When Love is a Question Mark
Chapter 166: Seas of Deception - Scene 3

Chapter 166: Seas of Deception - Scene 3

In another trailer, Leo was slipping into a hoodie and cargo pants, his look intentionally casual and mismatched to reflect Ethan’s youthful and unpredictable vibe. "Hacker chic," he quipped to his stylist, who laughed while handing him a pair of beat-up sneakers.

Tom and Julian prepared in their respective spaces. Tom’s navy captain’s uniform fit him perfectly, its insignias glinting under the lights. "I feel like I should actually be steering a ship," he commented, checking himself in the mirror.

Julian’s wardrobe was more subdued yet polished, as Victor’s menace lay in his charisma rather than overt villainy. He smirked as he adjusted his cuffs. "Charming but dangerous. That’s Victor for you."

Meanwhile, the production crew bustled about the set, checking cameras, lights, and sound equipment. Zinnia sat beside Marcos, who was poring over the day’s script with his signature focus.

"Are you nervous?" Marcos asked, glancing at her.

"Not nervous," Zinnia replied, smiling. "Just excited. It’s amazing to see everything coming together."

Marcos nodded. "It is. But remember, Zinnia, the magic of movies is teamwork. Everyone plays a part."

Katherine Lee walked over, holding her clipboard. "The cast is almost ready. Costumes look great, and everyone’s in high spirits."

Michael Zhen, the stunt coordinator, joined them, reviewing the logistics of the day’s action scenes. "We’ll need to do a walkthrough before the first take, but the set is looking perfect."

Zinnia leaned forward, observing as the crew adjusted the lighting. The ship’s exterior was a perfect blend of industrial grit and cinematic flair.

Marcos raised his voice to address the crew. "Alright, people! Final checks. We’re starting soon."

The actors emerged, fully transformed into their characters. Trish looked every bit the no-nonsense engineer, Ryan exuded confidence as the seasoned agent, and Leo’s casual, youthful energy brought Ethan to life. Tom’s captain’s uniform gave him an air of authority, while Julian’s sharp suit added a layer of intrigue.

"Everyone looks incredible," Zinnia said, her admiration genuine.

"Thanks, Zinnia," Trish replied, flashing her a quick smile. "You ready for this?"

"More than ready," Zinnia answered, her excitement evident.

Marcos stood, clapping his hands. "Alright, everyone, take your positions! Cameras, are we set?"

One of the crew members gave him a thumbs-up. "All set, Marcos!"

Marcos glanced at Zinnia. "Watch closely. You’ll learn a lot about how the magic happens."

She nodded, leaning forward in her seat as the crew moved into place. The actors took their positions on the ship’s deck, the early morning light casting dramatic shadows across the scene.

Marcos held up the megaphone and shouted, "Lights, camera... action!"

The scene started with Victor, played by Julian Perez, standing in the ship’s command center. The camera framed him in a way that emphasized his power, his presence commanding. He looked out over the sea, a predatory smile on his lips.

"Everything in place?" he asked one of his men, his voice smooth and dangerous.

The man nodded, but there was fear in his eyes. "Yes, sir," he replied. "The shipment is ready."

Victor’s smile widened. "Good," he purred. "Let’s make sure it stays that way."

The camera shifted to Daniel and Alex, who had made it to the control room. They stopped just outside, listening to Victor’s voice. The tension was almost unbearable, every second feeling like an hour.

"Ethan," Daniel whispered into his mic. "We’re in position. Disable their systems."

Ethan’s hands moved quickly, his face intense with concentration. "Hold on," he muttered, breaking through firewalls with practiced ease. "And... done," he said, hitting the final key.

The lights flickered, and the hum of the ship’s engines faltered. Chaos erupted as the crew scrambled to figure out what was happening.

Daniel and Alex took advantage of the confusion, bursting into the control room. The camera captured every detail of the ensuing struggle. Fists flew, gunshots rang out, and the tension never let up.

Victor turned, his eyes narrowing as he spotted Daniel. The two men locked eyes, the hatred and history between them palpable. "Ah, Agent Daniel," Victor drawled, his smile a weapon of its own. "I was wondering when you’d show up."

Daniel raised his gun, his expression cold and unyielding. "Game’s over, Victor," he said. "You’re finished."

Victor’s smile never wavered. "We’ll see about that," he replied.

Victor’s eyes gleamed with a dangerous confidence, his fingers drumming on the console in front of him. The camera closed in on his face, highlighting the subtle twitch of his jaw, the only crack in his otherwise calm demeanor.

Daniel kept his gun trained on Victor, his voice steady despite the storm raging inside him. "You’ve run out of options," he said. "This ship, your crew, everything you’ve worked for—it’s over."

Victor chuckled, a low, menacing sound. "Do you really think it’s that simple?" he retorted. "You might have disrupted my plans, but you haven’t stopped them."

Alex scanned the room, her sharp eyes taking in every detail. The command center was full of blinking monitors, and several screens displayed maps of international waters, coordinates glowing ominously. She noticed a blinking red light on one of the consoles and frowned. "Daniel," she whispered, pointing to the light. "Something’s not right."

Victor’s smile widened. "Ah, you noticed," he said. "Too bad it’s already too late."

The camera cut to Ethan, who was monitoring the situation from his tech station. He watched as new data flooded the screens, a sinking feeling forming in the pit of his stomach. "Daniel, we’ve got a problem," Ethan called over the comms. "They’ve initiated a failsafe. There’s a bomb on the ship."

Daniel’s heart skipped a beat, but he didn’t let it show. "How much time?" he asked, his voice firm.

Ethan’s fingers flew over his keyboard as he tried to isolate the threat. "Less than ten minutes," he replied. "I’m working on disabling it, but it’s heavily encrypted."

Daniel’s grip on his gun tightened. He turned his attention back to Victor, who looked entirely too pleased with himself. "You think blowing yourself up will stop us from taking you down?" Daniel demanded.

Victor shrugged, his gaze unwavering. "Sometimes, sacrifice is necessary," he said. "Besides, if I’m going down, I’m taking you with me."