In Bloom Again

Win, Sky, and Nani arrived at the filming location where Dew was busy shooting a scene for his new drama.

Win's hands were full, bags of food swinging from both arms while Sky and Nani strolled beside him.

On set, Dew was deep in character. The scene required him to portray a moment of emotional breakdown, terrified that something terrible had happened to someone he loved.

Quietly, the three stopped behind the director, watching the scene play out through the monitor.

Dew's performance was captivating.

When a single tear rolled down his cheek, perfectly timed and full of aching sorrow, the director finally called out "Cut!"

And just like that, like flipping a switch, the emotion vanished from Dew's eyes.

The vulnerability drained, replaced by his usual cold, unreadable expression.

An assistant rushed over with an umbrella to shield him from the sun. Dew didn't say a word as he walked toward the director.

"You can rest for today" the director said, scribbling something onto his clipboard.

"But tomorrow's shoot starts early, morning scene, darker tone. I'll pass the schedule to Jennie."

Dew gave a short nod. That was enough. No complaints, no questions. He never needed to be told twice.

Discipline was second nature to him, part of his upbringing, the weight of expectations he'd carried since he was a child.

Behind that calm exterior, Dew was a walking checklist of perfection. Not because he wanted to be. Because he had to be.

His father, powerful, respected, exacting never accepted anything less. High expectations weren't just encouraged; they were enforced. But not everything about Dew's life was rigid.

There was his mother. Once a actress herself, now retired and soft-spoken, she'd always been the only one able to stand between Dew and his father's thunder. Still, even her quiet strength had limits.

Dew turned, spotting three familiar faces waiting just beyond the monitor: Win, Sky, and Nani.

He didn't smile. They fell into step behind him without a word, trailing him toward the rest area like they'd done a thousand times before.

Win, never one to sit in silence, passed the bag of food he was holding to a staff member and grinned.

"You know, with acting like that, it's no wonder last night's top model ended up in your lap."

Dew barely looked at him. "She offered herself." he replied coolly.

"Cold-blooded. Like, ice prince level cold."

Even Nani gave a low chuckle, shaking his head.

Win nudged Dew's arm. "Remind me never to fall for you. I like my heart intact."

"Wait here. And keep your mouth shut for once."

With that, Dew turned and headed off to change. But just as he reached the dressing area, his phone buzzed. Jennie.

He picked up.

"Change of plans, Dew" Jennie said briskly. "Come to the GMMTV building and straight to P'Tha's office, OK?"

He changed, slipping into casual clothes but somehow, everything he wore still looked like it belonged on the cover of a fashion magazine. That's just what happened when the face card never declined.

By the time he returned to the others, Win had one cheek full of chicken.

While Nani and Sky were locked in some intense conversation about... something. Dew didn't bother listening.