Chapter 26: Dear Luca Romano

Luca

I couldn’t stop thinking about last night, everything was just surfacing over and over again anytime I closed my eyes.

The way Elliott’s lips had felt against mine. The hesitant way he’d responded at first, and then, when he finally let himself go, how desperately he’d kissed me back. Like he needed it just as much as I did.

It wasn’t just some drunken mistake or a fleeting moment of weakness. I knew that.

But did he?

I sighed, running a hand through my hair as I sat in front of my laptop, trying to focus on editing my latest film project. The footage blurred together, my mind refusing to cooperate. Every time I tried to concentrate, my thoughts drifted back to him.

To the way his breath had hitched when I touched him. To the quiet gasps he made when I kissed down his neck. To the way his fingers had curled against my shirt like he didn’t want to let go.

I shut my laptop with a frustrated groan and leaned back in my chair, rubbing my hands over my face.

This was bad.

I wasn’t supposed to feel like this, I just wanted someone who I can share my emotions with for these few periods, before I embrace my filmmaking journey.

I had flings before, casual hookups with guys who were open about what they wanted. But Elliott… he was different. He wasn’t someone I could play around with and then walk away from.

And yet, I had no idea where we stood now.

He had left early this morning, barely saying anything beyond a quiet, “I have to go.” He didn’t even look at me when he said it.

That was what bothered me the most. Not knowing if he regretted it.

Not knowing if I had just made things worse for him.

My chest tightened at the thought. Elliott had a lot on his plate already, his father’s expectations, the arranged marriage, the weight of an entire company resting on his shoulders now. I knew he hated every second of it, but he wasn’t the type to fight back.

And now, after last night, I wasn’t sure if I’d just given him something else to run from.

I reached for my phone for what felt like the hundredth time, staring at our last conversation. The messages were still there, old ones from yesterday, before everything changed. But nothing from today.

He hadn’t texted, he hadn’t called either.

I debated whether I should be the first to reach out. Maybe just a simple “Are you okay?” But then I hesitated, my fingers hovering over the screen.

What if he didn’t want to hear from me?

What if he was pretending last night never happened?

The thought made my stomach twist uncomfortably.

I shook my head and stood up, pacing the small space of my apartment. I hated feeling like this, restless, uncertain, stuck in my own head. I needed answers.

Screw it…..

I grabbed my phone, opened our chat, and finally typed out the words that had been weighing on me all day.

Luca: Hey… Are you okay?

I stared at the message for a long moment before finally hitting send.

Then, all I could do was wait.

I tossed my phone onto the couch and exhaled sharply, forcing myself to focus on something, anything other than waiting for Elliott to text back.

That’s when I saw a new email notification blinked at the top of my screen.

Frowning, I grabbed my laptop again and clicked on it without thinking. As soon as I saw the subject line, my breath caught in my throat.

Subject: Congratulations! Welcome to Silver Crest Studios

For a moment, I just stared at the words, my mind refusing to process them. Then, with a shaky breath, I clicked it open.

Dear Luca Romano,

We are pleased to inform you that after reviewing your application and portfolio, we would love to offer you a position in our upcoming production. We were particularly impressed by your unique storytelling approach and believe you would be a great fit for our team.

Please review the attached contract, and let us know if you accept the offer. We look forward to working with you.

My fingers trembled as I scrolled through the rest of the email, my heart hammering.

I got in, I actually got in.

Silver Crest Studios wasn’t just any production company, it was the production company. The kind of place that could launch my career in ways I had only dreamed about.

A laugh bubbled up in my throat, a mix of disbelief and excitement.

This was everything I’d worked for. Everything I wanted.

So why did I feel like something was holding me back?

I ran a hand through my hair, my excitement dimming as another thought crept in.

Elliott.

How the hell was I supposed to tell him?

He had enough going on already. His father was controlling his entire future, forcing him into an arranged marriage he didn’t even want. And now, after what happened between us last night… I had no idea where we stood.

Would this feel like I was abandoning him?

I shook my head, pushing the thought away. This was my dream. It wasn’t like I was leaving forever, it was just a job, an opportunity. Elliott would understand.

Wouldn’t he?

I glanced at my phone, still no reply.

The weight in my chest grew heavier.

I should be celebrating right now. I should be calling my mom, popping open a drink, running around my tiny apartment like a madman because I actually made it.

But all I could think about was Elliott.

Would he be happy for me? Would he tell me to go for it, to chase what I’d always wanted? Or would he shut down, pull away, and act like none of this, last night, had ever meant anything?

I sighed and closed my laptop, rubbing my temples.

I needed to tell him, I just had no idea how.