When Love is a Question Mark
Chapter 135: Break time

Chapter 135: Break time

Zinnia, standing off to the side, observed with a quiet smile. She couldn’t help but feel proud of the team. From the way they executed every move to the way the tension built on screen. The actors, the crew, they were all working in perfect harmony, making this look effortless.

Marcos came over to Zinnia, nodding in her direction. "You’ve got a good team, Miss Zinnia," he said with genuine appreciation. "Everything’s going smoothly today."

Zinnia nodded, her eyes tracking the cast, who were now talking amongst themselves, sharing jokes and laughter. "They make it look easy, but they’re professionals. They handle everything like it’s second nature."

Marcos chuckled, adjusting his cap. "That’s why they’re here. Still, we’ve got a long day ahead. Let’s make sure to keep up this momentum."

As the crew began moving around, setting up for the next sequence, Zinnia turned her attention to the actors, who were now gathering at the side. There was a certain kind of camaraderie among them, but underneath that, Zinnia could see the exhaustion in their eyes. It was clear that this first take had taken a toll on them, despite how smooth it had gone.

"Good work, guys," Zinnia said, walking up to them. "That was really impressive."

Ryan, who had played Daniel in the scene, gave a tired but appreciative smile. "Thanks, Zinnia," he replied, wiping the sweat from his brow. "That was intense, but I think we pulled it off."

Trish, who played Alex, stretched out her arms, her eyes heavy with exhaustion. "I didn’t think the physical stuff would get to me this early in the shoot," she admitted with a slight laugh. "But that felt good. Really good."

Leo, who played Ethan, let out a long breath and clapped his hands together. "Honestly, I’m just glad we got through it without any mess-ups. But man, that was something. I was feeling every moment of that."

Zinnia smiled, a mix of pride and understanding filling her. "You guys handled it like pros. Don’t worry, we’re taking a break now so you can recharge. You’ve earned it."

"Good call," Tom, the Captain Harding actor, said as he leaned against the wall, massaging his neck. "I think my shoulders are going to feel that for a while. Still, it was worth it. We nailed that."

Victor, the antagonist played by Julian, smiled smugly, his usual confidence intact. "I’m just waiting to get my hands on that next scene," he said, his voice smooth and cool. "You know I love a good challenge."

Zinnia chuckled lightly. "You’re always ready to bring the chaos, Julian. We’ll be sure to give you something worth your time."

The actors all shared a laugh, but the fatigue was still there, just beneath the surface. After a few more minutes of casual conversation, Sophie, the producer, approached, a calm but professional presence that always seemed to bring everything together.

"Alright, everyone," she said, her voice firm but warm. "Let’s take a quick break. You’ve all earned it. Go get some water, stretch out, and be ready to dive into the next part soon."

The cast nodded in agreement, most of them heading to the side to grab a water bottle or sit down for a few moments of quiet. Zinnia couldn’t help but watch them, impressed by how they had taken the first take in stride. For a group of actors, most of whom were working together for the first time, it was clear they had great chemistry. Their professionalism had shown through, even in the most intense moments.

Ryan was the first to break the silence as he sat down on a nearby crate, rubbing his face. "I’m glad we got that first one out of the way," he said, his voice quiet but filled with satisfaction. "Always feels like you’re holding your breath until it’s done, y’know?"

Trish nodded, her arms crossed as she sat next to him. "Definitely. But now that we’ve seen what we can do, it’s all about keeping that energy going. This is going to be a fun shoot."

"That’s the spirit," Leo said, joining them with a grin. "I’m just ready for the next challenge."

Victor leaned back against a pole, his arms folded as he observed the others. "They’re right," he said, his voice as smooth as ever. "You’ve got to keep the energy up, or the whole thing falls apart. But we’ll keep it tight, no worries."

Julian’s comment seemed to be more of a reminder to himself, but it was a sentiment everyone could agree with. The day was far from over, but for now, they all enjoyed the brief respite.

As Zinnia walked past, she caught a glimpse of Marcos talking to Michael, the stunt coordinator. She had to admit, it was a well-oiled machine behind the scenes. Michael was busy discussing safety measures for the next round of fight sequences, but the crew’s spirits were still high, despite the exhaustion.

"You’re handling them well," Sophie said as she caught up with Zinnia. "That’s a solid team you’ve got there."

Zinnia gave her a nod. "It’s all about keeping the energy flowing. They’re good at what they do. I just help keep everything in line."

Sophie smiled. "And you’re doing a damn good job."

As Zinnia watched the cast and crew take their break, she allowed herself a moment to enjoy the stillness before the next wave of intensity.

There was a long way to go before they wrapped this scene, and they had many more challenges ahead. But for now, everything felt in sync—like a well-choreographed dance.

---

After some time, the crew was busy preparing for the next scene, setting up the cameras and adjusting the lighting to capture the perfect shot of Victor in his commanding pose.

Zinnia stood off to the side, her heart racing with excitement and anticipation. She was discussing some final adjustments with Marcos, the director, when a loud, low hum began to reverberate through the air.

"What is that?" Marcos frowned, his attention pulled away from the camera. The noise grew louder and more intense, making the entire crew pause in confusion.