When Love is a Question Mark
Chapter 174: Seas of Deception - Scene 8

Chapter 174: Seas of Deception - Scene 8

The camera zoomed in, capturing the rawness of Victor’s expression—his face covered in blood, his clothes soaked, his breathing labored. Julian’s movements were slow, deliberate, as he struggled to pull himself higher on the wreckage. The water lapped against his skin, his body trembling from exhaustion, but there was a fire in his eyes, a sharpness that hinted at Victor’s will to survive.

A sharp cough broke the silence, and Julian leaned forward, coughing up water and blood. His eyes narrowed, his hands gripping the hull for support as he collapsed back against it. The camera lingered on his face, capturing the pain and exhaustion that radiated from him.

"Still alive," Julian muttered under his breath, his voice rough, his words barely audible above the sound of the waves. A grim smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. "They thought they could kill me."

The camera moved to a wide shot, revealing the empty expanse of the sea. There was no land in sight, only debris floating around Victor, an eerie reminder of the explosion that had nearly taken his life. The air was thick with tension as Victor struggled to stay conscious, his survival instincts kicking in despite the pain.

The camera returned to his face as he winced, his hand going to his side. The gash on his arm was deep, blood oozing through the torn fabric of his shirt. Julian’s fingers trembled as he tore a strip from his shirt, wrapping it around the wound with grim determination. The pain was evident in his eyes, but he didn’t flinch. He couldn’t afford to.

The makeup team worked in the background, carefully ensuring that the wound looked as realistic as possible. Tanya had used a mixture of fake blood and stage makeup to create the appearance of a deep, jagged wound, and the crew had to keep a careful eye on continuity, making sure the blood didn’t get smudged during the scene.

Julian kept his focus, pushing through the discomfort of the makeup and the cold water surrounding him. The scene was emotionally taxing, but he knew it was necessary to bring Victor’s survival to life.

As he tied the makeshift bandage around his arm, his thoughts seemed to shift. The camera cut to his face again, showing flashes of memory—the explosion, the blinding flash of fire and smoke, the deafening roar as the ship split apart. Julian’s eyes hardened as the memory of Daniel’s face, just before the chaos, flashed in his mind.

"They underestimated me," Julian muttered, his voice low, filled with venom. "They always do."

The crew moved quickly, making adjustments as they shifted the focus back to the action. Julian gritted his teeth, standing up slowly, his gaze scanning the wreckage for anything useful. His sharp eyes picked out a half-broken oar floating nearby. With a grunt, he reached for it, pulling it close.

The camera followed his movements, capturing the effort it took for him to paddle toward a larger piece of wreckage—an overturned lifeboat. The sound of the oar slicing through the water was the only sound, cutting through the silence of the open sea. The camera zoomed in on Julian’s face as he grunted with effort, his body pushing through the physical strain as he righted the lifeboat.

"Come on," Julian whispered, his voice barely audible as he climbed aboard the lifeboat. His breath was ragged, each inhale sharp and painful. The lifeboat creaked beneath him, but he didn’t care. He was determined to survive.

The crew made quick adjustments, setting up the next part of the scene. Julian reached into his pocket, pulling out a waterproof pouch. Inside, there was a satellite phone, its screen cracked but still functional. Julian’s hands trembled as he tried to turn it on, his breath shallow and anxious.

"Come on," Julian growled through gritted teeth. The phone flickered to life, and he quickly dialed a number. His fingers were slick with sweat and blood, but he didn’t care. He needed to get the message across.

The camera shifted to a split-screen shot, showing a dimly lit room on the other side of the call. A man in a suit sat at a desk, his face shadowed by the low lighting. The man’s eyes widened in surprise as he recognized the caller.

"Victor," the man said, his voice a mix of surprise and respect. "We thought you were—"

"Dead?" Victor interrupted, his voice sharp and filled with defiance. "Not yet. But our plans are in jeopardy."

The man leaned closer to the screen, his face filled with concern. "The explosion was broadcasted everywhere. Authorities think it’s over. Do you need extraction?"

Victor’s lips curled into a smirk. "I don’t need saving. I need reinforcements." He paused, his eyes narrowing. "And I need to know who tipped them off. Someone betrayed us."

The camera stayed focused on Victor’s face as the man hesitated before nodding. "Understood. I’ll send a team your way. But it’ll take time to pinpoint your location."

Victor’s gaze shifted to the horizon, his expression calculating. "I’ll manage. Just make sure the next phase of our operation goes as planned. They think they’ve won, but they haven’t seen what’s coming."

The camera cut back to Julian, who hung up the phone with a decisive motion. He tossed the device aside, the screen cracking further on impact. He leaned back against the lifeboat, his expression unreadable, but his mind clearly racing.

A shadow passed over him, and he glanced up, squinting against the sun. A small fishing boat appeared on the horizon, its occupants barely visible. The camera zoomed in on the two fishermen as they steered closer to Victor’s lifeboat, their faces wary.

"Help!" Julian shouted, waving weakly, his voice hoarse from the effort. "Please, I’m injured!"

The fishermen hesitated, clearly unsure, but after a brief moment, they steered the boat closer. They reached out, pulling Victor aboard. Julian winced, playing the part of the helpless survivor, but his eyes never stopped calculating. Every move he made was calculated, his thoughts already turning to his next step.

"Thank you," Julian said, his voice dripping with sincerity as the fishermen handed him water and wrapped him in a blanket. His eyes flickered with barely concealed malice, but he masked it with gratitude. "You’ve saved my life."

The camera followed Victor’s every move, capturing the tension in his body as he accepted the help, but his mind clearly elsewhere. The scene ended with a shot of Victor staring out at the horizon, his expression hardening as he whispered to himself.

"This isn’t over. Not by a long shot."