We Lied

Chapter 3

As I sat on one of the benches inside the gazebo, a sense of calmness wash over me. The garden was stunning under the moonlight, with an array of colourful flowers and lush greenery surrounding me. The gentle breeze carried the scent of the flowers, and the rustling of leaves added to the peaceful ambience. I should get a similar one if I bought my own house.

I checked my phone to see a text from Grandma.

[Your grandpa got tired so we headed home early with Christine. Have a fun night *3x wink emoji*] - grandma

I smiled at her message and typed back a quick reply.

[Thanks, Grandma. Have a good night too! *heart emoji*] - Cassy

I put down my phone and stared at the night sky. This day is too exhausting. I promised Grandma I would try to talk to Sebastian. She probably wants to set me up with him. I would do it if she wanted me to, but he seemed very unapproachable.

I sighed. "How do I do this?" I mumbled to myself.

As you sat there pondering, a familiar deep voice spoke up from behind you, "Do what, exactly?"

I almost jumped in surprise. What now?

"This setting is rather uncomfortable," I said to Sebastian.

"Is that so?" he asked. "Then leave."

Leave?

"..."

"..."

"Are you upset I left you with Pauline?" I asked.

He raised his left brow. "No. I just want you to leave. This is my spot," he answered.

Is this guy a kid?

"You could have just asked nicely. I am not hogging this place," is what I wanted to say, but I don't want to get in trouble. So, I just smiled as usual and said, "Okay. Sorry, I wasn't aware."

I stood up from my chair and saw him slightly tilting his head. "Do you have a habit of faking expressions even outside of your workplace?" he said so casually.

I was taken aback by his comment. "Excuse me?" I asked, not sure if I heard him correctly.

"You heard me," he said, his eyes locked on mine.

"I don't know what you're talking about," I replied defensively.

"I think you do," he said, his tone calm but stern.

I didn't know how to respond to that. I felt like he was seeing right through me, and it made me uncomfortable.

I guess I have been putting my guard down around this man. I know I need to maintain my image at all times, but his judgemental stare makes me lose interest in even trying to impress him.

So I let my feelings out and scoffed. "We're all actors by profession. Although I'm getting paid just by doing so," I said to him, not bothering to fake a smile anymore.

Sebastian's eyes narrowed slightly, and he leaned forward. "Interesting. And what about when you're not acting? Do you still put on a show?"

Why would I admit anything to a stranger?

I glared at him. "Sorry to disappoint you. I don't put on a show in my personal life. Why are you even asking me this?"

Sebastian leaned back in his chair and studied me for a moment. "Hm, that's too bad. It must be exhausting to constantly maintain a facade, don't you think?"

I bristled at his comment. "You sound so positive. Didn't you hear what I just said?" I asked. "I just know how to behave in different situations, Mr Creed. If that's acting, then sure."

Sebastian raised an eyebrow. "Is that so? Well, I suppose we all have our ways of coping with the demands of the industry."

I narrowed my eyes at him. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Sebastian just shrugged. "Nothing. Just an observation."

I could feel my frustration building up as I realized that I cannot keep up with an expert's bullshit. He seemed to have a way of getting under my skin and making me feel vexed. Do I have to keep talking to this man?

"I knew Creeds do not invite celebrities. I thought it stemmed from the grand purpose of avoiding the spotlight, but I guess it was just from prejudice," I said and left, acting unaffected. But as I stepped out of the gazebo, I could feel my body trembling and my heart beating faster.

Sebastian watched me go, a faint smile on his lips. He knew that he had hit a nerve, but he didn't feel bad about it. He was used to dealing with people who put up a front, and he found it amusing to see them squirm when he called them out on it.

Fucking bastard. I thought he was decent.

My frustration and stress seemed to have caught up with me as I suddenly felt so dizzy. Ah, I don't even remember if I drank enough water today.

"Hey, what's wrong?" Sebastian caught me as I almost fell over. "You're shaking."

I can't answer dehydration, can I?

"I think alcohol is kicking in. Let me hold you for a bit," I lied. I don't know if he believed that because he didn't try to dig further. But, damn, this is too embarrassing when I had just tried to look cool with my last speech. I could feel my cheeks getting warmer.

"Excuse me for this."

I was so surprised when my feet suddenly left the ground.

I calmed my nerves when I realized the situation I was in. Sebastian had lifted me into his arms, holding me securely against his chest. Although I've experienced this from shooting a movie, I still couldn't help my cheeks flushing from embarrassment.

As if!

He is carrying me. Over his shoulder! Over. His. Shoulder!

"I... I think I feel better now," I said, asking him to put me down.

Without missing a beat, he replied, "It's okay."

No! This is not okay! I am not okay! Some people who were near the garden noticed us! And I know I'm not light! My stomach is getting squished by my weight!

"I think you should put me down before I puke all over your back," I whispered. It seemed to have worked as he finally put me down. He stepped away like I was dirty. My evil thoughts are telling me I should just have done it.

I staggered and he held me by my head. Does he want to break my neck?

"What's the use of being handsome when you don't know how to treat a woman?" I murmured as I leaned on a pole.

"Did you say something?" He asked, seemingly oblivious to the humiliation I had just gone through. He asked again, "Why do you look so annoyed?"

I glared at him and said, "I'm trying to figure out what's going on inside your head."

Sebastian regarded me for a moment before speaking. "I think you need to learn to handle your alcohol better."

I glared at him. "I can handle my alcohol just fine, thank you very much."

Sebastian shrugged. "I just don't want to see you make a fool of yourself."

Yes, yes. Of course.

He reached for his phone and seemed to have called someone. "Prepare the bedroom nearest to the west wing," he said and looked at me. "And something to relieve a drunk person. No, I can handle it."

Why does it seem like he's always judging me? Should I just kick his balls now so he doesn't get to procreate?

"You stay here tonight, Ms Adelais. There is a room prepared for you. We can go when you're ready," he said to me. "And I'm sorry for this, but can you stop leaning on the pole for a bit?"

I hesitantly did as he said. I was surprised when he took off his coat and put it around me. I used to shoot so many scenes at dawn, so the night breeze didn't bother me. But his coat felt strangely comforting. I could smell his perfume on it, too.

"Has someone already told you you're moody?" I couldn't help asking. "Or is this a bribe to make me forget your insults earlier?"

He's way too hard to read.

Sebastian raised an eyebrow, looking slightly amused. "I've been called many things, but moody is not one of them. And no, this is not a bribe. I'm just being polite."

"You were clearly having fun at calling me out earlier, though?" I asked.

"..."

"..."

Why is he suddenly quiet?

"I'm sorry."

"Hmm?" I looked at him in case I misheard.

"I said I'm sorry..." he repeated, his face looking in the opposite direction. "For making you uncomfortable. I was indeed upset you left me with Ms... I didn't hear her name well, to be honest."

Is he saying that to me? Why is he looking the other way?

I couldn't help but laugh. "Pfft! I didn't know you're a shy type," I said, trying to stop myself from giggling too much.

He seemed to be regretting his actions. "And I didn't know you could laugh like that," he said, annoyed.

I grinned at him. "Why are you even asking that? I can't be an actress if I can't," I said.

"Was that laugh also an act?" He asked.

There was a moment of silence.

Was it?

"Haha. I honestly don't know anymore," I answered. "When you fake too many things, it messes with your head."

I swear I saw his expression soften for a second. "I can imagine. But sometimes, it's good to let your guard down and be genuine," he said.

I raised an eyebrow. "Says the man who seems to always have a guard up."

Sebastian chuckled. "I suppose you're right. But I have my reasons."

I smiled. "Well, I'll try to be more genuine if you try to be less judgmental," I said, half-jokingly.

Sebastian chuckled. "Fair enough. And I'm sorry again for earlier. I shouldn't have said what I did."

I smiled. "Apology accepted. Now, can we go to that room you mentioned earlier? I don't want to fall asleep here and wake up with a sore back."

Sebastian nodded and gestured for me to follow him. As we walked, I couldn't help but feel a newfound sense of ease around him. Maybe we can actually get along after all.

---

To pee or not to pee? Such is my dilemma for today.

It is already noon but I have not left my bed yet. I'm taking back all the sleep I had to miss for my tapings.

Come to think of it, it's been more than a week since the party at the Creeds. Yet I still haven't forgotten my interaction with Sebastian Creed.

"I feel so bad for leaving him with Pauline," I murmured. I never expected him to apologize because I wasn't planning to apologize either. But then again, didn't he already pay me back for that? He almost made me faint. And the way he carried me... Gosh, so embarrassing. That was the worst way you could have carried a potentially drunk person.

I chuckled to myself at the memory. I checked my phone clock by habit. Sigh. It's late. Why am I even sparing that man my time?

As I contemplated getting out of bed to use the bathroom, I saw Christine entering my bedroom carrying a bed tray. She said, "Cassy, eat now before I call your grandma."

I obediently sat down and prepared to eat. "If you ever find a project with a rich, handsome, cunning male lead, let me know right away," I said to Christine.

Christine laughed. "Why, are you looking for another Sebastian Creed?"

I almost choked on my soup. "Cough! Excuse me? How-- Why are you even mentioning him?"

"Well, you did bring up the idea of a rich, handsome, cunning male lead," Christine said with a grin. "And let's face it, he fits the description."

Did Grandma tell her about Sebastian? I rolled my eyes. "He's too arrogant and condescending for my taste."

Christine shrugged, seemingly unconvinced. "Suit yourself. But be honest, was there some sort of chemistry between you two?"

I scoffed. "Chemistry? Oh, please. Why is this even a topic? You didn't see how he..."

"He what?" Christine looked at me with curious eyes.

"He--" I paused, not sure if I should continue. "He drank a lot of wine. He's an alcoholic."

Christine didn't buy it at all. "Pfft. Yeah, yeah."

"Stop doing that!" I told her. "It was the first time I met a real-life rich annoying guy like him. So, as an actress, naturally, I suddenly felt an interest. You know when you meet someone and just wonder how they become like that? I just thought that he's a very good type of character to explore."

Christine smirked. "Sure, keep telling yourself that."

I wanted to answer, but Christine's phone rang. "Hello? Yes, this is Christine Perez. Who is this? Oh! I see. I'm afraid it's her rest day. But, let me ask her first," she put her phone away and asked me, "Can you spare some time today? There's a new project they'd like you to see."

I finished the last of my soup and nodded. "Sure, I can do that. What's the project about?"

Christine grinned. "It's a romance drama, with a male lead that fits your criteria: rich, handsome, and cunning."

I rolled my eyes. "Very funny. But sure, I'll check it out."

She returned to the caller. "She would like to see it. Yes. Okay. Okay. We'll be there in an hour. Thank you, Mr Lawton. Bye," she said and ended the call.

"Who was what?" I asked.

She grinned. "Someone you would like to work for. I'll prepare some outfits. Take a bath after you finish your meal. Is there a colour you'd like to wear today?"

"Lilac," I answered without much thought.

Christine nodded. "Lilac it is. I'll choose something that'll make you look stunning."

"What do you mean stunning? We aren't shooting right away, are we?" I shouted to her, but she had already entered the wardrobe.