621-625

Chapter 621: The First Scene

In Hollywood, there’s a protection clause for male and female actors when filming nude or intimate scenes. Directors must get the actors’ consent, even when using body doubles, and the extent to which doubles are used is entirely up to the actors. They have the right to refuse at any time.

Of course, the pressure from producers and directors on unknown actors is another matter entirely. There are many situations where actors don’t have the power to say no, but that’s a complex situation on its own.

At least on set, the control and the right to refuse remain with the actors.

Every actor, regardless of age, status, or gender, has the power to refuse intimate and nude scenes on set. This is a requirement that the actors' union mandates in all contracts.

In 1976, during the filming of "Last Tango in Paris," Marlon Brando and director Bernardo Bertolucci shot an over-the-line intimate scene without informing the inexperienced newcomer actress, Maria Schneider.

They deliberately deviated from the script and made bold, explicit attempts that terrified Maria Schneider, all while the camera faithfully captured the scene.

After the movie was released, it faced overwhelming criticism. Countless industry professionals deemed it the most notorious scene ever filmed. Despite Marlon and Bernardo’s towering status in the industry and the fact that this happened back in 1976, their careers weren’t severely impacted. However, this stain accompanied them for the rest of their professional lives.

Now, "The Butterfly Effect" faces a similar situation.

Mackie and Eric insisted on getting Rachel's agreement, which led to a perfect arrangement—

And so, they arrived here, sitting on the edge of the bed in their bathrobes, awkwardly avoiding each other’s gaze.

Actually, the reason Rachel agreed was that the scene was simple.

The intimate scene didn’t require nudity. Rachel would be covered with a sheet, with only her shoulders exposed. There weren’t even any scenes showing her bare back, making it no different from wearing an off-shoulder evening gown. Mackie and Eric insisted that the focus of this scene wasn’t on playing up those borderline gimmicks, but on showcasing the chemistry between Evan and Keller.

Everything was done purely to serve the film, not to create sensationalism.

So, Rachel agreed.

But thinking about it is one thing; actually doing it is another. Sitting on the bed in a bathrobe with another actor, feeling the ambiguous and heated atmosphere in the air, still felt unfamiliar and awkward.

After all, this was Rachel’s first time.

She thought she was mentally prepared, but she realized she needed more preparation.

“…It’s my first time, so if I mess up, please bear with me.” She suddenly heard Anson’s voice, causing Rachel to look up quickly.

And then, she saw Anson’s bright and open smile.

She was stunned. “Your first time?”

Anson shrugged slightly. “Strictly speaking, I had a few experiences while filming ‘Catch Me If You Can,’ but Steven approached it more playfully, without really focusing on the intimacy. He and Tom were quite conservative in that regard, so there was no ambiguous atmosphere on set; it felt more like an academic exercise, leaving no room for your imagination to run wild.”

Rachel responded, “So, are you imagining things now?”

She regretted the words as soon as they left her mouth, unsure how they slipped out.

However, Anson remained calm, looking into Rachel’s eyes with clear sincerity. “Isn’t that the whole point of this scene?”

Rachel’s fingers, which had been nervously curling up, gradually relaxed. “Are you always this bold and straightforward? Making people feel embarrassed?”

Anson replied, “Occasionally. But not with everyone.”

The implication was clear...

Rachel’s lips parted slightly as she felt a sudden dryness in her mouth. But this time, she didn’t look away. Instead, she confidently met Anson’s gaze.

If Rachel still didn’t understand that Anson was easing the tension and setting the mood for the scene, she would be foolish.

So, she couldn’t look away. She needed to follow Anson’s lead and get into character; not only that, she needed to take a more active role.

In the story, Evan is the one who is anxious, but Keller is not.

Keller doesn’t know what Evan has gone through in the parallel timelines; she’s just a sunny girl who hasn’t been hurt. Rachel needed to show her sweetest side, making the audience feel that Keller truly loves Evan.

In other words, in this scene, Rachel needed to take the initiative.

So.

She looked up at Anson, meeting those clear blue eyes that gazed at her with focus and deep emotion. She saw her own reflection in his pupils, causing her to pause, and just like that—

She fell.

As if lost in that sea of blue, the words, the deeper meanings, the ambiguous emotions all wrapped around her soul like mist, pulling her down.

Rachel felt a bit shy.

She wasn’t fully in character yet, nervously and awkwardly glancing away, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. When her fingers brushed against her skin, she realized how warm her ears were.

She looked up at Anson again.

Anson was still gazing at her with deep emotion, fully focused, his bright blue eyes like a flowing stream where golden sunlight danced on the water. Before she realized it, her heartbeat had already gone erratic.

She lowered her gaze to hide her emotions, but half a second later, she looked up again. In the tug-of-war between emotion and reason, reason had already been defeated.

Then.

She fell deeper into that deep blue, continuing to fall.

Her heartbeat roared in her ears.

Thump. Thump. Thump.

The sound pounded against her eardrums, drowning out all other noises. She vaguely heard the director instruct them to lie down on the bed, but she wasn’t entirely sure. Almost instinctively, she laid down, even before hearing the signal to start filming, already immersed in the role.

So, was she Rachel, or was she Keller?

Or perhaps, she was both Rachel and Keller.

Quietly, she lost herself in the vivid, blooming colors around her.

Huff, huff.

Heavy, rough breaths filled the room, like the sound of a final sprint. The camera captured nothing but the air, focusing on the details of those breaths and the subtle sounds of contact. Though nothing explicit was visible, it still ignited the imagination.

In the entire room, only a single lamp was lit, its orange glow casting a warm, hazy light in one corner. The heat and sweat in the air blurred even the light’s halo.

Until, finally, it was all over.

The camera slowly panned over, revealing two figures tightly embracing, their forms outlined by the sheet, soaked in sweat.

*Chapter 622: Eye Contact*

Aaron Taylor-Johnson let out a long sigh, reluctantly looking back at the set, his face full of disappointment and frustration. His shoulders slumped heavily.

Logan Lerman noticed this and couldn’t understand it. Tilting his head, he carefully examined Aaron before cautiously asking, "Are you unhappy?"

Aaron shrugged slightly, not confirming nor denying.

Logan was puzzled. "But why?"

Aaron looked back at the set with lingering affection. "Today is the first day of filming, the only time all of us are here together. I thought I would have the chance to watch Anson perform up close. God, I’ve been waiting for this day for so long, but I didn’t expect..."

They were kicked out.

Logan pursed his lips. "But Mom said they were filming a fairy fight. We're still too young to watch. We can see it when we get older."

Though Aaron was only two years older at twelve, certain realizations had quietly awakened within him. He knew what "fairy fight" really meant. But looking into Logan’s innocent eyes, he couldn’t find the words to explain it. After a moment of irritation, Aaron finally mumbled.

"That's not the reason. They need some privacy to perform. Look, it's not just us; the entire crew is outside."

The bedroom had been completely cleared—only the cameraman and a camera were left behind; everyone else had been asked to leave.

The so-called "privacy" wasn't anything scandalous; both actors were thoroughly protected with no risk of exposure, so there was nothing to worry about.

The real reason lay in the nature of the scene. The two actors needed their own space to drop their guard and let the chemistry develop. Otherwise, sweet words spoken under public scrutiny would lack a certain feeling.

Even the two directors had left the room.

In the end, only three people remained.

If the cameraman didn’t have to operate the camera, he would have likely left too.

To Aaron, this was undoubtedly disappointing news. But Heath wasn't worried; if he couldn’t watch up close, standing behind the monitor with the directors was just as good.

Layer after layer, a sea of people gathered behind Mackie and Eric.

Even a small detail like this made it clear—from "The Elephant" to "The Butterfly Effect," Anson was now just as much a focal point within the crew.

Anson, Rachel—both needed to focus on their performances, free from distractions.

Rachel was anxious. After all, she lacked acting experience, and starting with such an intimate scene was a challenge.

However, things didn’t turn out as expected.

Before Rachel even realized it, she was already quietly falling under his spell, wholeheartedly gazing into Anson’s eyes, completely immersed.

One word after another slipped out before her brain could even catch up.

"Wow, this is amazing."

"Oh, God..."

Keller raised her hand, gently stroking Evan's head. Evan buried his face in her shoulder, his breath hot against her skin, causing a slight tickling sensation as if a butterfly were flapping its wings. The warmth and intensity made her body tremble slightly.

It was pure pleasure and a shiver.

Keller’s fingers ran through Evan's hair, feeling the moisture and warmth with her fingertips.

"Where did you learn that new trick?"

Evan immediately became alert—had he exposed himself? Was he not the Evan of this timeline?

Evan sat up slightly, staring nervously at Keller, his breathing a bit rapid.

"What’s wrong?"

"Was it... weird? It wasn’t, right?"

Hesitation, uncertainty, self-doubt.

However, this shyness appeared especially endearing in Keller’s eyes, and her smile bloomed without reservation. "Yes, if you think multiple orgasms are weird."

She couldn't help but laugh softly as she finished, her fingers playing with Evan's hair, her pupils filled with happiness as she traced the outline of the person before her with her gaze.

Hair, forehead, nose, eyes.

So close, yet she couldn’t get enough. Drunk on happiness, her fingers slipped down, lightly brushing Evan’s cheek, feeling the warmth, almost burning her fingertips, which she instinctively curled in.

But Evan raised his cheek, rubbing it against her hand, a tender affection binding them together.

Keller lightly bit her lower lip, her eyes tracing Evan’s brows, nose, and lips.

Suddenly.

Evan lunged forward, instantly closing the distance between them, forehead to forehead, feeling each other’s warmth skin to skin.

Whoosh.

Her heart soared, almost exploding. Before she could react, their fingers intertwined, ten fingers locked together, and happiness burst one bubble after another in her chest.

At that moment, she saw the care and love in his eyes, following her every move, not even blinking.

And then.

She was lost.

This scene made Mackie and Eric, watching from the monitor, hold their breath. Even without directorial experience, without knowing anything about framing, camera angles, or shot composition, they could still feel the overwhelming chemistry radiating from the screen, so intense it felt like the air might ignite.

Wait, what was going on?

Weren’t they supposed to be inexperienced? Weren’t they unsure themselves? Wasn’t this supposed to be a test run? Weren’t there supposed to be no guarantees?

But?

The sparks in the air made everyone’s mouths dry. Even without any intense movements or much physical contact, the burning emotions were palpable, leaving everyone parched.

Is this really okay?

Mackie and Eric, lacking experience, were entirely absorbed by the monitor, completely drawn in. These two nerds clearly hadn’t witnessed such a heart-pounding scene in person before, entirely engrossed, completely forgetting everything else—

Fortunately, the crew still had professionals on hand, who didn’t forget the next steps. Before the two actors became too deeply involved, they followed the script and dialed the phone.

Ring ring.

At that moment, the phone on the bedside table rang, breaking the atmosphere.

A jolt!

Keller and Evan were interrupted, and so were Mackie and Eric.

Behind the monitor, Heath noticed the two novice directors’ panicked expressions—one crossed his legs to hide his reaction, while the other leaned forward completely, his eyes full of embarrassment—

As if they were the ones acting out the intimate scene on camera.

He wondered if they regretted choosing this scene to start with. It was a challenge for the two actors, but it was also a shock for the crew. The dry mouths on set made that clear enough.

No one was an exception.

However, Heath’s attention only lingered briefly before returning to the monitor—

That’s where the focus was.

And besides, they didn’t feel the commotion outside the bedroom. The flow of the performance remained unbroken, fully immersed in the scene, and the filming continued.

His eyes couldn’t leave the screen.

*Chapter 623: Caught Between Hope and Fear*

Ring, ring.

The sudden sound of the phone broke the moment, severing their intertwined gaze like an intruder barging in. Yet, her eyes couldn’t help but follow him, as if glued to his every movement.

He picked up the phone. “Hello?”

She kept her eyes on him, as if the entire world revolved around him.

He, too, never looked away from her. Even as he answered the call, his eyes stayed fixed on her face.

Attachment, affection, and connection.

The small details filled the space between them, unnoticed but undeniable.

She was completely captivated.

Noticing the slight hesitation in his expression, she wrapped her arms around his neck. “Forget it.”

But he was uneasy. “Hello?”

There was no sound from the other end, and suddenly, the call ended without warning.

He blinked, staring at the receiver, lost in thought.

In this parallel world, there were too many unknowns and uncertainties. He wasn’t sure how he had changed the past or how he came to have the present. He wasn’t sure if he had truly used the diary to go back in time, altering history to create a happy ending.

Everything was too perfect, too blissful, to feel real.

It seemed like it could vanish at any moment, as if it were just a dream he was having.

He was unsure.

What if all this—the altered history, the happiness—was just a long, vivid dream?

Should he wake up, or continue dreaming?

The anxiety and unease were like the sword of Damocles hanging over him.

He didn’t know when, or even if, it would fall.

A silent phone call might mean nothing, but he couldn’t help feeling uneasy.

He stared at the receiver, his focus blurring, lost in thought. His mind drifted, searching aimlessly through the gaps in time and space.

But only for a moment.

He took a deep breath, replaced the receiver, and rested his head on her chest, pressing his ear to her left side, quietly listening to the sound of her heart beating—

Thump. Thump.

Strong, powerful.

It seemed to lightly transmit its force through her chest to his eardrum, as he carefully absorbed the rhythm and energy of her heartbeat, letting the world’s other noises fade away.

She felt it, too.

It was such a simple action, devoid of desire, like a child listening with pure innocence. But she could feel his tenderness and caution, as he immersed himself completely. The beating of her heart slowly transformed into the pulse of her soul.

She heard it, too—

His heartbeat.

Thump. Thump.

At first, their heartbeats were out of sync, echoing each other. But as they continued, the beats began to align, merging into a single rhythm resonating in their ears.

She was listening to him.

He was listening to her.

But their feelings were entirely different.

She was falling deeper, her love growing stronger, pulling her down with no way out.

He was anxious and afraid, the more beautiful it was, the more he feared losing it.

Two emotions, different paths, yet they merged through the rhythm of their hearts and the touch of their skin.

In that moment, the world was at peace.

In front of the monitor, Mackie was unsure—

He couldn’t quite put it into words.

This scene, logically, should have paused only briefly, but now the silence between the two actors had stretched on for at least three seconds. Should he call “Cut”?

But at the same time, he could sense the emotions filling the pause, slowly saturating the silence, the chemistry between the characters making him want to scream.

So, was this good, or not?

He didn’t know, and he wasn’t sure.

Directing was harder than he’d thought. How to fill the spaces between dialogue and convey emotion through the camera was a big question mark.

Mackie looked over at Eric, only to find him watching the monitor with wide eyes, his mouth slightly open in awe, completely absorbed. This left Mackie feeling a bit helpless.

He rolled his eyes.

So, this is good, right? Eric’s reaction was proof of the scene’s success, so he didn’t need to stop the filming, right?

These thoughts flashed briefly through his mind.

And in that brief hesitation, a voice came muffled from under the covers, hesitant and cautious as he asked quietly,

“Why do you think… we’re so perfect together?”

He lifted his head and looked at her again, his handsome face reflected in her eyes. The caution and vulnerability in his gaze seemed to hold its breath. Everything was so perfect, it was only natural for him to start questioning whether he deserved such happiness. This made her hold her breath as well, searching for the stars and sea in his eyes.

He continued, “I mean, why did you come find me after I moved away?”

This was his greatest fear—

In this world, he had still moved, and he and Keller had still parted ways. But unlike before, they hadn’t lost contact. Keller had secretly come to find him, and they had ended up together.

But why?

The girl he had once only dreamed of now saw him, and even humbled herself to come find him. He couldn’t find an answer and couldn’t put his mind at ease.

In his hesitation and uncertainty, he finally asked the question.

She didn’t hesitate. Without a pause, she gave her answer directly, “Because I missed you.”

Simple, direct.

It stunned him. He had imagined many possibilities, but he had overlooked the simplest one.

The truth was so simple, not complicated or profound.

Seeing his expression, she couldn’t help but laugh. She could clearly see her own reflection in his eyes, so happy and bright, a look she had never seen before, but she had already fallen in love with this version of herself.

If happiness had a perfect image, it would look just like this.

Ha.

His forehead bumped against hers, a sound of frustration and shyness rising from his throat. Rachel laughed out loud, full of joy. “What, did you think my dad would stop me from seeing you?”

“What could he do to me?”

He looked at her, their noses touching, and his smile bloomed fully. “I don’t know, maybe shout at me, ‘Get lost, Bambi!’”

“Bambi?” Rachel couldn’t help but widen her eyes, doubting her ears.

That look made Evan a little embarrassed, his cheeks warming as he refused to answer, burying his face in her shoulder and neck, breathing deeply.

Rachel couldn’t hold back, a ticklish, tingling sensation spreading across her left shoulder, goosebumps rising from head to toe, her entire body curling up. “Oh!”

She let out a surprised cry.

Unexpectedly, they started playfully tickling each other, finding each other’s sensitive spots, their foreheads pressed together as they laughed and tussled.

Haha, hahaha.

Their laughter wouldn’t stop.

Maybe he could stop worrying now. The tragedy he remembered hadn’t happened, Keller’s father was no longer a demon, and he couldn’t stop Keller from being with him. He could finally embrace happiness fully.

This allowed him to completely relax, revealing a playful, childlike side of himself.

*Chapter 624: Till the End of Time*

Hehe. Haha.

In the bedroom, the sounds of a playful scuffle between the young couple bloomed like fireworks.

In front of the monitor, there was complete silence—

This scene wasn’t in the script.

Mackie and Eric, who had poured countless hours into perfecting the script, knew it inside and out. They both knew that these actions weren’t scripted.

Yet, neither Mackie nor Eric interrupted the filming:

Everything flowed so smoothly, so naturally, like it was meant to be.

The happiness radiating from the screen was so simple, pure, and intense that it broke the fourth wall, drawing everyone around the monitor into its embrace, blurring the lines between reality and fiction.

Finally, Rachel gave in, “Oh, my toes, my toes are numb.”

But Evan’s thoughts were elsewhere, meticulously analyzing every detail of Rachel’s expression, searching for the hesitation and struggle hidden in the joyful glow of her eyes.

Swallowing hard, Evan tried to stop himself. He didn’t need to speak, nor should he disrupt this moment of beauty and happiness, but the words slipped out anyway.

“Do you think…”

“We’ll be together forever?”

His voice trembled.

It held fear and hope, worry and happiness, hesitation and excitement… all these conflicting emotions tangled together, spilling out in a whisper that gently landed on her heart, impossible to describe yet so real as it left his tongue.

Involuntarily, she began to tremble too.

Rachel froze.

She noticed the confusion and struggle in his eyes, her heart tightening. She shifted back against the headboard, adjusting her gaze to meet his, her face showing panic and hesitation as she looked into his blue eyes.

“That’s our plan, right?”

Rachel couldn’t find the reassurance she was looking for in his eyes, panic creeping in as she had to remind him again.

“No matter what, till the end of time?”

He wouldn’t have forgotten their promise, right?

Or was he like every other man, spouting romantic vows only to forget them, leaving women to foolishly believe in those promises?

Rachel’s pupils darted anxiously from side to side, searching his handsome face for a familiar expression, hoping her heart would calm down and her breath would return to normal.

Evan was stunned too—

Till the end of time?

He couldn’t remember, not at all. His mind was a blank slate, unable to recall when, where, or in what context he had made such a promise.

He shouldn’t have opened Pandora’s box.

But now it was too late.

He quickly realized his expression had given everything away. What should he do? How could he cover this up and move past it?

“Right, of course, right.”

“I just wanted to make sure.”

His mind was a mess, too rushed to think it through, offering a hasty response. But Evan knew he hadn’t convinced her.

She remained wary and suspicious, her eyes full of confusion.

Clearly, she didn’t know what was wrong, but she knew he seemed particularly strange today.

How could he explain?

Hey, Keller, I just went back in time to prevent a tragedy, but I didn’t anticipate that the butterfly effect would lead us to be together. This is everything I’ve ever dreamed of, and now that it’s actually happening, I can’t believe it. I’m afraid it’s all just an illusion. Did I really change the past? Are we really going to have a happily ever after like in a fairy tale?

Obviously, that wouldn’t work.

His mind was racing with thoughts, but in the end, he pushed them all aside.

He looked at Keller, his eyes, his mind, and his heart filled only with her, the happiness he longed for right within his grasp.

Then.

Instead of trying to explain, he looked deeply into Keller’s eyes—

He couldn’t remember when or where he made that promise, but it didn’t matter. He could make it again right now because he knew how he felt.

His gaze locked onto Keller’s.

“Till the end of time, right?”

Light, yet full of emotion.

Sincere, yet fragile.

His voice, like a butterfly, gently landed on her heart.

Nothing else mattered anymore.

She could see into his eyes, into the passion and sincerity burning deep within his soul. That vow, like a brand, etched itself deep within her soul, making her heart race uncontrollably.

Just like that, she fell.

Rachel nodded lightly, whispering softly in return.

“Till the end of time.”

Their hearts beat as one, and Rachel lovingly cupped his face with her hands, drawing closer and closer until their heated breaths intertwined. Then, skin met skin, and sparks flew from the friction.

The entire room was silent.

Dry mouths, pounding hearts, people tried to look away but couldn’t help sneaking glances back at the monitor, greedily absorbing the warmth, the breath, the touch, with their eardrums buzzing.

Mackie was actually a bit panicked—

Such a scene was overwhelming for someone who spent his days quietly writing at home. He didn’t know what to do with his hands and feet.

Moreover, this scene had been altered.

Not just the dialogue, but also the emotional state and development. Everything had subtly changed.

Mackie wasn’t used to it. His mind constantly sounded alarms, reminding him they were off track; but reason applied the brakes, telling him that this interpretation wasn’t wrong. Even if he couldn’t articulate why, it felt like this approach was better, that the actors were in the right state.

More importantly, his brain was flooded with emotions, unable to function or think.

So, he just went along with the flow, bewildered.

When he finally snapped out of it, the scene was playing out again.

But what should he do? What comes next?

Mackie’s mind was still blank, his attention already drifting to some unrelated corner of the universe, swallowing hard as he watched the scene on the monitor.

Until—

“Oh no, nosebleed.”

Eric’s panicked shout broke the silence. Looking down, his hands were covered in blood, and his face was smeared with it too. Shocked and confused, he looked around, unsure of what to do.

Mackie saw the blood still dripping from Eric’s nose and began to panic too, his thoughts finally returning to reality as his feet felt the ground beneath them again.

“Cut.”

Mackie shouted.

It was only then that he realized the scene had already been shot, and they should’ve stopped filming by now. Otherwise, the two actors would just keep… getting closer.

“Cut!”

“Stop filming!”

“Uh, uh, we need to take care of this nosebleed.”

In the bedroom, they finally heard the call to stop filming, allowing them to catch their breath and pull away from each other.

Moments ago, lost in the intimate atmosphere, both actors had dazed expressions, unable to distinguish reality from fiction; but the sound of the walkie-talkie brought them crashing back to earth, leaving them exchanging confused looks, neither with an answer.

Wait, did the director just say there’s a nosebleed situation outside?

…A nosebleed?

*Chapter 625: Indecision*

Half awake, half dreaming, like a haze of illusions.

Rachel was completely immersed, her heart pounding, caught in a surreal fog where reality was hard to discern. Her head felt like it was floating in the clouds, while her legs seemed submerged in the ocean. The lack of oxygen made the world spin, yet she felt a pure joy and happiness, as if she were gently falling through a kaleidoscope of vibrant colors.

Then—confusion.

Nose... nosebleed?

Why was there talk of a nosebleed?

Rachel was bewildered, trying to refocus and grasp the scene in front of her. After what seemed like an eternity, she finally locked onto those familiar eyes but was once again interrupted, her thoughts scattered. Her brain couldn't keep up, and she just stood there, stunned.

Unconsciously, she hesitated.

Her gaze wandered in the air, trying to avoid his eyes, but she found no escape. Inevitably, their eyes met again.

Her heart pounded wildly, pulling her down in freefall, excitement and nervousness intertwining, until the sudden noise from the walkie-talkie broke the moment, causing their locked gazes to quickly pull apart.

It wasn’t until this moment that she realized she had forgotten to do something—breathe.

Breathing, which had always been a natural instinct, was something she never thought she’d forget, but somehow, in that moment, she had.

Inhale. Exhale.

She repeated the process.

Inhale. Exhale.

As oxygen filled her lungs, her brain finally started working again. The ambiguity and heat that had enveloped her began to settle.

Then—

Rationality returned to her mind, and the events played back in her head like a movie.

Her face flushed, and her heart raced.

Rachel finally realized what had happened, and what she had done in front of the camera. She bit her lower lip, a low groan escaping her throat.

"Oh, God."

In a daze, she curled up, burying her face in her hands. The only thought in her mind was wanting to dig a hole and hide in it.

Anson noticed her reaction—

He, too, was a bit dazed, struggling to separate himself from the performance, but unlike his character, he managed to snap out of it a bit quicker.

Because, over the past two years, he had repeatedly explored the fine line between reality and fantasy, always reaching the same conclusion:

This is real. He needed to hold on tight, cherish it, and fully enjoy this second chance at life.

It was like the spinning top in "Inception."

The difference was that while "Inception" needed the top to determine reality, he didn’t. He was more certain now than ever before.

So, after a brief moment of disorientation, Anson exhaled deeply, the burning excitement and passion in his chest gradually settling down.

Then—

Anson noticed Rachel.

Thump. Thump.

His heart was still racing.

He looked around, realizing they were in the bedroom, unable to see what was happening outside. It was like they were still in the dark.

His gaze returned to Rachel, hesitating for a moment.

“So, were they really talking about a nosebleed out there?”

Rachel, still hiding her face in her hands, paused at Anson's words. She cautiously looked up, and they exchanged glances.

Pfft.

She couldn’t help it and burst out laughing.

Ha. Haha.

After a brief pause, Rachel sneaked another glance at Anson, accidentally meeting his eyes again, which set off another uncontrollable bout of laughter. They both laughed so hard they were nearly doubled over.

Even though they didn’t fully understand what was happening, and it wasn’t really that funny, they couldn’t stop laughing. It had been so long since they had laughed so freely, the absurdity and contrast of the situation adding a layer of humor that was beyond words.

The laughter was unstoppable.

Finally, they managed to regain some composure, slightly reining in their laughter.

Just then, Mackey entered the bedroom, “Sorry, there was a little accident. Eric suddenly had a nosebleed, but it’s under control now...”

Pfft.

Anson and Rachel, as if someone had hit a switch, burst into laughter again. They were holding their stomachs, laughing uncontrollably. Even though they didn’t know why, the sheer absurdity of Eric getting a nosebleed during a love scene was enough to set them off again.

Mackey: ???

He was completely confused. Did he just tell a joke? Why didn’t he know? Should he join them in the laughter?

Anson and Rachel, seeing Mackey’s bewildered expression, laughed even harder, practically collapsing from the effort. Mackey could only stand there, helpless:

What was going on? Couldn’t they share the joke so he could laugh too?

Eventually, they regained control, though Rachel had laughed so hard she was crying, quietly wiping her tears on the side. Anyone who didn’t know better might have thought Anson had hit her.

Anson’s face muscles were stiff from laughing, and he had to rub them to relax.

“Sorry, director. We got a little carried away.”

Mackey: Just “a little”? Are you sure?

“So, director, how did the shoot go? Is there anything we need to improve?”

Anson’s words finally brought Mackey back on track, reminding him of the issue at hand—

Mackey looked up, seriously trying to recall what he wanted to say.

Actually, Mackey was a bit angry.

This scene had been altered by Anson and Rachel, not just the lines, but also the emotional tone and development. It wasn’t completely unrecognizable, but it was unsettling.

Mackey and Eric had spent seven years on this script, refining and polishing every detail. Every line was carefully crafted, not to perfection, but close enough.

And yet—

During negotiations, Anson’s first move had been to challenge the script. And now, during the first scene of filming, Anson and Rachel had changed the lines without permission.

Mackey thought, was it really that difficult to ask the actors to follow the script word for word?

Anger simmered in his chest. Even though he had been completely absorbed by the scene while watching it, riding the emotional waves, the frustration still lingered once he calmed down.

Especially when he thought of Eric’s reaction, like a kid who had never been out in the world, making him feel even more stifled.

After all, this script was their labor of love, something they had poured years of effort into. Before filming began, they had countless romantic fantasies about how it would all play out. Yet, the very first scene had already veered off course.

This wasn’t good.

Mackey thought he needed to make Anson understand this.

However! But! Shockingly!

Mackey’s mind went blank, unable to remember what he had wanted to say.

Logically, he should have been furious, especially after not getting the respect he felt they deserved. His anger should have burned even brighter. But strangely, it didn’t.

Not only that, he even felt like maybe it wasn’t such a big deal.

More accurately, Mackey thought, maybe this was how it was meant to be, the right way for it to unfold.

Wait, wait!

Mackey sensed something was off. Had he been led astray? Or had he led himself astray?

Mackey looked at Anson, his brows furrowed, his eyes wide with a mix of anger and confusion:

Something’s not right with you.