[Gabriel's POV]
Today is our first day as interns. We were accepted at Seb's family company, but he was adamant that no one find out he's the CEO's son. He wants to start from the bottom, just like me.
Unfortunately, we were assigned to different departments. I was sent to observe on-site filming, while Seb was stuck with office work in the main building.
I'm currently on my way to the filming location, but... I think I'm hopelessly lost. The staff gave me a map, but the streets all look the same. I'm starting to stress out. I should have asked one of my brothers to drop me off, but I stopped myself. I need to be independent. What if they all get married or find someone more important in the future? I need to show them I'm a grown man now.
Beeeeppp!
"Asdfghjkl!" I jumped nearly a foot into the air. A white luxury car had pulled up right behind me, its horn blaring.
"I'm sorry!" I stammered, bowing quickly. I waved my hand, signaling for the driver to just pass me. I didn't want any trouble on my first day.
But the car didn't move. It just sat there, idling behind me. Confused and a little spooked, I kept walking along the shoulder of the road, staring straight ahead.
Beeeeepppp!
The horn went off again. He was following me. My heart started to hammer against my ribs. Brothers, help me! What is this?! I picked up my pace, nearly running. I reached for my phone, ready to call Callum, when the driver's side window began to slide down.
"Hey!" the driver called out.
"No! Please spare me! I don't have any money!" I cried out, instinctively squatting on the ground and covering my face with my arms.
"Hahaha! Hey! It's just me."
The laughter sounded familiar. I peeked through my fingers and realized it was the nation's top star. "Mister Vale!"
"We meet again," Caius said, leaning his elbow on the window frame.
"Ah..." I stood up, trying to regain some dignity. I didn't know what to say. Was he crazy? He nearly gave me a heart attack.
"Where are you going? You look like a lost puppy in the middle of the road," he said.
"I'm looking for Violet Garden, sir," I muttered, still unable to look him in the eye after what happened the other night.
"Oh. I'm going there, too," he said.
"Really?" I looked up at him, my eyes wide with relief. I moved closer to the car. "Can you... help me find it?"
Caius didn't answer immediately. He just stared at me, his expression unreadable.
"Mister Vale?"
He suddenly looked away, clearing his throat. "Ehem. Yeah. Get in. We can go together."
The ride was awkward. I wanted to ask what he was doing there, but his phone rang. He gave me a 'wait' signal and answered. "Yeah, I'm on my way. I'll be there in a minute... Make her wait. She's annoying." He hung up and we pulled into a lush garden filled with cameras and lighting rigs.
"Thank you, Mister," I said, reaching for the door handle. Before I could open it, Caius was already out of the car, swinging the passenger door open for me.
"Hey! What are you doing? People will see you!" I hissed, looking around nervously.
"Don't worry about it," he laughed. "I'm supposed to be here. I'm the male lead of this drama. But what about you? What are you doing at a film set?"
"I'm the new intern," I said, stepping out of the car.
"Oh? Really?" Caius leaned in, his face inches from mine. "Then why are you hiding like this? I can't see those pretty eyes." He reached out and brushed my bangs to the side, then gave my cheek a playful pinch. "That's better."
I froze, my face heating up. "Wha—what are you doing?" I stepped back, crossing my arms defensively. He just laughed again. Is my face that funny to him?
"Cai! You're finally here," a staff member called out, walking toward us. "It's not like you to be late. Oh, who's this?"
"He's the new intern," Caius answered coolly.
"Hello, I'm Gabriel. HR sent me," I said, bowing.
"Oh, right! I'm Mark, I work under the director. Cai, go to hair and makeup. Dianne is already in a mood. Gabriel, follow me."
I followed Mark into a large tent where another guy was sitting in the corner. "Gabriel, this is Louie. You'll be interning together. Let's go meet the Director."
We followed Mark to the center of the set. The Director was busy shouting instructions, but he paused to greet us. "Observe, learn, and assist where Mark tells you. We're on a tight schedule, so keep up."
"Yes, sir!" we said in unison. He didn't seem too scary. I just hoped for a peaceful day.
"Director, about the extras—Wait. Gaby?"
My heart stopped. My brother, Dorian, was standing there with a clipboard.
"Bro—" I caught myself just in time. If people knew I was the Assistant Director's brother, they wouldn't treat me like a normal intern.
"Oh, do you already know our AD?" Mark asked.
"No!" I shouted a bit too quickly. Dorian looked at me, his eyebrows shot up in confusion. I blinked at him three times, a secret signal we had.
"We're neighbors," Dorian said smoothly, catching on. "I've seen him around the neighborhood a few times."
"Right! Neighbors," I echoed, crossing my fingers behind my back.
"I'll borrow him for a minute," Dorian said, grabbing my arm and dragging me behind a equipment tent.
"What are you doing here, Gab?"
"It's my internship, Brother! But I didn't know you were the AD for this project. Please don't tell them we're related. I want to learn the hard way."
Dorian sighed, but his expression softened. He reached out, patting my head. "Okay. I understand. But don't overwork yourself, okay? Come here. Give me a hug before I start."
I smiled and hugged him. Dorian was always the sweetest to me. But the hug was cut short.
"What are you two doing?"
We pulled apart to see Caius standing there, looking between us with a dark expression.
"Just talking," I stammered.
"Are you finished with makeup? Let's get to work," Dorian said to Caius, his voice turning ice-cold. He already knew about the club incident from Callum, and I could tell he was barely holding back his temper.
"Are you close with the Assistant Director?" Caius asked me, stepping forward and dropping an arm over my shoulder while staring Dorian down.
Dorian didn't hesitate. He grabbed Caius's hand and shoved it off me. "It's none of your concern. Don't bother him, or else—"
"Rian? Cai? What's the holdup?" Mark called out, approaching the tent.
Dorian and Caius exchanged a final, lethal glare before walking off in opposite directions.
I leaned against the tent, letting out a long breath. It's only the first hour of day one, and I'm already drained.