: Loved

I clenched my teeth.

“Shut up,” I muttered under my breath.

Minutes later, we arrived.

I paid the driver quickly and stepped out, my steps faster than my thoughts as I entered the agency building. The guards were kind enough to let me in, but I think people might think wrong since I don't have my identity card yet.

And then-

I froze.

Tristan.

Sofia.

Together.

Something in me shifted instantly, like my body moved before my mind could catch up. I stepped behind a wall, pressing myself against it, hiding.

It wasn’t like I was doing anything wrong, but I couldn’t move. I couldn’t leave.

I couldn’t even hear what they were saying- but I could see enough.

Sofia was laughing.

Bright. Effortless.

And Tristan-

I could only see his back, but it was enough. A bitter feeling rose in my throat.

Well… there’s your answer.

I turned, ready to leave-

But Sofia reached the door first. A soft click echoed.

Locked.

My breath hitched.

Why… was the door locked?

The thought struck hard, fast, and ugly.

Heat drained from my body in an instant, replaced by something cold and hollow. Without thinking, I ducked under a nearby lobby table as the door opened and Sofia stepped out.

I stayed still, hidden , it would make sense if someone saw me and thought I'm a trespasser or something.

She walked past without noticing me.

And then-

She was gone.

Finally.

She was gone.

I should have left. There was nothing keeping me here anymore. I should've headed immediately to the Director's office.

But my eyes-

They betrayed me.

They stayed on him.

Tristan stood there, alone now, and something inside me cracked open. Emotions surged all at once- anger, confusion, something dangerously close to longing, and I felt like I might explode if I stayed any longer.

So I moved.

Fast.

Straight to the director’s room.

Locked.

Of course it was.

I let out a quiet, humorless laugh.

10:24p.m. Who in their right mind would still be working?

I turned toward the elevator, pressing the button, stepping inside.

I just needed to leave.

That was it.

I reached for my floor-

And a hand stopped the door.

I didn’t need to look to know who it was.

Of course.

Who else would it be?

In this entire building… it was just the two of us now except the guards...I think.

He stepped inside and the air shifted.

He looked the same.

Unfairly so.

But I knew better he's not the same anymore. Just like they say:

Looks can be deceiving.

My chest tightened.

Our eyes met-

And I looked away immediately.

Four years.

Four years of silence.

Of distance.

Of pretending none of it mattered.

Everything was different now....it had to be.

“Why are you here?” he asked, breaking the silence I was desperately trying to hold onto.

I turned slightly, only to find him staring at the elevator doors instead of me.

That irritated me more than it should have.

“None of your business,” I muttered.

Seven more floors.

Just seven.

He turned fully toward me this time.

“I could sue you for coming here this late,” he said coolly. “Even if the guards let you in, you don’t have your identity card yet.”

I let out a short, dry laugh.

“Sue me,” I snapped, pushing past him slightly. “I don’t give a damn. Just stay out of my life.”

The words came out sharper than intended. But I didn’t regret them.

Not when it came to him.

The elevator doors opened.

I stepped out immediately, but I could hear his footsteps behind me, steady and unhurried.

So I walked faster.

The night had grown quieter.

Somehow he reached faster to the gate than I did.

I stopped at the gate, scanning the empty road, silently cursing him in my mind- every step, every breath, every memory.

“It’s late,” he said from behind me. “Do you need a ride?”

I turned just enough to glance at him.

His black SUV waited beside him.

“No,” I replied, forcing a taunting smile. “My apartment’s nearby. It won’t kill me to walk.”

A lie.

A long one. Of cource there was no way I'm walking an hour and half to get to my apartment.

But I’d rather walk for hours than sit beside him like nothing ever happened.

He didn’t argue.

Didn’t insist.

Just got into his car-

And drove away.

Opposite direction.

Of course.

The street felt colder after he left.

An hour.

That’s how long it would take me to walk home. But it was better than accepting anything from him.

Better than pretending. Better than breaking.

“I hate everything about him,” I whispered.

And yet-

My chest tightened anyway.

A cab pulled up suddenly in front of me, cutting through my thoughts.

Relief washed over me. I'll make sure to give extra tips to this man, he just saved me an hour and a half's walk.

I got in quickly, giving my address.

Maybe I’d just email the director.

Maybe tonight was pointless.

The entire ride home…

And even after I reached my apartment-

There was only one thing on my mind.

Him.

But this time…

Something was different.

I stared at my reflection, eyes steady.

No hesitation.

No softness.

No weakness.

“I’ll stop .”

The words felt unfamiliar, but firm.

“I’ll forget.”

A pause.

A breath.

“I’ll act the way he does.”

Cold.

Distant.

If that’s the treatment he gives, then I’ll return it. And this time…I won’t be the one who breaks.