CeCe tilted her head as Dina dusted the last bit of powder across her cheekbones. “Done?” She asked, blinking up at her through the mirror.

It was Saturday and she was getting her makeup done by her friend, Dina, on the set of Under the Nightsky.

They had first met two years ago on a certain production where CeCe was just an extra and Dina was a rookie makeup artist. The two hit it off right away, and so to this day, Dina remained one of her closest friends in the industry.

“Yup...you don't need a ton of makeup afterall.” Dina stepped back, eyeing her work with satisfaction. “Perfect! You’re honestly my favorite to work on. Your skin makes everything look good.”

CeCe smirked. “Well, I do wake up flawless.”

“Fine…whatever you say, Dyosa.” Dina snorted, earning CeCe's laugh on the process.

She zipped up her kit with a huff. “Anyway, I gotta run. The production next door’s short on MUAs so guess who they roped in for today?” She rolled her eyes and shoved a few palettes into her bag. “Yep. Me. As if I don’t already have enough on my plate.”

“Wow. Abandoning me for another set? Rude.”

“Ugh, the betrayal.” Dina smirked but lowered her voice as she leaned in. “But guess why they’re short-staffed?”

CeCe perked up. “Why?”

Dina glanced around, making sure no one was eavesdropping. Then, with flair, she whispered, “You know that petite girl with the curly hair?”

CeCe frowned, thinking. “The one who somehow always gets assigned to the big names?”

“Uh-huh.” CeCe’s brows lifted. “What about her?”

Dina smirked, zipping up her kit before leaning in again. “A young investor visited the set the other day. You know, one of those rich types who actually looks good and not like some crusty old businessman?”

CeCe snorted. “Rare breed.”

“Exactly! Anyway, she caught wind of it and like clockwork she glued herself to the guy. I mean, full-on ‘strategic wardrobe adjustment, unnecessary arm touches and a laugh that could shatter glass’ mode.”

“Not the wardrobe adjustment!”

Dina nodded solemnly. “Oh, you know the classic ‘let me lean forward just enough to remind you I have assets’ kinda move.”

CeCe covered her mouth. “She did? What about our guy?”

“He shoved her off. Literally. Like at one point, she leaned in too close and the man just firmly redirected her away like he was closing a refrigerator door that wouldn’t shut properly.”

“Oh my...”

“I swear it was like watching someone swat away a persistent mosquito except the mosquito had heels and a full glam look.”

CeCe covered her mouth, laughing. “And then what? Did she finally get the hint?”

Dina clapped her hands together. “Oh no, honey. The director had to throw her out. Like, Miss, we’re working here not hosting a meet-and-greet for desperate flirts.”

“Wow.”

Dina shrugged. “Well, to be fair, the girl’s pretty. She’s got the capital to seduce but clearly, the market wasn’t buying, so...”

CeCe paused, as if contemplating something, then gave Dina a knowing smile.

“I do get where she’s coming from. I mean, I’d like to think I wouldn’t pull the same move, but if the opportunity presented itself...well, who’s to say I wouldn’t get a little creative?”

She shrugged with a playful smirk.

Dina grinned, slinging her bag over her shoulder. “Fair enough. But if you’re gonna gamble at least know when to fold. Hold on too long when the other’s not even betting? You’re just embarrassing yourself.” She wiped away a fake tear. “Anyway, I gotta run before the next set starts screaming for their MUA.”

CeCe crossed her arms. “And you’re planning to haul all that by yourself?” She pointed at the makeup kit which was almost as big as Dina’s ego.

“I do it every day, ma’am.” Dina rolled her eyes, slinging one bag over her shoulder.

“Not today. Come on, I’ll help you carry some of it.”

Dina gave her a look. “Since when did you become this helpful?”

CeCe flipped her hair dramatically. “Since I realized I’m an angelic soul.”

Dina snorted. “More like you’re stalling because you don’t want to go back to work.”

CeCe gasped. “How dare you? I am a dedicated professional!”

Dina cackled. “Uh-huh, sure. Fine, come on then, Saint CeCe of the Merciful. You can carry the lightest bag.”

CeCe scoffed but grabbed a bag anyway, and the two walked off, still bickering like a reality show duo until they reached the next set.

“There. You’re all set.” CeCe dusted off her hands and turned back toward the hallway. “I’m heading back now.”

“Thanks, girl!” Dina called after her.

CeCe grinned, waving lazily over her shoulder but as she made her way back, she barely took two steps before—

Her foot slid.

Yeah, it was a total cliché but because the universe had a twisted sense of humor the floor just had to be wet, and lucky CeCe? She got the full romcom heroine eats-the-floor experience free of charge!

The world seemed to slow down, and for a split second, CeCe just accepted her fate.

So this is how I go. Death by wet floor?!

NOOOOO!!

In that split second, her brain started working faster than it ever had. Maybe if she posed like a mermaid after the fall, it would look like she was striking a dramatic modeling pose? Or—wait—what if she glided and slid like she was rehearsing for an action scene? Yeah, that could work! Like a dedicated professional actress who did her own stunts.

Never mind that she wasn’t filming an action movie. Or that this was a rom-com. Details.

But before she could hit the ground, something—someone—caught her.

A strong arm wrapped around her waist, steadying her before she could even process what was happening. And then just as fast, she was standing again with both feet planted firmly on the floor.

CeCe’s heart hammered. She swallowed, staring at the ground or more specifically at the pair of impossibly expensive-looking shoes in front of her.

Luxury. Custom-made. She didn’t even need to look up to know.

Embarrassment prickled at her skin.

“S-Sorry.” She mumbled, still staring at his shoes.

The man simply shrugged. “No problem.” Then he walked away without another word as his polished shoes clicking against the floor.

CeCe let out a slow breath, still processing what had just happened.

“OMG! Girl, are you okay?”

Dina’s voice snapped CeCe out of her daze.

She turned just in time to see Dina rushing toward her, eyes wide with concern but beneath it there was definitely something akin to excitement mixed in.

“Yeah, just shookt.” CeCe muttered.

Dina let out a dramatic sigh of relief then immediately switched gears, practically vibrating with excitement. She grabbed CeCe’s arm. “Do you even realize who that was?!”

“Ummm?”

Dina smacked her. “That’s Philip Benedict Garcia! As in, the CEO! As in, the investor!”

CeCe’s mouth fell open slightly. She glanced over her shoulder but the man was already gone.

Dina kept gushing beside her however CeCe was barely listening. Her mind was stuck on the way he had caught her. His firm grip, the effortless strength, that deep and composed voice. Then—

He smells really good.

And that was her biggest takeaway from the whole ordeal.