Chapter 24

twenty-four

. . .

“Cut! That’s a wrap on Starborn Alliance!” Vera’s voice echoed across the set, followed by a burst of applause and cheers from the crew.

Hillary stood frozen, her heart pounding in her chest as the adrenaline and excitement coursed through her veins. The weight of her accomplishment settled on her shoulders, a mix of pride and disbelief. She had done it. She had actually filmed a movie, bringing to life the words and characters that once only existed in her imagination. Everything was so much more than she’d expected—the process, with her co-stars, with the story itself. This was more than just a job or a project. It was a passion that had consumed her whole being and left her feeling both exhausted and exhilarated.

And along the way, amidst the chaos and long days on set, she had fallen head over heels in love and never wanted to go back to the days when she felt unacceptable for someone like Julius.

Julius was there, his blue eyes sparkling with pride and adoration. In one swift motion, he swept her into his arms, lifting her off the ground and twirling her around. Hillary laughed, breathless and giddy, as she clung to his shoulders. When he set her down, he cupped her face in his hands and kissed her deeply.

“You were incredible, Hillary,” Julius murmured against her lips. “I’m so proud of you. You’ve come so far and blown everyone away with your talent.”

Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes as she found herself overwhelmed by the rush of emotions. She had poured her heart and soul into this role, pushing herself beyond her comfort zone and facing her fears head-on. And now, with Julius by her side, she felt like she could conquer the world.

She opened her mouth to respond, to tell him how much his support and love meant to her, but before she could utter a word, a member of the crew tapped Julius on the shoulder, pulling him away for a post-production meeting. Julius gave her an apologetic smile, squeezing her hand before he was whisked away.

Hillary watched him go, her heart swelling with love and gratitude. She knew this was just the beginning of their journey together, both on and off the screen. And as she stood there, basking in the afterglow of their shared triumph, she couldn’t wait to see what the future held for them.

As Hillary stood there, still reeling from the whirlwind of emotions, Ethan’s compliment broke through her reverie. “Hillary, my princess! You were absolutely magnificent!”

She turned to see Ethan, his piercing blue eyes alight with excitement so similar to Julius’s as he strode toward her with open arms. Before she could respond, he engulfed her in a tight embrace, his toned physique pressing against her own. Hillary found herself caught off guard, her body stiffening slightly at the unexpected contact.

Ethan’s arms wrapped tightly around her, his hands coming to rest on the small of her back. Hillary’s stomach twisted as she tried to subtly shift away from his touch, feeling uncomfortable and unsure about his intentions. She knew he was just congratulating her on a successful project, but the way he held onto her sent alarm bells ringing in her mind.

He’s just excited, that’s all , Hillary told herself, trying to shake off the unease. Don’t make this weird. Just smile and act normal.

She forced a grin, patting Ethan’s back awkwardly as she waited for him to release her. When he finally pulled away, his hands lingered on her shoulders, his face mere inches from her own.

“I always knew you had it in you,” Ethan murmured, his voice low and intimate. “From the moment I first saw you, I could tell you were something special. My man was right, you are everything he said you are.”

Hillary’s heart raced, a mix of flattery and discomfort swirling within her. She opened her mouth to thank him, to steer the conversation back to safer ground, but before she could speak, Ethan closed the distance between them and pressed his lips against hers in a swift, impulsive kiss.

What the hell? Hillary’s mind reeled, her body frozen in shock. What is Ethan thinking?

As quickly as it began, the kiss ended, and Ethan pulled back, his eyes wide with realization. “Hillary my bad, I’m sorry,” he stammered, running a hand through his tousled hair. “I don’t know what came over me. I was just so overwhelmed with excitement, seeing you shine like that. Please, forgive me.”

Stammering wasn’t his vibe, could it really have been an innocent action?

Hillary blinked, her mind struggling to process what had just happened. She remembered her coworker’s warning about Ethan’s reputation, how he had a history of getting too close to his leading ladies. But as she looked into his apologetic eyes, she couldn’t help but give him the benefit of the doubt.

It was just a mistake, she reasoned silently. He said he was caught up in the moment. It’s not like he meant anything by it.

“It’s okay,” Hillary found herself saying, her voice sounding distant to her own ears. “I understand. We’re all a little emotional right now.”

Ethan’s shoulders sagged with relief, a grateful smile tugging at his lips. “Thank you, Hillary. I promise, it won’t happen again. You’re with Julius, and I respect that. I respect you.”

Hillary nodded, trying to ignore the lingering unease in the pit of her stomach. She loved Julius with all her heart, and she knew he trusted her completely. This moment with Ethan was just a blip on the radar, a momentary lapse in judgment that didn’t mean anything.

But if he crosses the line again, I won’t hesitate to put him in his place. I won’t let anyone jeopardize what I have with Julius.

As if on cue, Julius appeared at her side, his arm slipping around her waist in a comforting, possessive gesture. “Everything alright?” he asked, his blue eyes searching her face with concern.

Hillary leaned into his touch, drawing strength from his presence. “Everything’s perfect,” she assured him, her smile genuine this time. “I was just thanking Ethan for his support.”

Julius nodded, his gaze flicking briefly to Ethan before returning to Hillary. “You were incredible out there, sweetheart. I’m so proud of you.”

With Julius by her side, the discomfort of the moment with Ethan began to fade, replaced by the warmth and love she felt for the man who had captured her heart. This is where I belong , she thought, her hand finding Julius’s and intertwining their fingers. And nothing and no one will ever change that.