Dearest, Duke

CHAPTER 2

“Good Morning, Director,” all the staff greeted Duke when he arrived on the set. He’s walking with confidence, and because of his good looks, no one goes unnoticed. Children, adults, always look at him. He had this charm and charisma that caught the attention of women.

"I love you."

"Cut!" he shouted.

"Thank you." Alyssa, the actress, thanked everyone on the set. She walked towards Director Duke with a smile.

“Director. How was it? Did I improve a lot?” he asked. Duke was wearing a poker face when he faced her. “It’s okay,” Alyssa scoffed secretly while gritting her teeth at him.

Duke stood up. “Good job everyone. Let’s call it a day,” Duke immediately walked away from the set.

"How cold!"

"He's still handsome in my eyes, even though he's cold and bossy,"

"What's the use if you get the beauty of a face like that if he behaves like that?"

Duke is a famous movie director. He had just returned to the Philippines to handle a movie project with Actress Alyssa, who was involved in a viral issue in the country. To clean her name, they had a movie project for her to keep her image up to the public. Duke didn’t want to accept the offer, but the offer was too good to refuse.

"How's the rating of the show?" he asked his secretary.

“Director. Someone wanted to meet you in person,” he said.

"Who?"

"A VIP."

Duke had arrived at the motel lobby. He waited for almost an hour before the woman arrived. “You know I hate wasting my time, why did you bring me here? I’ve lost my precious time.”

"Sir, she's here-."

"Director." A woman smiled at him while raising her hands. Duke looked at him without emotion.

"I'm so sorry to keep you waiting, Director."

“You should have told us beforehand. I wasted my precious time waiting for someone who doesn’t deserve it, ” the woman was surprised by what he said, but she also laughed.

“Director. Let me introduce myself to you. I’m Misty Belacora. My dad owns this hotel. You see we are very rich, Director," she boasted.

"What do you want?"

“You see… I love your movies so much. I’ll be an artist soon. I am hoping to get a movie project with you, Director.”

“Are you saying?”

“Yes. You should take me instead of that, Alyssa. Your career might get ruined because of her. Her image is so ruined now. Why did you even handle such a project with her?"

“Look, Ms. We have to get going now. We don’t have any time for these childish things,” Duke stood and started to walk away from her. Misty was left alone in the lobby as she glared at the Director who was walking away from her.

Meanwhile, Cassandra is eating popcorn while watching Alyssa’s movie. She sighed… "She still hasn't learned. She’s still cleaning her name even though she knows she’s already ruined,” She shuddered as she stared at Alyssa on the big TV screen in their living room.

"I love you," Cassandra's dream immediately entered her mind. She bit her lip as she remembered the thing. She shook her head. “Why would I do that? It’s just a dream, Cassy. It's a dream.”

When she looked back at the screen, the name of the director of the movie appeared. The movie was so good, but the actress who portrayed the role isn’t. She narrowed her eyes, "Duke…" she never read it again because her name scrolled up so fast.

"Duke, what?" she picked up his phone and immediately searched for that name, but there were a lot of the same names that came up. Cassandra sighed and looked around. The house is quiet again. She’s used to that kind of silence, but why would she feel like she wanted more than this?

She leaned her head on the sofa when her phone suddenly vibrated. She reached for it and saw her mother calling.

"Mom?"

“Sweetie. We are so sorry, we can't come to your birthday party. We have a lot of things to do, but don’t worry, we have already booked a catering service for your special day. ”

Cassandra frowned at that. They never attended or they didn’t even show up on her birthday. “It’s okay, Mom. Thank you. ”

“You sure you’re okay?”

“Yes. I am,” she lied.

“Okay. Good night.”

“Oh. Good night.”

A deep sigh came out of her mouth. She never experienced having a family dinner or birthday party with her parents. Cassy was always alone at school events. Family day? She hates that day. Her Mom and Dad always didn’t have spare time for her.

A solemn tear escaped from her eyes. Although Cassandra is a b***h and stubborn, she longs for her parents ’love too. The love she will never get .. A love from her parents. Manang Belinda noticed her sobbing while covering her mouth so that no sound came out of her mouth.

“Are you okay, Ms. Cassy?” she stopped and wiped away the tears. She fixed herself and looked at Belinda. “Why wouldn’t I? I'm fine.”

"You're crying."

"No, I'm not."

"Yes, you are."

"No, I'm not."

Manang Belinda sighed while watching her right now. She wanted to talk to her about her parents, but Cassy didn't want to know about it.

Cassy hurried to her room and she locked the door. She leaned her back against the door and slid herself down to the floor. “Mom… Dad…” Her words were cut short and all she could say were stuttering sounds. Warm tears streamed down her face, and she squeezed her lids in hopes her tears would stop. His slow breathing and squinting eyes remained for a long time, and he sat there motionless.

"If tears could heal wounds, I'd not be in pain right now."

To be continued...