Kiss Me If You Can [NOVEL] - Chapter 18

“Cut! That’s it!” The director’s scream raised the tension on set.

The surroundings, which had been quiet, quickly became noisy, packing up the gear and talking. The director finally called Naomi, and she left her place and went to her seat. Then Chase got up too.

During filming, Josh, standing at a distance and looking around the entire time, immediately took a step. You have to be with Chase until he gets back to the trailer.

His secretary, Laura, was also waiting. She followed Chase faster than Josh. Chase, who took his water, took a sip and soon screwed up his face. Josh and everyone else immediately became nervous. Soon after, Chase threw out the bottle with more than half of the remaining water. The water bottle hit the ground and splashed in all directions, but no one complained. Laura carefully asked why.

“Well, if you don’t like it… if the brand is the problem, I’ll make another water.”

Chase looked at her in a terrifying way. He opened his mouth to the surprised Laura

“Smells like omega.”

“What?” Laura blinked in embarrassment.

Josh was shocked too, but he was innocent because he didn’t even go near the bottled water. Also, Chase has been nervous and upset with such trivial matters throughout the filming period. Josh was relieved to think of things like this, but on the other hand, he couldn’t help but be surprised. While watching silently, Laura spoke hastily.

“I’m sorry what happened … I’ll watch and be careful from now on. One of the staff is omega, but they made it clear that she wasn’t involved in any of Mr. Miller’s articles, but how could she …? ” Frustrated, she ran after Chase, who was walking recklessly with a larger step than usual, as if he was angry. “I’m sorry, Mr. Miller, but I’d like you to review this.”

Chase glared at her and unexpectedly met Josh’s eyes. Josh smiled habitually. But Chase turned, completely ignoring him with a blank face. Josh scratched his head, embarrassed by the cold response. Just in time, the passing staff smiled and greeted him, and he too responded with laughter. He immediately returned his gaze to Chase, but kept looking forward and walking.

Since that day, they have never had a proper eye contact, much less a conversation. Josh took it for granted. What happened in the garden that day was just to laugh at himself, and I think it’s natural to feel bitterness in a corner of my heart.

Almost ten days have passed. Filming has started and Josh is somewhat used to his black hair. The movie was originally a novel that has been around for over a decade. There were so many fans that it was going to be made into a movie for the first time. It was a great sensation, but it was only after it became known that Chase would play the role of Dr. Plame. His role was an antihero throughout the series. He was a very attractive character in front of the main character, so there were not a few fans, but the problem was that the fans were very dramatic. Until photos of his dyed black hair were posted, they held hands and yelled, <No to Chase Miller!> It just didn’t fit. Later, when Dr. Plame’s photo was released, they yelled again: <No, Chase Miller!> It looks good on him, but it doesn’t. The motive changed from time to time, but the conclusion was the same. Anyway, people hate others for their own reasons.

There have been as many anti-fans as there have been many fans so far. The controversy was fully anticipated and the fire spread from the production company, to Keith Pittman, who assigned the role. Of course, Pittman didn’t even lift a finger. And the filming finally started. Josh believed that all the controversy would disappear once the film was released. There weren’t many scenes of him in the movie, but passing by one side of the screen was enough. Furthermore, when he spoke, even the staff listened attentively without breath. He was Dr. Plame at the time, obviously.

But after the cut, he immediately went back to being Chase Miller. Everyone avoided him and he took it for granted. Even now, he walked in a straight line and got right into the trailer. The gaze, which had briefly focused on him instant disappearance, soon dispersed from place to place. Josh, who was unable to relax during filming, also belatedly breathed a sigh of relief. Of course everything was the same. Now he can rest a bit until the next scene. He turned to Isaac and went out for coffee.

“Hi Josh”, one of the staff members he did not know spoke to him, it was a short woman who reached just above Josh’s shoulders, it was the secretary of another actor. He thought about what the name was for a moment, but luckily, it had a name tag on it. Josh smiled and greeted her.

“Hi, Heather.”

She blushed slightly, continued. “Did you finish filming for Mr. Miller today?”

“No, there is one more scene in the afternoon. Another member will come. I just want to drink this coffee and take a break. “

“It’s hard to protect him, isn’t it? Mr. Miller, on top of that, seems to be receiving a lot of threats.”

“It’s my job so I can’t help it”,

Heather responded with a short laugh.

They spoke a few more words, but when they turned around, Josh couldn’t remember a word. And he had a more meaningless conversation with some, as he made his way to the trailers where the bodyguards were housed. As soon as he got back to his rooms, Josh stepped into the simple shower, brushed himself off, and lay down on the bed in the corner. Other men who were already asleep snored here and there. Josh turned around and around and fell asleep after a while.

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“Then I’ll take care of it, that way. Can I let you know when I have two free hours?” In Laura’s professional voice, Chase said, “No” without even looking at her.

“Good. If you need anything, please call me.”

She quickly stepped back and left the trailer. Chase took off his awkward disguise and tossed it onto a chair at random and lay down on the bed. He really wasn’t sleepy. As he spun around and around, the medicine bottle on the desk suddenly came into view. The secretary prepared it in advance. He got up slowly and stared aimlessly through the text on the label. He felt the urge to pour it into his mouth, but there was only one dose of medicine. Ever since the great shock of emptying a medicine bucket at once, Laura has always left such a fixed amount. That said, it was more than the usual amount, and Chase was always getting the most of the prescribed use. During filming, he ate more than that frequently. The same thing happened again this time. With the medicine bottle tilted and the pill stacked in his palm, Chase looked down and popped them into his mouth. Only after emptying all the water from the pet bottle did he sit against the wall. Outside, the sound of people laughing and chatting continued faintly. There was only deathly silence in the trailer. To the point where exhaling was a burden.

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Since the filming scheduled for that day was a bomb scene, tension had been high among the staff, since the day before. It was a scene where a building was burned, so it was difficult to finish. It was always a burden to finish scenes at once, but stunts added more responsibility. Leaving behind the professional staff who recalculated the weight of the explosives several times and made repeated checks, Josh kept his distance, glaring at Chase as usual. He stood next to the director with Naomi and listened to an explanation of the scene.

“There’s going to be an explosion, so we have to run over there. Safety comes first, so be careful. Let’s rehearse first.”

There was a lot of work to be done, starting with the installation of safeguards. Naomi laughed and joked as usual.

“If it’s okay, you’ll be prepared,” said the rest of the staff with a smile.

“Will there be steak for dinner?”

“Oh, I’m really looking forward to it. I hope I’m not the one on the plate.”

Naomi, who had clasped her hands as if she were praying, looked at Chase. She seemed to want them to at least keep up together, but that didn’t happen. Naomi shook her head and a bitter smile at his attitude of not even looking at her, as she knew it would be. It was then that Josh thought of something strange. He felt a certain, indescribable sense of incompatibility in Chase. His expressionless face, tight lips, and attitude of ignoring others were no different than usual, but he couldn’t find an answer as to why he felt that way.

“Isn’t C a little weird?” Josh glanced into Mark’s innermost thoughts.

Josh looked at Mark. Like Josh, Mark, who was on the prowl, including Chase, glanced at Josh and then turned to Chase again.

“Where?”

“Well, I don’t know, but…….”

Mark responded casually to the dying voice without confidence. “He’s the same as always but what do you notice different?” Mark responded casually to a voice that trailed off without confidence.

He’s the same as always. Josh just shut up. You have no way to persuade him

Meanwhile, preparations were completed.

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The process was smooth. After finishing the rehearsal perfectly, the director immediately began filming.

“Come on, let’s focus and get it over with.”

Although he was recognized externally for his great sense, not only of the action but also of the composition of the story, he seemed to be nervous at times like that. Seeing the director’s rigid face, which used to be a smiling face, Josh concluded that the sense of alienation he felt was also due to the transmission of tension at the filming location. Chase and Naomi were seen entering the building. Indoor filming ended the day before and today all they had to do was film the scene of the escape.

“Don’t you do all these things with CG these days?” Mark whispered under his breath.

Josh also answered quietly.

“There are many movies that are not.”

“It’s been a long time since I’ve seen a movie. That’s funny too.”

Mark smiled with joy at the idea of ​​going back to his daughters and telling them adventure stories. After filming, he was going to ask some people to let him take a photo and take their autographs. Chase was an exception, of course.

The staff, who ran out of the building, twirled their arms and announced they were ready. As it quickly disappeared from the screen, the director took a deep breath and opened his mouth.

“Let us begin!”

After 5 seconds of silence, a fire with a loud popping sound broke out in a part of the building. Despite what was already expected, it was large enough to stop momentarily. With vibration Silent, Josh looked down. The demolition began from that moment. Starting from the end of the building, the explosives began to detonate continuously with only a few seconds between them. The rising smoke along with the unpleasant smell of gunpowder made his eyes ache.

Josh kept his gaze away from the building, repeatedly lifting and releasing his eyelids. Large and small explosions followed. It was a calm situation that anyone could see.

Soon Chase and Naomi will jump out of the building.

Josh looked at his watch. About five minutes had passed since the explosion started. There were no signs of people amid the blackened smoke from the blast. He wasn’t the only one who felt strange this time.

“… it’s not late?”

Mark whispered under his breath. Josh was also thinking the same thing. When he turned his head, Mark looked at him at the same time. Josh quickly formed a line of motion so he could run. The place where Chase might be, the time to run to him, and the time to rescue him drew a simulation in his head in an instant, and he regretted it a little. Mark murmured beside him as if he had sensed his thoughts.

“I’ll go the other way.”

“Yes.”

“Okay, I still have time. Right? You have to hang on there until we take the picture.”

“You told Chase, didn’t you?”

“Yes. None of the actors is filming a scene like this twice.”

The personnel in charge of the attack had no choice but to sympathize. Looking at Josh, Mark shook his head and ordered him to wait a little longer. Josh reluctantly looked at the building anxiously and clenched and unclenched his fists several times. Meanwhile, the explosions occurred in series and the building had already collapsed in half.

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“Chase!” The roar of the woman buried in the explosion brought him back to his senses for a moment. As he looked at her blankly, Naomi with an anxious face was looking at him.

“Are you okay? What’s wrong? Can’t you hear me?”

It was normal when filming the scene of the attack. It was also common to lose hearing and consciousness at that time. It wasn’t like usual, what’s up with this? Chase looked at her in amazement. But there was a clear sign of unease somewhere. To be exact, he seemed concerned for him.

“Now we have to get out, after the next explosion.”

Naomi said with an unusually nervous face. It was something I already knew. I was just waiting for the moment. But why?

“Chase!” Naomi screamed again. Suddenly, he grabbed his arm and shook it violently, causing Chase to hesitate.

…Huh? At one point he was stumped. A different landscape unfolded before his eyes when he saw it. It would have been only a second or two, but more than half the building disappeared. He blinked because he couldn’t believe it.

“We can’t wait any longer, we have to go now.” Naomi rushed in with a quick tone, then grabbed Chase’s arm and started running.

But it was a mistake. It made Chase dizzy, he collapsed.

“CHASE!”

Naomi screamed. There was a continuous roar of violence at the sound of the explosion. The black smoke came running like a demon. Naomi looked around, wondering what to do. What do I have to do? Should I run away alone? But we have to escape together. And the movie? Suddenly, she remembered a puppy waiting for her at home. My husband left, but I still have someone by my side… I can’t leave the child.

“Mickey …”

When she called the dog by name she remembered why she had to save herself, Chase managed to regain consciousness and stood up. Smoke ran right behind them. Once more explosives were detonated, they would all be swallowed up by the flames. At that moment, Chase held onto Naomi’s waist.

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An eerie murmur came here and there. The smoke rose hideously and the explosion continued, but for a time there was no movement in the building. There was an air of agitation. Only the director and blasting personnel looked distinctly ahead. Perhaps, they didn’t have the right time to stop him either.

“Mark.”

Josh was unbearable and called the team leader. Mark opened his mouth, frowning, as if embarrassed, but soon closed it.

How will you be held accountable if you jump in and screw up the scene while doing it right? Of course, Josh didn’t care about it. But he was also not lacking in explosion experience. Rather, it has been through various training sessions and actual battles over the years. It was obvious that the situation that was happening was wrong. When another explosion occurred, Mark made up his mind. He ignored the idea of ​​what would happen if he ruined the scene and they demanded a large amount of compensation.

The priority is to save them now.

“Let’s go in, Josh.”

“Yes” Josh replied immediately.

As soon as he was about to run towards the already fixed line of motion, suddenly someone was startled and screamed.

“Aah”

The two of them hesitated and focused their attention on his appearance. The figure of a person was seen through the black smoke. Maybe it’s an illusion. But they had already lost time. Oh, meanwhile, the last explosive detonated. When the moment turned white, someone blew through the smoke and flames. It was Naomi who jumped up with a cry. And then Chase appeared afterward. A sigh of relief came from here and there. Naomi landed safely on the floor mat. Then Chase also hit his whole body. The building began to sink in an instant, with a tremendous explosion of flames above them.

“Cut!” Immediately at the scream of the director, the staff rushed to turn off the lights in the building and the secretaries and managers of the actors gathered to take care of them.

“Naomi, are you okay? Why did you leave so late? Are you hurt?”

“Oh my gosh, I was so worried. Still, I think the scene turned out great.”

The words of encouragement and comfort continued for her, but Naomi only blinked her face blank. With soot smeared all over her beautiful face and her hair tousled, she suddenly looked back. Chase was slowly dusting his clothes, his face still expressionless.

“Naomi?” The secretary, who stared at her for a moment, called her again. Naomi soon came to her senses and blinked.

“Wait a minute,” she made an excuse and ran over to Chase. Chase, who was about to leave his seat, was suddenly blocked by Naomi and stopped.

“I’d like to talk to you, is that okay?

She smiled deliberately and looked around. They all looked at Chase, as if wanting to know what to do, Chase glanced casually at Naomi and nodded briefly. The people around him took a few steps back. Naomi opened her mouth cautiously so that the sound of her words didn’t leak out to the others.

“What happened? Did you know that I almost died a while ago?” She asked belatedly, her voice harsh, as if her feelings had increased. But Chase still didn’t answer. Naomi was even angrier at the emotionless look he displayed.

“I don’t know where you are losing your mind, but focus when you are filming. Don’t hurt others. Considering you almost caught me too.”

He shook his shoulders once, thinking of the black smoke that had been pouring in. However, Chase never hinted at a riot. His constant expression made Naomi sick and tired.

“What the hell is wrong with you? I think you’re crazy.” With a terrible sigh, she pushed her hair back. “This time we went through smoothly, but next time I go out this way again, I’m not going to let it go, okay?”

“…”

“… Ah.”

In the end, Naomi was exhausted first and fell silent. She turned around spitting insults, you son of a bitch. With the idea that Chase and Grayson and all the boys in the Miller family were shit.

“Are you okay, Mr. Miller?” Laura asked, who waited for Naomi to leave and then hurried back. She wondered what they were talking about, but that was all she could say. There was no way Chase would give her an answer. Of course he didn’t say much. But contrary to the expectation of being ignored, that she would turn around and leave, Chase didn’t move while there. Laura got restless inside.

“Well Mr. Miller … …?” It was when she cautiously called his name again.

Suddenly, Laura realized that his condition was strange. His face was particularly pale and looked blue. Feeling a bad feeling, Laura unknowingly reached out her hand and hesitated. Hands loosely hovering in midair, he examined Chase’s condition.

“Mr. Miller, are you okay?” It was when she asked one more time.

Suddenly, Chase gasped and his pupils went wide. Laura’s eyes widened too, in amazement, and Josh, who was watching, as well as the rest of the staff, looked at him in surprise.

“Mr. Miller, are you okay? Mr. Miller!”

“Control yourself, who is in the ambulance? …!”.

Chase yelled and they hastily surrounded him here and there. Meanwhile, Chase clutched his chest and a nasty breath ripped deep inside his throat. Josh approached him as if he was running through the crowd in a hurry. As soon as he extended his hand, he suddenly stopped breathing. Josh screamed.

“Mr. Miller …!”

“Ahhhh!” Josh caught Chase quickly, leaving Laura screaming behind in amazement. At the same time, Chase lost consciousness as his knees weakly buckled.

“Chase!” Josh called his name and hugged his shoulders and shook them. But with his pale face tilted to the side, he didn’t react at all.

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“… Yes, yes. I see, yes.”

Josh looked at Chase, listening to Laura’s short reply. Chase didn’t regain consciousness until he carried him to the trailer and laid him on the bed. Mark insisted on going to the hospital right away, but Laura refused.

“We need to contact his doctor first. You know, it’s a problem if Mr. Miller is known to be taking medication.”

Her warning left the bodyguards speechless. They had no choice but to put Chase to bed as ordered and wait until she finished talking to the doctor. Josh just looked at Chase’s face, paler than usual. Finally, after a brief greeting, Laura hung up.

“It’s an overdose.”

Josh frowned without realizing it. “Overdose?”

“Yes” Laura nodded to Josh, repeating the same words.

“These symptoms occur when the drug is excessive. I spoke with Naomi just in case, and she said he was like that when they were filming. He almost had an accident because he was suddenly stunned … I didn’t tell her the details, and I just asked you if something unusual happened during filming, so you have to be careful with this part, “Laura sighed after adding a request.

“You’ve seen the symptoms before, but I didn’t know it. According to Steward, his doctor said that he had warned him before not to take too much medicine. He said he should reduce or change the dose of the medicine after trying it. less Chase is an exception, so he is still alive after taking so much medicine, and if he were a normal person, he would have already died ten times. “

“… Are the side effects of the drug related to peripheral nerve stimulation? So since filming the scene of the explosion, he must have been more anxious than usual.”

When Josh chose as many words as he could and provided reasons, Laura cocked her head for a moment and quickly shook it.

“I don’t think so. I guess he’s been half mad since the shooting. It’s like a fuse has blown.”

“Then it just came”

Laura nodded at Josh’s conclusion. “Yes, so you don’t have to feel responsible.”

At her smiling face, Josh didn’t laugh. Scared, Laura hurriedly checked the time and opened her mouth.

“I think I will have to discuss this with the manager, can I leave him to you? Please call me if something happens. I’ll be right back.”

“Of course.”

“Good bye.”

Laura smiled once more and then got out of the trailer. Only Josh and Chase remained in the trailer. In the silence, Josh sighed and turned around, then saw Chase’s face and stopped. His breathing quieted silently, but his pale complexion remained. Everyone even seemed to believe he was a corpse.

The doctor will be here soon. All he had to do is do a check-up and make sure there was nothing wrong as soon as it was over. Josh looked at Chase, pulled up a chair, and sat down. He looked at him for a while without saying a word, but still there was no response. There was silence everywhere. There was no sign of other people’s presence, as if only Josh and Chase were left in the world. Josh remembered for a moment how long it had been since he had seen Chase’s face so comfortably. Now that he thought about it, a bitter smile escaped him. He couldn’t even see this man’s face properly unless he had passed out like this. Josh looked at Chase motionless and murmured something.

“Why are your hair always so disheveled?”

The man who was rumored to be a mad dog sometimes looked like a cat. A cute cat with all his hair up and scratching his opponent at any moment. Josh gently brushed his hand back the hair from his face. The brush of soft hair that touched his fingers made him stop and laugh.

<Do you want to kiss me?> The whispered voice broke into his ears. The laughter soon disappeared. Josh looked at the watery Chase. He showed no signs of backing down. A man who couldn’t even look at unless it’s at a time like that. Josh slightly distorted his forehead. Leaning slowly. He could feel the cool body temperature of Chase’s temple on the tip of his lips. He raised his head, but still didn’t respond.

Hoo. Josh dropped into the chair with a sigh. Rubbing his frown, he let out a low groan. I don’t know what this is about. He sighed again, but the stillness was hardly broken. And it was only after a full day that Chase woke up.

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The car heading to the hospital was quiet. As always, but especially today Chase’s mood was a mess, of course. They all said just the words necessary to keep him from feeling bad.

It was only the day after Chase woke up, that they were so nervous of being suddenly hit or kicked. Josh was surprised to hear Mark come to take turns.

“Are you going to see a doctor?”Mark nodded.

“… I see.”

Josh, who agreed, briefly explained to the guard the next day and then patted him on the shoulder.

Josh simply smiled instead of answering. And finally morning came and everyone was very busy and waiting for Chase. Until then, Josh had a curious anxiety. The last time he saw him, his pale complexion did not leave his view. His weak knees were bent and his shoulders rocked up and down, breathing heavily. He was asleep like a corpse without opening his eyes for a long time. Not that the same situation would occur. When he thought that, the door opened and Chase appeared. And Josh just stopped looking. Chase, unlike usual, was a rugged figure, wearing only a two-button jacket over his shirt. Hair that had always been carefully combed was also loose at random. Today he looked like he had really left the room without a care. However, everyone couldn’t take their eyes off him. This man will be praised by all ages. Josh remembered again. Also, he looked young today, perhaps due to his comfortable outfit. He was perfect if it weren’t for furrowed brows and a weary look.

“It’s because he could barely sleep, because he stopped taking his medication. He’ll feel better when he’ll get prescribed a new medication,” Laura whispered from the side.

Just in time, Chase sighed and ran his hand through his hair. At that moment he held Josh’s heart and shook it. The long, drooping lashes fluttered slightly and cast a shadow across his cheeks. His slightly parted lips, beyond his straight nose, were pale, but brought out the red flesh. As Josh stared at him ecstatically, Chase suddenly turned his head. Immediately the eyes of the two met. It was only a second or two, but Josh couldn’t take his eyes off him. He just looked at him with wide eyes. Chase’s eyes narrowed. As if to say something, he opened his mouth but was silent again. Then, ignoring Josh, he got into the car. Josh, awakening belatedly by the vision, hastily opened the driver’s door. Chase hesitated when he found out he was riding in a car with him, but soon turned his head without saying a word. Mark’s voice came from behind.

“Come on, everyone come in. Come on.”

Sitting, Josh looked at him in the rearview mirror. His eyes immediately met Chase’s. Embarrassed, he quickly looked away. Meanwhile, Mark was in the passenger seat and Laura in the back seat, followed by Isaac, Henry, and Seth in the rear car. Along the way, Laura seemed to talk about his job and his schedule from time to time, but she didn’t get much of a response from Chase. He was looking out the window the whole time. In the end, Laura also fell silent. Finally, they made it to their destination, the hospital, after three hours in silence.