During the time they spent in the supermarket, Emily found warm feelings bubbling within her as she and Alexander strolled through the aisles, choosing groceries for their new home. It was a simple yet intimate experience, something she hadn't enjoyed during her time with Mike, who preferred to avoid public encounters with her.
As they filled their cart with various ingredients, Alexander noticed a sudden change in Emily's demeanor. Dark clouds seemed to hover above her, and he couldn't help but ask, "Is something wrong?"
Emily, caught off guard by the question, quickly dismissed any concerns. "Nothing. I was just thinking about what kind of food you like so I can prepare them for you." Her words spilled out unintentionally, driven by a genuine desire to make their pretend relationship more comfortable.
"Really?" Alexander looked genuinely surprised at her consideration. "You don't have to. I'll eat anything you prepare," he added, not wanting to set any false expectations within the confines of their act.
Emily simply smiled, appreciating the simplicity of the moment and the unexpected connection she was forming with Alexander. The genuine warmth between them was a stark contrast to the pretense they were maintaining, and Emily couldn't help but wonder how long this charade would last.
When they arrived home, Emily wasted no time getting to work in the kitchen, preparing a meal for both of them. Meanwhile, Alexander continued arranging things around the apartment. As the two kept themselves busy, Alexander suddenly spoke up.
"If you have things you'd like to decorate the place with, we can always go out and buy them," he suggested, looking around at the minimalistic surroundings.
Emily, caught off guard by the offer, paused in her cooking preparations. "No, it's fine. I mean..." She hesitated, grappling with the idea of investing more into this temporary arrangement. Despite her initial intention to voice the artificial nature of their living situation, she found herself saying, "Then, would you like to go to a garden store with me?"
Alexander was pleasantly surprised by her response. He had anticipated her dismissing the idea, but hearing her agree brought a smile to his face. "Sure, I'll check my schedule," he replied, matching her unexpected willingness with a genuine openness to the suggestion.
After a satisfying dinner, Emily began to feel the weight of exhaustion settling in. She contemplated where she would spend the night, uncertain about the sleeping arrangements in Alexander's apartment. Meanwhile, Alexander, who had taken care of the dishes after their meal, noticed the weariness in Emily's eyes.
"Why not rest already?" he suggested, realizing that she might be waiting for a cue regarding where to sleep.
Emily, with her drowsy eyes half-open, hesitated to ask but eventually mustered the courage. She wasn't sure which room she should occupy for the night.
"Your room is to the left, mine's the one on the right," Alexander explained, pointing at the different doors. "And there's an extra empty room; you can turn it into your dresser once you unpack your things."
Grateful for Alexander's considerate arrangements, Emily, though initially wanting to refuse, ended up thanking him for the guidance.
"Well, I'll go ahead first," she said as she prepared to rest for the night.
"Sure, I still have some work," Alexander replied, heading into his room. As the night settled in, the two of them retired to their respective spaces, each immersed in their thoughts about the unusual turn of events.
….
Before the sun had even risen, Emily found herself experiencing an unexpectedly peaceful night's sleep in Alexander's apartment. When she checked the time upon waking, it was still too early for her to rise. Deciding to get some fresh water, she stepped out of her room and was surprised to find Alexander wide awake, dressed in sportswear.
"Good morning," Emily greeted, genuinely surprised to see Alexander already up and about.
"Oh, morning," Alexander responded, equally taken aback by Emily's presence outside her room. He couldn't help but smile at the sight of her messy hair and just-woke-up face, finding it endearing.
"Are you heading out?" Emily asked, although she already knew the answer.
"Hmm, I'll be back in an hour," Alexander replied, indicating his plans for a workout.
"I'll prepare breakfast then," Emily suggested, thinking it would be a good idea for him to have a meal when he returned.
"Sure," Alexander, somewhat surprised by her proposal, nodded in agreement before heading out with a smile on his face. Emily thought that perhaps this arrangement wasn't such a bad idea after all.
Upon returning home, Alexander couldn't shake off the annoyed look on his face. Despite his efforts, the people he had asked to investigate his brother's whereabouts found no clues at all. He was frustrated, eager to return to his old life, but the cold reality of his missing brother lingered.
However, as soon as he stepped inside the apartment, the weight of his worries seemed to dissipate when a sweet voice welcomed him.
"Alex, you're back. Let's have breakfast together."
The warmth of her greeting made him reconsider his frustration. Maybe, just maybe, having her around wasn't such a bad thing. As the two sat down for breakfast, there was a silent understanding between them. Both had lingering thoughts about how long this act would last, unaware that their intertwined lives were destined to continue longer than either of them had expected.
Suzy was shocked to learn that Emily and Alexander had been living together for over a month. The surprise sparked a mix of worry and curiosity in Suzy's mind. She observed the changes in Emily—her constant smiles and regular reports to Alexander about her daily activities. Suzy couldn't help but wonder if this living arrangement was more than just a pretense.
Putting her concerns aside for the moment, Suzy decided to focus on the more exciting news. She congratulated Emily on landing a significant role in the movie, expressing her joy at how everything seemed to be falling into place.
"Who would have thought it would take this long for you to get such a great role," Suzy exclaimed.
Emily's excitement mirrored Suzy's. "It's like the role was tailor-made for me," she replied, thrilled at the prospect of playing a warrior—a dream role for her.
"And to top it off, you'll be paired with Tom! What a fantastic opportunity!" Suzy added, her enthusiasm contagious. Tom was a top-tier artist with a massive fan following. If things worked out between him and Emily, it could propel her career to new heights.
Emily noticed Suzy's hopeful expression and decided to address the elephant in the room.
"I know what you're thinking about. Don't get your hopes too high," Emily said, looking directly at Suzy.
Suzy turned to Emily with a puzzled look. "What's wrong with my idea? He's a bachelor, and he has a great character," Suzy argued. Tom was well-known in the industry for being kind, generous, and loved by others. His positive family relationships were also part of his public image.
"Still, I don't like the idea of being coupled up together just to raise people's hopes for us," Emily explained. She wasn't keen on the notion of creating a fake romantic relationship for public attention. Suzy, realizing that Emily was not on board with the plan, reluctantly gave up the idea, deciding not to dwell on it any longer.
As Emily and Suzy prepared to head to the location where they would be meeting the cast, anticipation and excitement filled the air. The director of the film was known for hosting gatherings before shoots to address rules and expectations. The venue was a private hall in a fancy hotel, and reporters were already on standby, ready to capture stories about the upcoming movie.
As Emily entered without attracting any attention, she found a seat in the corner with Suzy. Both of them seemed unconcerned about being recognized, focusing on the upcoming events. As the director and producer finally arrived, the main lead of the movie followed closely behind them.
Suzy, unable to contain her surprise, started shaking Emily and urgently calling for her attention, "Emily, Emily, isn't that..."
Emily turned to where Suzy was pointing and finished her sentence, "Mike."
Stunned, Suzy and Emily watched as Mike, the one person from their past they least expected to see, walked into the room. The atmosphere became tense, and Emily couldn't help but wonder how this unexpected reunion would affect her journey in the film industry.
Emily exchanged confused glances with Suzy, both of them seemingly caught off guard by Mike's unexpected presence. Emily couldn't help but feel a sense of unease, realizing that this reunion was likely orchestrated by Mike. She had hoped that after a month of not encountering him, she could move forward without complications.
As Mike made his way through the crowd, Emily braced herself for the challenges that lay ahead during the shoot. She couldn't shake off the feeling that his sudden appearance would complicate things, adding a layer of tension to an already demanding production. Nevertheless, Emily took a deep breath, reminding herself of the determination that brought her to this point in her career. She was ready to face whatever challenges awaited her, even if it meant navigating the complexities of working alongside someone from her past.