Aubrey was startled by the knock on her bedroom door, causing her to jump in surprise. She felt a tinge of fear coursing through her veins as she contemplated facing her formidable grandmother. “Come in,” she replied in a small voice, mustering up the courage to confront whoever was on the other side. To her astonishment, Lucas stood at the door, a mischievous grin on his face and a bag of popcorn in his hand.
“Can I come in?” he asked, his grin widening. Aubrey’s confusion grew as she welcomed him inside. Lucas made himself comfortable in a nearby chair, and Aubrey’s gaze shifted to the popcorn in his hands.
“Why did you bring popcorn?” she asked, her brows furrowing in puzzlement.
“Here,” he offered the bag to her. “I heard you weren’t feeling well and needed some rest. Since I didn’t have anything to do, I thought we could watch a movie together.”
Aubrey’s face lit up with a giggle at the unexpected suggestion. “Okay,” she agreed, finding the idea rather delightful.
“Which movie are we watching?” Aubrey inquired as Lucas began setting up the movie.
“It’s one of my movies,” Lucas replied, ruffling his hair with a hint of swagger. They settled in to watch the movie together, and soon they were engrossed in the captivating storyline.
“Wow,” Aubrey couldn’t help but exclaim, completely taken by the film. “The acting is incredible. It feels so real.”
“I actually won an award for this movie,” Lucas proudly declared, his chest puffing out with a sense of accomplishment.
“You deserve it,” Aubrey praised, genuinely impressed by his talent. A thought crossed her mind, and she voiced it hesitantly. “Would it be possible to watch a movie shooting?”
Lucas asked with excitement. However, his face fell when Aubrey mentioned asking Evan for permission. Aubrey noticed the change in his expression and felt a pang of guilt.
“I’ll do my best to convince Evan,” she assured him, immediately witnessing a spark of hope return to Lucas’s face.
Evening
Aubrey, brimming with anticipation, approached Evan with a question as he returned from his office. “Can I go with Lucas to the movie shooting?” she asked, her voice filled with hope. Evan’s brows furrowed in response, and a stern expression settled on his face.
“No,” he replied firmly, his attention momentarily diverted as he adjusted his Rolex watch. Aubrey’s heart sank at his response, as she desperately wanted to go.
“Please, Lucas really wants me to go, and I want to experience it too,” Aubrey pleaded, her voice tinged with disappointment.
“Aubrey, can’t you understand the magnitude of what the media is saying? I don’t want any more chaos,” Evan frustratedly expressed. Aubrey felt a sense of fear creep in upon witnessing Evan’s frustration, causing her to nod in compliance.
Morning
“We’re running late, let’s go,” Lucas insisted, his eagerness apparent as he pressed Aubrey to accompany him. Aubrey sighed, feeling torn between her desire to go and the promise she made to Evan.
“Lucas, I told you I can’t go with you. Please try to understand,” she said, her voice tinged with regret. Lucas’s face contorted in disappointment, unable to accept her decision.
“Why? We agreed last night,” Lucas pouted, his expression filled with confusion. Aubrey remained silent, contemplating her predicament.
“Evan denied it, didn’t he?” Lucas raised an eyebrow, instantly comprehending what had happened. Aubrey’s smile faded, and she nodded in confirmation.
“I have an idea. We’ll go and return before Evan notices, and we can tell everyone that you had a doctor’s appointment,” Lucas proposed eagerly, hoping to sway Aubrey’s decision. Aubrey yearned to go, but the thought of Evan finding out weighed heavily on her mind.
“But if Evan finds out…” Aubrey trailed off, her voice barely audible.
“Don’t worry, I promise he won’t,” Lucas reassured her, his words filled with conviction. Aubrey finally relented, and they prepared to embark on their secret adventure.
Unbeknownst to them, their conversation hadn’t gone unnoticed. Mrs. Jane, lurking in the shadows, overheard their plans. A sinister smile crept across her face as she contemplated the potential consequences of their actions.
Aubrey retreated to her room to get ready for their escapade, her mind filled with both excitement and trepidation. Joined by Lucas, they set off for the movie set, where Aubrey’s eyes widened with wonder at the bustling atmosphere. She resembled a child stepping foot in an enchanting amusement park for the very first time, her smile wide and her eyes sparkling like the brightest stars. Lucas couldn’t help but feel a surge of joy at seeing Aubrey in such a state.
The entire staff flocked around Lucas, treating him like a revered king. In Aubrey’s eyes, it was a sight to behold. However, an air of tension seemed to permeate the set, leaving her perplexed.
“Why does everyone appear so anxious?” Aubrey whispered to Lucas, her voice barely audible amidst the commotion.
“Oh, the actress who was supposed to be here suddenly backed out, claiming she wasn’t feeling well,” Lucas confided, a concerned look in his eyes.
The director’s gaze fell upon Aubrey, and he approached her with curiosity. “Who is she, Lucas?” the director inquired.
“This is Aubrey,” Lucas introduced, prompting Aubrey to offer a polite greeting. The director’s gaze lingered on her, making her feel a tad uncomfortable.
“Can you act, Aubrey?” the director asked, surprising Aubrey with his query. She couldn’t quite grasp what he meant. Lucas furrowed his brow, taken aback by the director’s words.
“What are you suggesting, director? How can you even consider Aubrey as an actress?” Lucas questioned, his concern evident.
“She’s perfect! When my eyes landed on her, I thought she was already an actress,” the director praised, his admiration for Aubrey unmistakable. Lucas glanced at Aubrey, who shook her head fervently, refusing to believe she possessed such talent.
“It’s alright, miss. We won’t reveal your face. We’ll shoot you from behind,” the director reassured, sensing Aubrey’s hesitation. Lucas nodded at her reassuringly, and with his encouragement, Aubrey began to place her trust in him. The scene called for Lucas to engage in a thrilling fight with a gang of villains, eventually saving the actress. In the pivotal moment, they were meant to share a passionate kiss. However, as soon as Aubrey learned about the kissing scene, she instinctively withdrew.
“I can’t do it,” Aubrey declared firmly, her resolve unyielding.
“Miss Aubrey, you don’t have to actually kiss. Just stand in front of Lucas, and he’ll cup your face. From the camera’s perspective, it will look like a kiss, but there won’t be any contact,” the director clarified, resolving Aubrey’s concerns. Following the director’s guidance, they proceeded with the scene, capturing the illusion of a kiss. Exhausted but exhilarated, Lucas and Aubrey wrapped up the shoot.
Little did they know that someone else had captured the moment as well. That mysterious person scrutinized the photo—a deceptive snapshot depicting Lucas and Aubrey in a supposed kiss.
“Who will save you, Aubrey, when you’ve dug your own grave?” the person sneered, a malicious smirk adorning their face.
After some time, the movie shooting commenced, taking everyone’s focus.
