The next day, Matthew and Emily's dinner promised to be the moment they had been waiting for so long. Ever since the message, Emily had felt a new and uncertain agitation, something that went beyond mere nervousness. She had spent much of the day trying to concentrate on filming, but her mind kept returning, insistently, to the expectation of being with him.
Back at her apartment, she prepared for the date, choosing a classic, elegant dress that balanced charm and subtlety. Her hair fell in soft waves, and the makeup highlighted her eyes, giving her a light and sophisticated air. She wanted him to see her exactly as she was, without needing anything extravagant, without a celebrity facade.
When Matthew arrived to pick her up, the smile on her face was enough to make any insecurity disappear. He wore a navy blue suit, impeccable but with that subtle touch of sophistication, and his green eyes seemed to shine even more under the soft light of the evening.
During dinner, in a dimly lit restaurant with a panoramic view of the city, the conversation flowed naturally. They laughed, exchanged stories and moments. Emily told him about the beginning of her career, the struggles, the stumbles, the desire to be recognized beyond her roles on screen. Matthew, in turn, spoke about the responsibilities with Lancaster Corp, the family pressures, and his desire to build something meaningful, that went far beyond business.
"Sometimes, all I wanted was to escape for a while," he confessed, his voice soft, as he looked into Emily's eyes. "But I think, somehow, meeting you made everything a little more... lighter."
Emily smiled, feeling vulnerable and at the same time safe in his presence. "It's funny how you can understand what I feel, even without knowing all the details."
They toasted to the night, to the moment, and to the feelings that were growing between them. As the night wore on, their conversation deepened, revealing sides of both of them that were normally hidden from the cameras, from the expectations, from the roles they had to play for the world.
At the end of dinner, as they walked down the quiet street, Matthew, on impulse, gently took Emily's hand, intertwining his fingers with hers. There was no need for words; the simple gesture said it all. Emily felt her heart race, but at the same time, an inexplicable calm took over her. It was as if she had finally found a place where she could be herself.
When they reached her building, they stopped in front of the entrance, their hands still clasped together. Matthew looked at her, hesitating for a second, and then approached, placing a light kiss on her forehead.
"Good night, Emily," he whispered, his gaze filled with a fondness that she already knew was reciprocated.
"Good night, Matthew," she replied, with a smile that revealed everything she felt.
As she entered the apartment and closed the door behind her, Emily leaned against the wall, still absorbing the night they had shared. She knew that something special was blossoming between them, and for the first time, she felt ready to embrace whatever the future held.
That night, she slept with the certainty that, even amidst the uncertainties of fame and expectations, she had found someone who saw her for who she truly was. And that was more than she could have imagined.
After the unforgettable night with Emily, Matthew began to approach his days with a new lightness and purpose, even though the relationship was still something just between them. There was a silent agreement, a complicity that they both carried, but kept away from the public eye. However, this subtle change in his personal life had a profound effect on Matthew's routine, making his day-to-day at Lancaster Corp less heavy and more inspired.
The next morning, when he arrived at the office, he found himself smiling more than usual, which didn't go unnoticed by his colleagues. Lucas, his head of technology, who had known Matthew for years, noticed the difference immediately and made a point of commenting.
"You've got this twinkle in your eye lately. Can I ask what's going on?" Lucas teased, giving him a curious look as they reviewed the latest updates for an important presentation.
Matthew looked away, a little disconcerted, but he couldn't hide his smile. "Nothing you need to know... yet."
--skip
Lucas raised his eyebrows, impressed. "Oh, so there really is something there. Who would have thought? I thought you were married to your job."
--skip
Matthew laughed, but let the comment hang, subtly changing the subject so as not to go into more detail.
--skip
During his hours at the office, he noticed that, even during the most monotonous tasks, his mind would return to her. The messages they exchanged throughout the day were like points of light in the midst of corporate responsibilities. Matthew knew Emily was on set, busy with her own work, but they found gaps for small moments of connection.
--skip
At lunch, while checking some messages, he found a photo she had sent, a relaxed moment behind the scenes of her mini-drama project that she had recently started, with the cast laughing at something that had happened on set. Seeing her so relaxed, Matthew responded with a smiley emoji, followed by a quick message: "I'd love to be there to see that laugh in person."
At night, Matthew would come home and relax with a glass of wine, reliving the moments they had shared at dinner. His thoughts wandered to future plans and what it might mean for them, but there was no rush. They were both busy, but the connection between them, though new, was solid and full of promise.
One night, his mother called, interrupting his thoughts. After chatting about the company and the day's activities, she quickly moved on to the topic he had been waiting for—the nagging idea that he needed to find someone "permanent."
"Matthew," she began, in that tone he knew well. "I just think that at 22, it's time to start thinking more seriously about… family. I would so love to see you with someone."
Matthew laughed softly, trying to deflect her advances. "Mom, I have a lot on my plate right now. The company is expanding, and besides, I'm fine as I am."
"That's what you say," his mother insisted, but Matthew knew she was just worried. "But it would be wonderful to see you with someone by your side. And who knows... I would love to be a grandmother someday."
He smiled, but didn't give away anything about what he was going through with Emily. "I understand, Mom. I promise that when there's something really serious, you'll be the first to know."
When he hung up the call, his heart raced as he thought about what it would be like to introduce Emily to his mother one day. Deep down, he knew he had found someone special, someone who could share his life with him, despite the different worlds they lived in.
Time passed and, although it hadn't yet been made official to the public, Matthew and Emily cultivated that feeling, which silently made each day more complete and full of purpose for both of them.