Tera

“I don't know if you can put in a word for me but there's this explosion scene that I'm supposed to film and the director wants me to do it. I don't feel safe about it and—” I was saying as I and Matteo were having breakfast, munching on my waffles when he dropped his spoon aggressively on the plate.

His phone started buzzing immediately and he picked it up sparing me no word.

“No, I can't come in. Cancel everything on my schedule, I have somewhere to be.” He said and dropped the call, standing up and picking his briefcase as he walked out the door.

I blinked twice, pinching myself to be sure that had just happened. It did, oh wow. Isadora!

I was still feeling slightly dizzy due to the bleeding yesterday and should probably visit the hospital but that would be after today's shoot.

I was ready for work so I quickly walked towards my assistant's waiting vehicle.

Can I really perform the explosion scene? With my baby coated inside of my stomach? Seems like a long and hard straw to pull but I have to do it anyway.

“Did the director change his mind for the explosion scene? I think we could do a time skip there.” I stated as I settled into the front seat of the car and she adjusted her glasses while shaking her head in negativity.

“No. I tried to talk him into it but he literally refused. He said it's one of the most important scenes so…” She trailed off as I heaved a sigh, trailing soft lines down my belly.

“Fine!” I sighed and the rest of the ride was silent till we got to the venue of the filming.

“This is… they took remote area to the next level.” I complained as I got out of the car and walked towards the director.

“You're almost late, Tera . Quick, get changed.” I immediately changed outfits and ran through my scripts again before we began the shooting.

As I paused to catch my breath after the take, I thought I saw a tall, dark figure leaning against a black SUV parked at the edge of the set.

But by the time I looked again, he was gone, probably someone from security.

I managed to pull off the explosion scene in one take and was still heaving deep breaths from all the running when I spotted Matteo's car parked directly opposite our scene.

He's here?

I walked towards the car and due to the tint, I was unable to see anything so I knocked slightly on the window and Matteo rolled down a bit. Just enough for me to see…

ISADORA. Looking….disheveled — if I'm not going to use a dirty word.

The smirk on Isadora's face said everything I wanted to hear and instead of trashing out, I bit my lower lip.

“What's going on here?” I questioned and Matteo rolled his eyes.

“Should you be asking that? Are you done with your shoot?” His voice was indifferent as he dismissed me with a wave of hand.

“Matteo, are you fucking my sister in your car? And asking me if I'm done with my shoot?” I queried, in disbelief as I took a closer peak and oh, was I not right?

I was, unfortunately.

“Tera, keep your freaking voice down.” Matteo snapped, looking around immediately to check if anyone had overheard.

My heart twisted and dropped to my belly as this confirmed all that I had already heard earlier.

It seemed like scales fell off my eyes as I bit underneath my lips to stop the tears from cascading down.

I can't do this here. Not here. If I cried, it would only make Isadora feel good about herself and I didn't want that.

“Oh pretty little baby, are you gonna cry?” Isadora said in a really soft voice and I flipped my hair to my back.

“Cry? Oh. No. That would ruin my makeup and I'm not done with shooting my scene yet. I should get back to that.” I murmured, scratching my eyelids a bit as I walked away.

“Y'all have been doing so well. Let's take a breather, 5 minutes.” The director announced and I took a deep breath in. That's exactly what I needed right now, thank goodness.

I wasn't sure I was going to be able to finish my next scene if I didn't take a moment to reflect on what had just happened.

“Hi sis.” I heard Isadora's voice behind me and I couldn't help but curse underneath my breath.

“I see you're done being a prostitute.” I replied, turning to face her and her expression turned sour but she quickly masked it away.

“Oh did it hurt your feelings? Do you know want to know why? Why your husband is with me instead of you?” She asked with a bright smile while I opened up a bottle of water. Chugging it down my throat, I shook my head in negativity using the back of my palm to wipe off the corner of my lips.

“Now why should I do that? If i ask, it would be as though I don't already know the reason and that's lame as it is stupid.” I was dying inside, my heart was tightening and it was getting really hard to breathe but I didn't want her to see my discomfort. It would be as though she won like always and I didn't want that.

“Oh good, so you know he never loved you and you were just a stand in?” She pressed in where it hurt and I smiled, masking the turmoil unfolding in my chest.

“Oh not that, but what I do know is that you had a knack for taking my used things. It's as though you derived some kind of satisfaction from it.” I added and her face twisted in horror while I winked.

"And yet, no matter how much I took, you were still the one left behind. Maybe that's why our father never claimed you. At least he knew I was worth something. And you always left crumbs behind like a beggar. Maybe that's why no one ever stayed for you.. not even your own blood. Or have you forgotten in a hurry that your mum left?" She queried and it was like a low blow had been delivered right to my chest.

I didn't know what I was doing but I grabbed her hair in fist, pulling furiously.

“How dare you.” I spat, yelling as she winced in pain.

“Tera, let go!” She tugged at my wrist while yelling but my grip only got tighter.

“Don't you dare open your filthy mouth to mention my mother. I know what your mother did and the fact that I'm not saying anything about it because I don't have proof yet shouldn't make you think I don't because I do.” I deadpanned, sending a slap to her face.

“Let go of me!” She yelled and I turned to see see Matteo approaching or should I say running with the director.

“What's going on?” Matteo asked, rushing over to Isadora as I pushed

“She just suddenly attacked me. I just came over to say hi to her and she tugged my hair.” Tears were flowing out of her eyes and my eyes widened as I scoffed.

“Seriously? You would make a better actress than I am. You're not going to believe her, are you?” I queried, turning to face Matteo only to receive a sting on my cheek.

He had slapped me! Matteo just slapped me!

“How dare you lay your hands on your sister?” He yelled and rage fueled through me. A fire was starting in me.

I'm not going to be able to hold myself back.

“And what makes you think you can lay your hands on me?” I retorted, sending a slap across his face and Isadora gasped in shock.

“Oh, no you didn't.” Matteo hissed, raising his hands to strike me and I shut my eyes tightly but somehow, his hands didn't get to me.

I opened my eyes slowly to see someone in front of me, cladded in black.

*Black suit, black pants.* I haven't seen his face but I can swear it's the guy from earlier.

“Matteo? I have a personal detest for men who hit their wives. Especially a pregnant one.” He drawled.

Oh shit! Who is he? How did he know that?

“Pregnant?” Matteo and Isabella gasped in jinx but I…I was just hurt. Mad. At this stranger who thought it nice to blurt out my secret like that!