"You've got to be kidding me! You actually did it?" Anna exclaimed, her eyes wide with shock. She leaned across the small café table, nearly spilling her coffee. "I thought you weren't interested in him. So… planning for a baby already?" she added with a sly grin, unable to hide her teasing tone.
"Shut it, Anna!" Emily retorted, her cheeks glowing a deep shade of pink. She fidgeted with her spoon, trying to focus on stirring her tea rather than her friend's relentless teasing. "It's not what you think, okay? I don't trust him even a little bit."
Anna raised an eyebrow, curious but not interrupting. Emily sighed, glancing out the window as if searching for the right words.
"He actually brought a woman home," Emily continued, her tone bitter. "And get this—she's his cousin. Or so he says. I mean, who does that? What's stopping him from bringing another woman home next time? Maybe just to see how I react? It's frustrating!" She buried her face in her hands.
Anna tapped her fingers on the table thoughtfully. "Okay, now I feel you," she said sympathetically. "That does sound… frustrating. Like he's playing some weird game. But, you're married to him now, so maybe—"
Before Anna could finish her sentence, a boy of no more than ten years old darted up to their table. His cheeks were flushed from running, and he held out an elegant envelope with gold-trimmed edges.
"Excuse me," the boy said, his voice slightly out of breath. "This person asked me to give this to you. He said you can also bring your friend. Have a nice day!" Without waiting for a response, the boy dashed off, disappearing into the crowd.
Emily and Anna stared after him in stunned silence.
"What… just happened?" Emily finally managed to ask, blinking in confusion.
Anna held up her hands dramatically. "Who? What? Why? And what is going on here?" she said, her voice rising with each word.
They both burst into laughter, but Emily's mind was racing. She picked up the envelope, noticing the weight of the paper and the elegant script that spelled out her name.
"Open it already!" Anna urged, leaning closer.
Emily hesitated, but her curiosity got the better of her. She slid her finger under the seal and unfolded the note inside. The handwriting was bold and precise, almost intimidating in its neatness.
"You've got to be kidding me!" Emily exclaimed as she reread the invitation. Her heart raced as the words "audition for the lead role in Love Triangle," a Korean drama series, stared back at her.
"This is huge, Emily!" Anna said, practically bouncing on the sofa beside her. "You've always loved K-dramas, and now you have a chance to be part of one! We're going, no questions asked."
Emily hesitated, biting her lip. "Anna, this has to be a mistake. Why would they invite me? I've never even auditioned for anything."
Anna waved her hand dismissively. "Details, details. Look, you've got the looks, the personality, and most importantly, the invitation. You're going, and I'm coming with you. End of story."
The next morning, they arrived at the massive studio building where the auditions were being held. Emily's nerves skyrocketed as she saw the throngs of people gathered, each one more glamorous than the next.
"Anna, I think we should go back," Emily whispered, clutching her friend's arm tightly.
"No way," Anna said, dragging her forward. "At least I want to try for a side role if they'll let me. Come on, Emily, you've got this!"
They made their way inside, where various audition lines were forming. The buzz of excitement was palpable, but one thing immediately caught Emily's attention: the line for the lead actress role was empty.
"Why is no one here?" Emily whispered nervously.
Anna shrugged. "Maybe they already picked someone? Or maybe everyone's just too scared to try?"
Before Emily could respond, a deep, familiar voice called out, "Hey, Emily."
Emily froze, her heart skipping a beat. She turned around slowly, and her eyes widened as she took in the sight of Dylan, her high school crush.
Standing before her was not just the Dylan she remembered, but Dylan transformed—a polished, dashing man whose presence was almost larger than life.
"Senior Dylan?" Anna exclaimed, her voice rising with excitement. "Wait a minute—you're the famous actor George? But why did you change your name?"
Dylan—or George, as he was now known—smiled warmly, his charm evident. "Long story," he said, winking at Anna. "But if you stop asking questions, I can get you a supporting role."
Anna immediately zipped her lips, nodding eagerly.
Then Dylan turned his attention back to Emily, his gaze softening. "Emily," he said, his voice low and sincere, "you'll be acting as the heroine… with me."
Emily's breath hitched, and she felt her cheeks flush furiously. Her mind was spinning. Me? Acting? As the lead? Opposite him?
As if sensing her nervousness, Dylan stepped closer, his eyes locking onto hers. "You can do this," he said gently. "You've got the talent—I know it. And besides, I'll be right there with you."
Emily felt her heart melt under his gaze, her nerves momentarily forgotten.
Anna, standing off to the side, grinned mischievously. "Looks like someone's blushing hard."
"Anna!" Emily hissed, mortified, but Dylan just chuckled.
"All right," Dylan said, his tone shifting to something more professional. "Let's get started. Emily, follow me."
The Audition Room
The audition room was spacious, with bright lights and a small panel of judges sitting behind a long table. Emily's hands were clammy as she stood next to Dylan, who seemed calm and collected.
"Relax," he whispered to her, his voice soothing. "Just follow my lead."
The director, a stern-looking man with glasses, glanced up from his clipboard. "Emily Carter?" he asked, his voice clipped.
"Yes, that's me," Emily managed to say, her voice shaky.
The director nodded, gesturing for them to begin. "You'll be reading the part of the heroine. Dylan will be assisting you."
Emily took a deep breath, her heart pounding in her chest. The scene was a romantic confrontation between the heroine and the male lead, and as Dylan began his lines, Emily found herself getting swept up in the moment.
"You don't understand," Dylan said, his voice filled with emotion. "I've loved you from the moment I saw you."
Emily stared at him, her own emotions bubbling to the surface. "Then why didn't you say anything?" she replied, her voice trembling with a mix of anger and vulnerability.
Dylan stepped closer, his eyes locked onto hers. "Because I was scared. Scared you'd walk away."
For a moment, it felt as though they were the only two people in the room. The words came naturally to Emily, her emotions pouring into the scene.
When the scene ended, there was a brief silence before the panel began to clap.
"Well done," the director said, a rare smile on his face. "Emily, you've got the role."
After the Audition
Emily and Dylan stepped out of the audition room, the weight of the experience settling over her.
"I can't believe I did that," Emily said, her voice still shaky.
Dylan smiled at her, his expression warm. "I told you you could."
Anna, who had been waiting outside, ran up to them. "Oh my gosh, Emily! You were amazing!"
Emily smiled, her confidence beginning to grow. "Thanks, Anna."
Dylan chuckled. "You're going to do great, Emily. I can already tell."
As they walked out of the building, Emily couldn't help but feel a strange mix of excitement and nervousness. This was the start of something new, something she never could have imagined for herself.
And as Dylan's warm smile lingered in her mind, she realized that maybe, just maybe, this wasn't such a bad thing after all.
At the Café
Rustle, rustle. In the bushes near Dylan's favorite coffee shop, Magna and Cathy crouched low, trying to get a glimpse of him. Dylan, who was casually sipping his coffee, glanced in their direction with a knowing smirk.
"Hey, Cathy, don't push!" Magna whispered harshly as Cathy adjusted her position, causing the leaves to tremble.
Dylan turned toward the sound, clearly unimpressed. "Magna, don't humiliate yourself," he said dryly before turning to leave.
Magna, undeterred, dashed out from the bushes and caught his hand. "Wait!" she exclaimed.
Dylan sighed and tried to free himself, but in the struggle, Magna stumbled and fell, scraping her hand on the pavement. She winced in pain as blood began to trickle from the wound.
Dylan's expression shifted immediately. "You're impossible," he muttered under his breath before picking her up effortlessly.
Magna, now in his arms, was too stunned to speak. He carried her to his car, placed her gently in the passenger seat, and took out a first-aid kit.
"Don't act so clumsy," he said gruffly as he cleaned her wound.
Magna stared at him with wide eyes, her cheeks flushed. She looked like a bashful kitten, and Dylan, despite himself, found the sight adorable. Unable to resist, he leaned forward and kissed her lightly on the cheek.
"Magna," he began softly, "stop trying to persuade me. I'm in love with someone else. Please, just let this go."
Tears welled up in Magna's eyes. "I don't care," she said firmly. "I'll make you notice me, Dylan."
She opened the car door and stepped out before Dylan could respond.
"Do whatever you want, Magna. I couldn't care less," he called after her, but as she smiled at him through her tears, his jaw dropped. He shook his head and got back into the car, muttering to himself.
His driver chuckled quietly. "She's persistent, sir."
Dylan glared at him. "I'm serious. I'm in love with Emily. I love her, not Magna."
The driver smirked. "If you say so, sir."
Dylan sighed, leaning back in his seat, confused. Then why does Magna keep creeping into my thoughts? Hmph, probably because she's trying to seduce me.
---
At Ethan's Mansion
"Hey, Em—" Ethan started, but Emily cut him off sharply.
"I want to sleep in a separate room. I don't want to be involved in your affairs," she said firmly, crossing her arms.
Ethan leaned against the wall, watching her with amusement. She's like a little baby, pouting and trying to order me around, he thought, unable to hide a small smile.
Before Emily could walk away, Ethan closed the distance between them. His bathrobe hung loosely, and with one swift motion, he pinned her against the wall.
"I'm sorry, but I can't do that," he said, his voice low and commanding.
Emily's eyes widened as she met his gaze, her breath hitching. Ethan tilted her chin upward and kissed her passionately. Before she could protest, he scooped her up and carried her to the bed.
"Put me down, you jerk!" she protested, struggling against him.
But as his kisses deepened, her struggles faded. The tension between them melted into something more intense, and Emily found herself swept away.
---
The Next Morning
Ethan woke up late, the sunlight streaming through the curtains. He stretched lazily, reaching for Emily, but the bed beside him was empty.
"Emily?" he called out, but there was no answer.
He assumed she'd gone to her library, but in truth, Emily was at the studio, preparing for her first day on set with Dylan.
---
On Set
Emily stood on the set of Love Triangle, her heart pounding as she recited her lines. Dylan stood opposite her, his presence as magnetic as ever.
"I still love you," Emily said, her voice trembling with emotion.
Dylan stepped closer, his gaze intense. He pulled her into his arms, their faces inches apart. "Then prove it," he said, his voice low and full of longing.
As he leaned in for the scripted kiss, Emily felt her cheeks flush. She braced herself for the scene, but just before their lips met, Anna burst onto the set, delivering her lines with an exaggerated flourish.
"Hey, lovey-dovey already!" Anna exclaimed, interrupting them.
"Cut!" the director shouted. "Anna, you need to put more emotion into your line."
Anna blushed furiously. "Sorry, sir. I'll try again."
They reset the scene, and this time, something unexpected happened.
As Dylan leaned in for the kiss, he didn't stop when the director called "Cut." Instead, he kissed Emily for real, leaving her stunned.
The crew fell silent, and someone snapped a photo of the moment, the flash startling Emily out of her daze.
---
The Aftermath
As the crew whispered amongst themselves, Emily pulled away, her face a mix of shock and embarrassment.
"Dylan, what are you doing?" she hissed.
Dylan smirked. "Just adding authenticity to the scene."
Emily glared at him, her cheeks burning. "You're impossible."
Meanwhile, Anna grabbed her phone, already seeing the photo circulating online. "Uh-oh," she muttered. "This is going to create chaos."
Back at Ethan's mansion, Ethan scrolled through his phone, his eyes narrowing as he saw the viral photo of Dylan and Emily's kiss.
His jaw tightened. "What the hell is going on here?"
.
.
**) How do you think Ethan will react when he learns about the kiss? Will it cause tension between him and Emily?
Comment your thoughts :)
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