Chapter 302: Taste of Summer Heat

"I can't let him win like this."

Little did Eve know, she'd soon be tested by the words she dropped.

The video shoot soon commenced. The team had converted the largest studio space into a tropical paradise. Green screen would be used for the oceanic background but the set had the sand, the large umbrella, a beach chair and other small props. 

The watermelons were on a small table, sliced and ready for everyone to eat.

Kyle spoke with both the camp director and videographer. Their hush discussion failed to reach anyone's ears. Mikael stood among the staff. A part of his focus was always on Kyle. Like Eve, something felt off about him wearing a beach attire. 

His gut had its speculation but he squashed it down—praying it wasn't true.

One by one, the models took their turns for the shoot. Only a single model was allowed inside until everyone finished their turn. Then, they would have a party inside the studio, another event sponsored by Kyle.

Eve already planned to fake a stomach ache just to get away from it.

A staff member eventually called her name.

She took one look at the set and knew immediately what she wanted to do. Her starting point was on the left, out of the camera's reach. The videographer gave her the signal and she walked onto the artificial beach. 

Her glowing smile flashed towards the camera.

"Life…" she began to say, standing behind the table of watermelons. Her hands rested on the surface as she bent forward. "... isn't always what it seems."

Her lips curled up as if she had a secret to share. "There are friends who turn out to be enemies, enemies who turned out to be friends—maybe even a flicker of light in a long dark tunnel that never seemed to end."

"Then, sometimes…" Eve paused. She pulled out a triangular slice from the watermelon, revealing its yellow interior and black seeds. "There would be surprises in places you never thought…"

She bit into the watermelon and chewed slowly. Its sweet juice flooded her mouth. A soft moan sounded from the back of her throat. "And they would turn out to be sweeter than you think."

Two large hands captured her waist. "May I have a taste?"

Eve jumped and tripped on her own feet. Profanities came out of her mouth. She avoided the collision with the table, falling towards the floor instead. 

Kyle caught her arm and supported her. The watermelon slice dropped to the sand. Eve hitched her breath. Every fiber of her being wanted nothing more than to slap off the hand on her arm. Her hands balled into fists just to control the urge. 

Once she regained her balance, she yanked her arm back as gently as she could.

Kyle moved his hand onto her upper back. She stiffened under his touch. 

Mikael took a step forward but Jordan stopped him. Both of them knew this was different from how Kyle treated the other models. He only touched their shoulders and not their waist.

But, he hadn't gone too far quite yet. 

Even if they wanted to call him out, it was simple to debunk when he hadn't done something indecent. All they could do was stay alert and hope nothing would happen.

"Are you okay?" Kyle asked. Worry projected out of his ocre eyes. He started checking the rest of her body. "Are you hurt? Your ankle could have been twisted."

Eve flinched and avoided every spot he tried to touch. "I'm fine—FINE! Let's just finish the shoot. The earlier we get done, the more we can prevent my clumsiness getting in the way."

Kyle chuckled, raising his hands in surrender. "If you're sure then…"

He signaled towards the videographer and Eve went to her starting point. She could hear her heart pounding inside her chest. Her clammy hands clenched and unclenched several times. Forget about faking a stomach bug. She would race to her room for a bath as soon as she finished the video shoot.

'So that's what he meant by impulsive changes!' Eve braced herself for similar tricks. It sickened her how Kyle would enjoy any reaction she'd make. She had to think of something.

But what?

The clapboard sounded and the commercial resumed filming.

Eve repeated her lines exactly the same way. Delivery, intonation, movements—all of them an exact replica of her previous performance. The videographer raised his eyebrows, noticing it immediately. He narrowed his gaze. Their focus intensified and nitpicked at her acting down to the minute detail.

Then, Kyle came into the frame.

His hands squeezed her waist as he whispered into her ear. "May I have a taste?"

Eve moved her hand to feed him but the watermelon slice hit his cheek instead. She feigned a gasp and laughed at his shocked expression. Mentally, she gave herself a pat on the back for doing a good job. 

"Well? Sweeter than it looks, right?" She teased, giggling behind her hand.

Kyle wiped off the watermelon with his thumb. He grazed it onto his lips and licked for a taste. His ocre eyes flickered from her eyes down to her lips. "I'm sure something else tastes even sweeter…"

An ominous feeling came over Eve. Her fight or flight instincts activated from his intense stare. It was so unlike the way Ambryan made her feel. She always melted whenever it was him and she never minded. 

Sometimes, she'd gladly become a puddle if it meant that he'd hold her together.

With Kyle, the experience was the exact opposite. Nothing in his predatory gaze comforted her. 

"Cut!" A scream echoed inside the studio.

All heads snapped towards Mikael. Eve had the widest pair of eyes on him. She didn't know whether to laugh or to cry. It was out of character for him to do that but she was happy that he did it. 

Since the shoot was interrupted, she finally moved away from Kyle until she reached a safe distance—by that, she meant a whole table between them.

Mikael placed his hands on his waist, posing like this was normal. "I think we got it. Don't you?"

When no one answered him, he jabbed Jordan by the ribs. His best friend grunted in pain and rubbed the sore spot. "Don't you think so too, Jordan? I mean, the video was also already 15 seconds longer than what's required for the commercial."

The camp director scowled in their direction. "You were timing it?"

"Yes, for efficiency." Mikael nodded. He racked his brain for every ounce of wit it contained. "There's still a lot of models lined up and this is more of an audition tape than an actual commercial shoot. Each person should usually just have one chance so I think two chances is more than enough."

Another round of silence fell in the studio.

He inclined his head to his left. "Right, Jordan?"

Jordan looked up, noticing all the attention on them. He eventually locked eyes with Eve. Her silent plea woke him up. "Ye-Yeah. I agree. That's how we determine the best."

"Well… then," the camp director sighed. She shifted her focus on Eve and smiled. "Thank you for your time today, Ms. Reed. Please wait in the other room while the rest of the models take their turns."

"Thank you."

Eve practically bolted away from set. Once out of sight, she went straight to the restroom at a faster speed. Disgust burned under her flesh. She had the faucet on full blast, washing her arms. Soap foam covered both arms. After this, she would also change out of her dress. 

Any trace of that man had to vanish!

Mikael and Cale met her as soon as she walked out of the restroom.

"Did he try anything?" Mikael demanded, towering over her. "I don't care if he would excuse it as acting. If he makes you uncomfortable, he has to pay for it."

Cale chose a calmer tone in speaking. "Please don't endure anything. If they kick you out of the camp, I'll make sure that you can come back next year. Or maybe attend a different camp. There's bound to be at least one every season."

Eve took a deep breath and clasped them on one shoulder each. "Guys, I'm fine. He might have tried something if Mikael didn't stop the shoot but we can't be sure. Don't stress too much. I feel like he loves it when we do that. And I don't want to give him that satisfaction."

Mikael "Let him think what he wants. You should worry about yourself."

"At least, I have you guys, huh?"

"Oh, you're here," a new voice said, announcing their presence.

"Is there something you need, Mr. Kyle?" Mikael spoke up on their behalf.

Kyle paused and pointed a finger at him. His eyes stayed on Eve. "Is he always this serious?"

"Actually…, yes."

Mikael shifted his attention towards her. "Aren't you on my side?"

Eve shrugged. She saw an opportunity and she took it, regardless of who was the other person. 

"Anyway." Kyle clasped his hands together in prayer. "I'm unsure but I feel like I had done something wrong to offend you. And I wanted to make up for it."

He left for a few seconds and came back with a tray of fruit punch. There were exactly four glasses that formed the diamond shape when connected together. He lifted one of them up and handed it over to Eve.

"Here y—"

Mikael snatched it away from him, immediately taking a sip. 

He peered at the drink in suspicion. "Is there alcohol in this?"

"Yes," Kyle admitted without hesitation. "Since today's shoot is over, I thought we could all use some chill time. Good, isn't it?"

"Why, thanks, man." Mikael grabbed the other drink and headed for the studio entrance. He raised one glass at the group before he opened the door. "Evangeline can't hold her liquor well so I'll be taking her share. Jordan might want one anyways."

Cale took the other glass, tasting the fruit punch. "The alcohol gives it a bit of kick, huh?"

"Sorry, Evangeline." He smiled apologetically. "Maybe next time."