27. Chapter 27
Chapter 27
Somehow in the whirlwind of getting to know Errol, filming has gone by. It’s the last day on set for the full cast and crew. Despite the way working here started out, I’m feeling nostalgic about the whole experience. After all, it’s my first and possibly last time acting in a movie.
Laurie finishes up my makeup, and taking a step back, she smiles as she looks at me in the mirror.
“I don’t know if it’s because it’s the last day, but honestly, this is the best you have ever looked,” she says.
I agree with her.
“I’m going to grab some breakfast. Don’t mess up my hard work.” She gives me a stern look before stepping out of the room.
Sitting there staring at myself, my mind wanders to the rollercoaster these months have been. Day one on set, I was unsure where I would fit in. No way did I ever think I would be in this place, in this role, in his arms. Yet it’s the only place I want to be these days. Errol has all of me, and I know without a doubt that I love him.
As if my thoughts summoned him, I turn to see him standing in the door.
“Hello, gorgeous.”
I wave for him to come into the room before someone hears him. He steps in and closes the door behind him. Sliding out of the chair, I come around to stand in front of him.
“What are you doing here?”
“I came to wish you good luck, and to do this.” He pulls me into his arms, lowering his face. My hand rises up to stop him in his tracks, blocking him from making it to my mouth.
“Don’t mess up my makeup,” I admonish, stepping back.
“There are other places I can kiss you.” His head comes down as he brushes his lips against my neck. My heart begins to race at the faint contact, eyes fluttering shut in pleasure. Flicking his tongue out, he eases up my throat, before licking back down. I pull at his shirt, trying to lift it up over his head. He lets me, easing open my robe to explore my body clad in only underwear.
We are so lost in the feel of each others’ skin that we don’t hear the door open.
“Ehem.”
We both turn at the sound of someone clearing their throat.
Mira stands in the doorway, her lips pulled back in a vindictive smile. “I was just coming to get you to change, but clearly you’re busy,” she says before turning to leave.
Grabbing the straps of my robe, I fumble to close it as I rush after her.
“Mira.”
She slows her pace until she stops. Turning around, her hands are clasped in front of her, smile even wider on her mouth.
“I knew there was a reason he gave you that role.”
My fingers curl with the urge to slap her. Every fiber in my being sings with a mix of worry and frustration as I walk up to her. Despite the anger blossoming in my chest, I have only one thing on my mind.
“Please.” I fold my hands into a prayer position. “Can you not say anything to anyone?”
She throws her curls over her shoulder with the flip of her head. A smug smirk plays on her lips as she looks me up and down. Her look makes me feel like filth, like what Errol and I were doing is dirty. It pushes that feeling over me, forcing me to wear a shame that doesn’t fit quite right.
“Please,” I say again, grabbing on to her hands. “On the friendship we had.”
Pulling back, she yanks them out of mine.
We lock eyes, and I can see as she comes to a decision.
“No.” With that, she turns on her heels and walks away.
My heart hits my stomach as I watch her go.
The backlash of this news getting out today will paint doubt on everything. Me getting this role. Errol’s decisions. It will be the scandal that marks how people will view both of us moving forward. I don’t care about myself. Barely anyone likes me anyway. But I want to protect him.
I hurry back into the room to find he is gone. With a few minutes until I’m supposed to be on set, I grab my outfit. The whole time, all I can think about is what’s going to come next. How will we survive this?
So far, we’ve been in our own little bubble of bliss, living out our lives without anyone being the wiser. How will people knowing change that?
With the profession that he’s in, a scandal like this can stretch beyond this film, marking his career. Even though I’m a newbie to acting, it might even be noteworthy enough for gossip magazines. This could get messy very quickly. I have no power to stop it.
When I enter the set, he is already in a conversation with someone. He looks like nothing happened, talking with an ease that moves through his hands. As I catch his gaze, I can see it there though, the hesitation, the concern. It’s enough to make me falter in my steps.
I need to talk to him, but now is not the time.
Everyone moves into position, and we start the scene.
This is the reunion between Dante and Fiona. The moment both characters decide to embark on the journey of being in relationship again. The bitterness of watching a love story restart, when mine might be ending, twists my gut. I try to tap into the emotion of how I felt with Errol and I’s first kiss to sell the lines of interest and admiration. It seems to work well enough, since we barely have to go through it before moving on.
No longer needed, I step to the side and watch the rest of the filming take place. A couple of hours later, and things are coming to a close. People slowly gather around, waiting to hear the words that bring us to an end. Obliging them, Errol stands in front of us all like he did day one and gives a speech.
“Thank you everyone for all the hard work you have put in on this movie. It would not be possible without the contributions of each one of you. I believe what we have done here is amazing, and worthwhile, and that is due in part to all of us. I can say with grace and excitement that it’s a wrap.”
Some people applaud, while others just stare him down. I have to wonder if it’s the news of us that keeps them from clapping as their faces look withdrawn and stern. He pulls my attention back to him before I can start to spiral, trying to interpret their looks.
“Oh, and party at my place tonight,” he says before stepping down.
Instantly crowded by people, I don’t have a chance to pull him to the side. I doubt I will get to today. Maybe tonight at the event. Trying to catch his eyes to check on him before I go, he looks everywhere but at me while walking off with a few people in the opposite direction.
I head home, unsure of where we stand and what will come next. I know I’ll have to figure it out, and tonight might determine all of that.