Chapter 23

twenty-three

. . .

Hillary stood in reverent awe, her eyes tracing the expanse of the enormous soundstage. Every inch was meticulously designed to resemble the interior of a futuristic space station, complete with winding wires and tubes snaking across metallic walls. The dimly lit corridors were brought to life by blinking control panels, their buttons and switches seemingly ready for activation at any moment. The faint hiss of hydraulics served as a constant reminder of the technology pulsing through this otherworldly setting. It was as if she had stepped into a completely different universe, filled with endless possibilities and unknown adventures waiting to be discovered.

It was unlike anything she’d ever seen, and suddenly she wasn’t certain she was ready for an day of filming.

Filming. You’re about to film a movie.

Her reverie was broken by a friendly clap on the shoulder. “Pretty incredible, isn’t it?” said Marco, one of the cameramen. His brown eyes sparkling with the same excitement racing through Hillary.

“It’s beyond anything I could have imagined,” Hillary breathed. “I still can’t believe I’m here, about to be part of all this.”

“You’ve earned it,” chimed in Lisa, one of six production assistants, as she hurried past with a clipboard. “We’re all rooting for you!”

Hillary smiled, the nerves in her stomach slowly unknotting. The past few weeks of preparation, costume fittings, and script readings had helped her find her footing. Now, standing amidst the hustle and rush of the crew, she thought she belonged, but the enormity of what came next threatened to throw her off the edge.

“Places everyone!” Vera called. “Let’s make some magic happen.”

“Act three, scene eight,” someone called before the sharp slap of a clapboard changed everything.

With a deep breath, Hillary squared her shoulders and stepped into the scene.

A month later, Hillary found herself deeply immersed in her character. Today’s scene involved Stella and Commander Atlas, played by Julius, racing against time to fix a malfunctioning engine before their ship drifted into a dangerous asteroid field. Something she’d never imagined would be as difficult to film as it likely was to conquer in reality, if this ever were someone’s reality.

“I can’t seem to locate the misaligned catalytic converter,” her character said, frustration evident in her voice as she rummaged through a toolbox nearly smashing her thumb against a wrench.

Julius knelt beside her, his brow furrowed in concentration. “Let’s think through this logically,” Julius said, his voice steady and reassuring. “If it’s not in the primary system, it must be in the backup. Here, let me help.”

Together, they carefully combed through the intricate engine room set, meticulously examining every panel and compartment. Hillary couldn’t help but admire the way Julius seamlessly transformed into his character, his actions deliberate and with purpose. She watched in awe as he expertly navigated the cramped space, his body fluid yet controlled like a well-oiled machine. It was as if he had become one with the set, a true embodiment of his role.

“There!” Julius exclaimed, pointing toward a small hatch hidden behind a tangle of wires. “I bet that’s where our pesky converter is hiding.”

Hillary leaned into the dark, cramped crevice and fumbled blindly for the missing puzzle piece. She knew it was there, but if she couldn’t grab it, the shot was ruined. Her heart raced as her fingers brushed against something small and plastic. With a triumphant shout, she retrieved the piece and held it up in front of her with a wide grin on her face.

As they worked together to reattach the converter, their characters’ hands brushing against each other, Hillary couldn’t help but be impressed by Julius’s dedication to the scene. His focus and intensity were palpable, elevating her own performance.

“And cut!” Vera’s now familiar singular word cut through everything. “Great job, you two. The chemistry is really coming through.”

Like a shower washing away sweat, the single word stole Stella from Hillary, leaving her as just Hillary once again.

As they stepped away from the set, Julius turned to Hillary with a warm smile. “You’re really nailing this, Hillary. It’s a pleasure working with you.”

Her usual blush didn’t feel like it came, she might actually be getting used to accepting praise. “Thanks, Julius. I’m learning so much from watching you work.”

She marveled at the surreal nature of it all. Here she was, acting alongside one of Hollywood’s biggest stars, holding her own in a sci-fi epic. Not to mention dating the man of her dreams. The nerves were still there, but with each passing day, they were overshadowed by a growing sense of excitement and purpose.

And at the end of each day, there was a secret trip from hotel room to hotel room, where he stole a little more of her heart every time. Everyone on set knew they were an item, but they’d been careful off set, keeping their secret.

Another day and another scene she had no business understanding, but now she was stuck in front of a mirror in makeup, trying to see the expression on her face that she needed to project

Hillary stared at her reflection in the mirror, trying to summon the well of emotions required for the scene. Her character was supposed to be confronting a deep-seated fear of losing everything to the oncoming forces, but Hillary felt disconnected, the feelings just out of reach.

“I don’t know if I can do this,” she muttered, hearing the frustration in her voice.

“Hey, it’s okay.” Ethan’s voice startled her even as his face appeared just to the left of hers in the mirror. She hadn’t heard him enter the green room. “This is a tough scene, but I know you’ve got it in you. Plus, I’ll be right by your side.” Ethan’s role, Prince Illiyah, was Stella’s love interest before she fell for Atlas. They’d shared plenty of scenes, but he was usually more closed off, more playful and less real with her.

Sarah’s warning always kept her on her toes around Ethan, but she was wondering if it wasn’t wrong to do that since it had been months with no incident.

Hillary sighed, turning to face him. “I just can’t seem to connect with her, you know? Like, I understand her fear, but I can’t make myself feel it. And I understand normal fear too.” She barely resisted muttering that she spent everyday living with it regardless of what job she had.

Ethan pulled up a chair, sitting down beside her. “Close your eyes,” he said softly. “Think about a moment in your life when you felt truly afraid. Not just nervous or anxious, but genuinely scared.”

Hillary hesitated, her eyelids fluttering closed as a rush of memories flooded her mind. She could see herself, standing nervously backstage before taking her first steps onto a stage. She could feel the excitement and fear coursing through her veins as she packed up her life and moved to the city alone. And she could vividly recall the intense satisfaction and nerves that coursed through her body as she submitted her very first article to Muse during an interview. The images were like a movie playing out behind her eyelids, each one a defining moment in her journey toward success.

“Now, hold onto that feeling,” Ethan continued, his voice a gentle guide. “Let it fill you up, but don’t let it overwhelm you. Use it to fuel your character’s emotions, to understand her struggle.”

As Hillary focused on the sensation, it was as if something clicked into place. Her character’s fear became her own, and suddenly, the scene made sense in a way it hadn’t before.

She opened her eyes, meeting Ethan’s gaze. “Thank you,” she whispered, a small smile tugging at her lips.

Ethan returned the smile, his hand resting briefly on her shoulder as he stood up. “Anytime. Now, go out there and show them what you’re made of.”

As Hillary stepped onto the set, she carried Ethan’s words with her, a newfound connection to her character lending depth and authenticity to her performance.

They hadn’t been particularly close, but she wanted to change that. He was a great person, and a stupid warning that didn’t even seem to be true shouldn’t stop her from making a new friend.

The next month brought new challenges and successes, but Hillary couldn’t noticed a growing tension between Ethan and Julius. It started subtly—a curt remark here, a pointed look there—but soon, it became impossible to ignore. She didn’t know what changed between the two friends, but there was quiet chatter about it everywhere she looked.

She couldn’t help but worry the problem was her friendship with Ethan, even though Julius didn’t seem to mind it, and Ethan was perfectly friendly and professional.

Hillary found herself caught in the middle, trying to navigate the increasingly volatile dynamics on set. She’d be rehearsing a scene with Julius, only to catch Ethan’s disapproving stare from across the room. Or she’d be joking around with Ethan, only to feel Julius’s eyes boring into the back of her head.

It’s just the pressure of filming , she told herself. Everyone’s stressed and on edge. But deep down, she knew there was more to it than that.

One day, as she was running lines with Ethan, Julius stormed off the set, his jaw clenched tight. Hillary watched him go, a sinking feeling in her stomach.

“What’s going on between you two?” she asked Ethan, her voice low and concerned.

Ethan shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant, but Hillary could see the tension in his shoulders. “Just creative differences, I guess. Nothing to worry about.”

But as the days wore on and the tension continued to mount, Hillary couldn’t help but worry. She felt like she was walking a tightrope, trying to maintain her professionalism while navigating the minefield of emotions and egos on set.

She just hoped that whatever was going on between Ethan and Julius wouldn’t derail the film. She hadn’t been part of their tension, but sooner or later she worried the whole set would feel the damage of it.

Is there a way to talk to Julius? She shook her head. She wouldn’t push. She’d asked him numerous times if he was okay, and he always smiled and assured her he was. Whatever this was, he clearly wasn’t ready to let her in despite how important he was to her.

The set was bathed in an ethereal glow, the artificial moonlight casting long shadows across the spaceship’s control room. Hillary stood at the console, her fingers hovering over the buttons as she waited for her cue.

Ethan stepped into the frame, his space suit glinting in the low light. “Princess,” he said, his voice tinged with urgency, “we’ve lost contact with home. We’re on our own out here.”

Hillary took a deep breath, channeling her character’s determination. “Then we’ll just have to find a way back ourselves. We do everything together, this shouldn’t be any different.”

As the scene progressed, Hillary found herself drawn into the moment, the lines flowing effortlessly. She and Ethan worked in perfect sync, their characters’ bond growing stronger with each passing second.

And then, the moment arrived. Ethan’s character, overwhelmed with emotion, leaned in close. Hillary’s heart raced as their lips met, the kiss soft and tender.

But even as they broke apart, Hillary felt a strange sense of detachment. The kiss had been a performance, nothing more. She searched her heart for any stirring of real emotion, but found only a cool professionalism.

Fascinating , she thought to herself. To be able to share such an intimate moment with someone and feel nothing at all.

With a word from Vera, Hillary stepped back, her mind already moving on to the next scene. She glanced over at Julius, who was watching from the sidelines, his expression unreadable.

She moved to go after him, but he was gone, vanished back into the shadows somehow.

It was too good to be true, wasn’t it?

The next day, they filmed the second most climactic scene of the movie. Hillary’s character was desperately trying to save the entire planet by not crashing a ship carrying explosives into its surface, while Julius and Ethan’s characters fought to protect her from the invading army who’d snuck on board.

The stakes were high, the tension palpable among the actors and the characters they played as in this scene, Ethan’s character was well aware of the growing attraction between the other two.

Ethan and Julius moved in perfect unison, their characters’ chemistry crackling like electricity. She had trouble focusing on her lines and blocking, falling into awe of the men.

As Ethan took a stray blast to the chest, he collapsed into Hillary’s arms just as her character turned to watch him take the hit. She cradled him close, tears streaming down her face.

“Don’t leave me,” she whispered, her voice raw with emotion. “I can’t do this without you.”

Ethan’s eyes closed, his breath growing shallow, a trick he’d learned from a director supposedly. And in that moment, a wave of genuine grief washed over her. The tears that fell were real, born of a connection she hadn’t even realized was there.

As the scene ended and the crew began to reset for the next take, Hillary wiped her eyes, trying to compose herself. She looked up to find Julius watching her, a soft smile on his face.

“That was incredible,” he said, his voice low. “You’re an amazing actress, Hillary.”

She smiled back, feeling a warmth bloom in her chest. “I had an amazing teacher,” she looped her arms around his neck. “One who has been odd the last few weeks.”

His lips found hers, and their kiss was passionate and hot as ever. Her body began to buzz with need just as she pulled away.

“You can’t do that,” she whispered playfully.

“I can, you just don’t want me to do it here.”

The sound of a phone ringing jolted her out of her reverie.

“Yours,” a PA passed it to her with a glare, tossing it to her from the table. They weren’t supposed to bring them to set, but she needed to take photos for her articles.

She extracted herself from Julius and stepped off to the side after grabbing the phone. She glanced at the screen, seeing Olivia’s name flash across it. With a smile, she answered, “Olivia, hi!” Walking toward one of the break rooms, she tugged the door shut to take the call in private. Everyone knew about her articles, but she tried not to create a fuss with them.

Keeping both jobs wasn’t as stressful as she’d imagined, though she was still far more nervous each time she hit send on her emails to Olivia. She enjoyed acting, but it didn’t bring the same intense terror as facing Olivia.

“Just finished reading part three of your series,” Olivia said, her voice filled with excitement. “The way you described filming in those zero-gravity harnesses, it was like I was right there with you. You’ve come quite a long way, Miss Mitchell. Seems like sticking it out was the right choice.”

Hillary grinned, the praise never seeming to mean any less than the very first time Olivia gave her a compliment. “I’m so glad you liked it. It was an incredible experience, but also more challenging than anything you’ve assigned me yet.”

As she delved into the details, recounting the long hours spent suspended in the air, the aches and pains that followed, and the exhilaration of finally nailing a scene, Hillary felt a sense of pride. She was doing what she loved, and people were responding to it.

Olivia chimed in with praise and questions, and the two fell into an easy back-and-forth. Hillary was so engrossed in the conversation that she didn’t hear the soft knock at her door.

It wasn’t until Julius stepped near, his presence filling the space, that Hillary realized he was there. She felt a flutter in her stomach, a now-familiar reaction to his nearness.

“Listen, Olivia, I’ve got to go,” Hillary said, her eyes locked on Julius. “I’ll have the next piece to you in three days as promised.”

She ended the call and set her phone aside, her heart beginning to race. Julius crossed the room in a few long strides, his gaze intense and focused solely on her.

No words were spoken as he pulled her into his arms, his lips finding hers in a searing kiss. Hillary melted into his embrace, the rest of the world falling away until there was only this moment, this connection, this fire between them.

Clothes were shed, skin met skin, and they tumbled onto the bed in a tangle of limbs. Every touch, every kiss, every gasp of pleasure was heightened, electric. They moved together in perfect sync, just as they had on set, but this was different. This was real.

As they lay in the afterglow, Hillary’s head resting on Julius’s chest, she couldn’t help but marvel at the turn her life had taken. She was living her dream, and she’d found something she hadn’t even known she was looking for.

But even in the bliss of the moment, a small part of her wondered what the future might hold. With the film nearly wrapped and their characters’ stories coming to a close, what would become of this thing between her and Julius? Did he still want her as much as she wanted him?

She pushed the thought away, choosing instead to savor the feeling of his arms around her, the steady beat of his heart beneath her ear. Whatever tomorrow might bring, she had this. And for now, that was enough.

As was the latest round of far-too-close to public sex they’d had.

“Action!”

Hillary stepped back from Ethan, a small smile playing on her lips. It was weird to her that they filmed out of order as his character died weeks ago but never left the set. This was an easy scene, but one that seemed easier with her friendship with Ethan stronger.

“And you’re certain we can trust him?” Ethan stepped closer, a frown on his lips.

“I am certain that we need him,” she pulled on the front of his shirt, tugging the warrior closer. “As certain as I am that you need this.” She kissed the other character, doing as best as she could to pour herself into the emotion the way she did when she kissed Julius.

But as Hillary glanced over at Julius, who stood just off-camera, she couldn’t help but feel a twinge of guilt. He and Hillary had grown so close over the past few months, both on-screen and off. And now here she was, kissing someone else, even if it was just for the cameras.

Julius caught her eye and smiled, but there was something strained about it. Hillary’s heart clenched. She knew this was all part of the job, that they were actors playing roles, but it didn’t make it any easier.

As the crew began to reset for the next scene, Hillary made her way over to Julius. “Hey,” she said softly, reaching out to touch his arm. “You okay?”

He nodded, but there was a tightness around his eyes that belied the easy grin he gave her. “Yeah, of course. Why wouldn’t I be?”

Hillary bit her lip, unsure how to put her swirling thoughts into words. “I just... I know it’s weird, seeing me kiss someone else. Even if it’s not real.”

Julius’s expression softened, and he took her hand in his, giving it a gentle squeeze. “It’s all part of the gig, right? We both knew what we were signing up for. The tides will turn when I return to kissing a fae princess.”

But even as he said it, Hillary heard the uncertainty in his voice. The unspoken questions hanging in the air between them.

What were they doing? What was this thing between them, and where was it going? With the film nearly finished, would they go their separate ways, back to their respective lives and careers?

The questions made Hillary’s heartache in a way she hadn’t expected. Somewhere along the line, amidst the long hours and intense scenes and stolen moments, she’d started to fall for Julius. Really fall for him.

And now, faced with the reality of their situation, she didn’t know what to do. She couldn’t bear the thought of losing him, of this being the end of their story.

But she also knew that the world of Hollywood was a complicated one. People fell in and out of love all the time, on-screen and off. There were no guarantees, no promises of forever.

All they had was this moment, this connection, this undeniable spark between them. And as Julius pulled her into his arms, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead, Hillary decided that, for now, that could be enough.

They’d figure out the rest as they went along. Together.

“Go do the retake. I know Vera, she’s going to call for one.”

Julius watched as Hillary and Ethan leaned into the kiss, their lips meeting with a passion that seemed to go beyond mere acting. A twinge of jealousy, unfamiliar and unwelcome, coiled in his gut. He clenched his jaw, trying to push the feeling aside, but it persisted, gnawing at him like a relentless itch.

He’d never been the jealous type, always confident in his own worth and secure in his relationships. But seeing Hillary in Ethan’s arms, even if it was just for the camera, stirred something deep within him. A possessiveness he didn’t quite understand, a fear of losing something he hadn’t even realized he’d been holding onto. He and Ethan had tiffs over women before, but never one he actually cared this much about.

Julius knew what his response meant. He’d known it for a few weeks but didn’t want to complicate things with Hillary and wasn’t certain how to tell her in just the perfect way.

He loved Hillary.

As the scene ended and Vera called “cut,” Julius took a deep breath, schooling his features into a neutral expression. He approached Hillary, his steps measured and calm, belying the turmoil within.

“Hey,” he said softly, reaching out to tuck a stray lock of hair behind her ear. “Can we talk? Maybe go for a walk?”

Hillary looked up at him, her green eyes searching his face. She must have seen something there, some flicker of the emotions he was trying so hard to conceal, because her brow furrowed in concern.

“Of course,” she replied, her voice gentle. “Is everything okay?”

Julius forced a smile, but it felt tight and unnatural on his lips. “Yeah, I just need air. And I thought you could use a break, too.”

She nodded, slipping her hand into his as they made their way out of the sound stage. Her touch was warm and familiar, grounding him even as his thoughts raced and his heart hammered in his chest.

As they stepped outside, the cool breeze a welcome respite from the stuffy soundstage, Julius tried to gather his thoughts. He didn’t want to come across as jealous or petty, didn’t want to make a big deal out of something that was just part of the job.

But he also couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something more between Hillary and Ethan, some spark that went beyond the demands of the script. And the thought of losing her, of watching her slip away into someone else’s arms, was almost too much to bear.

“Hillary, I...” he began, his voice rough with emotion. “I know this is probably stupid, but seeing you with Ethan just now... it got to me. More than it should have. I shouldn’t have lied, but I was rattled that it upset me so much.”

She looked up at him, her eyes wide and surprised.

“But it made me realize something. Something I’ve been trying to figure out, something about us.”

Hillary’s hand tightened in his, her fingers intertwining with his own. “What is it?” she whispered, her voice barely audible over the pounding of his heart.

Julius took a deep breath, steeling himself for what he was about to say. For the truth he could no longer keep locked away.

“I love you, Hillary. I’m in love with you. And I know that’s probably the last thing you want to hear right now, with everything else going on, but I needed you to know.”

She gave nothing away in her expression.

“I love the way you think I don’t know you’re blushing when you look away from me after a compliment. I love how you give everything your all, no matter what the task is. I love the way you don’t ever seem to curse or belittle another person. Most importantly, I love the way you look at me, and the way I look at you.”

The words hung in the air between them, heavy and momentous. For a long, breathless moment, Hillary simply stared at him, her green eyes searching his face as if trying to read the truth behind his confession.

Then, slowly, a smile began to spread across her face. A smile that held equal parts relief, joy, and wonder. “Julius,” she breathed, her voice trembling slightly. “I love you too. I realized it a week ago, that what I felt was so much more than just wanting to be with you. I was afraid to say it. Afraid of what it might mean, of how it might change things between us. Afraid as usual.”

A rush of glee so intense it nearly knocked him off his feet filled his body with her words. He reached out, pulling her into his arms, holding her close as if he never wanted to let her go. “I’m sorry,” he murmured into her hair, inhaling the sweet, familiar scent of her. “I’m sorry I didn’t see it sooner. That I let myself get so caught up in the work, in the role, that I missed what was happening right in front of me.”

Hillary pulled back slightly, looking up at him with a tender, understanding smile. “It’s okay,” she said softly, reaching up to brush a stray lock of hair from his forehead. “I know how easy it is to lose yourself in a character, in a story. And I know how much this film means to you, to both of us.”

Julius nodded, feeling a rush of gratitude for her kindness, her patience, her unwavering support. “I do go all in,” he agreed, his voice rough with emotion. “But not as much as you do. Not as much as this, right here, right now.”

Hillary smiled, her eyes shining with a mix of happiness and exhaustion. “I couldn’t agree more,” she said, stifling a yawn. “But as much as I’d love to stay here with you all night, we should probably split up and actually sleep. Tomorrow’s going to be a big day, and we both need to be on our a-game.”

Julius chuckled, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. “You’re right, as usual,” he said, reluctantly releasing her from his embrace. “But just so you know, I plan on making up for lost time as soon as this shoot is over. I’m talking candlelit dinners, long walks on the beach, the whole nine yards.”

Hillary grinned, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “I’m going to hold you to that, Theon,” she said, poking him playfully in the chest. “But for now, let’s just focus on getting through tomorrow in one piece. And then, who knows? Maybe we’ll have our own happily ever after to look forward to.”