Kissing My Arch-Nemesis, the Leading Man

Bruce Harris and I are notorious rivals in the entertainment industry.

Our agents have been at each other’s throats for three years, and our fans can’t even be in the same room without getting into heated arguments.

But on the first day of filming for our new drama, I found myself face-to-face with him on set.

Director William Nelson pointed to the script and said to us, “Alright, let’s start with the kissing scene.”

...

"Wendy, are you sure you want me to do this script?"

I was fiddling with the signed contract in my hands, my fingers absentmindedly running over the paper.

"I’ve never done a script with so many romantic scenes before."

Wendy Allen, my top-tier agent, sat across from me, scrolling through her tablet.

Hearing my words, she rolled her eyes. "Julia, this is the urban romance drama that Director William has been working on for three years. The screenwriter won a White Orchid Award, and Stellar Glow Pictures is producing it."

"I fought hard to get you this opportunity. Do you have any idea how many people would kill for the female lead role?"

I stared at the bolded line in the character summary: "Multiple intimate scenes with the male lead." My temples throbbed.

But Wendy was right—this was a huge opportunity.

I signed the contract.

During the script read-through before filming, the male lead was absent. He’d taken the day off.

William is a well-known director, and last-minute script changes are common.

On the first day of shooting, I sat in the makeup room while the makeup artist worked on my face.

I was scrolling through the latest version of the script that William had sent.

Suddenly, a push notification popped up on Instagram: #Bruce rumored to take the lead role in The Last Sip of Heartache#

The Last Sip of Heartache?

"Damn!" I almost dropped my phone.

"Bruce?"

The air in the makeup room froze instantly.

Wendy’s phone hit the table with a thud.

Her fist clenched involuntarily.

"Who are you talking about?"

"Your ex-boyfriend, the one you managed—he’s the top star now." I shrank back a little.

"Kevin Wilson, that bastard!" Wendy’s yell was so loud that Alice White, the assistant outside, hesitated to enter.

I gave Alice a signal, and she quickly found a corner to hide in.

Wendy pulled out her phone and started typing furiously.

I caught a glimpse of the WhatsApp contact name: Dog Stealer, and the latest message was a 60-second voice memo.

I quietly closed Instagram and went back to reading the script.

Wendy and Kevin’s feud was an open secret in the industry.

From being a couple to becoming bitter enemies, they’d even gotten into a public shouting match at a magazine gala last year, which went viral.

And Bruce and I? We were both the rising stars they had each helped launch.

"Listen, Julia." Wendy suddenly placed a hand on my shoulder.

"This is William’s drama. He wouldn’t be happy if he lost the male lead, and I didn’t check who the male lead was. That was my mistake."

"Filming starts today. If we breach the contract, we’ll have to pay ten times the salary."

I silently raised the script in front of Wendy.

"This drama has so many kissing scenes... At the magazine event and platform activities, if Bruce is there, you can’t even exchange a glance with him..."

Wendy gritted her teeth and opened the script, her forehead vein visibly pulsing.

"That was a business event! This is work—remember, act well, and keep your distance off-screen!"

Bruce finally arrived at the set before the opening ceremony.

He and his agent bowed to Director William in apology before rushing to the makeup room for his transformation.

I was wearing the outfit and hat provided by the crew, and Bruce, already done up, stood next to me in the same attire and gave me a slight nod.

"Teacher Julia, please guide me." A fake smile pulled at his lips.

Bruce’s eyes curved into crescent moons, and his lashes cast delicate shadows beneath them.

Fans always say his almond eyes look deep even when he's just staring at a dog.

But I knew it was all part of the cold, calculated charm that came with being in the entertainment industry.