
Behind the Spotlight
Ethan Blake and Julian Cross are Hollywood’s favorite rivals—two A-list actors whose off-screen feud is as legendary as their on-screen performances. For years, the media has played up their animosity, feeding into the narrative of two stars who can’t stand each other. And Ethan is fine with that. Julian is arrogant, reckless, and far too good at getting under his skin.
But when they are cast as romantic leads in a high-profile LGBTQ+ blockbuster, everything changes. Forced into close proximity, the lines between performance and reality begin to blur. Heated arguments behind the scenes turn into charged moments neither of them can ignore. A single off-script kiss during filming shatters their carefully constructed walls, sending both their careers—and emotions—into uncharted territory.
The media explodes with speculation. Rumors spread like wildfire, and their public feud only adds fuel to the fire. A PR crisis forces them into damage control, but every interview, every staged moment, only makes it harder to deny the truth simmering beneath the surface.
As industry backlash looms and personal stakes grow higher, Ethan finds himself at a crossroads. He has spent years playing it safe, hiding behind his carefully curated image. But Julian refuses to be another script he follows. He wants something real.
In an industry built on illusion, can two men who were never meant to fall for each other survive the spotlight’s harsh glare? Or will fear and fame tear them apart before they even have a chance?
Enemies on screen. Lovers behind the scenes. But can they survive the ultimate Hollywood scandal?
Baca
Chapter: Lines That BlurEthan’s POVReturning to set after everything that’s happened felt like walking onto a battlefield with no armor. The moment Julian and I released the joint PR statement, our names flooded every trending tag, our faces plastered on tabloid covers, and our “relationship”—God, it felt surreal calling it that—became public domain.But here, inside the studio, everything looked the same: the soft glow of the overhead lights, the bustle of crew members carrying cables and mics, the scent of strong coffee mixed with sawdust from the set build. And yet, the energy was different. Palpable. Like everyone was waiting to see what version of Ethan Cole would walk in today.I adjusted the collar of my jacket and tried to act like my palms weren’t sweaty. “Just breathe,” I whispered under my breath.“Ethan! Hey, morning!”Sarah, our assistant director, waved from across the soundstage. Her voice was bright, but her eyes flickered with curiosity. I smiled, nodded, and made my way over to the dressin
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-04-15
Chapter: The Next TakeEthan’s POVReturning to set felt like stepping into a minefield—with cameras instead of landmines and Julian looking like the one person who could either save me or blow everything sky-high.I hadn’t slept much the night before. My mind wouldn’t stop spiraling—replaying the kiss, the press conference, the whirlwind fan reaction, the supportive and the savage headlines. Hollywood’s Favorite Enemies Turn Lovers: Is It Real? one article had screamed.And today, we were back on set, filming the first emotionally charged scene between our characters since our relationship went public. The crew pretended to act normal, but I caught the way people paused mid-coffee sip when Julian and I passed by. Whispers behind makeup brushes, smirks from lighting techs.Every step I took felt heavier.“Scene thirty-four, take one. Marker.”The clap of the slate snapped me out of my head.Focus, Ethan.I stood on my mark, facing Julian. He looked effortlessly composed, which only made my pulse race harder
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-04-15
Chapter: The Next StepEthan’s POV The meeting with the studio was set for later that afternoon, but the uncertainty that had plagued me all morning still lingered. Julian was pacing around the room, his phone pressed against his ear as he went over last-minute details for the call. His demeanor, usually confident and composed, had a tinge of anxiety in it, something I hadn’t seen before.As he hung up the phone, he let out a sigh. “It’s happening. They’re on board, but they want a commitment soon.”I nodded, though the words barely registered. The reality of this decision was setting in. It wasn’t just about signing a contract or attending a few meetings. This was going to change everything for us, whether we were ready for it or not.“How soon?” I asked, my voice low.“Tomorrow,” he replied, running his hand through his hair, frustration mounting. “They want to discuss our terms in person, sign everything by the end of the week.”That was fast. It was all moving too quickly, like we were being swept up i
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-04-07
Chapter: CrossroadsEthan’s POV The weight of the new offer hung over us, the prospect of a high-profile film bringing with it an almost dizzying array of possibilities. It was a dream project for many actors, a chance to solidify our place in the industry, but with that opportunity came a whole new set of challenges. The thought of taking on something so monumental felt like standing at the edge of a cliff, the future stretching endlessly before us.I watched Julian as he stared at the screen of his phone, the email offer from the studio still open, untouched by his fingers. His jaw was tight, his brows furrowed in concentration. I could almost see the internal battle waging within him.“You don’t have to say yes,” I murmured, leaning forward on the bed, my voice soft.Julian’s gaze flicked to me, then back to the phone. “It’s not that simple, Ethan. This could be a game-changer. For both of us.”He was right. The project was big—bigger than anything either of us had worked on before. A starring role f
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-04-07
Chapter: The Quiet Between UsEthan’s POV The hotel room was dimly lit, the soft glow of a bedside lamp casting a warm hue across the room. The city outside buzzed with its usual nightlife, but in here, the silence between us felt heavier than anything the world outside could throw at us.I sank onto the plush armchair near the window, eyes fixed on the view of the twinkling skyline. It felt surreal, being here with him—away from the chaos, away from the cameras, from the never-ending questions. For the first time in what felt like forever, I didn’t have to be anyone but myself. I didn’t have to hide or act like everything was okay when it wasn’t.Julian stood by the minibar, popping open a bottle of water with a quiet pop. He turned to me, his dark eyes steady, unreadable. “You okay?”I nodded, my fingers grazing the edge of the chair. “Yeah, just… a lot to process.”He leaned against the counter, watching me with that usual intensity. “You don’t have to carry it alone.”The words were simple, but they hit me ha
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-04-07
Chapter: The PanelEthan’s POV The auditorium buzzed like a live wire.Rows of seats filled with eager fans, media reps, and industry insiders stretched to the back wall. The stage was flanked by oversized promotional banners of The Fall Between Us—Ethan as Sam, staring off into a stormy skyline; Julian as Lucas, eyes shadowed by pain and longing. They were larger than life. Now, they had to live up to that.Julian adjusted the cuff of his charcoal blazer beside me backstage, looking cool as ever in public. I wasn’t sure if it was confidence or nerves worn like armor, but either way, I envied it.I glanced down at the schedule in my lap. The panel was slotted for a full forty-five minutes of questions, clips, and what they called “spontaneous actor chemistry.” As if everything between us now could fit into a neat little marketing soundbite.“Ready?” Julian murmured beside me.I gave him a wry smile. “Define ready.”He chuckled low in his throat. “You look good.”I tried to play it cool, but that simple
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-04-07

Way Out: Owned by the Mafia Boss
Ethan Cross, an FBI agent, has been pursuing Dante Valensi, one of the nation's most influential and untouchable crime lords, for years. Dante has created an empire that law enforcement has never been able to destroy. He is cunning, ruthless, and feared by all. Ethan, however, is unique. He has been assigned the task of entering Dante's world as Luca Romano, moving up the ranks, and destroying him from within.
It is almost impossible to get close to Dante. He doesn’t trust anyone and doesn’t allow anyone to be close to him, especially not romantically. However, in the role of Luca, Ethan excels at the game, gains Dante’s confidence, and becomes his right-hand man. He gets closer to his objective with each step. It becomes more difficult to keep in mind that this is only a mission every moment spent with Dante.
Then everything changes one night.
An overly persistent touch. The look says too much. A weakness that neither of them can undo. What little and dishonesty develops into something harmful that is unavoidable.
It’s just part of the job, Ethan tells himself. Dante is an evil creature. that the worst thing he could ever do is fall in love with him. What occurs, though, when the lie begins to seem more plausible than reality?
Ethan has to decide whether to finish his mission and bring down the man he was sent to destroy or to give in to the one person he was never supposed to love as secrets come to light, treachery looms, and blood is shed.
Because there is only one way in with Dante Valenci. And no escape route.
Baca
Chapter: Sovereign’s ShadowLuca’s POVThe city pulsed with unease. After our confrontation with Enzo, a name lingered in the air like a specter: the Sovereign. Whispers of a new power rising in the underworld had reached us, but details were scarce.I sat in Dante’s study, sifting through intelligence reports. Patterns emerged—territories changing hands without bloodshed, alliances shifting silently. It was as if an invisible hand orchestrated the chaos, guiding events from the shadows.DanteLuca’s observations mirrored my own. The Sovereign was not just a myth; they were real and methodical. Their influence seeped into every corner of our world, challenging the very foundation of our power.I summoned our most trusted informants, demanding answers. One name surfaced repeatedly: Umbraion. A figure cloaked in mystery, known for manipulating events without ever stepping into the light.LucaThe name Umbraion sent chills down my spine. Legends spoke of a man who could bend wills and reshape empires with a whisper
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-04-15
Chapter: Enzo’s SilenceLuca’s POVThe morning sun cast long shadows across the marble floors of Dante’s penthouse. I stood by the window, watching the city awaken, yet my mind was elsewhere. Matteo’s betrayal had left a scar, not just on our operations, but on our trust.Dante entered the room, his presence commanding as always. He handed me a cup of espresso, his eyes searching mine.“We need to confront Enzo,” he said, breaking the silence.I nodded, the weight of the decision settling in. Enzo had been an ally, a mentor even. But recent events cast doubt on his intentions.DanteEnzo’s estate was a fortress, both in structure and secrecy. As we approached, the guards recognized us, granting entry without question. Inside, the atmosphere was tense, the usual warmth replaced by a palpable unease.Enzo greeted us in his study, a room adorned with relics of his past victories. He offered a smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes.“Dante, Luca. To what do I owe this visit?”I got straight to the point. “Matteo be
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-04-15
Chapter: Blood in the WaterLuca’s POVI wasn’t sure when I stopped sleeping with both eyes closed.Maybe it was the night I slit Salvatore’s throat, or maybe it was when Dante called me his empire. But I knew what that really meant.Empires burn.I woke to silence.Not peaceful.Tense.Even before I sat up, I knew something was wrong. I could feel it—like pressure in the air before a storm. I grabbed my gun from the nightstand, not because I thought someone had breached the penthouse, but because paranoia is survival in this world.When I stepped into the living room, Matteo was there.Alone.Too quiet.I didn’t speak. Neither did he.He stood, staring out at the city skyline, one hand holding a lit cigarette, the other tucked into his jacket like he was hiding something.Maybe regret.Or maybe a weapon.I waited.He finally said, “You think you understand this world now.”My jaw tightened.“I understand it better than you think.”He exhaled smoke, still not looking at me. “Then you know not everyone is happy w
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-04-15
Chapter: The Devil in the DarkThe MessageThe body arrived at sunrise.Luca was still asleep when Matteo called.Dante answered on the first ring.“You need to see this.”The weight in Matteo’s voice sent ice through Dante’s veins.Thirty minutes later, they were at the docks.A shipping container had been left open, the salty morning air carrying the scent of blood.Inside, a single chair sat in the middle of the steel room.And tied to it—The man who had tried to kill Luca.Except now, he was dead.His throat had been slit, his hands nailed to the armrests.Blood soaked the floor beneath him, dark and glistening in the dim light.Matteo handed Dante a note.No signature. No insignia. Just a single sentence.“You’re not untouchable, Romano.”Dante clenched his jaw, fingers tightening around the paper.Whoever had sent this wasn’t just making a move.They were declaring war.Luca Wakes to ChaosLuca knew something was wrong the second he opened his eyes.Dante was standing by the window, his phone to his ear, voi
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-03-31
Chapter: The Price of PowerA False Sense of PeaceFor the first time in days, the tension had eased.Dante had called an emergency meeting with the capos, leaving me at the penthouse with orders to stay put.I didn’t argue.I needed space.Time to breathe.To figure out if I was really as trapped as Dante made me feel.But the thing about power?It never lets you rest.The HitThe first sign something was wrong was the silence.Dante’s penthouse was never truly quiet. His men were always around, stationed near the entrances, patrolling the halls.But tonight, there was nothing.The hair on the back of my neck stood up.I set my drink down, my mind already cataloging escape routes, weapons, weaknesses.Then—The lights went out.I moved instantly.The gun Dante had given me was in my hand before I even had time to think.A second later, the glass balcony doors shattered.I ducked behind the couch, heart hammering, gun raised.A shadow moved through the darkness. Silent. Trained.Not a random thug.A professional
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-03-31
Chapter: The Line Between UsThe world doesn’t stop after you take a life.That’s the first thing I learned.I had expected something to shift. Something to break.But the city kept moving. The sky didn’t darken. The ground didn’t split open beneath my feet.I had walked out of that warehouse with blood on my hands, and the world had kept going.And that was the part that scared me the most.The Weight of SilenceThe penthouse was quiet.Dante had left early, something about a meeting with the capos. He hadn’t said much before he left—just a lingering touch, a look that told me he knew I wasn’t okay.But he hadn’t asked.Dante never asked.And I never told him.I sat at the bar, staring at the untouched glass of whiskey in front of me.I had killed before. But this wasn’t like before.This time, I had done it for power.For a place at Dante’s side.For us.But was there even an us anymore?Or was I just a part of his empire now—another piece on the board?A Ghost in the MirrorI got up, walking into the bathroom.
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-03-31