My phone vibrated in my bag. I took it out and saw Mellan's name on the screen."Mellan?""Maya, I'm really sorry! I'm still stuck in the office, and it looks like I won't be able to join you for lunch." Her voice sounded regretful.I tried to mask my disappointment. "It's okay, Mellan. I understand.""But you should still have lunch! Aaric, you're still with him, right?"I glanced at the man standing next to me, his hands tucked into his pants pockets."Yeah," I replied hesitantly."Good! Aaric, make sure Maya eats something before she returns to the hotel," Mellan chirped.Aaric said loud enough for Mellan to hear, "Of course. I won't let my fiancée's sister starve.""Thank you! I'll make it up to you later, Maya. Love you!"The call cut off before I could reply."I'm not hungry," I said flatly. "I'm going to go back to the hotel and eat with Ashley and Megan."Aaric sighed. "That sounds like a safe plan to you."I didn't answer him because I immediately turned around, preparing to
My long black dress wrapped my body perfectly, falling gracefully along my legs every time I took a step. I exhaled softly, looking at my reflection in the hotel room mirror. My hair was down in soft waves, my makeup is perfect, not too heavy but enough to make my eyes sharper.I tighten my grip on the clutch in my hand. This night, I'm going to see Carmen with Marcus. It's a decision I've made consciously, even though the image of the conversation with Aaric still haunts me.A soft knock on the door snapped me out of my thoughts.I sighed before walking over and opening it.Marcus stood there, wearing a perfectly tailored classic black suit. His suit was impeccable, his bow tie immaculate, and something in the way he looked at me made me feel like I was someone special.His eyes swept over my appearance from head to toe, and then a smile appeared at the corner of his lips. "You look amazing."I almost smiled but chose to restrain myself. "You too,"He held out his hand. "So, are you
The sky was still dark when our plane took off from New York.After a long night with Marcus at the opera, my body felt heavy, and my mind was still full of residual emotions from Carmen and from everything.I sat in my business class seat, leaning my head against the window as I closed my eyes. The monotonous sound of the airplane engine should have calmed me down, but my mind kept spinning.Megan sat in the seat next to me, busy typing something on her phone, while Ashley already had his blindfold on, preparing to sleep. I decided to ignore all that and let myself fall asleep for a while."Oh, shit."I blinked. I sat up straight, rubbing my sleepy eyes and looked at Megan. "What?"Megan was still glued to her phone screen, her eyes widening."We have a problem."Ashley, who was almost asleep, raised her head slowly. "What now?" she asked lazily.Megan looked at us with a panicked expression. "Los Angeles airport is full. Paparazzi, reporters, even fans... they're all waiting for Maya
A fall afternoon in Los Angeles feels warmer than in New York. The sun begins its descent to the western horizon, leaving an orange tinge that streams in through the large windows of my apartment. The breeze from the balcony slips in, cozy and relaxing.I sat on the long sofa, wearing an oversized sweater and shorts, letting my body sink into the softness of the scattered cushions. A classic cartoon played on the television screen, the characters' voices filling the room with silly dialog and laughter.At the far end of the sofa, Ashley is lying on her side, her iPad displaying the latest collection from a famous fashion house. Now and then, she mutters a completely irrelevant comment, more like criticizing the shape of the shoes than praising the design of the clothes."Why do they keep making boots like this? They look like something aliens would wear in 3020,"I didn't answer, too focused on my cartoon.Megan was busy with her laptop at the dining table just a few steps away from u
The Los Angeles night stretches out in front of my apartment window, the city lights twinkling like stars too close to the earth. From this high floor, I can see the still-busy streets, rows of cars moving slowly like a never-ending river of light.I sat by the window, my knees folded to my chest, my loose sweater falling slightly over my shoulders, letting the night air touch my skin. I held a small object. Cold, hard, and full of memories.A silver star-shaped pendant.Dylan gave it to me on my seventeenth birthday. I can still remember his face back then, his trademark smile that was always slightly lopsided, the soft yet confident tone of his voice as he said, "You will be a star someday, Maya. And stars should not fear the darkness."I clenched the pendant to my chest, feeling its slightly blunt edges press into my palm.Stars should not fear the darkness.But I'm scared, Dylan. I'm really, really scared.Aaric had given me something that should have been impossible to get manage
"So," Ashley continued without taking her eyes off the road, "are you nervous?"I sighed. "I have no reason to be nervous."She chuckled. "Oh, of course you are. You're just meeting an Oscar-winning director in a building founded by your ex-boyfriend who now dominates your career. No pressure at all."I turned to her, snorting. "Thanks for the reminder."Ashley grinned and then turned the car into the central business district of Los Angeles. The streets around us were filled with people in formal attire, busy with their business. Amidst the density, the B.U. The tower stood majestically—a towering glass building with a sharp, modern design.I stared at it from behind the glass window. It was the first time I had paid attention to this building, and something created a strange discomfort in my chest. This building wasn't just a place of business. but a symbol of Aaric's power.Ashley parked the car in the valet area and then took off her sunglasses. "You ready?"I straightened my hai
And in between all that busyness, another thing also happened: I didn't see Aaric.For several days, there were no messages, no calls, no sign of him.I asked Megan when we were on our way back to the apartment. "Do you think Aaric... just left it all to me?" I asked, joking with her.Megan closed her laptop and glanced at me. "I think, for now, he's letting you breathe. And also, he must be busy in New York. You know, big business, giant corporations, a world he has to control."I nodded slowly. If Aaric was busy, I had the space to go through all of this without his shadow following me around.And I was relieved.For the first time since Aaric reappeared, I felt like I had control over something. Or at least, that's what I thought.My phone vibrated beside me, breaking the silence. I grabbed it and looked at the name that appeared on the screen. Samuel.I answered immediately. "Sam?""I have something," he said directly, without preamble.I straightened up. "What is it?"Samuel cou
My tiny apartment was illuminated by the dim light of a study lamp while the sound of rustling pencils on paper filled the room. I sat on the floor with my legs crossed, leaning back against the sofa with a stack of books and an open laptop. The film theory course always immersed me in lengthy, exhausting analyses, but I had to finish it before the deadline.Beside me, Aaric sat on the carpet, half leaning back against the sofa, focused entirely on the television screen. His hands were nimbly moving the game controller, and his brow furrowed slightly as he pressed the buttons with incredible speed. The sounds of gunfire and sound effects from the game being played filled my tiny apartment, contrasting my study's silence. I glanced over at him, noticing how the tip of his tongue poked out slightly from his lips as he concentrated. Aaric might be known for being cold and severe out there, but in moments like this, he was just a man obsessed with games like a child."Why are you still
A middle-aged man in a navy-blue suit walked over with an enthusiastic expression. His face was slightly flushed—maybe from the wine warming his body or perhaps from excitement he could barely contain.“My God, I can hardly believe you’re really here!” he said, his voice brimming with excitement as his eyes lit up when they met mine. “I have to thank Marcus for bringing you to this event.”I smiled warmly and extended my hand. “Nice to meet you, Mr...?”“Richard Calloway,” he said quickly, shaking my hand a bit too firmly, like a fan unwilling to miss his chance. “But please, call me Richard. I’m one of the hosts tonight. And Maya, I have to admit... I’m a huge fan.”I chuckled softly, easing my hand out of his grasp with practiced elegance. “Oh? That’s interesting.”Richard laughed, sounding almost nervous. “No, seriously! I’ve followed your career since your first indie film. Scarlet Ruins, right?”I raised an eyebrow, a little impressed. “Wow, not many people know about that one. I
Los Angeles in the afternoon always feels different. The golden sunlight strikes the glass windows of the skyscrapers, creating dazzling reflections on the busy streets. The air is still warm from the midday heat, but the breeze blowing in from the beach brings a pleasant coolness.I had just finished shooting and was now sitting at my dressing table in my old penthouse, wearing a silk kimono while checking my phone. Aaric hadn’t returned from New York yet, which meant I still had my freedom.Marcus Blackwood's name was listed in the last call.I leaned my head back, recalling our brief conversation earlier.“I’m attending a dinner party tonight, and I’d be delighted if you’d join me.”Marcus sounded as usual—calm, polite, and without pressure. Unlike Aaric’s invitations, which always felt like veiled commands, Marcus was merely inviting me, giving me the option to refuse if I wanted.But I didn’t refuse.Maybe it was part of me that wanted to prove I could still make my own choices.
That evening, after filming wrapped up, Daniel kept his promise to 'kidnap' me for a while away from work."I know a great spot to escape the crazy people at the set," he said, raising an eyebrow as if daring me to refuse.I almost said no, but after spending the whole day under bright lights and repeatedly acting out emotional scenes, my head felt heavy, and my body was exhausted. Maybe a short walk wouldn't be such a bad idea.So here we were, strolling along a small street lined with boutique shops and cafés in downtown Los Angeles. The sun was starting to dip below the horizon, leaving a beautiful orange glow in the sky, while the evening air brought a refreshing coolness after a long day of sweating under the set lights.Daniel walked beside me with his hands in his jacket pockets, his steps relaxed. "I thought you'd be too tired for this," he teased.I sipped the bubble tea we had just bought from a street corner stand. "I am tired, but I can't just stay cooped up at home all th
The restaurant is located on the beach, with dimly lit lamps reflecting softly off the sea's surface. The night air carried the salty scent of the ocean, mingling with the fragrant spices of the dishes served on the white linen-covered tables.I sat back in my chair, still trying to digest how we had gotten to this place. I knew Aaric never half-assed anything, but this restaurant—with its strict guest list, waiters who moved almost silently, and exclusive, suffocating atmosphere—was completely beyond my expectations.And even more astonishingly, when we walked in, no one stopped us. No one asked for a reservation. No one dared to speak before Aaric stepped through the door.Instead, the restaurant manager himself greeted us, opening the way with a slight bow of the head as if Aaric were someone more influential than the place's owner.I don't know if that made me more impressed... or more horrified.As we arrived at the table, I prepared to pull out my own chair, but Aaric had alread
I scrubbed my face harder than I should have, as if I could wipe away something more than just the remnants of makeup on my skin. But no matter how many cotton pads I used, no matter how cold the micellar water felt against my skin, the guilt still clung to my chest—thick, sticky, disgusting.I tossed the last cotton pad into the trash with unnecessary force and let out a long sigh.Behind me, Amira—my makeup artist—observed with narrowed eyes before crossing her arms. “You just looked at yourself in the mirror like you wanted to punch your own reflection.”I turned to her, forcing a small smile. “Just tired.”Amira clicked her tongue. “You always say that.”I didn’t respond. I knew that if I said anything more, my voice would sound too fragile for someone who had just finished a major photoshoot and received praise from the entire crew.I pressed my temples, trying to push away the lingering headache creeping beneath my skull.“I’m done here, right?” I finally asked, my voice soundin
The morning was still too quiet when I opened my eyes. The air in the room felt warm, mingled with the scent of wood, sea salt, and something deeper—more familiar. Aaric. I didn't need to turn around to know he was still there. His strong arm wrapped tightly around my waist, his warm body pressed against my back, and his steady breath brushed against my nape in an almost hypnotic rhythm. I bit my lip, suppressing the anxiety that began to well up in my chest. This shouldn't have happened. I took a deep breath, letting my eyes drift to the large glass window that faced the sea. The sun was still halfway up the horizon, casting a golden shimmer that danced slowly on the calm waves. The beach in the morning always gave me a sense of peace. Or at least, it usually did. But not this morning. This morning, I woke up naked, trapped in the embrace of a man who shouldn't be here. A man I once loved. A man who was now not just dangerous—but also... Mellan's fiancé. My chest grew
I don’t know who moved first. All I know is that one second, we were staring at each other in silence, and the next, his lips were pressing against mine again.This time, there was no gentleness. No pause. No space to think.Aaric kissed me in a way that was completely demanding and dominating, taking everything he could from me. His lips moved over mine with a rhythm that made me lose my balance.His hand gripped my neck tighter than before, leaving me no choice but to respond. I let out a quiet moan between our kisses, and it only made him wilder.My hands, which had only been gripping his sweater, slid up his shoulders, pulling him closer. I could feel the tension in his muscles beneath my fingers, the heat of his body seeping through the fabric between us.Aaric deepened the kiss. His lips parted slightly, his tongue sweeping over my lower lip before slipping inside, demanding access that I gave him without hesitation.Heat. Everything felt like heat.His tongue met mine, playing
The ticking of a clock echoed in the dark room. It was slow initially, then faster and louder as if counting down to something dreadful. I stood in the middle of a long, unfamiliar hallway—its walls dull gray, its floor made of old wooden planks that creaked beneath my steps. The dim light from a flickering chandelier illuminated the path ahead, casting long shadows that seemed to move at the edge of my vision. I didn’t know why I was here. I didn’t know where I was supposed to go. But my feet kept moving forward, even though something inside me screamed to turn back and run. Then I saw it. A drop of blood. Dripping from the ceiling. Landing on the back of my hand. I swallowed hard and slowly lifted my face. Someone was there. Hanging from the ceiling. I held my breath. Dylan. His eyes were empty, his lips parted like trying to say something, but no sound came out. Blood dripped from the gaping wound on his neck, falling slowly, forming a crimson pool on the wooden floor
"Seriously, I don't understand how you can do a scene like that without losing your mind," Ashley said she he picked up a bottle of water and handed it to me.I accepted it wearily, unscrewed the cap, and gulped it down immediately. After that long scene, my throat felt dry."I'm just separating myself from reality," I mumbled.Ashley raised one eyebrow. "Seperating?"I sighed, trying to find the right words. "When I'm on camera, I'm not Maya. I'm the character I'm playing. I feel what she feels. It's the only way I can do it well."Ashley gave me a long look before nodding. "That explains why I almost cried watching your acting."I chuckled, though my shoulders felt tense. "Don't cry on set, Ash. It'll ruin your makeup.""Okay." She snorted as she grabbed a sandwich from the catering table. "I'll cry after we get the Oscar."I shook my head, grabbed a sandwich, and walked towards the break area. Some crew members were still busy talking to each other, but I could feel the occasional