Chapter 4: Sinking in, Sunken Deep

The shoot was going well… except for the fact that it was a little awkward for her to pose closely to Mr. Suarez. They were supposed to be acting like a family, so why were there poses that she needed to get too close to him?

“Bea, put your left hand on Mr. Suarez’s nape and then put your right hand on Caleb’s shoulder. Move your head closer to your husband as if you were about to kiss.” The photographer seemed to be having a hard time directing her and she somehow felt apologetic towards him.

However, she somehow hated it every time he called Mr. Suarez her husband. It was just making her feel a lot more awkward towards him! How could she even get comfortable with someone she just met earlier?

“Tsk.” Callum shook his head as he pulled her closer.

Her eyes grew wide when she felt his lips almost touching her cheeks. Her body slightly trembled and her heart started beating fast from the shock and the nervousness she felt from the sudden pull.

Callum looked at her straight in the eye and she felt as if she was drawn to his deep dark brown eyes. She felt as if she was staring at a dark pit—it was too deep and mesmerizing at the same time.

“Perfect!” The photographer clapped after taking a few shots from different angles. “Now we’re finished. Thanks for your cooperation.”

Bea felt relieved when Mr. Suarez pushed her away after hearing the photographer’s clap. That was nerve-wracking! How could those two act like it was normal to stand and pose in front of the camera? Was that the difference between a beginner and a professional?

“That’s all for today. I’ll see you guys in our next shoot that was scheduled in a week, okay?” Margaret, who happened to be the one in charge of the commercial, said with a satisfied smile.

All the other staff expressed their agreement and thanked Margaret as they started to clear the venue. Bea walked towards Margaret and smiled shyly.

“Thanks for today, Miss Margaret. I really appreciate you for asking me to be a stand-in.” Though she felt uncomfortable, being in that set today somehow took her mind away from her heart problems.

“It’s not just for today, though?” Margaret let out a sheepish grin. “You heard me when I say that I’ll see you next week, right?”

“Next week?” Her eyes grew wide in surprise. She thought she was already done after that!

“You were the model I used for the first part so you don’t expect me to use another one for the next part right?” Margaret asked her but it sounded like she was tugging at her conscience.

She let out a sigh. Truly, Margaret was a sly one. “Fine. I’ll see you in a week, Miss Margaret.”

“Thanks, dear.” Margaret waved her goodbye as she walked to check the other staff.

She took a deep breath as she checked her phone. Luckily she filed for a one-month leave from work before she went to the city. She would have been dead if she did not because she just agreed to the offer without even properly listening to the orientation given to her.

Bea looked outside the window as the cab swiftly moved towards her destination. The sceneries were unfamiliar. It was different from the province with dim light lamp posts at night. The city was still awake with all the different lights that made it even more lively than in the morning.

She was reminded that she was in an unfamiliar place—alone. She would not have been if William did not cheat on her. She sighed when she was reminded and her chest started to contract again.

She was doing a great job trying to divert her attention earlier but since she was alone, all the efforts of trying to forget were washed away like a sandcastle met by the waves. She could feel herself tearing up so she immediately pulled a handkerchief to wipe the tears.

She could not even admire the view anymore because her sight kept on getting blurry thanks to the tears. She felt annoyed and frustrated at the same time.

“We’re here, Miss.” The driver stopped the cab and she saw the familiar building where she checked in earlier. That place would be her home for the next few weeks until the photoshoots were all done.

She paid for her fare and went out of the cab. She was about to enter the hotel when William’s tall stature blocked her way. He was about to reach for her hand but she immediately backed away from him.

With a disgusted glare, her eyes landed on William and she somehow felt bad when she saw how tired he seemed to be. “What are you doing here?”

“Bea, let’s talk.” His tone was pleading and desperate.

“There’s nothing to talk about anymore.” She walked past him but she stopped when William grabbed her hand.

“You said you loved me. Don’t you want to listen to my explanation?” William sounded hurt.

But Bea would not let him sway her mind. She slapped his hand away from her and glared at him with a hurt expression. How could he ask for a chance to explain? The words that he would spout would only sound like excuses in her ears. No matter what his reason could be, he could not change the fact that he cheated on her!

“I told you not to show your face in front of me anymore.” With those words, Bea walked forward and never looked back. She kept on reminding herself that what he did to her was unforgivable.

She tried to keep her resolve until she was inside the hotel. She was aware of how vulnerable she could be when it comes to him. There were thoughts in her head that tells her to forgive him, but she chose to listen to her rationality. Even if she could forgive him, she knew that she should not be swayed by him. Even if she wanted him back, she would just destroy herself if she acted on impulse.

She entered her room with a heavy heart as she slammed the door and slumped on the floor. She had been trying to stop her tears so that William would not see it. Now that she was alone, her tears poured down like rain.

She felt pathetic, hurt, and mad at herself. She was so mad because even if she was in pain, somewhere within her heart was happy.

Why? He cheated on her so why did she feel like she was on cloud nine knowing that he chased after her? Why did her heart choose to hold on to some false hope despite knowing well that it was not meant to be?

That was wrong! She should remind herself that William was a cheater. It was his choice to cheat and he did. That was unacceptable! That should be unacceptable, but why was her heart still longing for him?

If she let her emotions rule over her, she would end up being broken over and over again.

She sighed. She needed to pick herself up even though she was the one who dumped William. She was the one who ended it all. She knew it was the right choice, so why was she still hurt? Why was her heart still in pain?