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
I nodded, tears welling in my eyes—not from weakness, but from the raw honesty of the moment. “I’m scared of losing myself,” I admitted. “I’m scared of what people will say, that I’m not the man they expect me to be.”Julian’s gaze was unwavering as he replied, “You’re not defined by their expectations, Ethan. You’re defined by your truth. And right now, your truth is that you’re hurting, you’re confused, but you’re also brave enough to confront it.”The conversation was interrupted by a sudden knock at the door. My heart raced as I wondered who it could be at this late hour. I opened the door to find one of our publicists—an anxious woman named Dana—standing there, eyes wide with urgency.“Ethan, Julian,” she said, breathless. “The press is gathering outside, and they’ve got a new angle. They’re saying your private conversation was leaked too.”I felt my stomach drop. “What do you mean?”Dana hesitated, glancing at Julian before continuing. “A video clip from your dressing room conve
I woke up to a deafening silence that felt even heavier than the constant noise of the media. The private conversation with Julian from the previous night still echoed in my mind, a fragile promise of truth and vulnerability amid the chaos. But as the hours passed, that promise began to unravel beneath the relentless weight of public scrutiny.The moment I unlocked my phone, my heart sank. The headlines had grown more ferocious overnight. “Ethan Blake Admits His ‘Real Feelings’ – Is Hollywood’s Tough Guy Crumbling?” screamed one article, while another read, “Julian Chase and Ethan Blake: Behind the Lip-Sync of Love or a Real Romance in the Making?” Every new notification, every tweet, seemed to amplify the intensity of the backlash.I tried to remember the private, intimate words I had shared with Julian, the tender resolve in his eyes when he promised we’d take it one day at a time. But now, the public had twisted every moment, every whispered sentiment, into a spectacle for consumpt
“You don’t understand,” I finally managed. “I have a reputation to uphold, a career to protect. I can’t just—”“—Just what?” Julian interrupted, his tone gentle yet firm. “Just admit that you feel something? That maybe, when you’re with me, you’re more than just Ethan Blake, the action hero? That you’re a man with desires, with vulnerabilities?”I swallowed, trying to quell the rising tide of emotion. “I’m not sure what you want me to say.”He lowered his hand slowly, his eyes never leaving mine. “I want you to say that you’re tired of hiding. That you’re tired of letting the media, the rumors, and the fear of judgment keep you from experiencing something real.”The silence that followed was thick with unspoken words. I could feel the pressure of Julian’s gaze, the weight of every whispered speculation in the back of my mind. I thought of the leaked video—the way my hand had trembled on his shirt, the way our eyes had locked—and the undeniable spark that had set my heart racing. For s
I spent the next few days in a haze. The leaked video had exploded into a media frenzy, and I found myself dodging interview requests and frantic calls from my manager. Every headline screamed about our “real chemistry” and “unspoken truths,” and every social media feed was plastered with hashtags like #JulianXEthan and #TheUnfilteredKiss. It was a storm I hadn’t anticipated—and one I desperately wanted to avoid.I tried every trick in the book to deflect the pressure. I gave terse, professional answers to reporters and even attempted to brush off the rumors with vague statements like, “It’s all part of the acting process.” I knew that wasn’t really true, but it was easier to lie than to face the truth staring back at me every time I caught a glimpse of Julian’s knowing eyes.Late one afternoon, after a brief, uncomfortable stint in a closed-door interview where I repeated the same tired lines, I found myself in the solitude of my dressing room. I sat on the edge of a worn leather cha
The moment I stepped onto the set of the photoshoot, I knew I was in trouble.The studio was a sleek, high-end space in downtown Los Angeles, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city skyline. Inside, an elaborate setup had been arranged: dim, moody lighting, silk-draped furniture, and a minimalist backdrop with soft golden hues.And in the center of it all, Julian Chase was already there, lounging in a chair like he owned the place.His dark jeans were snug, his black button-down unfastened at the top just enough to hint at the smooth skin beneath. He tapped idly on his phone, clearly unbothered by the chaos around him. When he finally looked up and saw me, that damn smirk of his appeared.“Ethan,” he greeted, his voice smooth as velvet. “I was starting to think you were avoiding me.”I rolled my shoulders, ignoring the heat curling low in my stomach. “Why would I avoid you?”Julian tilted his head. “Oh, I don’t know. Maybe because of our little moment during the live interv
The studio lights were blinding, hot enough that I could feel the sweat gathering at my collar. The buzzing energy of the production crew surrounded me—cameras rolling, producers whispering into headsets, a countdown flashing on a teleprompter. And across from me, seated in an identical sleek leather chair, was Julian Chase.His posture was relaxed, at least on the surface. One arm draped casually over the chair’s armrest, legs crossed, a charming half-smile teasing the corner of his lips. But I knew better. The slight twitch of his fingers against the upholstery, the way his gaze kept darting toward me when he thought I wasn’t looking—he was just as tense as I was.We weren’t here by choice.The interview had been hastily arranged by the studio, a desperate attempt to control the media storm after our chemistry—or, more accurately, our not-so-scripted kiss—had set social media ablaze. The world was talking about Ethan Blake and Julian Chase, and not just about our performances. Every
I felt tears prick my eyes—tears of frustration, desire, and confusion all mixed together. “Then why do you keep letting people in?” I demanded, my voice cracking. “Why do you keep laughing with them, flirting with them—when you know it hurts me?”For a long, agonizing moment, Julian was silent. Finally, he reached out and gently cupped my face in his hand. “I’m sorry,” he said softly. “I’m sorry if I’ve ever made you feel like you weren’t enough or that I didn’t choose you. You mean everything to me, Ethan. I can’t control what the media says, but I can control what I do. And right now, I choose you.”The intensity in his eyes made me want to believe him, even as the chaos of the party raged on around us. I saw something vulnerable there, something that mirrored my own internal battle—a desperate longing to be seen for who we really were beneath the manufactured drama.“But how?” I whispered. “How do we escape this mess? Every time I try to get close, there’s another headline, anothe
“Caroline,” I greeted her with forced cheerfulness, though every word dripped with underlying tension. “How are you?”“Oh, you know,” she replied with practiced ease, her eyes flicking between Julian and me. “Always busy, always on the go. I just couldn’t miss the chance to see what the buzz is all about.” Her tone was light, but I could sense the underlying intent—she was here for a story, and she knew exactly what kind of narrative had captivated the public.Julian gave a half-smile, and Caroline’s gaze lingered on him just a moment too long before she turned back to me. “You and Julian have been the talk of the town, Ethan. People say there’s something… undeniable between you two. Wouldn’t you agree?” Her question was poised, designed to provoke, and the cameras on social media were sure to catch every word.I swallowed, feeling the weight of every expectant eye—even if they weren’t physically here, I could feel the public’s gaze on me. “I think people see what they want to see,” I
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