Chapter 6: Unscripted Encounters

Chapter 6: Unscripted Encounters

Sophie leaned against the back of her chair, staring at the makeup artist in front of her. The studio lights above cast a warm glow on her face, but even layers of foundation couldn’t hide the exhaustion in her eyes. She had barely slept the past two nights, her mind constantly replaying everything that had happened since the gala.

“Late night?” the makeup artist, Tasha, teased, dabbing a brush along Sophie’s jawline.

Sophie forced a small smile. “Something like that.”

Something exactly like that.

Two days had passed since the gala, since she’d woken up with Jake in her bed, since the tabloids had exploded with speculation. Sophie Carter, America’s sweetheart, caught in a scandal with an unknown man. Her manager had nearly combusted trying to control the story, but the internet had already done its thing. The mystery, the intrigue—it was all too juicy for the press to ignore.

And yet, what Sophie couldn’t ignore was how she kept thinking about Jake.

The way he had grinned at her that morning, completely unfazed. The way his presence had felt oddly comfortable despite the chaos. The way he had looked at her, like she wasn’t just some Hollywood starlet, but someone real. And now, no matter how much she tried to throw herself into work, his face kept sneaking into her thoughts.

The sound of the director’s voice cut through her distraction. “Alright, people! We’re moving to the next scene. Sophie, we need you on set in five.”

She nodded, exhaling slowly. Showtime.

As she stepped onto the set, the familiar world of scripted emotions and controlled moments wrapped around her like a protective shield. Acting had always been her escape, her safe space. It was the one place where she could hide behind a character, detach from her real life. But today, something felt off.

Her co-star delivered his lines, and she responded, but the words felt hollow. She was saying them, but she wasn’t feeling them. Even the director noticed, pausing to give her an extra note on delivering the right emotions. That never happened. She always nailed it on the first try.

The scene wrapped, and as soon as the director called for a break, Sophie slipped outside, needing air.

And there he was.

Jake.

Leaning casually against a motorcycle parked near the studio entrance, hands stuffed in his jacket pockets, looking entirely out of place yet completely at ease.

Her heart nearly stopped. “What are you doing here?” she hissed, glancing around to make sure no one was watching.

Jake smirked. “Relax, superstar. I’m not here to start another scandal.”

Sophie crossed her arms, trying to ignore the way her pulse quickened at the sight of him. “Then why are you here?”

He shrugged. “Had a delivery nearby. Figured I’d stop by and see how Hollywood’s handling the fallout.”

She narrowed her eyes. “And?”

Jake tilted his head, studying her. “And you look like you could use a drink.”

She let out a dry laugh. “Yeah, because the last time that happened, it worked out so well.”

He grinned, clearly enjoying himself. “Fair point. But I meant coffee, not tequila.”

Sophie hesitated. Every rational part of her screamed to walk away, to avoid adding fuel to the fire. But the truth was, she needed a break—from the press, from the constant scrutiny, from her own spiraling thoughts.

“Fine,” she said, sighing. “But it’s to-go.”

Jake chuckled. “Whatever you say, superstar.”

As they walked down the street together, the city’s energy buzzed around them. Cars honked, people bustled along the sidewalks, but Sophie felt oddly… calm. She wasn’t sure if it was the fresh air or Jake’s presence, but for the first time in days, she didn’t feel like she was suffocating under the weight of expectations.

“You always look this stressed?” Jake asked, handing her a coffee from a nearby street vendor.

Sophie scoffed, accepting the cup. “Only when my entire career is on the line.”

Jake leaned against the counter, watching her. “You ever think about just… walking away?”

She blinked. “What?”

“From all of it. The cameras, the pressure, the fake smiles. You ever think about leaving it behind?”

Sophie stared at him, caught off guard by the question. Of course, she had thought about it. She had dreamed about it on nights when the loneliness felt unbearable, when the constant need to perform felt like a cage. But saying it out loud? That was different.

“That’s not really an option for me,” she admitted.

Jake took a sip of his coffee, unfazed. “Everyone has a choice.”

Sophie shook her head. “Not in my world.”

Jake studied her for a long moment before smirking. “Well, lucky for you, you’re out of that world for now.”

She arched a brow. “Am I?”

Jake pushed off the counter. “For the next hour? Yeah, you are.”

A small smile tugged at Sophie’s lips despite herself. Maybe, just maybe, she could allow herself that much.

They walked aimlessly, neither in a rush to return to reality. The further they got from the studio, the lighter Sophie felt. It was strange—normally, she hated going unnoticed, blending in like an ordinary person. But right now, that was exactly what she wanted.

Jake led them to a quiet park, away from the chaos of the city. They sat on a bench, watching the people pass by.

“You ever get tired of being ‘Sophie Carter’?” he asked, sipping his coffee.

She sighed. “More than I’d like to admit.”

Jake nodded. “Figured. Fame seems like a lot of work for something that doesn’t really belong to you.”

Sophie turned to look at him, curiosity flickering in her eyes. “What about you? You seem pretty content just… being.”

He smirked. “That’s because I am. No cameras, no scripts, no pretending. Just me.”

She envied that. The simplicity. The freedom.

They sat in silence for a while, both lost in thought. The world moved around them, but for the first time in a long time, Sophie felt still.

Eventually, Jake stretched and stood. “Alright, superstar. Back to reality.”

Sophie sighed but nodded. “Yeah.”

As they made their way back, Sophie found herself wishing she could hold onto this feeling just a little longer.

And that scared her more than anything.