15

Chapter 15

Fabian Martinez sat on a high chair, surrounded by a hairstylist, a makeup artist, and his stylist who were showing him various outfits. He was focused on memorizing his lines from the script he was holding. His manager placed a coffee on the table beside him.

"There's going to be some physical touch later. Will you be okay with that?" asked the manager. Fabian had reassured them several times that he would be fine.

"You were fine last time there was physical touch with the female lead. You almost passed out during taping. You know there's gossip on set that you're gay, for god's sake," the manager said. Fabian, uninterested in the comment, took a sip from the cup he was holding.

A little while later, Themarie, who played the best friend of the female lead, arrived. She approached the woman sitting a bit away from Fabian. There was only one seat between them, and several staff members were attending to her.

"Hah, do you know the site is short-staffed because of you? Can't you hire your own stylist and stop bothering the entire crew?" Themarie said. She sat in one of the chairs at the table and looked at the woman whose expression changed after hearing Themarie's comment. Some of the staff attending to the female lead rolled their eyes in agreement with Themarie.

The woman couldn't respond and just glanced at Fabian's manager.

The current female lead of Fabian's project was named Amara Suarez. She hadn't been in the industry for a year yet, but she quickly landed several movie roles and lead roles due to her beauty, talent, and quick adaptability.

Fabian's manager cleared his throat, causing Themarie to look over. She stopped when she saw Fabian.

"Excuse me, Miss Themarie, but you're disturbing us. Miss Amara and Mr. Fabian have a scene later. If you have nothing else to say, please leave."

Fabian looked up, causing Themarie's cheeks to flush as several staff members turned their attention to her.

"The staff's job is to take care of their artists. You have no right to interfere with their work. Are you staff?" Fabian asked. Themarie stood up and left immediately. Fabian shook his head and went back to reading his script.

"Th-thank you," said the woman now looking at Fabian.

"You don't have to thank me. I didn't do it for you. That woman was just too noisy. It was irritating," Fabian replied flatly. The woman chuckled softly and didn't speak again.

—

"Florencio! Are you hurt?"

Fabian lay on the ground. The female lead ran over and lifted Fabian's head, her skin brushing against the back of his neck. Fabian gasped, breaking character.

"Cut!"

Fabian got up. The director walked over, clearly disappointed. Fabian held the back of his neck.

"Amara! What did you do now?"

Fabian raised his hand to stop the director from scolding Amara. The disappointment was evident on the director's face due to the repeated cuts. Though Fabian was at fault, the director couldn't reprimand him due to Fabian's influence.

"I forgot my line," Fabian lied. The director announced a two-minute break.

Amara and Fabian sat on the ground. Amara stared at Fabian.

"Are you uncomfortable?"

Amara noticed Fabian's aversion to physical touch—every time she touched him as part of a scene, he would freeze, causing retakes.

After the break, they started again. Fabian lay down, and Amara ran over. This time, she deliberately hid her palms in her sleeves before touching Fabian and lifting him.

"Florencio! Are you hurt?"

In one take, Amara remembered the camera roll and made fake touches. Fabian's manager widened his eyes in surprise.

Amara cried and buried her face in Fabian's chest.

"I—I'm sorry. I couldn't keep my promise to you."

The scene went smoothly, and after that, Fabian's manager approached Amara, who was wiping herself with a white towel. Someone handed Amara a cup of Milo. She looked up and saw it was Fabian's manager, startling her.

"You don't have to stand up. Just take this," the manager said. Amara shyly took the cup and sat back down, thanking him.

The manager bent slightly and smiled.

"I saw what you did. You noticed Fabian's discomfort."

Amara blushed and said it was nothing. The manager laughed and asked if he could sit beside her. Amara nodded.

"That was a small favor compared to the secret help Mr. Fabian gives me," Amara said.

The manager laughed, noting Amara had noticed Fabian's assistance. Amara recalled a scene she struggled with, and Fabian had helped her.

Fabian never forgot her during gatherings either. Sometimes the staff overlooked her despite her being the female lead. Fabian's manager was very kind to her, ordering and scolding the staff on her behalf.

A chubby man arrived carrying clothes and boxes. Exhausted, he stopped in front of Amara. She stood up and greeted her brother.

"Kuya, why are you so late?" she asked. He put down his load and signed to her.

"You just finished your delivery? That's okay. Rest now. I'll handle this," Amara said using hand gestures, pulling him to sit down.

Her brother insisted on helping, but Amara, noticing his exhaustion, insisted he rest.

"I'll help," Jomari said. Her brother signed, but Jomari didn't understand.

"He's Mr. Fabian's manager. The one I told you about who helps me here," Amara explained. Jomari stared at Amara and her gestures as she communicated with her brother.

The manager smiled, waving his hand as if to say no problem. Jomari thanked him, understanding his gratitude.

Fabian saw his manager helping Amara and decided not to disturb them. He sat down, picked up his script, and his phone rang. Seeing Sonia's name, he answered immediately.

"Daddy!"

"France, don't be restless. Your juice."

It looked like Sonia was holding the phone, and France was trying to grab it. Fabian laughed, watching his wife and son.

"Are you busy?" Sonia asked. Fabian quickly replied no.

"Are you still outside? It's late," Fabian said, seeing they were at a restaurant.

"Don't worry, Fabian! Lance and I will take them home!"

Fabian stopped when he heard his cousin's voice. Sonia turned the camera to Sophia Martinez, who waved.

"I saw her at a spa, then she joined me at some salons," Sonia said. Fabian told Sophia not to give Sonia a hard time.

"What do you mean by that? We're close!"

Sophia hugged Sonia's arm, making Sonia laugh. Fabian's expression softened, seeing Sonia comfortable.

"Don't stay out too late."

Sonia smiled, saying they would head home after eating. She had called to inform Fabian they would be home soon.

"Your new hairstyle looks beautiful, Sonia. It suits you," Fabian said. Sonia's eyes widened. Fabian quickly ended the call, embarrassed by his compliment.

"Cute," Fabian muttered, leaning back, recalling Sonia's surprised expression.

Some artists nearby were stunned and giggling, curious about who Fabian was talking to that made him show such unusual expressions, clearly head over heels.

—

"My gosh, my cousin is head over heels for you. He noticed even a small change in your hair," Sophia said. I felt shy because I didn't expect Fabian to notice or compliment my new look.

"Fabian just has sharp eyes," Lance joked, sitting across from us. Sophia scolded him for ruining the mood.

"Don't spoil it. Fabian's just sweet," Sophia said. I laughed at their bickering.

They spent the whole day with France and me. If you think Lance didn't like me, it seemed that way at first, but it wasn't true. He almost punched a staff member who tried to kick me out because of my looks. He even called me "in-law," making it clear he accepted me, whether Fabian was around or not.

Anyway, I accidentally ran into them at a spa I visited with France.

Flashback

I gathered the courage to go to a spa, even though some staff avoided me. I had money to pay, so they had no choice. I laughed at what money could do.

"Mommy! I'll wait here," France said. Some customers looked curious.

They probably wondered how I had such a handsome child like France. I smiled as France climbed onto the sofa and grabbed some children's magazines from under the table.

"Behave here, baby. Mommy will be back soon," I said. France nodded, and I left my bag and phone with him before following a staff member.

We spent almost an hour there, and when I came out, France was gone. My heart almost dropped out of fear.

"France! My god!"

I was about to run out of the spa when I bumped into Fabian's male cousin. He was carrying France and handed him to me immediately.

"Mommy! Are you okay?"

I hugged France tightly, relieved. I thought I had lost him. I glared at Fabian's cousin, offended by his actions.

"I'm your cousin's fiancée. I have the right to demand that you don't take France without permission, even if he's your nephew," I said. The man looked at me, then laughed, raising his hands in apology.

"Mommy, I told Uncle Lance you'd look for me, but he didn't listen. He kept saying we'd be back soon."

Lance explained he just took France to get something to eat because he was bored in the spa.

"I know, but I almost had a heart attack with what you did," this time I was calm and hugged France tightly. Lance sincerely apologized.

"What did you do this time, Lance, that I hear my sister-in-law's voice?"

I turned and saw Sophia. It's not easy to forget their names and faces, especially since they are related to Fabian.

Lance quickly explained. Sophia looked at me and smiled.

"Next time my brother does that, punch him. He always does that. He kidnaps France, even from Fabian."

Sophia approached and hugged my arm. She asked what my plans were after the spa and if they could tag along.

I didn't refuse because they seemed nice and I felt comfortable with them. We got along well, and I wasn't mistaken.

Sophia and I quickly became close and exchanged contacts. She invited me out and suggested stopping by the shop if I had time. She also shared many stories about Fabian, which I enjoyed.

Lance wasn't hard to get along with either, even though he was a bit of a playboy. I just laughed when I saw him flirting with girls, even hitting on the waitress.

He also carried the things Sophia and I bought, despite complaining because he was carrying France and also the shopping bags.

Regarding France, I said I could carry him, but Lance took him anyway. Suddenly, I had an instant big brother.

End of the flashback

"Before the party, did Fabian hire someone to get you ready?" Sophia asked. I remembered the party was approaching.

"Not yet, I think. Fabian asked me once, but I didn't answer because I can take care of myself.

I'm an artist, so of course, I should be able to get myself ready. Sophia immediately said that was not acceptable.

"Before the party, I'll come to your place. Let's get ready together. I'm sure Fabian will want me to go as long as I have your permission. Let's get ready together!"

I didn't argue because I enjoyed Sophia's company. It wasn't bad, so I agreed.

"Fabian's family members will be there. Some of them aren't really close to Fabian. Be careful, okay? Just stay close to me," Sophia said, and Lance immediately hit her on the head with the menu.

"Don't scare Sonia just so you can have her to yourself," Lance said. I covered my mouth and laughed. The two started arguing again.

I suddenly got curious about what Fabian's parents looked like. I shook my head. For sure, I'll see them on the wedding day and some of Fabian's family members.

For some reason, I got worried. What if they are like my ex-in-laws and don't like me, especially when they see my face?