A Second Kiss – This Time Slower

My heart is pounding in my chest as the director shouts:

"Action! And this time... slow."

Leon approaches me, but there’s no longer that mischievous smile. His gaze is quiet, deep, as though he’s evaluating something in me. Although I still feel anger deep in my stomach, something else is pushing it aside. Something unknown.

When his hands gently rest on my shoulders, my body instinctively tenses. I don’t want to show him that I’m nervous.

Slowly, very slowly, he lowers his face toward mine. This time he doesn’t lunge, doesn’t grab me like before. His breath is warm, close, and I feel my spine freeze.

Our lips touch, softly, uncertainly. It’s not that fierce crash from before—this time, it’s different. The script says that despite their rivalry, in that moment the characters realize there’s something more between them.

But the problem is... is this still just acting?

Leon tilts his head to the side, deepening the kiss, and I feel warmth overwhelming me, my fingers instinctively clutching his shirt. What the hell is happening?

I hear the director whispering to the cameraman: “Yes... yes, this is it. Perfect. You can feel the tension, but also the emotion…”

When we slowly pull apart, Leon stays close, as if it’s not over yet. His eyes are misty, his lips slightly parted, and he seems like he wants to say something.

But before he can speak, I pull away, lick my lips, and turn my head. I can’t let this affect me.

The director stands up and claps his hands. “CUT! Guys, that was incredible!”

The crew claps, and I feel my palms sweating. Leon is still looking at me, as though trying to figure out what just happened.

“You played that well, Daniel,” he says quietly, with something in his voice that I can’t define.

I swallow hard. Was that just acting? Or something more?