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Chapter 68 - chapter 69

INT. ELLA & REY'S APARTMENT — KITCHEN — SAME TIME

Ella washes dishes. Rey watches her with a grin.

REY

So you're saying you both shared the same dream — same people, same scene? Whoa.

ELLA

Yeah. Sounds unreal, right?

REY

Wait — dreams aside, you said he was acting different today?

ELLA

Right. He was… lighter. Happier? Not his usual serious self.

REY (teasing, dropping onto a stool)

Girl, believe me — there's something on his mind.

ELLA

Maybe it's work.

REY

Are you clueless or just allergic to obviousness? I think he likes you. (rests her chin on her hand)

ELLA

You're in the "everyone breathes near you, they like you" club, aren't you? He's an actor — he'll marry an actress or a model or…

REY

Or his PA.

ELLA

Stop it.

REY

You also like him, right? (teasing; puts a finger over Ella's lips before she can answer) You can't lie to me.

ELLA (sighs and turns back to the sink)

Who cares.

REY

You like him — I knew it.

ELLA

I never said that.

REY

Then look into my eyes and tell me: if I handed you a gun, could you shoot him? (deadpan, daring)

Ella hesitates, caught off guard.

ELLA

Are we five? (finishes the dishes and walks toward her room, flustered)

Rey follows Ella into the room.

REY

You definitely like him — just accept it.

ELLA

Even if I do, there's no way we could ever be together. (She draws the curtains, sits on her bed, frustrated.)

REY

Hey, love has no boundaries. Love is beyond hate.

ELLA (raises an eyebrow)

"Love beyond hate"? Huh — who gave you that cheesy line?

REY (grinning)

I read it somewhere. Wasn't it good? Anyway, back to the topic — if you want, I can help you.

ELLA (confused)

Help me? How?

REY

You know… the Rey way. (She smirks mischievously.)

Ella waits for the car, holding a small bouquet of flowers. She looks nervous but determined.

ELLA

Am I a guy about to propose to his future bride? Her ways are totally unpredictable...

(Her phone rings — it's Rey. Ella picks it up.)

ELLA

What will I even say when I give this? What if he asks why?

REY

Just say it's to brighten his day — he looked stressed yesterday.

ELLA

And what about Mr. Mah? I told you he's not exactly having the best time with me lately.

REY

Hey, you said mostly. Besides, Mr. Mah never comes in the mornings when Damian has interviews. I checked — he's got one today with ABC News. I'm sure Mr. Mah's there handling it.

ELLA

Are you a stalker?

REY

Stalking is one of my hobbies. I just don't use it often.

ELLA

Okay, I'll call you later — the car's here.

REY

Okay okay, bye!

(Ella hangs up and looks at the van door, hesitating for a moment.)

ELLA (thinking)

She's a real stalker... but Mr. Mah really isn't here.

(She exhales, opens the door, and sits inside. She turns to Damian — ready to give the bouquet — only to see he's holding one too, a larger one filled with roses.)

DAMIAN

Oh… (awkward smile)

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