Chapter 11

eleven

. . .

“Hillary Mitchell. My office. Now.” Olivia’s tone didn’t leave any room for any interpretation as she dropped back inside her office, slamming the glass door behind her. In the eleven minutes since she’d hit send on her Comic Con piece, she’d done something horribly wrong.

A wave of panic rushed through Hillary faster than a chaotic day in the trenches, and more deadly as she found herself paralyzed with fear. Gone was the confident woman who kissed handsome movie stars back.

She took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing thoughts as she made her way to Olivia’s office. The hallway seemed to stretch on forever, the fluorescent lights casting an eerie glow on the carpet. Hillary’s footsteps echoed in the silent bullpen, each one a reminder that all eyes were on her after a shout like that.

Hillary’s heart pounded as she approached Olivia’s office door, her palms clammy and her throat tight. She took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves before knocking softly.

“Come in,” Olivia’s voice called from within.

Hillary paused, her hand hovering over the polished wood. She could hear the muffled sound of voices from inside, a low murmur that only heightened her anxiety. What if Olivia had found out about her and Julius? What if she was about to be fired, her dreams shattered before they even had a chance to take flight?

With a shaky breath, Hillary pushed open the door, stepping into the sleek, modern office. The floor-to-ceiling windows offered a breathtaking view of the city skyline, the setting sun casting a warm glow over the towering skyscrapers. But Hillary barely noticed, her attention focused solely on Olivia, who sat behind her glass desk, her expression unreadable.

Olivia looked up, her hazel eyes locking onto Hillary’s. “Have a seat,” she said, gesturing to the chair opposite her.

Hillary sank down, her legs mimicking a gelatinous cube, wobbling as she went. She clasped her hands tightly in her lap, trying to avoid her fear showing. Worst-case scenarios threatened to send her into a panic. Did Olivia hate the piece? Was she going to get fired?

Olivia leaned forward, her expression unreadable. “I read your Comic Con article,” she began, and Hillary braced herself for the blow. But then Olivia’s face broke into a smile. “It was fantastic, Hillary. A truly unique angle.”

A wave of relief washed over Hillary, filling her with a sense of overwhelming joy. Her chest swelled with a lightness and freedom as the words were like a weight lifted off her shoulders. Suddenly, everything around her seemed brighter, more vibrant, as if she was seeing the world through new eyes. It was an indescribable feeling, pure and unadulterated happiness coursed through her veins.

She couldn’t believe it. Olivia actually liked her work!

“Thank you so much,” she managed to say, her voice slightly breathless. “That means a lot coming from you.”

Olivia nodded, shuffling the papers on her desk. “There are a few small rewrites I’d like you to make, but overall, it’s a solid piece. They’ll be in your inbox shortly. Absolutely cover story worthy. Great job.”

Hillary beamed, basking in the rush of pride. All her hard work had paid off. She stood up, ready to tackle those rewrites with renewed energy. “I’ll get right on those changes,” she said, turning toward the door.

“Oh, and Hillary?” Olivia called after her. “Shut the door for a moment, would you?”

An icy tendril of worry crept up Hillary’s spine as she slowly pushed the door closed. What could Olivia want now? She turned back around, trying to read Olivia’s expression.

“There’s something else I wanted to discuss with you,” Olivia said, her tone serious yet not unkind.

Hillary swallowed hard, her momentary joy evaporating as she waited for Olivia to continue.

Sinking back into the chair, her heart slapped against her ribcage. She clasped her hands tightly in her lap again, trying to steady their trembling. She’d gone from top of the world, to crawling through the sewers in a single sentence. The office suddenly felt too small, the air too thick. She forced herself to meet Olivia’s piercing hazel gaze, steeling herself for whatever bombshell her boss was about to drop.

“I couldn’t help but notice you leaving the office yesterday,” Olivia began, her words measured and careful. “With Julius Theon.”

Hillary’s breath caught in her throat. Had someone seen them together? Her mind raced with the implications, the potential scandal that could unfold. “I... yes, we did leave together,” she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

Olivia leaned forward, her elbows resting on the desk. “Are you and Julius seeing each other? He was a large portion of your article, but with his popularity, that wasn’t shocking.” she asked, her tone more curious than accusatory.

Hillary’s cheeks burned with a mix of embarrassment and uncertainty. “I think so? I mean, we’ve been spending time together, but I’m not entirely sure what it means yet.” She paused, a sudden fear gripping her. “Did something leak? Are there rumors already?”

Olivia shook her head, a reassuring smile softening her features. “No, nothing like that. I just wanted to check in with you, make sure you’re being cautious.” She sighed, leaning back in her chair. “The entertainment industry can be a tricky place, Hillary. People talk, and relationships can become fodder for gossip. I found out in a unique way if I’m being honest.”

Hillary nodded, a wave of relief washing over her. Olivia wasn’t angry or disapproving; she was looking out for her. “I understand,” she said, her voice a bit steadier now. “We’ve been discreet, but I know how quickly things can spiral.”

“Just be smart about it,” Olivia advised, her hazel eyes locking with Hillary’s. “Keep your personal life separate from your work and don’t let it distract you from your goals.”

Hillary took a deep breath, letting Olivia’s words sink in. She knew her boss was right. As thrilling as it was to be caught up in the whirlwind of Julius’s world, she couldn’t lose sight of what truly mattered—her career, her dreams of making a difference through her writing.

“I won’t let you down, Olivia,” she promised, a determined glint in her eye. “I can handle this.”

Olivia smiled, a flicker of pride in her expression. “I know you can, Hillary. You’ve got a bright future ahead of you.”

“There’s something else, Hillary. A call came in for you, a special request. Consider it how I found out about your little . . . relationship.”

Hillary tilted her head, curiosity piqued. “A request? From who?”

“Julius Theon himself.” Olivia leaned forward, her voice lowering conspiratorially. “He wants you to cover the auditions for a new space opera movie he’s starring in. You know, the one you mentioned in your piece.”

Shock rippled through Hillary, her eyes widening. “Me? But why?”

Olivia shrugged, a knowing smile playing at the corners of her mouth. “Apparently, he was impressed by your interview skills, but I imagine it’s more like helping you out because he likes you. Wants you to bring that same depth to covering the casting process.”

Hillary’s mind raced, pieces clicking into place. The movie Julius had mentioned during their interview, the one he was so passionate about. This had to be it. “I don’t know what to say.”

“Say yes,” Olivia urged, her tone turning serious. “This is a huge opportunity, Hillary. But remember what I said. Don’t get too distracted by the glamor of it all. Focus on the story, on your craft.”

Hillary nodded, determination settling in her chest. “I won’t let this interfere with my work, Olivia. I promise.”

“Good.” Olivia sat back, satisfied. “And be careful about being seen with Julius outside of professional settings. The last thing we need is tabloid rumors overshadowing your article.”

A flutter of nerves danced in Hillary’s stomach at the thought of navigating her burgeoning relationship with Julius under the scrutiny of Hollywood’s watchful eye. But beneath the anxiety, a thrill of excitement hummed. The chance to witness the inner workings of a major film production, to see Julius in his element...

“I understand,” Hillary said, rising from her chair. “I’ll be discreet. And I’ll make sure this piece is my best work yet.”

Olivia stood up, signaling the end of their conversation. “Now, go make those revisions. I want that article ready to print by tomorrow for next month’s edition.”

Hillary rose from her chair, a newfound sense of purpose straightening her spine. She would navigate this uncharted territory with Julius, but she wouldn’t let it consume her. Her work, her passion for journalism - that was her true north star.

As Hillary left the office, her mind buzzed with possibilities. This was uncharted territory, both professionally and personally. But she was ready to face it head-on, to prove to herself and everyone else that she had what it took to make it in this industry.

She pulled out her phone, typing out a quick message to Julius. “Looks like I’ll be seeing you at the auditions. Prepare to be dazzled by my journalistic prowess.”

His response came seconds later. A smiley face.

Hillary smiled, pocketing her phone.

With the security card clutched tightly in her hand, Hillary made her way back to her desk, her mind a whirlwind of thoughts. She sank into her chair, staring at the computer screen without really seeing it. The weight of Olivia’s words hung heavy in the air - a warning and a challenge all at once.

Her fingers hovered over the keyboard, itching to start researching, to dive headfirst into this new assignment. But a nagging voice in the back of her mind gave her pause. Covering Julius’s auditions meant being close to him, spending time together in a professional capacity. It was a delicate balance, one that could easily tip into dangerous territory if they weren’t careful.

She thought back to their interview, the electric spark that had passed between them. It was undeniable, the chemistry they shared. But pursuing it openly could have consequences, not just for their budding relationship, but for their careers as well.

Hillary sighed, running a hand through her hair. She had to stay focused, keep her eye on the prize. This was the opportunity of a lifetime, a chance to make a name for herself in the industry. She couldn’t let her personal feelings cloud her judgment.

But even as she tried to convince herself, Hillary knew it wouldn’t be that simple. Being around Julius, watching him work, seeing the passion and dedication he poured into his craft... it was bound to stir up emotions she couldn’t ignore.

She glanced at the security card again, tracing her finger over the embossed letters. This was her ticket into a world she’d only dreamed of, a front-row seat to the magic of moviemaking. And yet, it felt like so much more than that - a key that could unlock the door to her future, both professionally and personally.

“Hey, Hillary,” her coworker Sarah said, leaning against the desk with a knowing smile. “I couldn’t help but overhear your conversation with Olivia, thin glass and I walked by at the right moment. Congrats on landing the audition coverage.”

Hillary looked up, blinking in surprise. “Oh, thanks. I’m still trying to wrap my head around it, to be honest.”

Sarah’s expression turned serious. “Listen, I know it’s not my place, but I feel like I should warn you about something.” She glanced around, lowering her voice. “Ethan Cole, Julius’s co-star in his current franchise? He has a history of sabotaging relationships. If he’s around, be careful.”

A chill ran down Hillary’s spine. “What do you mean?” Why was Sarah even talking about that? Did she know something? How much did she over hear?

“Let’s just say he doesn’t like competition, on or off the screen.” Sarah’s eyes met hers, conveying the gravity of her words. “I’ve heard stories of him spreading rumors, causing drama... anything to throw off his rival’s game. And if Julius really called and asked specifically for you, there’s a chance Ethan is going to see why.”

Hillary swallowed hard, her heart pounding. “I... I didn’t realize...”

“Just be careful, okay? Around both of them.” Sarah gave her a sympathetic smile. “I’d hate to see you get caught in the crossfire. You remind me of me ten years ago.”

With a nod of thanks, Hillary watched as Sarah walked away, her mind spinning with this new information. She’d been so focused on her own feelings, she hadn’t even considered the potential complications from outside forces.

Taking a deep breath, Hillary tried to clear her head. She couldn’t let this distract her from the task at hand. With renewed determination, she turned back to her computer and began typing, immersing herself in the world of movie magic.

As she read through article after article, Hillary found herself fascinated by the intricacies of the casting process. The way directors and producers searched for that perfect combination of talent, chemistry, and star power, the grueling auditions and callbacks, the behind-the-scenes negotiations. Acting was far more than just early call times and remembering lines.

It was a cutthroat world, one where every decision could make or break a career. And now, she was about to step into the thick of it, her pen and notebook the only armor she had.

But even as she lost herself in the research, Hillary couldn’t shake the nagging feeling in the pit of her stomach. Sarah’s warning echoed in her mind, a constant reminder of the danger that lurked beneath the glitz and glamor.

She glanced at her phone, fighting the urge to reach out to Julius, to seek comfort in his words. But she knew she couldn’t, not now, not when so much was at stake.

Closing her eyes, she tried to picture the audition. The bright lights, the nervous energy, the sense of anticipation in the air. And in the midst of it all, Julius, his blue eyes intense and focused as he delivered his lines.

Hillary’s heart skipped a beat at the thought, and all her confidence began to fizzle at the idea of being in yet another new environment. This was uncharted territory for her, a world she had only ever observed from the sidelines. But now, she was about to step into the spotlight, and she had no idea what to expect.

She glanced at the clock, realizing how late it had gotten. Tomorrow would be a big day, and she needed to be ready. With a sigh, Hillary gathered her things and headed for the door, her mind still swirling with thoughts of Julius and the audition.

With a sigh, Hillary leaned back in her chair, her eyes drifting to the security card once more. Tomorrow, she would step into the lion’s den, her heart on the line and her future in the balance.