Ethan’s POV
Los Angeles, California – Golden Arc Awards Night The image of me in the dressing room mirror looked exactly like the Hollywood hottie I was meant to be. My hair is just tousled enough to look effortless, my black suit is perfectly tailored, and a silver watch peeks out from my cuff. Regretfully, I detested everything. Another awards ceremony, another evening of acting as though I did not want to burn half of these people alive. I loosened my necktie and let out a slow breath. Just make it through the night. For the cameras, smile. Give the right hands a shake. Be as though you care. I was startled out of my reverie by a loud knock on the door. "All set?" My agent Mason poked his head in. He was already browsing through his phone, most likely looking for the most recent PR calamity on T*****r. "Do I have an option?" I whispered. "Not unless you wish to be placed on a blacklist." At last, Mason raised his head. Additionally, please refrain from punching Julian tonight. We are still coping with the mess you caused last time. I grinned. There was no punch in that. That shove was friendly. Mason deadpanned, "You called him a 'washed-up theatre rat' in front of millions of people." I gave a shrug. "He initially referred to me as a 'brainless action puppet.'" "Christ Jesus." Mason gave his temples a rub. "This rivalry is very popular on the internet, but I beg you—do not do it tonight. The studio does not want negative publicity. Yes. Because PR was all that mattered to Hollywood. Not skill. Not actual labour. Only headlines, clicks, and who was trending on T*****r. I walked out onto the red carpet after pushing past Mason. The crowd's roar struck me at once. Fans yelled my name, cameras flashed, and the typical mayhem of Hollywood's elite whirled around me. I gave them the Ethan Hale charm they had all anticipated by putting on my trademark smirk and making a few waves. Then Julian Cross stepped onto the carpet, because the universe, of course, loved to torture me. The sound intensified. My whole body was tense. Julian, wearing a dapper navy-blue suit, looked like the cocky, conceited jerk that ruined my life. hair that is perfectly styled. That gratingly easy confidence. A smile that had to be fake because it was so naturally endearing. He glanced in my direction. Then he winked, just to make me angry. I tightened my jaw. Hurt. A reporter thrust a microphone in my face before I could respond. "Ethan Hale! Julian Cross! Should we be concerned that we are all in one location? Julian smiled as though he was having fun. "Not at all. I would not waste my time arguing with Ethan. I sneered. "All right. That is something you only do on T*****r. The reporter sensed the tension and laughed uneasily. "Your rivalry has been discussed a lot. Is there any possibility of future cooperation? I retorted, "Not unless Julian finds a personality all of a sudden." Julian grinned. "And not until Ethan develops his acting skills." Hell in hell. The cameras devoured it. Then the reporter's smile turned sly because my luck was a complete mess. You have a funny way of saying that! According to rumours, you two are shortlisted for the same romantic lead role. Is it possible? Hold on, what? I tensed up. For once, Julian beside me actually looked surprised. We both said, "What?" simultaneously. The reporter laughed. "Heart's Requiem is a huge LGBTQ+ movie. large director. ardent tale of love. You two are at the top of the list, according to insiders. Glaring at Julian, I turned. "You were aware of this?" He knitted his brows. "Obviously not." The reporter grinned broadly. "You two may soon be spending a lot of time together if the rumours are accurate!" Though I was already in a panic, I forced a tight smile. If I were genuinely being considered by Hollywood to play Julian Cross's romantic lead... I was completely screwed. An Hour Later: Inside the Award Ceremony As I swirled the whisky in my glass at my designated table, I watched Julian across the room as if he were some sort of goddamn supervillain. Seated at his own table, he appeared totally comfortable and was laughing with his co-stars. He was the epitome of the Hollywood Golden Boy. Beside me, Mason whispered, "Just breathe." "You still have your next action movie even if Julian wins." I frowned. That was the issue. People had categorised me throughout my career. The rebellious action star of Hollywood. In dramatic roles, the man who smirked at the camera and threw punches was never taken seriously. This nomination was significant. The commentator entered the stage. "And the recipient of the Golden Arc Award for Best Actor in a Drama is... A dramatic silence. “For Silent Echo, Julian Cross!” The audience burst out. I drank all of my whisky. With a flawless Hollywood grin, Julian got up and walked over to the stage. A jerk. Mason gave me a nudge. "Give a smile. You are being filmed. I compelled myself to join the applause, but I swear to God that I could sense Julian's joy from the other side of the room. His voice was as smooth as silk as he took the mic. After saying, "I want to thank my incredible team, the director, and of course, my fellow nominees," he turned to face me because he was a cunning, evil jerk. "Ethan Hale, I must admit that your performance was amazing. Being nominated with you is an honour. The audience adored it. I tightened my jaw. You smug little— Desperate for a strong drink and some fresh air, I headed straight for the exit after the ceremony. Julian, however, had no choice but to follow. "Going out so quickly?" He teased in a smooth voice. I came to a halt. Inhaled deeply. Three o'clock. Julian was still holding his award and grinning like he had just won a huge battle when I turned around. He laughed and remarked, "You looked miserable when they announced my name." "At least act like you are pleased for me." I sneered. "Believe me, I was overjoyed." "Really?" He cocked his head. Why do you appear to want to hurl your drink at me, then? I gave a sharp exhale. "Cross, relish your moment. Make an effort to keep your ego from growing. He laughed. Well, I do not have to. You take care of us both well enough. I started to walk away, but his next statement made me reconsider. “Incidentally,” Julian thought. That part in Requiem for Heart? Next week, the director will make his final choice. Slowly, I turned around. "And?" "And if both of us are actually in the running..." His voice was now lower as he stepped closer. "I suppose that means we will be seeing each other a lot more." His delivery of it gave me a strange, annoying shock. Julian simply smiled, gave me a shoulder pat, and left me with the tiniest hint of cologne and the unmistakable impression that my life was about to turn into a goddamn nightmare before I could think of a witty reply. Because I was going to embark on the most vexing, frustrating, and hazardous job of my career if Julian Cross was indeed my rival for this movie. I also did not know if I would make it through.Ethan’s POVI realised I had made a grave error as soon as I set foot on the Silverlight Studios property.There was still time to change course. To drink away the fact that I was even thinking about this, I could get back in my car and head straight to the closest pub.Instead, I smirked, squared my shoulders, and pushed open the doors to Studio 3B, where Heart's Requiem's first round of chemistry reads were taking place.Inside, I could already hear voices.With a sharp exhale, I entered.Naturally, Julian Cross was the first person I saw.As if he owned the place, he was sitting comfortably in a chair and already drinking his damn coffee.As soon as I entered, his eyes brightened.And he smiled, just to make me angry."Well, well, well. He pondered, "I thought I smelt desperation."I gave an eye roll. "Cross, stop flattering yourself."Rebecca Moreau, the casting director, clapped her hands together. She was a perceptive woman. "All right, you two are present. Take a seat.Reluctan
Ethan’s POVIt should have felt like a career milestone to land a leading role in a major LGBTQ+ romance movie.This type of opportunity shaped the careers of the majority of actors. an opportunity to contribute to something greater than themselves, something that might inspire viewers, shatter stereotypes, and possibly earn an Oscar nomination.However, for me?Now that I was forced to work with Julian Cross, that was all I could think about.Three days after the chemistry read, the formal call was made.At precisely 7:00 AM, my agent Lauren practically vibrated through the phone to call me."You got the part, Ethan! Julian and you—Before she could finish, I hung up.First Day of Filming: Table ReadI was fifteen minutes late to Silverlight Studios, partly due to traffic, but primarily because I had given calling in sick some serious thought.When I arrived, Julian was already seated at the table, sipping another cup of the pretentious artisanal coffee he always carried, and he look
Ethan’s POVPart of the job was attending press events.Pretending I was not slowly dying inside after three hours of nonstop PR, answering the same five questions from reporters who pretended to care about anything other than a headline, and smiling for flashing cameras—I would done dozens of these before.However, nothing—I mean nothing—could have prepared me for this tour of the press.Not with Julian Cross as my co-star.Not when we had to pretend to be best friends for the movie's sake.And certainly not when everyone was fixated on our alleged "rivalry."I realised we were in trouble as soon as we entered the press conference room.The Quiet Before the StormThe place was full.The entire room was filled with rows of reporters, flashing cameras, and fans who had somehow gotten inside.Our designated seats were marked with nameplates on a long table that spanned the stage at the front of the room.I was positioned directly next to Julian.We were, of course.I glanced at the cast
Ethan’s POVIt was supposed to be simple to act.I had previously kissed people on-screen. I had previously experienced on-screen love. I have even shared sexy, heart-pounding moments with some of the most gorgeous celebrities in Hollywood.However, this?There was more to this.Because I had to pretend—no, persuade an entire audience—that I was in love with Julian Cross, who stood in front of me with half-lidded eyes and a smirk that was barely concealed by his carefully manicured face.Worse?I was secretly beginning to question whether it was all a lie.Chemistry, Lights, and CameraOur director, James Alden, paced in front of us and declared, "Okay, this is a big moment." "The kiss is not the only intimate moment in the scene. It is all about the build-up and the tension. The point at which your characters eventually cave in.Like experts, Julian and I nodded.Like two actors who would have no trouble completing this scene.As if we had not unintentionally contributed to dating ru
I did not even realise I was holding my breath until Julian vanished from the set.This was not how I was supposed to feel.There was only a scene. A prearranged kiss. Not much more.Even so, the memory of his touch still caused my lips to tingle and my skin to burn. I could hardly hear the crew members adjusting the set for another take, but the world around me was buzzing.I could only hear the pounding of my own heartbeat.I had to breathe.I pivoted on my heel and made my way to my trailer without giving the cameras another look.Behind Closed DoorsI just managed to get inside before closing the door and pressing my hands to the counter.Take a breath. Simply take a breath.Although the caravan was silent, my thoughts were not. The weight of his hands on me and his body against mine was still palpable.What on earth was that?I had kissed many actors in the past. This scene was far more intimate than any I had done. However, none of them had ever left me feeling so raw, shaken, a
The following day, filming resumed, but the mood on set had changed.Since our heated exchange in my caravan, Julian and I had been able to keep our distance from one another, but I could sense him—his presence was unavoidable, like an electric charge in the air.The fact that everyone seemed to notice something different about our last take did not help either.The filmmaker had been overjoyed. "That was amazing! The tension and passion are just what we need.I had overheard some crew members whispering behind their clipboards and exchanging knowing glances. And now I could hear the buzz of excitement all around us as we stood under the bright set lights for another take of the same scene.They had an expectation.They hoped we would be able to re-capture the magic.I rolled my shoulders in an attempt to release the pressure of expectation. There was only a scene.It is just a scene.So why, as I looked directly into Julian's eyes, did my pulse pound in my throat?The Second Take: To
Before I could even comprehend the online chaos, I heard it—My caravan door was knocked on sharply.Before I even opened it, I knew who it was.Julian.Furthermore, I was not prepared for this.Not when my hands were still trembling from reading his quote. I won’t pretend there wasn’t something real in that moment.Not when my chest was still tight from the way he had kissed me on set—like he wanted to consume me.Not when the entire internet had already decided we were either secretly in love or the greatest actors of all time.I took a slow breath, then yanked the door open.He was standing there, arms crossed, sunglasses hiding his eyes.“Get in,” I muttered, stepping aside.He didn’t hesitate.The second the door shut behind him, he ripped off his sunglasses and turned on me.“What the hell was that today?”I let out a sharp laugh. “Oh, I don’t know. Maybe you can tell me, since you’re the one who couldn’t stick to the damn script.”His jaw clenched. “You didn’t stop me.”I brist
An industry party tonight felt more like a pressure cooker than I ever thought it would. As I moved through the crowd of Hollywood's elite, the lights, the music, and the incessant hum of laughter and conversation all blended together. The talk about our "chemistry" persisted like a tenacious stain even after everything that had transpired on set and the online backlash. It was now the story of the day, not just a rumour.As usual, I arrived fashionably late and slipped into a quiet corner of The Skyline's upscale rooftop bar. A false background of tranquilly was created by the soft murmur of conversation and the city lights that glowed like far-off stars. As I mentally readied myself for yet another round of public appearances that now felt more like interrogations, I gripped my drink tightly in an attempt to calm myself.Then I saw him, almost as if fate had drawn me to him. Julian.He had that alluring smile on his lips, his dark hair perfectly tousled, and he was laughing with a g
Ethan’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
Ethan’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
Ethan’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
Ethan’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
Ethan’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
Ethan’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
Ethan’s POV There was a different kind of silence on set now.Not the kind that signaled “action” or demanded respect for the scene. This silence was thick. Watching. Measuring. Wondering.It greeted us the moment Julian and I stepped through the soundstage doors—together.The scent of coffee and paint still clung to the air, and the production crew still moved like clockwork, but every now and then, heads turned. Conversations dropped to whispers. Eyes lingered just a second too long.We were no longer just Ethan Cole and Julian Reyes—the stars of The Fall Between Us. We were a headline. A firestorm in tailored clothes. The couple.I tried to ignore it. Julian didn’t even try.“Feels like we walked into a courtroom instead of a set,” he murmured as we passed the makeup trailers.I gave a tight smile. “Jury’s still out on whether we’re the heroes or the villains.”He bumped his shoulder into mine, subtle but grounding. “Let them stare. We’ve earned it.”Despite the nerves simmering b
Ethan’s POV The official statement dropped at 9:00 a.m.By 9:01, our phones wouldn’t stop ringing.It wasn’t dramatic or flowery—just honest:“Actors Ethan Cole and Julian Reyes have shared a journey that began on-screen and extended off it. They’ve asked for privacy as they continue that journey together.”It didn’t confirm. It didn’t deny. But it said everything.For some people, it was enough. For others, it was gasoline on a fire.But I wasn’t thinking about social media when I stood on the balcony of Julian’s apartment, holding his hand while reporters shouted questions down below.I was thinking about the people we hadn’t told.My mother. His father. Our managers. Our agents. The people who shaped our lives behind the curtain of fame.The ones whose opinions still carried weight.The people who could break us if they wanted to.The first call came from my mother.Of course it did.“Ethan,” she said, her voice cool and sharp like crystal. “I saw the post.”I braced myself. “I fi
Ethan’s POV The city skyline was the same—harsh, electric, and towering—but it felt different now. After two days wrapped in Julian’s warmth and soft laughter, the buzz of Los Angeles gritted against my skin like sandpaper.We were back.And even though we’d left the cabin hand in hand, everything outside the woods came with sharp corners.Julian’s fingers still brushed mine as we exited the black car outside my building, but they didn’t hold. They didn’t cling. We were already slipping.“You want me to come up?” he asked, voice casual but eyes searching.I hesitated.I wanted to say yes. Wanted to keep pretending we could live in the moment without the past—or the future—pulling us apart. But something in the pit of my stomach turned.“I should get some sleep,” I replied, trying for a smile. “Early shoot tomorrow.”Julian nodded slowly. “Right. Of course.”A pause.“You sure you’re okay?”I hated how tender he sounded. Like he already knew the answer.“Yeah,” I said, forcing the lie