CHAPTER 401: HIT

Even before the director’s cue, whispers were already rippling behind the scenes.

"Is this really going to work?" one of the staff muttered. "I know it wasn’t Taz’s idea, but seriously... this series isn’t supposed to feel like this."

"Yeah, and even if she memorized the script, how could she pull it off?"

"In that costume? Oh, God."

Mixed emotions filled the crew. They all knew this shoot was just a trial since filming had already been delayed. Besides, the rest of the scenes were complete. It would’ve been a waste not to at least try this one.

Even so, there was an unspoken unease.

It wasn’t the "What if it doesn’t work?" kind of fear, but the "What if it actually does?"

Wouldn’t that change the entire tone of the series?

"I saw Taz act once," one of the staff suddenly spoke up, drawing everyone’s attention. "What? We all saw it, didn’t we?"

"When?"

"When she slapped Melissa," the man said knowingly. "The second she stepped into the scene, I didn’t see Taz anymore. Who I saw... was someone else."

That comment silenced them. Then, slowly, they all nodded. He wasn’t wrong. There had been something different about Lola that day. Something they couldn’t quite define.

Even so, the uneasy air lingered.

And then came the thunderous, "ACTION!"

The moment Director Sarian’s voice echoed, Cedrick and Lola opened their eyes.

They sat motionless at opposite ends of the bench with Cedrick’s gaze cold and sharp, and Lola’s lowered in silence.

A heavy stillness blanketed the set. Seconds passed, and no one spoke.

Crew members exchanged uncertain glances. Even Director Sarian frowned, his brows knitting as he stared at the monitor, focused on them.

"Why isn’t she saying anything?" Ida whispered, only to freeze when Sarian raised a hand.

He didn’t look away from the screen. He was giving Lola time. Then, just when he thought she wouldn’t move, Lola’s lips parted.

"Will that make you happy?"

Her voice was soft. Small. Almost trembling, yet not helpless. Her throat bobbed, perfectly framed by the camera’s lens. Slowly, she lifted her eyes toward him.

"If that will make you happy," she said, voice steady now, "then I’ll do it."

There was no pity in her tone, only devotion. Pure, quiet, self-destructive devotion.

Cedrick’s brows lifted slightly before he exhaled.

"Will it make me happy?" he echoed, turning to her. "Would I ask you to do this if it was unnecessary—"

His words stopped dead as his breath hitched the moment his eyes met hers.

The entire crew watched as Cedrick froze.

"CUT!" Director Sarian’s voice cracked through the silence. "Cedrick! What are you doing?! Why would you break character like that?!"

The yell jolted Cedrick back. He blinked, snapping his attention toward the director’s chair.

"Uh..."

"What’s wrong with you?"

He flinched again when Lola’s sharp voice echoed beside him. When he looked at her, she was staring back with a raised brow.

The haunting look she’d worn seconds ago was gone. The woman before him was just Lola again.

"..." Cedrick’s mouth opened, then shut. "Uh—sorry. I was just... distracted."

"Is it my makeup?"

"No." He shook his head quickly. "I’m sorry, Director. Please let’s try again."

He managed a sheepish smile at Lola, then looked down, running a hand through his hair. He wasn’t lying when he said he was distracted, just not for the reason anyone thought.

It wasn’t her makeup. It was her eyes.

Even through the ridiculous layers of makeup, her gaze carried a raw, quiet pain—a devotion so deep it hurt to look at.

Cedrick hadn’t expected such emotion to hit him so hard that it yanked him out of character completely.

This wasn’t Ryker faltering. This was Cedrick.

He knew the role—Ryker was a manipulator, a man who preyed on that kind of devotion. And yet... facing Lola, Cedrick couldn’t play him. He couldn’t bring himself to be cruel.

When the next take began, he steeled himself.

Director Sarian shouted again, "Action!"

Lola repeated the same lines with the same haunting delivery. Cedrick managed to get further this time, but still faltered before the scene’s end.

"Why is he messing up?" someone whispered. "Cedrick always nails his takes in one go. Two, max."

"This is his fourth now."

"Is he really thrown off by Taz’s makeup?"

The whispers grew louder, confusion spreading across the set.

"Is he okay?" Ida asked, leaning toward Sarian. "This is weird."

The director didn’t answer right away. His eyes narrowed as he replayed the last take.

"It’s not that," he said finally.

"Then what?"

He exhaled slowly. "This is what happens when an act stops being an act. Taz is forcing Cedrick out of Ryker."

Ida blinked, confused. "Director, I don’t get it."

"Ryker’s most pitiful victim is that character," Sarian explained. "Ryker knew he was destroying her, and did it anyway. Anyone with a conscience would feel it."

"So... you mean Taz’s acting is overpowering his?"

"No." A grin spread across Sarian’s face, trembling with excitement. "I mean, anyone who acts beside Taz will struggle to keep up with her."

Because Lola wasn’t just acting. She was dragging her co-star into the reality of the scene, forcing him to live it with her.

Unless Cedrick completely shed his own identity and became Ryker, he wouldn’t be able to look her in the eye and deliver those cruel lines.

He couldn’t let his own conscience get in the way.

Director Sarian’s lips curved upward, his pulse quickening.

"Ida," he breathed, eyes gleaming. "This series... is going to be a hit."

The missing piece he’d been searching for was right in front of him all along. This time, he was sure of it.

*****

As the filming continued—and Cedrick finally pulled himself together after being scolded by Lola—none of them noticed the figure standing quietly at the back of the crowd.

Mike stood there, cap pulled low, eyes fixed on Lola.

This greedy bitch... truly stole everything my Melissa had.

After a moment, he turned to leave, pulling his cap down further. But before he walked away completely, he glanced back one last time. His gaze landed not on Lola, but on the nearby props.

A slow smirk curled on his lips. His eyes darkened, glinting with malice. He already knew exactly how he would get his revenge on her.

I’ll make you pay for what you’ve done to my daughter, Lola Young.