As the first rays of sunlight pierced through the curtains, the dawn of a new day began to paint the sky with hues of gold and orange.
Elon stirred in his bed, his eyes still heavy with sleep, before he finally opened them to greet the world.
He glanced at the clock on his bedside table, realizing that it was much later than his usual waking hour.
He swung his legs over the edge of the bed, stretching his arms while trying to shake off the remnants of sleep.
He made his way to the living room, where Johnny had spent the night on the couch. Johnny was still fast asleep, snoring softly, oblivious to the morning light that filled the room.
"Hey, John, wake up, man," Elon said sternly, trying not to sound irritated. "You can't sleep here every night. I didn't rent this apartment to have a housemate."
Johnny groaned and sat up, rubbing his eyes. "Sorry. I didn't mean to overstay my welcome. It's just that my apartment is being renovated, and I needed a place to crash for a few nights."
Elon sighed, understanding Johnny's predicament.
"I am aware but you have to make other arrangements soon. I need my space, my solitude. I rented this place for peace of mind, remember? "
"I get it. " Johnny said, his voice tinged with disappointment. "I'll find another place as soon as possible. I don't want to impose on you."
As they sat in silence, Elon couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. The secret he just wasn't willing to reveal to Ann was becoming bothersome.
Annie knew him as a successful entrepreneur, but she had no idea about his career as a movie actor.
He feared that if she found out, it could change everything between them.
Johnny noticed Elon's troubled expression and asked, "Is something bothering you? You seem lost in thought."
Elon hesitated for a moment before finally deciding to confide in his friend.
"It's Ann," he admitted. "I haven't told her about my career as an actor. I'm afraid of how she would react if she found out."
"Well, you have to tell her. She deserves to know." Johnny said.
Johnny looked at Elon, his eyes filled with understanding.
"Bro, you need to be honest with her. I don't need a week with someone to tell their truest intentions and that lady, Ann? She loves you. Opening up to her would only bring you two closer."
"In a long time, I have found something pure in the strangest place, time, and scenery. She is perfect. I can't afford to lose all of that." Elon said, taking his seat.
"I know women like Ann and they hate lies," Johnny assured him.
"I am not telling a lie, I simply am not letting her know," Elon argued.
"Half-truth is a whole fucking lie, Elon. You tell her now, yeah she might not be cool with it but you never know, you two could work it out.
But if you let this fire burn too far only for her to eventually find out on her own, then I assure you, you will lose her. For good." Johnny told him.
"What is the point? I no longer do the job." Elon said, leaning his back on the couch.
"There was a scandal and you got on a plane, and flew all the way here to heal. Isn't it obvious? You have healed.
It's not just her in love with you, I know you. You love this woman more than you will ever admit.
Give her the chance to make her own decision on if to be with an actor or not. Do not decide for her.
Acting is your passion, fashion is hers. I don't think she would judge." Johnny assured him.
Elon nodded, grateful for Johnny's advice. He knew deep down that Johnny was right. It was time to trust Annie with his secret and let her into his world completely.
As the morning sun continued to rise, casting its warm glow into the room, Elon made a silent promise to himself.
Today, he would gather the courage to share the truth with Annie, knowing that their relationship could only grow stronger by embracing his true self.
He spent the whole day indoors once Johnny left. Not doing more than cleaning, cooking, eating, seeing movies, and napping when his eyes blinked slower than normal.
He had been deeply engrossed in his dreams when the sound of the doorbell pierced through the tranquility of his sleep.
He jolted awake, momentarily disoriented, before realizing that someone had arrived at his doorstep.
Rubbing the sleep from his eyes, he quickly made his way to the front door, curious to see who it was.
As he opened the door, a wide smile spread across his face. It was Ann.
She had just finished a long day at her workplace, and he was eager to make her evening memorable.
He ushered her inside, greeting her with a warm hug and a gentle kiss on the cheek.
He had spent the entire afternoon preparing a meal that would tantalize Ann's taste buds.
He wanted every aspect of the evening to be perfect, from the food to the ambiance.
He knew that the key to a memorable dinner was not just in the flavors but in the overall experience.
The dining table was adorned with a crisp white tablecloth, delicate candles flickering softly, casting a warm glow over the room.
He had carefully selected a bouquet of vibrant red roses, their fragrance filling the air, adding a touch of romance to the atmosphere.
Soft, classical music played in the background, creating a soothing ambiance.
As Ann settled into her seat, Elon began to serve the first course.
He had prepared a delectable appetizer of seared scallops, drizzled with a tangy citrus sauce that perfectly complemented their delicate flavor.
The scallops were served on a bed of fresh arugula, garnished with slivers of toasted almonds for a delightful crunch.
For the main course, he had prepared a mouthwatering dish of an herb-crusted rack of lamb.
The succulent meat was cooked to perfection, its aromatic flavors enhanced by a savory herb crust.
Alongside the lamb, he had created a medley of roasted root vegetables, their vibrant colors adding a touch of visual appeal to the plate.
To accompany the meal, he had carefully selected a bottle of Château Margaux, a renowned Bordeaux wine known for its elegance and depth.
The wine's velvety texture and hints of black currant and cedar would perfectly complement the flavors of the lamb, creating a harmonious pairing.
As the evening progressed, they both engaged in meaningful conversation, their laughter filling the room.
His thoughtful gestures and meticulous attention to fact made Ann feel special as if she were the most important person in the world.
At that moment, as they savored the exquisite flavors and basked in the romantic ambiance, he couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment.
He had succeeded in creating a truly memorable evening, one that would forever be etched in their hearts.
"There is something I need to tell you." He said, breaking the gaze.
"Sure." She responded warmly.
"I am no mysterious man. I am human like you. I don't have a criminal record and am not involved in shady businesses." He clarified.
She found his words to be charming and amusing at the same time, this caused a smile to settle on her lips.
Finally, he had found her worthy. It gave her some sort of assurance that indeed they were getting serious.
"Ann, at first, I didn't want you to know because many women far from our world tend to see us as difficult to live with.
Impossible to love and I just didn't want to lose you which is crazy because we aren't officially dating yet. Still, I feel I owe you every detail of my life.
Ann, what I am trying to say is that… I want us to be more than this. I want to be yours but I need to know if you want that." He said.
She was delighted. In her head, she screamed YES to the proposal it seemed like.
"Of course I do.." She replied, placing her left hand over his on the table.
"Even if I was a movie actor?" He asked, bothered about the response to come.
Her eyes blinked away from his and he soon felt the warmth of her palm disappear as she slowly withdrew her hand.