A/N; I'm sorry guys, couldn't upload the chapter because day before yesterday, I went to watch Avatar: The Way of Water (Which is super fcking awesome btw, go watch) and yesterday, I had a Christmas party. Oh, Merry Christmas although it's kinda late, but (better late than never, right?!) Andd, to the new yearss! Happy New Year in advance ;) Onto the chapter, happy reading!!

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[ SHOOTING - THE DARK KNIGHT ]

It wasn’t just any place that Ian had chosen to shoot Batman. Not to mention, although it was Raelynn’s position to be responsible for all the spots, and everything along with the decisions that had to be made for the movie, Raelynn insisted on the fact that the major decisions like the places to be shot, and the scenes that could be changed are double checked with Ian beforehand.

As Ian already had so many ideas and plans for the movie, The Dark Knight he didn’t hesitate before laying out all the ideas he had planned in mind. And that was the same meeting where Ian had explained everything that could go wrong with the movie.

The same meeting where Ian also laid out the possible negative mental emotions that the Joker might face.

[On SET]

“... Okay! Back from the top!” Rae yelled for everyone to gain focus.

This was the ninth take.

If anything isn’t going right with the shooting, that’s because Raelynn had high demands and expectations of every little dialogue that went through the camera.

She had these imaginary iconic scenes—where she expected how the scene should be in her head playing all over when she was explaining the scene. With that level of expectations, it wasn’t easy for the cast or for the team to bring down anything by a notch, considering she sought perfectionism.

“Everyone… Are we ready? …And ACTION!”

The camera started to move slowly as the actor who was acting as the joker started to get into his role, and repeat the dialogue.

“A guy like me... I know why you're holding your little group therapy session in broad daylight. I know why you're afraid to go out at night. Batman. He's shown Gotham your true colors. And Dent's just the beginning.” He indicated Lau who kept looking at him. “And as for his so-called plan- Batman has no jurisdiction. He'll find him and make him squeal.” Pause to smile at Lau. “I can tell the squealers every time.”

“...CUT! Take five, everyone!” Raelynn said and went back to watch the scenes.

-

“Let’s take this… Wanna know how I got the scars from the top?- from that dialogue. And, I just feel like something is missing from there…”

She re-watched her last wrapped-up scene again.

The actor was certainly doing a great job. But it just didn’t click or set back right.

“What is it?” the cinematographer, Milo walked over and asked Raelynn who kept watching the same scene over and over.

It had been one month since the shooting started, and she is nowhere near the middle of the movie. Although she had been trying her best to quick the process, it wasn’t quick enough. Her thrive to perfectionism, isn’t helping with shooting.

“I think I know what’s missing. Fuck,” she whispered the latter. “It had always been right in front of my nose. Thank you for helping,” she nodded at Milo and walked away.

“Welcome?” Milo looked confused seeing her walk towards the actor and talk to him with such interest.

He shook his head and walked over to Hayley, who was the second in command after him as the cinematographer.

“She is aiming to be something she can’t,” Hayley whispered seeing how Raelynn was handling things in the studio.

Milo looked at her with even more confusion.

“What is it with people and throwing weird things out of the blue today? And where does all this even come from?” Milo asked back.

Milo’s expression yelled that he was equally confused when Raelynn thanked him and walked away.

“Well-” Hayley stretched her hands above her head. “Too bad for me too, like at first, I respected her a lot with everything she did. She got on to the top after proving her worth, and all of it… But, have you seen how she always tries to get this perfect shot?” she said with a frown.

“What’s wrong with that? Director knows what they know. You’re being absurd. And if anyone hears what you’re saying, you’d be long gone from your job. So, zip it,” Milo replied and shrugged.

She sighed voluntarily as her gaze shifted to see Raelynn commanding to get the scene once again.

“I just hope she loosens up a bit.”

-

“....ACTION!” Raelynn’s voice echoed through the set and the clapperboard came in front of the camera.

With that, in a swift motion, the Joker jumped from the bed he was put in. He grabbed the man by the collar, and his blade was in motion.

“Wanna know how I got these scars? My father was a drinker and a fiend. He'd beat mommy right in front of me. One night he goes off crazier than usual, and mommy gets the kitchen knife to defend herself. He doesn't like that. Not. One. Bit.”

“CUT! PERFECT!” Raelynn announced herself as everyone relaxed onto the words. “That was just as I told you, it was good! Nice job everyone!” she clapped and gave another break to the team.

-

[In SET - Shooting John Wick]

After a week of Ian focusing on the shooting, this week it was John’s turn to do everything that the former had been doing.

John, Ian’s friend is working on the movie and his business hand-in-hand. Nevertheless, seeing Ian work and handle everything smoothly gave him hope that even he could do it.

“...I always thought doing things my way could be the only solution for all the questions I’ve related to the set. But I’ve been learning a lot from you no kidding,” he mumbled and shrugged seeing Ian pack his things up.

“You’ve just two scenes for today. And from tomorrow you can pick the pace. Best of luck! Break a leg!” Ian yelled and walked away from the set waving to everyone.

It was Ian’s break, and with everything that had been happening quickly and busily, he himself wanted a small break—which he was about to use. This time, there were many things that he had been planning to do, including starting to work on his next big project.

Ian got out of the set and sighed loudly, although there was no one outside.

After the entire mess that happened the other day with the reporters, the media went crazily buzzing about what Ian was up to. And not being able to handle all the people that surrounded the set, he had to take special permission to keep the shooting ground clear of anyone with cameras and microphones.

“This is going to be a good night-” he thought and walked to his SUV, telling the driver that he needs to go home.

-

Walking inside the mansion, he was greeted by the redhead who wore lipstick that would drag anyone’s attention even from miles away.

“Scarlett! So good to see you back in LA!” Ian said and walked closer to hug Scarlett.

“Ah, the pleasure is mine, Ian!” she hugged him back with the same force.

“Please, have a seat,” he invited her over to the white couch that looked too expensive even to walk by it—talk about sitting.

She sat and smiled broadly at Ian.

“How is it going?” Ian asked as he walked to the built-in bar bringing glasses of champagne with the bottle.

“I just got to take a break, and here I’m. How do you think is it going?” Scarlett asked back.

Her voice brought him so many memories, let alone her entire presence in the room. Ian broke the bottle and started to initialize the conversation.

“I think you’re doing perfectly fine. And by the looks of it, maybe it’s soon your big break!” Ian shrugged and passed her the glass.

“My big break came in already. Like, who would’ve expected a newbie like me to get all my shit together and you know even win awards… But because of you, everything that any new actor dreams about became a reality for me. So, I’ve to thank you for that,” Scarlett said with a smile.

“It’s alright. You’ve been a good friend ever since.”

“How is it going with you and Raelynn?” Scarlett asked back with a wink.

“It’s going good. And I think you might have a way to make it better,” Ian said and started explaining what he had in mind to surprise Raelynn when she gets home.

After explaining the entire plan, Scarlett had her lips curled up and Ian had a similar expression on his face.

“Are you in?”

“You bet!”

-

It was 8 pm, and the mansion had the lights dimmed when Raelynn walked inside. After the busy day she had, releasing steam could help her to get the stress out.

Staring at Ian’s text to ask her to come over, she walked inside with a smile on her face.

“Valerine, where’s Ian?” she asked as she saw Valerine walking from the other end of the hall.

“There’s Rae!” Ian yelled from above the stairs, and his chirpy mood brought a smile to Raelynn’s lips but a frown appeared in questioning what was he up to.