Chapter 30

thirty

. . .

The noisy Dunkin’ cafe with the energy of businessman chatter as Hillary leaned forward, her hands wrapped around a steaming cup of tea. Across from her, Ethan sat back in his chair, his blue eyes glinting with a mix of amusement and confidence.

Her entire would had been turned upside down, but meeting with the cast was the one time she didn’t feel the need to call on the hired secured her agent helped her nail down.

Which is why she’d gone out to meet Ethan before the next press interview. To feel safe, as odd as that might be when associating with the man who screwed her over.

“So, if the press asks about us,” Hillary began, her voice tentative yet curious, “what’s the best way to handle it? I mean, given your experience and all.”

Ethan chuckled, running a hand through his tousled hair. “Well, it’s all about being strategic, you know? Giving them just enough to keep them interested without revealing too much. They’re likely going to ask if it’s happened again, no one believes stories the first time around and everyone loves a good on-set romance. The press is going to want it to have been true.”

Hillary nodded, her mind racing with possibilities. She had been mulling over potential responses all week, carefully crafting statements that would satisfy the media’s hunger while preserving her privacy. Something she’d barely had since returning from filming.

“I was thinking,” she ventured, “maybe something along the lines of ‘Ethan and I are good friends.’ It’s honest but doesn’t invite too much speculation.”

Ethan’s eyes narrowed slightly, a calculating glint flashing across his face. “That’s not bad, but I have a better idea,” he said, leaning in conspiratorially. “Why don’t we hint at a potential romance? Nothing too overt, just enough to keep them guessing. It’ll generate buzz and keep your name in the headlines.”

Hillary’s brow furrowed, a sense of unease settling in her gut. That wasn’t at all what she had suggested. In fact, it was the exact opposite of what she wanted - to keep her personal life out of the spotlight.

“I don’t know, Ethan,” she hesitated, her fingers tracing the rim of her mug. “I’m not sure I’m comfortable with that. It feels a bit...manipulative.”

Ethan waved his hand dismissively, a confident smirk playing on his lips. “Trust me, Hillary, this is how the game is played. You’ve got to give them something to talk about. It’s all about creating intrigue. We don’t want them in our private lives, we want them talking about the narrative we create about our private lives.”

As Ethan continued to expound on his strategy, Hillary found her thoughts drifting. She couldn’t shake the feeling that Ethan was more interested in promoting himself than helping her navigate the complexities of fame now that she’d accepted his apology. His easy charm suddenly showed itself for what it was, a carefully crafted facade, a tool he wielded to get what he wanted.

She let Ethan’s voice fade into the background and allowed her thoughts to drift to Julius. His warm smile and gentle eyes filled her mind, and she couldn’t help but feel a flutter in her chest. The same one from the very first time she’d realized she was going to meet him.

She nodded absently, her mind already searching for a way to steer the conversation in a different direction. Perhaps it was time to reconsider who she trusted with her career. He’d been a good friend the last little bit, but even his help at the ball didn’t make her want to do this.

Hillary took a deep breath, gathering her courage. She couldn’t let this slide, not if she wanted to maintain her integrity. “Ethan, I need to be honest with you. I’m not comfortable with the way you’re handling this.”

Ethan’s brow furrowed, his blue eyes narrowing. “What do you mean? I’m just trying to help you navigate the industry.”

“But it feels like you’re more interested in manipulating situations to make yourself look good,” Hillary countered, her voice growing stronger. “Like just now, when you took credit for my idea about handling the press.”

Ethan leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable. “Hillary, that’s just how it works. Everyone does it. You’ve got to play the game if you want to succeed.”

Hillary shook her head, disappointment etched on her delicate features. “I don’t believe that, Ethan. I think there’s a way to be successful without compromising your values. “

“Values?” Ethan scoffed, a hint of condescension in his tone. “This is Hollywood, Hillary. It’s all about perception. Besides, I’ve been helping you this whole time. You’d be lost without me. Don’t you think there’s already press following me since I’ve left set? I’m not a bad guy, I’m doing what the press expects when they’re looking. Even Julius won’t speak to me unless it’s in character. I was wrong assuming we’d brush it under the rug.”

Hillary felt a flash of anger at his dismissive attitude paired with the desire to ask about Julius.

No, you’ve spent enough time listening to Ethan right now.

She stood up, her green eyes blazing with determination. “I appreciate your help, Ethan, but I’m not lost. I know who I am and what I stand for. And I’m not willing to compromise that, not even for fame.”

Ethan shrugged, his smile turning colder than she’d ever seen it. “Suit yourself, Hillary. But don’t come crying to me when you realize how tough this industry can be.”

Grabbing her purse, she tried to ignore the pounding of her heart in her chest. She knew she was taking a risk by standing up to Ethan, but she also knew she couldn’t continue down this path. She needed to find her own way. Ethan had helped her, but she wanted a different one than the one he took.

She had taken a stand, and while it was scary, it also felt empowering. She knew she had a long road ahead of her, but for the first time in a long time, she felt like she was on the right path.

Hillary’s footsteps echoed on the sidewalk as she walked, the bustling city life around her blurring into a distant hum. She couldn’t shake the feeling that Julius was the one she was meant to be with. The connection they shared, the way he made her feel seen and understood, it was unlike anything she had ever experienced before.

She reached into her pocket, her fingers brushing against her phone. A part of her longed to call him, to hear his voice and tell him how she felt. The new, confident Hillary was tempted to take that leap, to put herself out there and risk it all for a chance at something real. It had been almost four months.

But as quickly as the thought came, doubt crept in. What if he doesn’t feel the same way? What if he’s still as mad as he was, it’s not like you’ve ever asked Ethan?

Hillary sighed, her hand dropping back to her side. No, she couldn’t do it. Not yet.

Instead, she would wait for the red-carpet premiere in LA next week. It would be the perfect opportunity to see Julius again, to gauge his reaction and maybe, just maybe, find the courage to tell him how she really felt since he basically left her when she needed him most.

“Today we’re just going to go home and get started on the piece you owe Olivia. Focus on that, not on lost opportunities.”