When Love is a Question Mark
Chapter 98: Voice rehearsal Part 3

Chapter 98: Voice rehearsal Part 3

Ryan, who was reading his lines as Daniel, stayed focused, locking eyes with Julian. "You’re done, Victor. We have everything we need to bring you down. Your crew, your operation — it’s over." Ryan’s tone was firm, matching Julian’s intensity.

Victor’s smirk widened, his voice smooth yet menacing. "Is it? You think locking me up changes anything? There will always be someone to take my place. That’s just how it works, Daniel." His calm confidence was unsettling, and the room seemed to grow colder.

Ryan took a deep breath, steadying himself. "Maybe. But you won’t get the chance. We’ll make sure of that." He didn’t let Victor’s words shake him, showing Daniel’s resolve.

Julian, staying in character as Victor, leaned forward, his eyes darkening. "You really think you can stop me? I have eyes everywhere. You’re playing a dangerous game." The tension in his voice sent a chill through the room, even though they were just rehearsing.

Sitting beside Sophie, Zinnia felt the pressure of the scene rising. She quickly jotted down notes, feeling the energy shift. "Julian is nailing this," she murmured, her heart racing.

"Dangerous or not, it doesn’t matter," Ryan continued, his voice steady. "You’re not invincible. We’ve planned for this. Your arrogance will be your downfall." He leaned in a bit, his expression fierce, showing Daniel’s determination.

Victor’s eyes flashed, but Julian let out a soft, chilling laugh. "You think you know me? You have no idea what I’m capable of." His voice was low, almost whispering, but it cut through the air like a knife, leaving the room silent.

Ryan didn’t blink. "Then let’s find out," he replied, leaning closer, refusing to back down.

Julian matched his movement, their faces inches apart, the tension palpable even without the physical actions. "You’re just a pawn in this game. I’m the one pulling the strings." His tone was smooth yet threatening, showing Victor’s control and confidence.

The room was dead silent. The crew was on edge, eyes glued to the actors. Zinnia could feel her heart pounding as she watched them. This was the confrontation they had been building up to, and Julian’s calm, commanding presence made it all the more intense.

Ryan’s expression hardened. "Not anymore. The game’s over, Victor. You won’t control anyone else. Not while I’m here." His words were sharp, his tone unwavering.

Julian leaned back, giving a small, mocking smile. "You’re brave, I’ll give you that. But bravery isn’t enough to win this fight." He made it sound like a gentle taunt, but the threat beneath it was clear.

Ryan didn’t budge. "We’ll see about that."

The room was still, each line delivered with precision. Even without the physical movements, the dialogue was sharp and gripping, drawing everyone in.

Zinnia felt the urgency rise, scribbling faster. "This is it," she whispered to Sophie, sensing the momentum.

"Time’s up, Daniel," Julian, as Victor, taunted, his voice calm yet sinister. "You’re out of options. My crew is ready, and they won’t hesitate to take you down."

Ryan’s jaw tightened, his eyes blazing with determination. "We’ll see who goes down first."

As they continued through the lines, Ryan’s voice echoed through the room, taking on a commanding tone. "We take control now!" He emphasized each word, bringing Daniel’s resolve to life through his voice alone.

Zinnia watched, her eyes glued to them, even though they were just sitting and reading. The energy between Ryan and Julian was electric, their rivalry playing out vividly through the dialogue.

Sophie leaned closer to Zinnia, a grin on her face. "This is going to be epic," she whispered. Zinnia nodded, feeling the weight of the moment. "Julian’s making Victor so terrifying," she said softly, impressed by how natural he was in the role.

As the scene reached its peak, Zinnia noted how Ryan’s voice commanded the space. "Stay focused! We’re in this together!" he said, his voice strong, as if rallying his team for the final confrontation.

The tension hit its peak as Ryan and Julian locked eyes again, even across the table. The stakes were high, and Zinnia couldn’t look away. This was the moment they had all been working towards, and Julian’s cold, confident portrayal of Victor made the stakes feel real.

"Let’s finish this," Ryan said, his voice steady, leaning in closer as if ready for the final showdown.

Julian didn’t flinch, his smile icy. "Good luck with that. You’ll need it." His calm, sinister tone sent a shiver through the room.

The crew watched, captivated, despite it just being a rehearsal. Zinnia could see how Julian’s portrayal of Victor made the confrontation feel personal. This wasn’t just about the mission; it was a clash of wills.

As the read-through wrapped up, Zinnia felt a mix of pride and excitement. This was what they had been building towards — a powerful, gripping moment where every word counted. The actors nailed it, and she knew they were ready to bring "Seas of Deception" to life.

The cast took a breather, still buzzing with adrenaline. Sophie beamed, turning to Zinnia. "They really nailed it," she said, her voice full of excitement. Zinnia nodded, her mind still on the scene. "Yeah, Julian was perfect. That calm menace... it’s exactly what we needed."

Ryan ran a hand through his hair, still catching his breath. "I felt good about that. The tension was real." Julian gave a nod, a hint of a smile. "You held your own, Ryan. It felt like a real showdown."

Trish chimed in, "We need to keep that energy in the next scenes. The stakes need to stay high." Zinnia wrote this down, agreeing. The tension was what would keep the audience hooked.

As they talked through the rehearsal, Leo suggested, "What if we add more back-and-forth in the dialogue? It’ll make the conflict even sharper."

Ryan nodded. "Good idea. More exchanges will make the scene more intense."

Zinnia smiled at their enthusiasm. She loved how invested everyone was. "Let’s brainstorm some new lines," she said, excited to keep improving the scene.

They tossed around ideas, with Julian suggesting, "What if I throw in something personal? A line that cuts deep for Daniel?"

Sophie’s eyes lit up. "Yes! That’ll make it feel more real."

Marcos glanced at the clock. "Alright, let’s call it a day."

As the cast gathered their things, Zinnia felt a rush of pride. They had worked hard, and it showed. The passion in the room was undeniable, and she knew they were ready to bring the story to life.

As the last person left, Zinnia leaned back, reflecting on the day. It had been intense but fulfilling. She was starting to love this job, every part of it.

But wait! She suddenly realized she had forgotten something. Right! The lunch with Samuel. They were supposed to eat together, but they had been so engrossed in the rehearsal that they’d completely lost track of time. It was already 2 PM, and all they had done was drink water.