Love’s New Bloom By Simone Hastings - Season 2 Episode 42

It was Percival again!

Erin glanced at the warning note in her hand and clenched it tightly. One of the suspects, Percival, had just laken the initiative to come and practice a scene with her.

She called out toward the door, “Wait a moment. I need to change my clothes.”

“It’s okay. Take your time.” Percival said politely from outside the door.

Erin immediately walked into the dressing room, where there was a separate restroom. She threw the note into the toilet and flushed it. watching as the paper went down the toilet. Afterward, she returned to the makeup room and checked herself in the mirror. Once she confirmed that her makeup was fine, she walked over and opened the door.

At that moment. Percival was standing at the door with his back facing her, holding a script in his hand. When he heard the door opening. he turned around. He was dressed in a light blue costume with intricate patterns, and his makeup was exquisite. He looked exactly like a young prince.

In the movie, he portrayed a treacherous prince who constantly plotted against the crown prince and had an obsession with the fox demon. He was an antagonist, a villain.

Erin smiled at him. Recalling the affair between Percival and Megan, and thinking about the plot in the movie, she couldn’t help but feel that life imitated art.

“Erin, you are the perfect fit for the demon hunter role in the entire cast. You’re quite captivating!” Percival’s eyes showed admiration, albeit restrained to some extent. Sometimes, the eyes could easily reveal someone’s true feelings. From his eyes, Erin could perceive the peculiar gaze he directed toward her.

She couldn’t find the right adjective to describe it, but it was definitely nothing good.

“Mr. Lowe, if you have something to say to me, come on in.”

Her invitation brought a smile to Percival’s face. He responded, “Alright. Let’s head inside and discuss the script.”

She’d already turned and walked back in. The makeup room was now under the watchful eyes of the crew members, so even if Percival had any ulterior motives, Erin wasn’t afraid. She could call someone in at any moment.

After entering the makeup room, Percival chose to sit on the sofa right away.

Seeing that Erin had closed the door, he smiled and said, “The screenwriter made some last–minute changes to the scene. The director hasn’t officially informed everyone yet, but this scene is between the two of us. How about we rehearse it in advance?”

Erin sat down not far from him. She sat on a chair and calmly asked, “The screenwriter actually added a scene for us? That’s a good thing. I guess. More screen time for us, right?”

Percival’s eyes flickered slightly, and he smiled again. “But, Erin, I’m afraid you wouldn’t dare to shoot this scene-”

“Why?” she asked.

He replied, “The recent news has caused quite a stir. Even though the criminal has been caught, I’m a bit concerned about the psychological impact it might have on you. I’m afraid it’s not suitable for you to act out something like this at this time.”

The hidden meaning in Percival’s words made Erin furrow her brows and think for a few seconds. Suddenly, she asked, “Are you telling me that the scene is something along the lines of what actually happened to me?”

When she asked that, Percival pretended to blame the screenwriler as he said, “I was also troubled when I read this scene. I’m afraid you won’t be able to perform it. After all, you didn’t graduate from a performing arts major. If you have any psychological barriers and can’t act. it’s normal. I just came here to tell you in advance. If you’re willing. I can rehearse it with you beforehand.”

Erin looked at him without speaking, and Percival could see a flicker of a fire in her eyes. She admitted that if she didn’t know Percival’s true character, his appearance alone would be very attractive indeed. But in Erin’s heart, there was an image of a perfectly ideal man. So now, Percival’s feigned seduction, which he pretended to reveal once in a while, had no effect on Erin. In fact, it even made her feel.

nauseous.

However, she didn’t show it. She just smiled and said, “Can you show me the revised script first?”

“Sure, do have a look.” Percival handed her the script.

After Erin took it, she carefully read through it.

Ten minutes later, she looked at Percival again and said, “So, in this scene, you expose my disguise and go on to physically assault me?”

Percival’s dark eyes dimmed, and he politely answered, “Yes.”

Erin already had some negative assumptions in her mind and had some doubts. “Why did the screenwriter add this scene? Does it have any significance to the overall story?”

Percival chuckled and said, “Don’t ask me such deep questions. I don’t understand the screenwriter’s inner thoughts. I’m just an actor, and all I want is to perform this scene well.”

“So, are you looking forward to this scene?” Erin asked bluntly.

He froze for a moment, then an awkward expression appeared on his face. “What do you mean, Erin? Ahem! Why would I look forward to this kind of scene? I’m just following the script. I’m afraid you won’t be able to perform this scene, considering what happened to you-”

“You’re underestimating me, Mr. Lowe. That won’t be a problem! I can definitely do this!”

“That’s great

Um, I mean, I’ll fully cooperate with you to perform this scene well! If you’re willing, we can find a private place to rehearse beforehand, you know, to avoid any awkwardness when we actually shoot it.” Erin caught the look of anticipation and excitement that Percival was suppressing in his eyes.

She pretended to be coy as she said, “I haven’t done this before, but I’m really fortunate to have a handsome guy like you as my partner for

this scene-”

Percival’s eyes immediately lit up with excitement. He smiled, thinking that he looked charming, and asked, “So, do you want to rehearse this scene with me in advance?”

“Sure, do we do it here in the dressing room?” Erin pretended to show interest.

He pondered for a moment and suggested, “If we go to the artificial cave for this scene, would it be too much for you? I’m thinking that if we perform there, it might be easier for you to get into the right feel.”

Erin responded eagerly. “No problem. But I don’t think the timing now is right. How about waiting until tonight? We can rehearse that scene after we finish shooting. What do you think?”

Her proposal played right into Percival’s hands. He pretended to be composed as he replied, “That’s a good idea. I agree with you. Let’s

meet tonight then.”

After Percival left the dressing room, Erin sat alone in her chair, contemplating the matter. She analyzed everything that had happened earlier and Percival’s current behavior. Twenty minutes later, she dialed Roman’s number.

At 11 pm, Erin went to meet Percival at the original scene of the crime–the artificial cave.

After she entered, she walked deeper and deeper into the cave until she saw Percival, who had arrived early. He was holding the script,

seemingly rehearsing his lines.

Erin greeted, “You’re here, Mr. Lowe.”

Percival immediately stood up from a large rock and smiled at her. “Yes, I’m trying to understand this character’s thoughts. Let’s aim for

perfection when we perform later!”

“Thank you for taking the initiative to rehearse with me.”

“No problem. We should help each other out, right? So, can we start now?” Percival asked eagerly.

Erin nodded affirmatively. “Let’s begin.”

As soon as she finished speaking, Percival quickly got into character and got into the role of the prince as he walked over to Erin. After saying some teasing and flirtatious words, he started to make his move, and Erin, playing the demon hunter, immediately fought back.

As they fought, Erin found herself at a disadvantage, and Percival started to fight for real!

With a sweep of his leg, he knocked Erin to the ground, and she cried out in pain. But Percival seemed oblivious to her distressed cry.

seemingly completely immersed in his role.

Percival took out a red rope from the inner pocket of his costume. This was a modified scene in the script, where the demon hunter’s wrist would be bound by the prince. When the prince tried to undress her, he would be injured by a weapon the demon hunter kept hidden in her mouth, allowing her to escape in the end.

As Erin watched Percival tie her wrist, the way he did it and the sensation from his hands immediately reminded her of the assault on her that day. The masked man seemed to have obsessive compulsive disorder, as he tied two additional knots on a rope that was already tightly knotted.

Erin had discussed this with Simon, and she remembered it well. Right then, Percival had just tied the third knot! Suddenly, Erin looked up at him. She exclaimed with gritted teeth. “It’s really you!”