67
Eloise returned home around ten in the evening. Cosmo was quietly reading in their bedroom.
No lights were on except for a warm orange floor lamp beside the bed. Under its soft glow, the man looked even gentler, his presence felt like something out of a dream.
Cosmo looked up at her, his gaze calm and gentle. His face was so striking that it could easily make anyone’s heart skip a beat.
“Uh… I’m home,” Eloise said, quickly looking away, feeling a little awkward.
In the books she’d read and the movies she’d watched, it was usually the woman waiting for the man to come home. But tonight, it was the other way around, the light was left on for her, like someone had been waiting for her return.
She didn’t expect that kind of moment would feel this warm, and honestly, it was touching.
It was so tender. So comforting.
No wonder so many women were moved by gestures like this. Even she felt it.
With all the emotions running through her mind, she almost didn’t catch what Cosmo said next.
“The ceremony at the start was simple, but it had impact,” he said as she sat on the small sofa beside him. “The director’s young, and a woman, too.”
“A woman? There aren’t many female directors in the industry. Only a few are really known,” Cosmo replied.
“She’s new, but she already has awards from overseas,” Eloise added.
“Winning abroad doesn’t always mean you’ll be successful here. Sometimes they use that just to break into the local industry,” Cosmo said.
Eloise smiled. “Not a fan of female directors?”
Cosmo shook his head. “That’s not it. I’m not sexist. I respect women, and I recognize their talent.”
He said it in a serious tone. With the kind of upbringing and education Cosmo had, Eloise knew he wasn’t the type to lie.
“You’ve also said before that women should still have their own careers even after getting married. That life shouldn’t revolve around just the house or family, right?” Eloise asked, looking at him.
Cosmo smiled and gently pinched her cheek. “Are you talking about yourself?”
Eloise looked at him and lightly brushed his hand away. “You don’t seem against it, so I’m just asking.”
She didn’t know if Cosmo simply didn’t mind what she was doing, as long as she wasn’t being unfaithful, or maybe he just respected and trusted her enough to let her be.
Cosmo stayed quiet, but his gaze was serious. “I told you not to get too close to Lander. You didn’t listen. I also said I hoped you wouldn’t keep working outside, but you didn’t seem to hear that either.”
It sounded like he was saying she didn’t listen to him or value what he said.
Eloise gave him a soft smile, gentle but with depth. “I just don’t want to live a life where I’m doing nothing.”
Her eyes sparkled, like stars in the night sky.
Cosmo sighed, then asked after a pause, “So, you really want to be your best friend’s agent? Is that really your goal?”
“What’s wrong with being a manager? If you’re able to launch a movie queen, that’s pretty powerful,” Eloise said with a grin.
“Well, from what I know about Miss Viernes, she’s still far from that level. And don’t praise her just because you’re friends,” Cosmo said coolly.
Cosmo really had a way of cutting conversations short.
Eloise didn’t argue. In the end, actions mattered more than words.
The shooting location wasn’t just at Tagaytay Film and Television City, they also had two more locations in other provinces.
They shot the first scenes in Film City, which was more convenient for both Sasha and Eloise.
On the very first day, they jumped straight into a key scene between the lead actors, their first encounter after a painful tragedy in the past.
In the story, the two were enemies. The female lead had died with bitterness still in her heart. Now, in the scene, they meet again. The hurt caused by the man was so deep that all she felt was anger.
She wanted to hurt him, but couldn’t, because of his power and social standing. So she had to keep everything inside and act like nothing had happened.
In a book, it’s easy to describe feelings. But in front of a camera, the actress had to express it through her face and movements, showing anger that the character was hiding from everyone else.
It was a scene that really tested acting skill.
Chloe immediately became serious once work began. You wouldn’t even guess she had been in pain the night before. Eloise had assumed she was fully recovered after taking her medicine.
They had to do five takes before the scene was perfect. Sasha was exhausted and dripping with sweat.
“Director Chloe looks young and soft-spoken, but wow, she really makes us repeat scenes,” Sasha whispered while fanning herself.
“It’s okay. It’s a good thing when someone cares about their work,” Eloise replied from the side. She’d heard from others that Chloe was known for being very meticulous.
But for Eloise, that was better. If the director was careless, how could they expect to make something truly great?
After a ten-minute break, they went right back to shooting.
Filming wrapped up around 8 p.m. Sasha was so tired she could barely stand.
Eloise drove Sasha out to eat first. Sasha, half-lying in the passenger seat, kept complaining the whole time.
“Before, I used to get so excited for shoot days, like it was all fun and easy. But now? I feel like I just got beaten up.”
“Not every actor gets to be the lead on their first project. You’re lucky, so you should appreciate it,” Eloise replied.
“It’s your fault I ended up like this,” Sasha joked. “Some people are really willing to spend money just to make you happy.”
Eloise smiled. “Don’t think it’s just for me. Lander invested because he believes you have potential. He’ll benefit from this drama too.”
Sasha frowned. “What about you? You seriously don’t feel anything? Not even a little spark?”
“None!” Eloise quickly answered.
Sasha studied her face. She didn’t look like she was lying. “You’re so cold. Do you not like Lander at all, or is there someone else?”
Suddenly, a face flashed through Eloise’s mind, and she smiled. “Who would I like? I haven’t really been around many guys lately.”
Sasha nodded and glanced at the road. “Fine. One of these days, I’ll dig through my contacts and find you a decent guy.”
Eloise just ignored her friend, knowing she was only teasing. But then, out of nowhere, she thought of Cosmo, and the way he had kissed her. Her cheeks grew warm, and she quickly tried to push the thought away.
“You okay?” Sasha asked, noticing something off.
“I’m fine. Come on, let’s eat. Then I’ll drive you home.”
After dinner, Eloise brought Sasha back to her apartment, then drove home herself.
She didn’t get home until around eleven.
Cosmo was still awake when she arrived, just like the night before. It was the same exact scene. His routine didn’t suit someone his age, it felt more like the habits of a man in his fifties or sixties.
“You’re late again,” Cosmo said, a trace of annoyance in his voice. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d think you were the lead actress.”
Eloise smiled. “You don’t have to wait up for me. Just go to sleep if you’re tired.”
“How am I supposed to sleep if you’re not home yet?” he said, frowning.
Eloise’s eyes softened. She couldn’t explain it, but her heart felt warm. Whatever the reason was, it didn’t matter. What mattered was that someone cared. Someone was worried about her.
Her expression relaxed, and her tone became gentle. “I’m sorry. I didn’t think about that. Next time I’m running late, I’ll text you right away so you won’t worry.”
“Who said I was worried?” Cosmo scoffed, rolling his eyes.
Eloise smiled. “Exactly. Maybe you were.”
Feeling lighthearted, she headed to the bathroom to take a shower. When she came out, Cosmo was already in bed.
She remembered what Tania said about getting Cosmo to see a doctor. But it had been nearly three weeks, and there was still no update. She needed to follow up tomorrow.
Whatever Cosmo was struggling with, physically or emotionally, she knew, deep down, he still wanted to get better. He still wanted to regain the strength he once had.