A/N: OMGGGGG! I AM SO SO SO SORRY GUYS FOR NOT UPDATING TOO SOON. anyways this is my update :)))))))
chapter 7
General Pov
He shook his head disapprovingly for the third time. The lady in her thirties grimace and hang her head low in defeat. It's the first day of their shooting and he's already having a hard time teaching the actors what to do. The girl they hire to be the lead actress is somewhat a pain in the ass, continuously trying to flirt with the director which is him. He's second into exploding and they haven't started the first scene yet.
The beach was their first setting wherein the two main character will meet halfway. He already asked his crews to set up everything. There were tents -probably four- to keep them sheltered if the weather feels like fucking with them. It's relief that its sunny and he's trying his best to work on with the beach scene to make use of the good weather and knowing Seattle, it won't last long. All he could hope is that his actors would cooperate.
Another reason why he's being grumpy is the lack of Sam's presence. She went out early in the morning saying she has lots of things to do at school and won't be back till afternoon. Of course, he can't just force her to come with them because she's not really a real staff or worker and she's just helping without being paid but still, it would be nice if she's here and maybe he'll enjoy the sight of her lashing out the lead actress' throat.
He quaff down his water from the bottle and pinch the bridge of his nose. They're wasting time, he knows.
"We're wasting time here and it'll be better if you all would participate. I'm in second into losing some patience here and this is just the first day of shooting." he finally spoke."So, if you guys won't mind, I would like to start filming now." he gritted under his teeth.
Lucas, his assistant director grimace at the tone he just use. He can sense that the rest of the day would be pretty bad. He motion for the actors to go to their spot and instruct them on what to do, ripping their scripts out of their grips, he toss it to one of the crews.
"You seem stress." he took a seat next to him, watching the scene roll.
"And you're surprise, why?" Freddie let out a scoff.
"I actually don't know why you keep on insisting to let Margareth play the character. She's obviously a pain."
"I don't have a choice." He sigh exasperatingly."She's the only one who's available for the shooting days and she's willing to do the work."
"Of course she is. The lady have some hots for you." he pat his shoulders suggestively in which he swatted away.
Rolling his eyes he said."We need her for the movie. I can't be picky."
"Point taken." he states, shrugging."Anyways, we're your blonde girlfriend?"
"Sam's not my girlfriend." he mumble."And she's doing something very important."
"How can she not be your girlfriend? That girl is a sexpot man! What are you blind or something?" he laughs and giving him a quizzical look.
"She's my bestfriend...and can we not talk about this? We're in the middle of filming here." he motions to the surrounding and turn his back on him.
He walk towards the Margareth and once she spotted him coming, she immediately flip her hair and pat her clothes then smile widely at him.
"Hey, Freddie." she wave at him, greeting him softly.
He have to roll his eyes on her attempt of flirting. Is she blind that he's not interested at her? Man, this girl's very persistent.
He gave her a brief smile, trying not to look very snobby. He adjust his hat and stop between her and her make-up artist.
"I think her make-up's good now. You can leave, please." he said politely and the artist nod before scramming."Alright, Margareth-"
"You can call me Marge for short." she cuts him, running a finger to his forearm.
He grimace and grab her finger before dropping it to her side.
"Alright,Marge." He puts an emphasis."This scene is where you're going to meet Leon. You'll walk from there to here where you'll bump at each other, understand?" she nod, staring intently - and creepily - at him."You know your lines, I assume. Okay, we'll start rolling now. Places people! Lights! Camera! Action!" he exclaim, running backwards away from the scene.
It's quite a relief to see Margareth cooperating now, doing what she's been told. She's actually a great actress but sometimes, she can be very annoying that you want to cover her face with a pillow so she'll stop talking. The weather seems very understanding as well and he thank the person above for that.
"Good job guys! Let's take a break, shall we?" he calls. He walk towards the tent, zipping open his bag and retreating another bottle of water. He's very thirsty, it's like water's running out from his body.
"Hey, Freddie." he stop himself from drinking and groan inwardly as he hears the annoying voice of...
"Margareth..I mean, Marge." he force a smile. What's her problem now?"Aren't you going to take some lunch or something?" he said, trying everything on the book to make her leave him in peace.
"I'm actually thinking if you mind joining me." obviously trying to flirt with him as she give him a sickening smile that is supposed to seduce him.
"Uh...Marge. I think-" he trails but he saw the flash of the blonde and he quickly called her."Sam!" he sounds relief and at the same time glad.
He wave Marge an excuse and bolt away, skidding over where Sam is. Looking at him funnily, she cross her arms and smirk. He hug her so tight, clinging to her for dear life.
"Whoa! What's with you, dork?" she tried to sound annoyed but she can't help but blush as his arms wrap tightly at her waist.
"Oh, thank Goodness, you're finally here." he gush, pulling away when he heard her clear her throat.
She gave him a raise of an eyebrow and narrow her eyes. He hauled her to the side, looking over his shoulder if they're far from earshot. She wriggle her body, trying to breakfree but his grip was too tight, fingertips burning to her skin.
"What the hell!" she puts a hand on her hips and glare at him.
"I'm sorry. It's just, Marge was being such an annoying sack." he hiss, rolling his eyes animately.
"Marge?"
He let out an exasperated sigh before answering.
"The lead actress." he comb his hair with his fingers and she eyed him intently."She's been driving me nuts. Kept flirting with me and if you hadn't come, I'll probably been dragged to have lunch with her."
She find it amusing seeing him so annoyed about Sam girl which she find quite familiar. She only see him been like this when she pisses him off like gluing his textbook under his study table. Looking over his shoulder, she scan the group of people crowding in the tents. She thought for a moment, searching who that girl he's saying.
"The short haired brunette with a yellow sundress." she heard him mumble, probably sensed what she's up to. She nod and saw her, sitting on one of those high chairs, ushering some lady to comb her hair or something.
"Seems your type." he whip his head to her and scrunch his eyebrows. She doesn't need to turn to him to know that she's looking. His silence tells her to continue."You know...brunette, petite and pretty face." she adds."I don't think you need to ran away from her." And with last words, she turn to her heel and walk back where the crews are, leaving him with a dumbfounded look.
What does she mean by that?
It's not that she's jealous or something because she knows she's waaay better than that Marge. The thing is, she couldn't stand the idea other girls flirting with him and it seems like they're all pretty ladies and...a brunette and we all know that Freddie has a thing for brunettes based from his long years of being a puppy to Carly.
He watch her as she walks far from him, a "what just happened" look, obviously confused. Shaking his head, he thought of talking to her later.
Freddie's Pov
I watch from my seat as Sam - as expected - growled in frustration as she directs the whole cast on what to do. We're on the street of downtown Seattle, which is very crowded especially when it's a working day. We have to ask for permission to shoot the scene here and work on the equipments so it won't bother people. The police enforcers even helped us and put a restriction sign to keep the fans far from the main scene.
I look in amusement as I saw the look of horror and probably, fear on Marge - mostly her - and the other cast member as they are being instruct by Sam. I had seen Sam a few times directing her own casts on her shows and movies and I must say, she's really professional when it comes to work. She jokes and goofs around with her casts and crews but when the camera starts rolling, that's when you'll see the different type of Sam: Scarier and Meanier. Her threats are upgraded. They're not the usual empty threats but it has meaning behind it. Dedication is what I can say when it comes to her work. For her, work is work. If she starts saying "Action!" , it's game faces or else you'll be humiliated big time. Her way of managing her production is what I copy. It really works and it makes people take you more seriously. I must say, her means of work is beyond surprising and applauding to most people like me, it's quite inspiring and I know that it takes a lot of self-discipline and responsibility as a person as well.
I thought of whether I should just sit here and watch her soon to strangle the casts or I should stand up, walk towards them and see what's going on. I chose the latter part.
Grabbing my copy of scripts, I march my way towards them where they are at the other side of the street near the traffic light. I hear faint voices from a far and soon I can actually make out what she's saying and with the help of her hand gestures.
"...from here you'll walk to the other side of the street. You don't have any lines to say but atleast try to act out more. I want to see facial expressions, heavy facial expressions while you're walking because you've known the whole story about Paul...then you'll go to the small cafe. I'll discuss the others when you finished this routine."
I walk to her side and she glance to me for awhile before giving her attention back to them.
"...Alright. I think we can start again." she turn to me and raise her eyebrow."Do you want to add something before we start?" she asked.
"I think you've said enough. Just be serious everyone. I hate to repeat this simple scene over and over again. Let's all act as professionals." I clap my hands and motion for the camera men to start rolling on my cue."Get ready!" I led Sam back to where I was sitting and calls out."Lights! Camera! Scene 14. Adrienne's walking to the street. Take 1. ACTION!"
General Pov
"That was a good wrap people! Good Job!"
The staffs and the casts smile approvingly and continue to pack their things: the tents, tables, chairs, cables, lights and etc.
He turn around and is face to face with Sam who's looking at him in approval, hands on her hips and her famous Puckett Smirk plastered on her face.
"I must say, it was a good wrap."
"I couldn't have done it without you." he say in modesty, darting his weight from one foot to another.
"Nah. It's all you, Benson."
He chuckle humorously and shrug.
"So...how's your teaching program?" he ask as they began to walk to the sandy shore, waves and waves splash towards them, soaking their slipper-clad feet.
It is one of the most fine weather Seattle can offer. The weather definitely is agreeing to them this time. The sun is soon to be down, blazing yellow-orange color on the wide ocean. It's the most serene piece ever.
"They're starting to make me be fond of 'em and I hate it." she say, making a very adorable pout, sticking her bottom lip out.
He shook his head in amusement. Only Sam Puckett would hate the feeling of actually liking people. Of course, what else should he be surprise at? He's been dealing with her for years and it takes her also years to actually admit the fact that she harbors feeling for him and that is saying something.
"I think it's a good thing."
"Of course you would think that. You're a sapy nub." she remarks.
"I may be sappy but you gotta admit, you love me for being sappy." and the words came out from his lips without him stopping it.
Oh, shit.
Blush creep to her neck to her cheeks and she lower her face so that her hair will hide her embarrassing blush. She will never let that dork see him in this state.
How dare he say that forbidden word that starts with the forbidden letter L?!
For a moment he was scared that she might punch him in the gut for saying those kind of words but now that he thought about it...maybe he should've said it a little earlier. It's not a bad thing to start. It might help him fix everything, the complications and confusions he's been suffering since the day he met her, kiss her for the first time, help her get out of the mental institution, kiss her live on the web, dating her, kissing her every time there's an opportunity because she was his, him saying the L word to her for the first time, when they broke up and now that she's finally standing again beside him after a long time she's been gone away from them...from him.
He needs to step up his game if he wants her to stay. Someone should do the first move or they're going to nowhere and it's not his actual plan at all.
"I'm really glad you're back."
She bite the inside of her cheeks, one of the many habits she do when she's feeling uneasy and nervous. She didn't dare to look up to him.
Why would I? I'll be lost in his beautiful warm eyes and its going to be endgame for me.
"Yeah."
She can see his feet stop in tracks and she halt herself as well. He turn to her, burning holes to the side of her face and if her face isn't burned enough with blush, now it is.
He dare to touch her...cup her chin and lift it gently so she's eye level to him. He stare lovingly and with longing deep in her eyes.
I love you.
It says and it breaks her heart that she can't do anything to say it back.
I can't.
Her eyes are pained, mirroring his but he's good at trying to mask it. He needs to be the dominant because obviously, the toughest girl he's known for life has left the building and is now hiding.
The pad of his thumb brush her cheeks softly. She longed for his touch and she can't help but lean to his touch, closing her eyes lightly to savor the feeling.
"Stop running from me."
"I have to."
"I don't want you to." he murmurs softly to her."Sam, I lo-"
"Freddie.." she trails, pleading because God knows she can't handle it. It will be very hard and she doesn't want to hurt him anymore.
Shaking his head, he did not acknowledge her plea and continue, letting his heart take over his mouth.
"I love you."