Chapter 34

thirty-four

. . .

The sleek limousine sped down the bustling street, each turn causing Hillary’s heart to beat faster in anticipation. Finally, it glided to a stop outside the grand premiere venue, but her heart continued to race, fueled by excitement and nerves. Through the tinted windows, she could already sense the energy of the crowd and see the flashing cameras awaiting her arrival. With trembling hands, she smoothed out her glittering plum dress and took a deep breath, trying to calm herself before stepping out into the spotlight.

She almost regretted turning down Ethan’s offer to be her red carpet date.

Almost.

Being seen with him in public was not on her to-do list. Not after the swirl of interview questions she already faced, and the additional she’d face once the press tour officially kicked off tomorrow.

Her nerves may have little to do with the terrifying red carpet and all to do with the fear of being alone with Julius when she still loved him and it seemed he’d regretted ever sitting down with her.

Someone from the outside tugged open the limo door, and Hillary stepped out onto the red carpet, her purple gown shimmering under the lights before her silver-clad heel set foot on the red runner. If she moved wrong, everyone would see her trip, because there was no part of her body that didn’t seem to be trembling.

For a moment, the cacophony of shouts and camera shutters overwhelmed her senses. She blinked, fighting the urge to shrink back into the safety of the vehicle.

“You’ve got this, Hillary,” she whispered to herself, squaring her shoulders. With a deep breath, she plastered on a radiant smile and began to walk, her stride growing more confident with each step. Poses came very unnaturally as she turned to face the photographers, and the flashes continued to assault rather than dazzle as her name was called back and forth.

Someone out there, Justin from Muse was covering this event instead of her.

“Over here, Hillary! Give us a smile!”

“Who are you wearing tonight? You look stunning!”

The compliments and requests washed over her, boosting her courage. She laughed, giddy with the realization that she was actually enjoying herself. The anxiety still churned in her stomach, but for once, she refused to let it show. Tonight, she would dazzle them all with her grace and poise and when she was alone she could reflect on have brave she was being.

As she made her way down the carpet, Hillary caught sight of Ethan out of the corner of her eye. He grinned at her, giving a subtle thumbs up. She returned the smile, silently thanking him for understanding her need to do this on her own.

“Hillary! Can you tell us about your experience working with your co-stars on this project?” Justin’s voice stood out above the rest because she’d heard it daily for almost three years.

Hillary turned toward the reporter, her smile warm and genuine as she’d practiced the exact response to Justin asking it half a dozen times back at the office. “It was an absolute pleasure. Things were a bit rocky with Ethan and I for a moment when our characters’ closeness shone through, but everyone was welcoming to this newcomer.”

“And what about Julius Theon? There have been rumors of a romance between you two despite the moment with Ethan. Care to comment?”

Her heart skipped a beat at the mention of his name, but she maintained her composure. “Julius is an incredible actor and a dear friend who I owe all of this to. We support each other both on and off set, but our focus tonight is on celebrating the hard work of the entire cast and crew.”

As the reporters continued to shout questions, Hillary’s eyes scanned the crowd, searching for the one face she longed to see.

Where is he?

Her pulse quickened with each passing second, anticipation building until it thrummed through her veins like an electric current. If there was ever going to be a resolution for them, it would come tonight. Tonight, she was going to force him to sit down and find a way to work together in case there was more interviews after the movie released next month.

“Hillary, over here!”

“One more question, please!”

The voices of the reporters faded into a distant buzz as Hillary continued to search, her gaze darting from one unfamiliar face to another. The flash of lights and the spots from the lights on the path made it impossible for her to see more than a few inches in front of her face.

Come on, Julius. Where are you? She could feel the cracks forming in her carefully crafted facade, the smile on her lips beginning to strain. He was supposed to be here for red carpet photos.

“Need a hand?” Ethan appeared beside her looking utterly handsome in a beige suit and purple tie. She wasn’t certain why he had a purple tie on, but her stomach swirled with worry that someone was going to think it was intentional.

“Yes, let us get one question in. Rumor is you both are past flames in the movie and the dangerous bounty hunter breaks that up?” A female reporter questioned.

Ethan stepped up beside her, smooth as ever, but kept his hands to himself as he posed beside her.

“You’ve got this. Don’t let his missing appearance take your thunder.” Ethan whispered before giving her a wink.

He’s not all bad. Not always.

Nodding her thanks she turned back to face the cameras and pose as if she wasn’t entirely uncomfortable in front of a sea of people, purposefully ignoring a question she didn’t want to answer.

Her breath caught in her throat as she saw him, the man who had captured her heart, confidently striding toward her through the crowd as if he weren’t late or the most handsome person here. Julius moved with a purpose, his gaze locked with hers, a magnetic force drawing them together.

As he drew closer, Hillary could see the intensity in his deep blue eyes, a swirl of emotions that mirrored her own. In that moment, the world around them faded away to nothingness. The flashing cameras, the clamoring reporters, the glitz and glamor of the red carpet, all melted into a blurring background. The smile that tugged at his lips was for her, not Ethan and it captured her the way it had that first day at comic con. It was as if they were the only two people in existence, their connection palpable and undeniable instead of standing in front of hundreds of people.

That single smile couldn’t be just for the cameras, not while he looked at her. The realization washed over Hillary like a warm embrace, soothing the doubts that had plagued her mind. The corners of her lips curved into a genuine smile, one that reached her eyes and lit up her entire face. A rush of joy rushed through, threatening to tip her forward if she rushed to meet him halfway, even though he’d not asked her to.

His presence was like a balm to her frayed nerves, his confidence and charm radiating from him in waves. Hillary couldn’t tear her gaze away from his, he was actually smiling at her. Not in front of a camera, but behind one. This was a moment that was not orchestrated, she was certain of it.

As Julius finally reached her, he extended his hand, a silent invitation for her to join him. Hillary’s heart raced, her skin tingling with anticipation as she slipped her hand into his, their fingers interlacing as if they were always meant to be together.

“You look stunning, Hillary,” Julius murmured, his voice low and filled with admiration. “Will you step off the carpet with me? Just for a moment when this portion is done?”

“Yes,” she replied softly, her heart seeming to speed up as worry overtook the hope from a moment ago.

Hand in hand, they turned to face the cameras, she didn’t know what he was getting at, but if there was desire to play up the romance for their characters, the PR team didn’t inform her.

His presence was both comforting and confusing. He posed with an effortless grace, his smile dazzling the photographers as they clamored for the perfect shot. Hillary, on the other hand, experienced a whirlwind of emotions—exhilaration at his closeness, uncertainty about what it meant, and a desperate longing to understand the depths of their connection.

As the flashes continued to illuminate their faces, Julius leaned in closer, his breath warm against her ear. “Follow my lead,” he whispered, his voice sending shivers down her spine. “That will be all, we’ll see you all after the viewing!”

Before Hillary could respond, Julius gently tugged her hand, guiding her away from the chaos of the red carpet. She followed, her heart pounding in her chest as they navigated through the throng of celebrities and media personnel.

With unwavering determination, Julius led Hillary toward a secluded corner, away from the prying eyes of the public. He didn’t know how long he’d have this moment to express the feelings that had been consuming him for so long, but he wasn’t going to let the press steal it if he could avoid it.

As they reached the quiet alcove, he turned to face her, his blue eyes intense with emotion.

“Hillary,” he began, his voice slightly trembling with the weight of his words. “I couldn’t let another moment pass without telling you how I feel.”

He reached out, gently caressing her cheek with his fingertips. The softness of her skin, the warmth of her presence, it all served to strengthen his resolve. This is it. This is my chance to lay it all on the line. This is my grand gesture to a woman who likely cannot stand grand gestures.

“These last few months have been awful, downright horrible.” Julius let his gaze locked with hers. “I’ve missed you more than should make any sense, and more than I ever want to miss another person again.”

He paused, searching her eyes for any sign of reciprocation, any glimmer of hope that she might feel the same way. The world around them faded away, leaving only the two of them, suspended in a moment of raw honesty and vulnerability.

“I can’t imagine my life without you in it,” Julius confessed, his voice growing stronger with each word. “Every moment we’ve shared, every laugh, every conversation, they’ve all led me to this realization. I want to spend forever with you, Hillary. I want to wake up every morning knowing that you’re by my side. I fucked up letting you get sucked into Ethan’s orbit. I just assumed he understood what I felt for you and that you’d know to tell me everything so we could work through it. Leaving you like that, it was a dick move and one I’ll never be able to apologize enough for, but will every day if you’ll let me.”

He took a deep breath, his heart pounding in his chest as he prepared to lay bare his soul.

This is the most important thing I’ll ever say. I have to get it right.

“I know this might seem sudden, and I understand if you need time to process it all,” Julius acknowledged, his tone gentler now. “But I couldn’t let another day go by without telling you that you are the love of my life. You’re it for me. I don’t need another moment to understand that, or another day to pass without looking into your eyes every morning and every evening.”

He reached into his pocket, his fingers brushing against the small velvet box hidden within. Not yet. This isn’t the right time for that. Julius swallowed, pushing away the nerves he was not used to feeling, hoping that small tremble in his hand would vanish.

“I wanted to do something grand, something that would sweep you off your feet,” Julius admitted, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. “But then I realized that’s not what you would like. You deserve a moment that’s just about us, about the connection we share.” He took her hands in his, his touch tender and reassuring. “This isn’t about the cameras or the attention. This is about me, standing before you, offering my heart and my future. Because, Hillary, you’re the one I want to share it all with.”

Julius fell silent, his eyes searching hers, his heart laid bare before her. The anticipation hung heavy in the air and his breathing seemed to stop.

She looked up at him with a hint of surprise but also recognition flashing in her eyes as he spoke about love and hearts and futures together. Her lips parted slightly as if to say something but then closed again after thoughtfully thinking it over. Her fingers intertwined gently with his, the chill from her hand seemingly to slip away thanks to the warmth of his hand.

“I’m not asking for right now, not immediately. But the chance to prove to you that I mean what I’ve said.” Dropping to his knee, he reached into his pocket, pulling out a small, elegant ring box.

With a flick of his wrist, he opened it, revealing a single carat princess-cut diamond ring that sparkled under the lights of the red carpet. Simple and assuming, perfect for Hillary.

“I’ve never been more certain of anything in my life.” Julius plucked the ring from the box, holding it between his fingers. “This ring is a promise, Hillary. A promise that no matter what life throws our way, I will always be by your side. I will love you, support you, and cherish you, forever and always.”

As she stayed silent, Julius’s heart beat like a drum inside his chest. Slick sweat covered his palms and his breath came out in short gasps as he waited for Hillary’s response. He may have read everything all wrong.

He watched her carefully, taking in every nuance of her expression from the surprise flitting across her features followed by recognition that cut straight to his core. When her gaze shifted down, panic settled into his gut in a way he didn’t believe possible.

When she finally looked back into his eyes something shifted into place like clockwork clicking into gear after years upon years stuck on pause. She leaned down, her fingers settling on his coat lapels before wrapping around them, almost gripping him.

She tugged him up then, by his coat. Her lips met his in a passionate, tender kiss that conveyed more than words ever could. The softness of her lips, the way her body melted into his embrace . It was a moment of pure, unadulterated bliss. Time seemed to stand still, the world around them fading away until only the two of them existed, lost in the depths of their love.

As they slowly parted, Julius gazed into Hillary’s eyes, a kaleidoscope of emotions swirling within their emerald depths. Tears of joy glistened on her lashes, a beautiful contrast to the radiant smile that graced her features. In that moment, he knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that she was his forever, his soulmate, his everything.

“Yes,” Hillary whispered, her voice trembling with emotion. “Yes, I will marry you, Julius. But,” She paused, her fingers gently caressing his cheek. “We have a journey ahead of us, a path to walk together.”

Julius nodded, understanding the weight of her words. Their love was not a fleeting infatuation or a Hollywood romance. It was a commitment, a promise to stand by each other through the highs and lows, the triumphs and the challenges. It was a love that would grow and evolve with each passing day, strengthening the unbreakable bond they shared.

“I know,” he replied softly, his thumb wiping away a stray tear from her cheek. “And I’m ready to embark on that journey with you, every step of the way. Through the laughter and the tears, the ups and the downs. I want to experience it all by your side.”

Hillary smiled, her eyes shining with a love so profound it took his breath away. “We’ll take it one day at a time,” she murmured, her fingers intertwining with his once more. “We’ll learn, we’ll grow, and we’ll build a life together that’s filled with love, laughter, and endless adventures.”

Julius couldn’t help but grin, his heart bursting with joy and anticipation for the future that lay ahead of them. “I can’t wait to start this new chapter with you,” he declared, his voice filled with unwavering conviction. “To wake up every morning knowing that I get to spend the rest of my life loving you, cherishing you, and building a future together.”

He leaned in, capturing her lips once more in a kiss that sealed their promise, their commitment to each other. The world around them slowly came back into focus, the distant sounds of the red carpet filtering through their blissful bubble. But for Julius and Hillary, nothing else mattered in that moment.

As they reluctantly parted, Julius took Hillary’s hand in his, a mischievous glint in his eye. “What do you say we make a grand entrance together?” he suggested, a playful smile tugging at his lips as he looked at the most important woman in the world to him.

“I think I’d like that very much,” her hand set in his and he couldn’t help but close his hand over the diamond, feeling the proof that everything was going to be okay.