Wednesday dawned, Zohara was about to come back to the Capital and attend classes. The shoot in the last four days was tiring, but Zohara was able to perform well.
Riujie and her treat each other kindly, Riujie advises her sometimes when necessary.
They treat each other with certain lines.
On the other hand, Maren and her became friends, Maren is talkative and easily gets nervous. She usually spills everything she knows and likes to talk about showbiz issues.
While, Riuwen and Tian, only talks to her when necessary. Riuwen is more cordial while Tian treats her coldly but he never crosses the lines.
Zohara has her eyes close to rest for a while. The shoot ended yesterday at 12AM and she needed to leave the hotel at dawn.
Thankfully, she went to settle the problem in curfew by using her Ace privilege. She asks for non-curfew hours on Saturday, Monday and Tuesday. With papers, reasonable request, and endorsement from her Dean as an Ace, it was approved by the Students Affair.
"Thank you Manager" Zohara said as she left the car. She saw how tiring it is for managers when she has a shoot.
"Rest well" Manager Eli said with a smile
Zohara nodded and went to her dorm. She took a bath, ate breakfast and went to her first class.
"I miss you!" Soren shouted upon seeing her, he's holding a magazine, her magazine.
"Is that it?" Zohara asked and flipped the magazine. The prints were good and all her pictures turned out well. She stopped on a certain page.
She looks so well in it.
She knows she's beautiful, that's why she got used to it. Zohara also can't say that she's the most beautiful woman, especially upon entering the entertainment industry, looking around you can see beautiful women and men everywhere. They have their different beauty and perks, but most don't have any personality, they look like a mass produced face, curated to be just beautiful by their Doctors.
Looking at her picture, she looks soulful. It's a picture of her laying in the bed sideways. Her hair was freely flowing while her eyes staring directly at the camera which captures her eyes so perfectly.
"Oh, everyone like this picture!" Soren said happily, he don't know if Zohara knows that the current pre order of the magazine is already 38million, including the first released. And it continue increasing seeing some leaked photos in the internet, even though they already see it, it doesn't dampen their will to own a copy instead it fuels them to have a copy!
"Please sign it" Soren begged, Coco also looked at her with a hint of begging. Since Zohara became famous, she already curated a signature for her as a celebrity, separating from her personal signature.
Zohara nodded and she immediately received a pen from Soren. She signed their copy. Soren immediately takes a selfie with Coco.
@Soren
Zohara signed our copies! ✒️✨
2M Likes 900K comments 890k shares
:THE FAVORISM!
:WHY I'M NOT ZOHARA'S BLOCKMATE?!
:now im jealous
:Zohara looks so fucking beautiful in the magazine.
:Do you think Zohara will sign for me if I ask her?
:Probably wont, it'll be chaos if someone beside her friend group gets signed in the magazine because people will line up to her!
:Soren, Coco and Nicht's situation is quite different, they are friends.
:PLEASE HAVE A FAN MEET!
:@SOREN TELL ZOHARA THIS!
:@SOREN THIS IS YOUR ONLY CHANCE TO BE USEFUL!
Soren: Already told her she said "Maybe after the Silk Rebellion's shooting"
:NOOOOOO, ITS SO LONG AND WE MIGHT NOT GET A TICKET
:TRUE, I JUST KNOW NEW HARA WILL BE ADDED
Soren looked at Zohara and didn't say anything. She was focused on taking notes.
•
Zohara's days pass very quickly and follow a certain routine.
When it is Wednesday to Friday, she attends class, runs every morning, takes lunch with Soren and Coco, sometimes with Nicht and has a livestream every Thursday while studying.
When it's Saturday-Tuesday, she shoots her scenes, advances and reviews, studies her lessons, writes lab reports and does her assignments.
She was busy, but she always observed at least 6 hours of sleep every day.
It was 8PM and her last shoot for today was finished. A make up artist is helping her remove the make ups. When her phone rings.
"Father!" She exclaimed excitedly
"I'm 5 minutes away" Her father said, they were about to go to Country S for her birthday.
"Hmmm"
As the call ends.
"You must love your father a lot." The make-up artist said it was the most animated face she saw Zohara except when she was acting these past few days.
"Yeah" Zohara answer with wide smile
After a while she was already settled, she bid her goodbye to the cast and about to leave the CSF when she encountered Leox who just came.
"Where you going?" He asked interestedly, the other staff and artist look away. They were used to it, Leox for two weeks spend at least an hour per week when Zohara was shooting.
"Father" Zohara simply answer
"Uncle is here?" He asked with a raised eyebrow, he heard from Zan that Uncle Zin had a business trip.
The people near them ear perk up, Uncle?
"Yeah" Zohara answer and walk away, she didn't mind that Leox follow her in a parking lot. As if she can punch Leox and rendered him walking.
Zohara stopped in a familiar car and opened it. She immediately went inside and closed the door.
Leox outside saw Uncle Zin looking at him coldly before nodding. He answered with a smirk before the door closed and they left.
Leox brushed his hair and went back to the set. He planned to take Zohara to dinner because he knows she would probably spend her time with Uncle Zin but now. They must be going to different countries.
"How's the shooting?" Lenox asked Director Ayen
"You don't need to pretend." Director Ayen said with a hint of laughter as the staff changed some props for the following shooting.
"Im really curious though, how's Zohara?" He added with a chuckle
"She's doing great, that little girl is really hardworking. If she's not in the scene, she's studying." Director Ayen genuinely complimented.
"I know," he answered with a hint of pride.
•
Zohara and her father arrived at their house in Country S after 13 hours of flight. The first thing she did was sleep, while her father settled some matters.
In the afternoon, a day before her birthday, they went skiing. Zohara was wearing a red long sleeve clothing while her father wore black. They are covered with protective equipment.
Her father taught her how to ski, her posture was first fixed before she tried it.
Zohara laugh the moment she fall, thanks to her father guidance she didn't get injured but she still find it hard.
Zohara stood up and watched her father ski. She took some photos of her father and the scenery.
"Father!" She shouted as her father glided towards her.
"Let's take a picture!" She said excitedly, they didn't really take pictures that much together. But this is the first time they left the country, usually her father just took a picture of her because he doesn't really like being in a picture.
Zin leans a little and hugs his daughter at her shoulder as his chin rests in her hair. Zohara immediately smiled and took a photo.
Because of the helmet and googles it only shows their lower lips that are smiling showing the same location of their mole and dimple.
Zohara, then guided by her father, tried again until she was able to perform well.
Zin heard his daughter's laughing smile and took a video. He also takes some pictures.
At night, they ate in a restaurant near the house.
November 13
It's Zohara's birthday.
The moment she opened her eyes the first thing she saw was numerous red boxes numbered 1-18. Her eyes immediately brighten.
"Father!" Zohara exclaimed and left her room. In the dining hall, was a home cooked breakfast, egg, bacon and bread, together with milk and coffee.
"Happy 19th birthday my sweet girl." Her father said softly as he put the last plate in the table and walk towards her. He kiss her forehead and hug her tightly. "Best wishes darling" He added, Zohara immediately hug her father.
"Thank you father!" She said happily as they went to the table.
They ate peacefully talking about random topics and the plan later.
After their breakfast, they went mountain viewing and took a lot of pictures before coming back to their house. Then they prepare different foods that can be eaten later.
At exactly 8PM, they left the house towards the location where they could see the Aurora Borealis.
Zohara watched the passing scene while her father was driving.
"Have you seen the gifts?"
"No, I want to open it at once later" She exclaimed with a hint of excitement
"Hmmm"
They arrived at the place around 9PM and they settled in the back of the car that had blankets and prepared foods.
Zohara was wearing a red coat while her father was wearing a black. She hugged her father's arm while resting her face on his shoulder and watched the sky change.
"Let's take a picture" Zohara mumbled softly, her father immediately took a selfie of them. Zohara giggled seeing her father's awkward expression.
After a while, vivid streaks of green ripple across the sky while faint hints of red glow at the edges. Tall trees surround the car they are seating and lake in front of them. Zohara looking at that marvelous sight couldn't help but feel an awe. Her eyes redden and look at her father only greeted by a candle and red cake.
"Happy birthday to you, Happy birthday to you, Happy birthday my dear Zohara. Happy birthday to you…"
Her father sang awkwardly with a soft expression. Zohara burst into laughter.
"Thank you father" She said softly and closed her eyes before blowing the candle.
A tear escaped from her eyes and smile widely, her father wiped her tears and gave her another small box with a number 19.
"My daughter, I want you to know that I'm so proud of you and all I wish is for you to be happy and at peace. Always remember that your father is always here when you need me."
Zin uttered seriously and softly while looking at his crying daughter holding her 19th gift. He knows, he couldn't even recognize himself, he was too different years ago. He became softer and now has a glaring weakness. His daughter.
"Hmmm, I know." Zohara said with a soft smile.
They ate the cake and prepared sandwiches while watching the sky.
They arrived at the house around 11:30PM, Zohara was not sleepy at all but she knew her father needed to handle something so she proceeded to her room and planned to open the gifts.
Looking at the gifts and the gift she is holding. She felt giddy and excited. She took a picture and decided to do a livestream.
:EH?!
:A sudden livestream?! Friday morning?
"Hello guys!" Zohara said excitedly
The viewers gasped seeing Zohara. She looked so happy, big smile showing her dimples, gleaming eyes and blushing face because of the cold. She looks so beautiful and cute. This is the first time they saw her this cute.
"Im just excited, notice something?" Zohara asked while laughing and showing her room
:IT'S YOUR BIRTHDAY?!
:FUCK
:IT'S MY FAIRY SISTER BIRTHDAY?
!
:WHERE ARE YOU? 14TH IS YOUR BIRTHDAY?
"It's the 13th. I'm in another country. Looking at these, my father prepared the 19th gift for me. I'll unbox it 1 by -"
Zohara stopped on her tracks when she heard a knock and her father's soft voice.
"Dear"
:DEAR?!
:WAHHHHHHH
:WHO?!
Zohara looked at the comment and left the ipad alone and opened the door.
"Father!" Zohara exclaimed, she thought he's busy, he's been checking his watch.
"Youre in a livestream?" Her father asked softly
"Hmmm, I thought you needed to handle something and I was just so excited about the gifts!" She said happily, her father laugh a little
"Let them see it, let's go to the veranda." Her father said and walked towards upstairs.
Zohara runs towards her bed and gets her Ipad and follows her father. The camera shows her face as she walks.
"Its father"
:ITS OUR FATHER IN LAW
:HE SOUNDS SO HANDSOME?!
:LIKE?
:IS YOUR FATHER SINGLE?!
:I'M WILLING TO BE YOUR MOTHER!
Zohara laughed and changed the camera directing outside instead of her face because her father was beside her.
"What will you show me?" Zohara asked with a hint of excitement.
Zin look at his count,
"3, 2, 1…."
BOOM!
Zohara watching the sky, her eyes widened.
A fireworks show.
Various colors erupt and vanish in the horizon. It was a minute show and the last part was a drone.
HAPPIEST 19TH BIRTHDAY TO MY DEAR DAUGHTER, ZOHARA ♥️
May you always be happy ✨
The letters were white and red heart, flowers and star shapes surrounding it.
"I love it father" Zohara uttered with a hoarse soft voice.
"As long as you're happy" Her father said softly and kissed her temple, he rubbed her hair.
"Sleep early"
"Yes, thank you father, this is my happiest birthday!"
"Hmmmm"
Zohara left the veranda and went downstairs.
"bye-bye" she uttered and ended the livestream, her excitement in opening the gifts died a little and all she felt was happiness.
•
TOPIC: ZOHARA'S BIRTHDAY
:MAY WE ALL HAVE A FATHER LIKE ZOHARA'S FATHER
2M Likes
:I was crying while watching the fireworks and IN THE END! THE MESSAGE!
1M Likes
:DONT MAKE ME CRY! JUST HEARING ZOHARA'S HOARSE SOFT VOICE! I KNOW SHE WAS SO MOVED TO THE POINT OF CRYING!
:Their daughter-father relationship is to die for! Have you heard her father's voice? IT'S TOO SOFT! As if talking to a fragile human! Zohara too! She's too animated when talking about her father!
3M Likes
:I think Zohara was so excited earlier and wanted to share it, and the first people she thought of were from the US! THE HARA! I FELT SO FUCKING HAPPY! BEFORE, SHE DOESN'T EVEN WANT THE OTHER TO KNOW HER BIRTHDAY!
4M Likes
:Why do I feel she's more open to us? I feel so happy! She's so genuine!
:LOOK AT THIS, SHE LOOKS SO PERFECT (photo)
2M Likes
:THANK YOU FOR A QUALITY SCREEN SHOT, LOOK AT HER AMBER EYES! HER DIMPLES! THEY LOOK SO HAPPY!
:HER BEST PHOTO TO DATE!
:THANKS FOR THE NEW WALL PAPER
•
@Soren
WHY DIDN'T I KNOW IT'S YOUR BIRTHDAY?!
NEVERMIND…
Happiest Birthday (late) to my dear friend (future lover, maybe?) Zohara!
May all your wishes come true!
Just remember that I'm always here.
3M Likes 1M comments 989K shares
:I'm glad we're not the only ones in the dark…
:Soren I just know that even if you offer yourself to Zohara, she wouldn't take you…
:FUTURE LOVER? THATS MY WIFE YOURE TALKING TO!
•
"I want to give her a gift" Fen mumbled while looking at Zohara's picture, it was the screen shot from the live stream.
Fen was in his room and laying in his bed while looking at L-Line. His room in their shared house was quite simple, just a blue and white interior. Beside his bed was a side table, on top of it was a copy of Zohara's
ICONIQ: Artist File.
He also wants to post a Zohara's appreciation post and give her a gift but he can't. He's thinking if he should just give her concert tickets for their tour next year…
But is it a gift for her or for him?
Just thinking that they'll meet each other…
•
Zan looks at the internet. Since that call, Zan sometimes visits Zohara's platform.
He watched the video of the livestream, he couldn't help but to chuckle, even if his mother heard the voice here, she wouldn't notice.
Because this voice is too soft and emotional.
•
Zara felt suffocated while watching the video for no reason.
Remembering her father's cold eyes and voice, she shudders.
She would never admit that she envies someone's relationship with their family!
•
"What should I give her?" Riujie mumbled absentmindedly, they were in the tent in CFS. His manager, Luko raised his eyebrow. He doesnt know what's the catch between the two but Riujie was uncharacteristically kind to Zohara.
He just wished that no scandal would arise in the span of shooting.
•
Ceon looks at the various displays of jewelry. He wanted to buy something for Zohara, but he didn't know what to give her.
•
At Sage's Doctor's office, Selene was peacefully watching a documentary in the displayed T.V. when Sage's phone lit up.
She accidentally saw a notification of successful placement of order in Vespera Jewel. She wants to look at it more carefully when the door opens.
It's sage.
Sage didn't even look at her and went to his seat. Get his phone and fix his eyeglass.
"Are you done with your preparation?" Sage asked
"Hah?" Selene was flabbergasted
"The deal" Sage simply answer
Selene became embarrassed, she bit her lips and looked away.
"I-I" her voice was choked and soft, most people seeing the pure and kind Selene would offer a hand but Sage didn't care.
"Just give me at least a year" She softly said
"Hmm"
Then the room was filled with silence.
•
Leox watched the video on his phone.
He can't imagine Uncle Zin's voice and he actually prepared something like this?!
Last time Leox just planned to give Zohara a necklace that's called a 'Fifth Element' and bring her dinner. But seeing her father's 19th gift, fireworks show, and even what they did earlier that day. He's behind, Leox grimaced, he suddenly thought that what will be his problem is not another man around Zohara but Uncle Zin itself.
•
Their private plane arrived at Country C around 10PM. Zohara is beyond tired. She let her father handle the gifts and sent it to her unit while she went to CFS because her schedule shoot is 10AM.
"Dont you want to take a off?" Her father asked as they leave the plane
"I can handle it, remember to rest too father. I know you constrict your schedule in work to come with me." Zohara said with soft smile
"As long as you want it, be careful."
"Hmmm"
Zin kissed her daughter's forehead before he watched her go to the parking lot. He massaged his neck and rode the plane. He had a business trip.
•
Zohara gets inside the car that was driven by Manager Eli. The car needs to be changed to a van and a modified bed in the back.
"Belated Happy Birthday" Manager Eli said with a smile as he gave her a paper bag.
"Thank you" Zohara answer with a soft and tire voice
"I'll wake you up when we arrived"
Zohara just hummed and slept.
•
Zohara woke up in her hotel bed around 8AM, she needed to at least go to the CFS at 9AM because of the preparation.
Zohara just ate a simple meal, took a bath and used the car with Manager Eli to go to CFS, it's only 10 minutes away from their hotel.
Along the way, Zohara can see some people standby at some CFS 'station'; each location of CFS that has a different palace design is called 'station'. Most of the time the drama productions rent certain stations when they just need it. The only thing is that they need to schedule it ahead because some other drama productions need that station causing a conflict in schedule.
Artists that usually have extra jobs in different drama productions usually standby near the CFS along the station.
Zohara looked away, she had a leave for 3 days in University because of her birthday. So she's delayed in her lessons, so she needs to watch the recorded lesson from Coco and Soren later.
The scene that they're going to shoot is a kiss in a bath house of Zohara and Riujie.
This is also the turning point of Lian Xue and Emperor Xuanlie relationship. Since Lian Xue was brought to the palace, the Emperor did not visit her for a month and when he did, he only watched her dance. Then they talk about chess and books, slowly the tension grew but they didn't cross the line even though she is his concubine. This happened for at least 5 months and their feelings thickened until it dripped in the bath house.
Zohara never tried practicing kissing with Riujie, because it was also Lian Xue's first kiss.
Zohara was wearing a white thin bathing gown, her hair was lay bare and her make up was light. In the scene, the large pool has different kinds of incense flowers floating around.
"Just tell me if you feel uncomfortable" Riujie said while looking at Zohara
"Thank you Senior" Zohara answered with a light smile.
"Everyone in position!" Director Ayen shout,
Riujie immediately acted and went towards the pool. He removed his upper clothing, showing his well defined broad shoulder, not too muscular arms, thin waist, well defined pectoral, and v line. He enters the water and leans against the wooden wall of it and closes his eyes.
"CUT!"
"Next Scene!"
Hearing the call, Lian Xue enters the bathing house. Emperor Xuanlie didnt open his eyes.
Lian Xue looked at the emperor, she sat behind the emperor overlooking his hair.
"Let me help you" Lian Xue uttered and touched the Emperor's broad shoulder.
"Hmmm"
Lian Xue held the Emperor for a while before a large hand covered her soft small hand.
"Stop" Emperor Xuanlie uttered before his eyes opened. He looked up and their eyes met, there Lian Xue saw a lust hidden by his cold eyes.
Lian Xue finger draped around the Emperor's face, she traced his facial features, eyebrows, eyes, nose and lips.
Lian Xue was shocked when she realized she was dragged by the Emperor in the water. Her thin clothing became wet, hugging her well defined body.
"Stop seducing me" He said with a chuckle while wiping some water that wet her face.
Lian Xue eyelashes flutter as she raises her eyes meeting the Emperors.
The room was stilled, the tension they felt tingle in their spine.
Emperor Xuanlie grabbed Lian Xue's face and aggressively kissed her.
Soft.
Their tongue tangled, as the Emperor grabbed her waist.
Lian Xue felt suffocated as the Emperor's lips left hers.
Lian Xue pants as her forehead touches the Emperor's. They can hear and feel each other breathing.
"Use your nose, I thought you're trained for this?" The Emperor asked with a raised eyebrow.
Lian Xue's eyes widened, the tips of it slightly red, while her lips were slightly gap glistening red because of the earlier act.
Emperor' Xuanlie licks Lian Xue's side lips before his tongue enters her mouth. Lian Xue felt the Emperor's warm arm encircling her waist as she was carried to sit on the edge.
The Emperor let go of her lips as he looked at her intently.
"Do you know what you look like right now?" The Emperor asked as his hands roamed around her feet, caressing her legs. Until he reached her tight. A suppressed moan left Lian Xue's lips. She immediately bites her lips and glares at the Emperor.
The Emperor continues to tease her, drawing a circle in her thigh using his finger. Lian Xue grabbed the Emperor's arm, their eyes met and the Emperor let go.
"I'll not let you go next time." He uttered coldly, left the water and bath house.
"CUT!"
Upon hearing those words, Riujie immediately wore his Emperor's robe and covered himself with it. He's wearing a black thin pants in the scene earlier, he's hard. He knows it is a phsychological reaction but he still feels embarrassed about it, he looks at Zohara who still looks out of it. He reached for a dry towel from the stylist and placed it on her shoulder.
He saw her head look up and their eyes met.
"Senior" She mumbled, her voice was quite hoarse but still soft, her lips were swollen while her eyes were slightly reddened and wet.
Riujie felt parched.
Fuck.
Usually when the scene ends, even with the psychological reaction in other dramas, he can immediately get out of it.
But looking at Zohara, he felt his reaction become worse.
Zohara was still out of it. The heat, tension, his hands, seeing his face now. Zohara felt embarrassed a little, she calmed herself and smiled softly.
"Thank you Senior" She said as she stood up, only ending being helped by Riujie because of her weak knee.
Zohara laughed.
"Senior is too good, be lenient, it's my first kiss." She said while laughing genuinely, finding the situation funny and embarrassing. Riujie, hearing Zohara's words, also laughs, the previous awkwardness and tension vanish.
"My honor" He joked back as they went to their respective tents.
The staff and some artists that watched the scene earlier felt thirsty.
The tension was too much making them have a goosebump.
While Director Ayen just felt happy because of the perfect shot.
Zohara changed into new clothes and rested in her for a little while watching the others act.
She touched her lips, remembering the kiss.
She doesn't have any standard comparison so she couldn't judge if Riujie is a good kisser but she felt breathless and amazing.
After settling himself Riujie went to the tent only seeing Zohara touching her lips and quite . His heart throb a second before he touches his neck embarrassedly and coughs.
"Senior" Zohara said with a slight blush then she smiled. "Im just thinking I might get addicted to it."
Riujie who was about to sit was beyond stunned, he knew Zohara was blunt but not this blunt! He didn't know how to react and felt quite helpless seeing her soft smile.
"You should see your face" Zohara teased, she was never dishonest about her feelings. If it feels good, it feels good. What's there to hide? She doesn't think deeply about every little thing she feels.
"You caught me off guard" He answer
"It felt nice, I didn't know kissing felt this nice!" Zohara said with a hint of excitement as if finding a new skill to honed
Fuck, Riujie just wished that Zohara would not say it at livestream. He knows Zohara doesn't mean those words romantically, but focuses more on the sensation she feels in the kiss. However, the people might think differently and some might even comment negatively about her. Especially since she is a girl, in every industry women are usually placed on the pedestal. Even in the Entertainment Industry, for example a man began dating in the industry he might get hate or approval depending on the situation but most women who open up about their relationship in their career get hated, called names, and lose fans, especially Idols. How more a woman who is open to her desire. He is also worried to Zohara that she might get confused between love and lust.
"I thought kissing would be disgusting, like exchanging saliva." She further added
"Be careful to the media" Riujie couldn't help but to say with a hint of worry
"Hmmm thanks!" She said knowing he's worried
"I remember, you're not in any entertainment agency?"
"Yeah, I don't really need to enter one." Zohara answer
"Right, how enviable"
"Can you already stand alone with your popularity?"
"It's quite difficult." Riujie answer, well he already have plans but he doesnt want to say it just it to be jeopardize in the end
"Next Scene!" Director Ayen shouted, it's now their turn to act.