Chapter 3: Table Read Tensions
617 Words
Lena had barely processed the fact that she had landed the biggest role of her career before she was thrown headfirst into rehearsals. The first table read was scheduled just three days after the audition, giving her little time to let it sink in that she would be spending the next six months acting opposite Noah Sinclair.
Unfortunately, there was no time for denial.
As soon as she stepped into the massive conference room where the cast and crew had gathered, her stomach twisted. She had expected a whirlwind of emotions, but the sight of Noah—sprawled lazily in his chair with an infuriatingly smug expression—made irritation shoot straight to the top of the list.
His dark hair was slightly tousled, as if he had just rolled out of bed, but somehow, he still looked perfect. He exuded an effortless confidence that made her want to roll her eyes.
"Rookie," he greeted lazily, tilting his head as she approached. "I see you decided to show up."
Lena tightened her grip on the strap of her bag. "I work for a living, so yes. Unlike some people, I actually take this seriously."
Noah raised an eyebrow, clearly amused, but before he could respond, the director, Katherine Monroe, clapped her hands together at the front of the room.
"All right, everyone, settle down. We're diving straight in."
Lena slid into the empty seat beside Noah, resisting the urge to put as much distance between them as possible. She was a professional. She could handle this. Even if the man next to her practically radiated arrogance.
The assistant director handed out scripts, and soon, the entire cast was flipping through their lines. The room buzzed with quiet murmurs, the occasional rustling of paper filling the space.
"We'll start with the first big confrontation scene between Elliot and Sophia," Katherine instructed. "Noah, Lena, whenever you're ready."
Lena took a steadying breath and focused on the script.
SOPHIA: You don't get to walk in and out of my life like this, Elliot. I'm not some—some game you can play when you're bored.
Noah leaned forward, his voice dropping into something rich and full of quiet anger.
ELLIOT: You think this is a game? You think any of this is easy for me?
Lena frowned. Something was off. His voice was smooth, controlled—too controlled. The words were there, but the raw emotion? Missing.
"You're holding back," she said before she could stop herself.
Noah blinked. "Excuse me?"
Lena turned to Katherine. "He's reciting the lines, but there's no actual emotion. Elliot is supposed to be desperate here, but he sounds like he's reading a grocery list."
The room went silent.
Noah slowly set his script down, his expression unreadable. Then, he smirked. "I'm sorry, I didn't realize I was getting acting notes from someone who only has three IMDb credits."
Lena's jaw clenched. "And I didn't realize I was acting with someone who coasted through roles on just his looks."
A few people gasped. One of the producers choked on his coffee.
Noah leaned back in his chair, studying her with that insufferable grin. "Feisty today, aren't we?"
Katherine pinched the bridge of her nose. "All right, that's enough. Lena, Noah, take five minutes and reset. We need chemistry, not an ego war."
Lena huffed, slamming her script shut as she pushed back her chair. She needed air. As she strode toward the door, she heard Noah chuckle behind her.
"Oh yeah," he muttered under his breath, just loud enough for her to hear. "This is gonna be fun."
Lena gritted her teeth. Six months of this?
It was going to be a long, long shoot.
- Writer
