Chapter 12

twelve

. . .

Hillary pushed on the heavy revolving glass door, her reflection momentarily staring back at her before she stepped inside the building. The eerily empty building.

The card had said, it was a closed audition but no one sat at the receptionist desk. It was still a building, even if it was the weekend, but no one was here.

Remembering the instructions, she followed along the polished black floor to the right and down the hall. The click of her sensible heels echoed in the empty lobby, bouncing off the polished tile floors and exposed brick walls. She glanced around, her brow furrowing.

Hillary continued walking, her steps echoing and her heels clicking against the floor. She passed by several closed doors, each with a small plaque indicating the name of a production or company. She tried to peek inside, but they were all locked.

Where is everyone? Did I get the time wrong?

As she rounded a corner, she saw the sign for Studio B with an arrow pointing down the hallway. Her heart skipped a beat, and she quickened her pace, eager to find other signs of life.

But as she got closer, she noticed that there was no light coming from under the slightly cracked open door. Cautiously, she pushed it open and peeked inside.

The room was dark and empty, with only a few chairs set up on one side of the room. Hillary’s heart sank as she realized this couldn’t be where the audition would take place in twenty minutes. She must have missed some important information in the card.

Hillary double-checked the email on her phone, confirming the audition details. Two in the afternoon, Studio “B”. Yet here she stood, alone, in a cavernous space that should have been bustling with nervous energy and hopeful auditioners running lines.

Maybe they’re running behind schedule. Or I’m just too early.

She took a few tentative steps further in, her mind whirring with possibilities.

Feeling embarrassed and disappointed, Hillary turned to leave when she a faint noise came from behind one of the doors on the other side of the room. She strained her ears to listen but couldn’t make out what it was.

Curiosity getting the better of her, Hillary made her way quietly toward the sound and pressed her ear against the door. She only heard one voice despite the pause in conversion, leaving her to believe someone was on the phone.

There was a sudden click and before Hillary could step back, the door swung open.

Hillary waited, expecting to see a frazzled casting assistant, or perhaps, another actor. Instead, she found herself face-to-face with Julius.

“Julius? What are you doing here?” The words tumbled out, laced with surprise and confusion. She had expected to see him here, on stage, with others.

He flashed her his signature grin, the one that graced magazine covers and made hearts flutter around the world, not just in her chest.

“Hillary! I’m so glad you could make it.”

“Why wouldn’t I make it? I was assigned to cover the audition. It’s work, contrary to yesterday, I do not skip work!” She gestured to the empty room confused why he thought she would abandon work with how much she spoke about it. “Where is everyone else?”

Julius stepped closer, his blue eyes sparkling with mischief. “Well, you see, there is no one else. This audition, it’s for you. If you aren’t about to kick me in the balls and run off.” He flashed that smile again.

Hillary blinked, trying to process his words. “I don’t understand. You set this up? For me?”

Is this a joke? A hidden camera prank? Her eyes darted around, expecting a film crew to materialize from behind the sleek leather couches.

Julius nodded, a gentle smile playing on his lips. “I did. I know it’s unconventional, but hear me out.” He gestured toward the empty audition room, the sunlight streaming through the large windows casting a warm glow on the hardwood floors. “You love to tell stories, Hillary. I went and looked up some of your articles. The way you write, the depth you bring to your characters—it’s remarkable. And I couldn’t help but think, what if that talent could be brought to life on screen? What if the woman who let loose and was comfortable in her skin had a chance to show her energy to the camera?”

Hillary’s heart pounded against her chest, threatening to burst through her ribcage. The room around her blurred and spun, making it hard to focus on anything but the overwhelming rush of fear coursing through her body. The sound of Julius’s voice became muffled and distant, drowned out by the deafening thud of her racing heart. She struggled to make out his moving lips, her senses overwhelmed and her mind struggling to keep up with the intensity of the moment.

She shook her head, a nervous laugh escaping her lips. “Julius, I’m a journalist, not an actress. I write stories. I don’t act them out. I barely had the nerve to speak to anyone at Comic Con. How the hell could I do this?” The curse slipped out against character as she gestured wildly around herself.

Julius reached out, his fingers brushing against her arm in a reassuring gesture. “I know. But I also know that sometimes the greatest talents are hidden, waiting to be discovered. And I believe in you, Hillary. I believe in the magic you can bring to this role.”

Hillary’s heart raced as she tried to wrap her mind around this unexpected turn of events. The panic attack seemed imminent, but if she could force herself to think, she could push it off. It was one thing to have the man of her literal dreams in her life. It was another entirely for him to be insane. Which is the only explanation.

Julius reached out, his fingers brushing against her arm in a reassuring gesture. “I know. But I also know that sometimes the greatest talents are hidden, waiting to be discovered. And I believe in you, Hillary. I believe in the magic you can bring to this role.” He walked over to the table, picking up the script and handing it to her. “This character, she’s complex, layered, and full of depth. Just like you. I couldn’t imagine anyone else bringing her to life the way you could. She is how I see you, a timid warrior ready to take charge.”

“I appreciate the sentiment, Julius, but I’m not sure I can do this.” She pulled her hand away, her instinct to retreat kicking in.

Her mind raced with a whirlwind of emotions—disbelief, confusion, and a growing sense of anger. How could Julius think this was her? She was a journalist, not an actress. This was not part of the plan, not part of her carefully constructed life.

She turned on her heel, her shoes squeaking against the polished floor as she strode toward the door. Julius’s voice called out behind her, pleading for her to wait, to listen, but she couldn’t. Not now. Not when her heart was pounding in her ears and her palms were slick with sweat.

Hillary burst through the door, her breath coming in short, sharp gasps as she navigated the labyrinth of hallways. The exposed brick walls seemed to close in on her, the once charming industrial aesthetic now suffocating. She needed air, needed space to think, to process the bombshell Julius had just dropped on her.

She could hear his footsteps behind her, the thud of his shoes against the hardwood floors. He was chasing after her, trying to stop her from running away. But Hillary was determined. She quickened her pace, her legs burning as she pushed herself forward.

“Hillary, please!” Julius’s voice echoed through the empty building, desperation lacing his words.

She shook her head, tears pricking at the corners of her eyes. He didn’t understand. He couldn’t understand. Acting was his world, not hers. She was content behind the scenes, crafting stories with her words, not embodying them on screen.

Hillary rounded a corner, nearly colliding with a potted plant. She sidestepped it, her heart leaping into her throat as she caught a glimpse of Julius’s reflection in the floor-to-ceiling windows. He was gaining on her, his long strides eating up the distance between them.

Panic seized her, and she veered left, bursting through a set of double doors and into a cavernous space. The room was dimly lit, the only illumination coming from the soft glow of emergency exit signs. Rows of theater seats stretched out before her, their red velvet upholstery faded and worn.

Hillary paused, her chest heaving as she tried to catch her breath. The theater was empty, the stage bare, save for a lone microphone stand. It was a far cry from the glitz and glamor of Hollywood, a stark reminder of the world she didn’t belong in.

Behind her, the doors swung open, and Julius stepped into the theater. His blue eyes were wide, his brow furrowed with concern. “Hillary, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you. I just thought?—”

“You thought what?” Hillary whirled around, her green eyes flashing with anger. “That you could just pluck me out of my life and drop me into yours? That I would just give up my job? That I would be any good at this when I can barely walk across the street without worrying I’ll upset someone?”

Her chest heaved as she stared at him, her eyes narrowing into slits of fury.

Julius took a tentative step forward, his hands raised in a placating gesture. “Hillary, please, let me explain.” He kept his voice quiet, and even he could hear the way it was tinged with remorse and a desperate need for her to understand.

He’d fucked up.

He’d known this was a risk, and he’d gone way too far.

He looked into her eyes, the captivating green that had first drawn him in filled with a mix of hurt, confusion, and anger. It pained him to know that he was the cause of her distress. He had only wanted to show her the potential he saw within her, the brilliant light that she kept hidden behind her journalistic pursuits.

“I never meant to upset you or make you feel like I was trying to control your life,” Julius began, his words careful and measured. “I just saw something in you, something special, I had the opportunity to help you in ways other people would love.” He let his hand run through his hair, pushing it out of his eyes. “And I didn’t want to go away for months and only see you on a screen. Not after yesterday.”

He took another step closer, the distance between them slowly shrinking as he tried to convey the sincerity of his intentions.

Taking a risk, he reached for her hands and she let him take them. “I was a selfish jackass because I wanted more with you.”

Julius’s voice grew stronger, more confident as he continued. “I know you’re scared. I know the thought of stepping into the spotlight terrifies you. But I also know that you have the strength within you to overcome that fear. You just need to trust yourself, to believe in the incredible person I see standing before me.”

He reached out, his fingertips grazing her arm with a feather-light touch. The contact sent a shiver down his spine, a reminder of the connection they shared, the undeniable pull that brought them together.

“I’m not asking you to give up your life, your career. I’m asking you to take a chance on yourself, to explore a side of you I think is hiding in there. And I promise, I’ll be there every step of the way. I’ll support you, guide you, and help you find the confidence you need to shine. I just want to show you that you have all the skills you need to command a room.”

“Okay.”

“Okay?” He twitched, shaking his head because it was the last thing he’d actually expected her to say.

“Yes, because the minute I walk onto that small stage you’re going to see how absolutely crazy you are. I’m kind of falling harder for you knowing that you don’t want to stop seeing me, but letting me audition for the lead in your movie? That’s insane, Julius!”

He chuckled. “Actors do a lot of insane things. Comes with the territory of pretending we’re a million other people throughout our lives.”

“One shot. I’m going to let you embarrass me one time, and then I’m going to pitch the embarrassment as the story because Olivia will murder me if I don’t when she finds out what went you pulled.” She pulled her hand free and poked him square in the center of the chest. “And then you are going to make this up to me in some way I haven’t thought of yet.”

He grinned so wide his cheeks nearly hurt. “Deal.”

Julius led Hillary into the audition room, his hand resting reassuringly on the small of her back. Vera, his director, a tall woman with striking silver hair, had come in during the ruckus and taken a seat. The whole thing may taint her against Hillary, but he couldn’t deny that she was captivating and if she could feel comfortable, the whole world would agree.

“Hillary, I presume?” The director asked, extending a hand in greeting. “I’m Vera, and I’ll be directing this film. Julius has told me so much about you. In his producer role he seems to have some very far reaching ideas.”

Hillary shook Vera’s hand, but not before shooting him a dirty—but oddly adorable—look.

“This isn’t a scene from the movie in question, but it’s designed to show your range. I understand you’ve never done this before, so I promise not to let it go on too long if Julius has gotten it all wrong.”

He flinched when Hillary did. Vera wasn’t trying to be harsh, but it certainly came across that way.

Julius followed Hillary up onto the small stage, his own script in hand. He positioned himself across from her, taking a moment to study her face. Beneath the nervousness and uncertainty, he could see a glimmer of determination in her striking green eyes. It was that spark, that hidden fire, that had drawn him to her in the first place.

As Hillary began reading her lines, her voice was soft and hesitant. She stumbled over a few words, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. But as she continued, something began to shift. Her posture straightened, her shoulders squared, and her voice grew stronger, more confident.

“How dare you come here and tell me this?” Hillary’s voice was laced with a raw, simmering anger as she glared at Julius. “My husband, the father of my children, is dead. And you have the audacity to stand there and deliver the news like it’s just another day at the office?”

Julius was taken aback by the intensity of her performance. The way her eyes flashed with fury, the way her lips trembled with barely contained emotion—it was mesmerizing. He found himself getting lost in her words, in the depth of feeling she poured into every syllable.

“I understand your anger, ma’am,” Julius replied, his own voice steady and calm. “But I assure you, we did everything we could to bring him home safely. Your husband was a hero, and his sacrifice will not be forgotten. He was the best damn Captain I’ve ever served under and I made him a promise.”

Hillary let out a bitter laugh, the sound cutting through the air like a knife. “A hero? What good is a hero if he’s not here with his family? What am I supposed to tell our children? That their father chose his duty over them?”

Tears began to stream down her face, and Julius had to fight the urge to reach out and brush them away. He marveled at the way she embraced the character, the way she let herself be vulnerable and raw. It was a side of her he had never seen before, a side that left him breathless and in awe.

As the scene progressed, Hillary’s performance only grew more powerful. She navigated the complex emotions of grief, anger, and despair with a skill that belied her lack of experience. Her voice cracked with sorrow one moment, then rose with righteous indignation the next. She was a force to be reckoned with, a talent waiting to be unleashed upon the world.

Julius found himself forgetting to look down at the script to deliver his lines; he was so entranced was he by the woman before him. The rest of the room faded away, and all he could see was Hillary. The way the stage lights danced across her face, highlighting the delicate curve of her cheekbones. The way her chestnut hair, now coming loose from its ponytail, framed her face like a halo. She was a vision, a work of art come to life.

Hillary delivered her final lines with a quiet intensity that sent shivers down Julius’s spine. “I will never accept you coming around here.”

Her face shifted, the anger slipping away and a sort of brightness returning to them.

“What the hell was that?” Julius whispered, his hands going toward her waist to pull her against him. “Holy shit, Hillary. If that was you proving me wrong, I never want to be right again.”

Julius stood in awe, his eyes locked on Hillary. The raw emotion she had poured into every word, every gesture, had left him breathless. It was as if she had reached into the depths of her soul and laid bare a part of herself that had been hidden away, waiting for the right moment to emerge.

He glanced over at Vera, eager to gauge her reaction. The director sat motionless, her silver hair gleaming under the stage lights. Her eyes were wide, her mouth slightly agape as she stared at Hillary. It was a look Julius had seen before, the look of someone who had just witnessed something extraordinary.

Vera rose from her seat, her movements slow and deliberate. She approached the stage, her gaze never leaving Hillary’s face. “That was...” she began, her voice barely above a whisper. “That was incredible.”

Hillary ducked her head, a shy smile playing on her lips. “Thank you,” she murmured, her cheeks flushing with a delicate pink.

Vera shook her head, as if trying to clear the cobwebs of disbelief from her mind. “No, thank you,” she said, her voice growing stronger. “I’ve seen countless auditions over the years, but never anything like that. The depth of emotion, the authenticity... it was breathtaking to know that it came from someone untrained.”

Julius couldn’t help but beam with pride. He had known from the moment he met Hillary that she possessed a special talent, a spark that could ignite the screen. And now, seeing her standing there, basking in the glow of Vera’s praise, he knew that he had been right.

“I have to admit,” Vera continued, “when Julius first told me about you, I was skeptical. A journalist with no acting experience, taking on a lead role? It seemed like a risk, a gamble. But now... now I see what he sees in you. The potential, the raw talent waiting to be honed and polished.”

Hillary’s eyes widened, her mouth opening and closing as she struggled to find the words. “I... I don’t know what to say,” she stammered, her voice trembling with emotion. “This is all so, so overwhelming.”

Julius stepped forward, his hand finding the small of her back in a reassuring gesture. “You don’t have to say anything,” he murmured, his breath warm against her ear. “Just know that you’ve earned this, every bit of it. I just did what agents do. I looked into your eyes and saw something.”

Vera nodded, a smile spreading across her face. “He’s right. This role, it’s yours if you want it. I have no doubt that you’ll bring a depth and complexity to the character that no one else could.”

Hillary’s eyes filled with tears, a mixture of joy and disbelief. She turned to Julius, her gaze searching his face as if looking for confirmation that this was real, that it wasn’t just a wild dream.

Julius grinned, his heart swelling with a fierce pride and an even fiercer happiness than anytime he’d gotten a role in the last decade. Still, her being wrong about her talent was not the same thing as her taking the role.

The tears that had welled in her eyes spilled down her cheeks, leaving glistening trails that caught the stage lights.

Or her not hating you forever.