Mia blinked, her gaze darting between the director and Meier, who stood casually beside her. The director's instructions echoed in her mind. Make the kiss real? Was he serious?

Meier nudged her playfully, leaning closer. "You look like you've seen a ghost," she teased, her lips curving into a smirk.

"Shouldn't you be shocked too?" Mia shot back, her tone laced with disbelief. "We're talking about the love scene here. The love scene."

Meier shrugged nonchalantly, though her eyes sparkled with mischief. "True, but the real entertainment is over there." She subtly gestured toward Ashley, seated by Maya with arms crossed and a gaze so intense it could burn through steel.

Mia's eyes followed Meier's line of sight, and she had to stifle a laugh. Ashley's death glare was unmistakable. Shaking her head, Mia muttered, "You're imagining things. Focus, Mei."

Still, as she moved to her mark for the scene, Mia's eyes flickered toward Ashley. The subtle tilt of Ashley's head and the faintest nod of approval sent a jolt of warmth—and nerves—through her. Why does she have to watch this?

The director's shout of "Action!" snapped her back to reality. Taking a steadying breath, Mia stepped into character. Her hand gently cupped Meier's face as she leaned in. Their lips met, the kiss deepening naturally, with Meier matching her intensity. The two eased onto the bed, Mia kneeling between Meier's legs, her hands steady on Meier's shoulders.

"Cut!" the director bellowed. "Meier, what are you doing? Again, from the top!"

Mia groaned internally. Not again.

After ten takes, the director finally called for a break. Rubbing her temples in mild frustration, Mia sighed, only to feel a light tap on her shoulder. Meier stood there, an awkward laugh escaping her.

"Sorry," Meier offered sheepishly, rubbing the back of her neck.

Mia rolled her eyes with playful exaggeration. "I thought you said you were practicing?"

"I did say we could practice together," Meier retorted, crossing her arms. "But you didn't want to."

Mia waved her off and headed toward Ashley and Maya. Maya handed her a water bottle, and Mia took a long sip. "Ten takes for a single scene," she muttered, shaking her head.

"Oh, I'm sure someone was thoroughly enjoying the kissing part," Ashley's low voice quipped, just loud enough for Mia to catch.

Mia nearly choked on her water, whipping her head toward Ashley. "Jealous, are we?" she teased, her tone light but smug.

Ashley's jaw tightened as she folded her arms tighter. "I am not," she replied with exaggerated calm. "I'm merely... observing."

Mia smirked. "Of course, honeybunch. Totally not obvious at all." She glanced at Maya first before leaning in closer to Ashley, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Come on, admit it. I won't tell anyone."

Ashley met her gaze with an impassive stare before leaning in, her breath warm against Mia's ear. "I'll admit it in bed later," she murmured.

Mia's eyes widened as her pulse quickened. "You!" she spluttered, lifting her hand as if to smack Ashley, but Meier's voice interrupted them, calling Mia back to set.

Ashley clicked her tongue, her eyes following Meier. "The attention-seeker strikes again," she muttered under her breath.

Mia stifled a laugh, shaking her head as she walked back toward the lights.



Ashley tilted her head, smiling softly as she watched Mia walk ahead of them, happily humming a tune. When Mia paused in front of Maya's car, she turned around, her sweet smile aimed directly at Ashley.

"You both should get some proper rest over the next two days," Maya said, unlocking her car and gesturing toward the back seat. "Ashley, can you put the bags in the back for me? Thanks." She smiled at Ashley.

"Well," Mia said, sidling up to Maya and wrapping her arms around her manager's arm. "You should rest too, Maya. Don't worry—once taping is done, I'll get you tickets for a family vacation." She grinned, clearly pleased with her idea.

Maya flicked Mia's forehead lightly. "You keep wasting money on unnecessary things."

"That's not unnecessary!" Mia protested. "Besides, travel and tours are part of our family business. It's no big deal—consider it a thank-you gift."

"Whatever you say, Mia." Maya shook her head, her attention shifting to the group of fans nearby. "Looks like your admirers are here again." She nodded toward the crowd gathering a short distance away.

Mia chuckled. "Guess I better say hi." She glanced at Maya and Ashley. "You two should go ahead."

"Mia, take Ashley with you," Maya said, leaning against her car. "You know how you get with fans."

Rolling her eyes, Mia waved Maya off and walked toward the group, Ashley trailing a few steps behind her. "Hey, guys!" Mia greeted warmly, stopping just in front of the fans. "What've we got here?" She accepted posters and magazines to sign, pausing briefly to smooth her pleated skirt when a breeze caught it.

Noticing Mia's discomfort, Ashley stepped forward, shrugging off her jacket and wrapping it securely around Mia's waist. The fans erupted in excited shrieks at the gesture, making Mia blush furiously.

"Thanks," Mia mumbled, glancing at Ashley, who simply stood behind her, turning her back to give Mia space to interact with her fans.

As Mia signed autographs, her hand froze mid-movement when she spotted an unsigned marriage certificate—a cheeky, fake one crafted by her fans. She held it up with a laugh. "What's this?" she asked, shaking her head in amusement.

"Just sign it!" one fan urged. "And let her sign the other part!" They gestured toward Ashley, whose back was still turned.

Mia grinned mischievously, folding the paper in half to conceal the heading. She poked Ashley's shoulder. "Ash," she called.

Ashley glanced over her shoulder, stepping closer. "What is it?" she asked, her voice soft and curious.

"Sign this," Mia said, pointing to a blank spot on the paper.

"Why would I sign it?" Ashley raised an eyebrow. "Shouldn't you be signing it?"

"Just do it," Mia said, pushing the pen into Ashley's hand. "Use a fake signature if you're worried about forgery. Come on, it's for fun."

Ashley sighed but relented, wrapping an arm around Mia's waist to steady the paper as she signed. The close proximity made the fans squeal with delight. Mia stiffened slightly at the unexpected closeness, her heart racing.

"There," Ashley mumbles, handing the pen back to Mia, though she remained standing near her, watching her movements.

"Thanks," Mia said with a grin, quickly scrawling her signature on the other side. "But do you know what you just signed?" she asked playfully, unfolding the paper.

Ashley froze when she saw the full document, her eyes widening in realization. "You didn't say anything about marriage!" she stammered, her face turning crimson.

The fans cheered and laughed at her reaction, snapping pictures of the scene.

"Oh, hold on—I need my phone to document this," Mia laughs, holding out her hand toward Ashley.

"You're impossible," Ashley grumbled, fishing a phone out of her pocket.

Mia glanced at it, confused. "Uh, Ash, this is your phone."

Ashley tilted her head, puzzled, before pulling another phone out of her other pocket. Her face flushed when she realized both phones had matching animated keychains.

"Wait," a fan said, pointing. "Are those matching keychains?"

Mia laughed, holding up her finger to her lips. "Shh, behave yourselves, guys!" She handed the certificate back to the group. "Send me a copy of that, okay?"

"Gotta go now!" she waves to the crowd as she grabs Ashley's hand, pulling her away.

Ashley groaned, still flustered. "Gosh, Mia! You're really unbelievable."

Mia burst into laughter, enjoying Ashley's reaction. "You love it," she teased, giving Ashley a playful nudge.