Chapter 40

After another hour of laughter and stories trading embarrassing memories, teasing each other about little things, and sipping the last of the wine the night began to soften. The candles burned lower, the food plates sat pushed to the side, and the air around them felt heavy with comfort rather than intensity.

Celeste stretched out on the couch, tugging Rowan gently toward her. “Come here,” she murmured, her voice husky but sweet.

Rowan didn’t hesitate. She curled up against Celeste’s chest, her head finding the perfect spot on her shoulder. Celeste draped an arm around her, her fingers lazily stroking through Rowan’s hair.

For a while, they said nothing, just listened to each other breathe. Rowan traced idle circles on the back of Celeste’s hand, her touch featherlight, grounding. “This feels… really good,” she whispered.

Celeste kissed the top of her head softly. “Yeah. It does.”

Rowan shifted closer, burying her face in Celeste’s neck. “Thank you for tonight. For all of it. I don’t think anyone’s ever made me feel this seen before.”

Celeste’s throat tightened, but she simply pulled Rowan closer. “You deserve it,” she said quietly, almost more to herself than to Rowan.

The warmth of Rowan’s body against hers, the steady rise and fall of her chest, lulled them both into calm. Before long, Rowan’s breathing evened out soft, steady, the sound of sleep.

Celeste lay awake a little longer, her arms wrapped securely around Rowan, staring at the dim glow of the candlelight. For once, she didn’t feel like she had to hold the world on her shoulders. For once, she allowed herself to just be.

And with that thought, she pressed one last kiss into Rowan’s hair, closed her eyes, and let sleep take her too.

The soft glow of morning spilled through the curtains, painting the room in gentle light. Celeste stirred first, her arm still draped around Rowan, who was curled into her chest. For a moment, Celeste just lay there, watching the way Rowan’s lashes brushed her cheeks, the way her lips parted slightly as she breathed.

When Rowan blinked awake, she found Celeste already gazing down at her. “Good morning,” Rowan murmured, her voice husky from sleep.

“Morning,” Celeste replied softly, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

They stayed like that for a few minutes, tangled in warmth, reluctant to move. But eventually, reality crept in filming awaited them. Celeste sighed and brushed her fingers down Rowan’s arm. “We should probably get up. Don’t want to show up late on the same day and cause a scandal.”

Rowan chuckled, sitting up and stretching. “Imagine the headlines.” She pulled her hair into a messy ponytail and gave Celeste a teasing look. “But honestly? Worth it.”

By the time they were dressed, Celeste in one of her sharp suits and Rowan in chic, understated clothes that hugged her in all the right places, the night before still lingered between them. On the way out the door, Rowan slipped her hand into Celeste’s, giving it a gentle squeeze. “Let’s survive the day, yeah?”

Celeste smiled faintly, tilting her shades down just enough to meet Rowan’s eyes. “With you there, I think I can.”

They walked into the studio together later that morning, side by side. Crew members glanced their way, some whispering, others just raising their brows knowingly. Neither Celeste nor Rowan said a word they didn’t need to. The air between them spoke louder than anything else.

SCENE THIRTY-TWO

INT. SOUNDSTAGE – ESTATE LIVING ROOM SET – AFTERNOON

The house is quiet, sunlight stretching across polished floors. The crew adjusts lights for long shadows, cameras set low to capture unease.

The DIRECTOR leans forward.

DIRECTOR
Scene Thirty-Two — Izzy alone, struggling. Strangers arrive. Paranoia meets dismissal. Build tension slow.
(beat)
Action.

ON SET – LIVING ROOM

IZZY MARQUEZ (Rowan) sits curled in an armchair, clutching the heart necklace Elena gave her. The burner phone rests on the table beside her. She glances at it every few seconds, torn between calling and waiting.

She fidgets, restless, eyes darting to the tall windows.

Through the glass, figures move on the estate grounds — men in suits, unfamiliar. They linger too long, their gazes sliding toward the house.

Izzy stiffens. She rises, peeking through the curtain. One of the men meets her eye. A cold shiver runs through her.

IZZY (IN CHARACTER)
(whispering to herself)
Where are you, Elena?

She rushes down the hall.

INT. SOUNDSTAGE – ESTATE STUDY SET – CONTINUOUS

MR. MARQUEZ (50s) sits behind his desk, reviewing papers, unbothered. Izzy bursts in.

IZZY (IN CHARACTER)
Dad, there are people outside. They’re watching the house—watching me.

Marquez doesn’t look up.

MR. MARQUEZ (IN CHARACTER)
Security will handle it.

IZZY (IN CHARACTER)
No, you don’t understand. They’re not ours. They don’t belong here.

Finally, he glances at her, his tone clipped.

MR. MARQUEZ (IN CHARACTER)
You’re just shaken because she’s gone. You’re seeing threats everywhere.

Izzy shakes her head violently, tears welling.

IZZY (IN CHARACTER)
I know what I saw.

MR. MARQUEZ (IN CHARACTER)
(voice sharp)
Enough, Izzy. Drop it.

He returns to his papers, dismissing her.

IZZY (IN CHARACTER)
There’s something off about them. They’re not good people for you to work with.

Marquez doesn’t look up.

MR. MARQUEZ (IN CHARACTER)
They’re just coworkers. That’s all.

IZZY (IN CHARACTER)
No. I can feel it.

Marquez finally sets his pen down, his voice firm.

MR. MARQUEZ (IN CHARACTER)
Let it go. Leave my office.

Izzy swallows, glaring at him, then storms out.

As she passes into the hallway, two unfamiliar men step into the study. Their eyes track her as she leaves, cold and deliberate.

Izzy stiffens but keeps walking, her hand unconsciously clutching her necklace.

INT. SOUNDSTAGE – ESTATE BEDROOM SET – MOMENTS LATER

Izzy slips inside, shutting the door behind her. She snatches the burner phone from her nightstand and dials quickly.

It rings once. ELENA VEGA (Celeste) picks up immediately.

ELENA (IN CHARACTER)
What’s wrong?

Izzy bites her lip, curling into the bed.

IZZY (IN CHARACTER)
Nothing. I just… miss you.

Elena exhales, her shoulders relaxing wherever she is off-set.

ELENA (IN CHARACTER)
I miss you too.

Izzy’s voice lowers, urgent.

IZZY (IN CHARACTER)
Dad’s working with new people. They give me a bad feeling. I don’t trust them.

Elena’s voice sharpens, all business now.

ELENA (IN CHARACTER)
Do you have the distress button on you?

IZZY (IN CHARACTER)
Yes. I kind of… glued it to the necklace.

Elena pauses, then her tone steadies.

ELENA (IN CHARACTER)
Good. Keep it on you. Never leave it. Do you hear me?

IZZY (IN CHARACTER)
Yes, I hear you. I promise I won’t.

Elena takes a breath, her voice dropping lower, firmer, almost a vow.

ELENA (IN CHARACTER)
Okay. I love you. And I need you to hear me when I say this. I will never leave you alone. I will always be there to protect you. You are the only person I have left in this life that I care about. And if anything happens to you—
(beat, steel in her voice)
I will kill everyone in sight to get to you and to keep you safe. Do you hear me?

Izzy grips the phone tighter, breath shaky.

IZZY (IN CHARACTER)
Do you mean all of that?

Elena doesn’t hesitate.

ELENA (IN CHARACTER)
Yes. Every word.

Izzy’s tears slip, but a faint smile grows.

IZZY (IN CHARACTER)
I love you too.

Izzy clutches the phone in one hand and the necklace in the other, holding onto Elena’s promise as the scene fades.

CUT TO: MONITOR
Izzy’s fragile hope framed against Elena’s ferocity — love and danger colliding.

DIRECTOR (O.S.)
Cut.

The crew exhales, some whispering “damn” under their breath at how intense it felt.

SCENE THIRTY-THREE

INT. SOUNDSTAGE – ESTATE HALLWAY / BEDROOM SET – EVENING

The lighting is darker now, long shadows stretching across the set. The crew sets up for a slow-burn thriller beat.

The DIRECTOR leans toward the monitors.

DIRECTOR
Scene Thirty-Three — the coworkers linger. Izzy feels the danger. Vega almost loses control on the phone. Build it slow, then snap tight with the Russian line.
(beat)
Action.

ON SET – ESTATE HALLWAY

IZZY MARQUEZ (Rowan) walks down the hall, headphones in, necklace tight around her neck. She pauses when she notices one of the so-called coworkers lingering by her door, peering inside.

Her breath quickens. She hurries into her room, shutting the door. She grabs the burner phone and dials fast.

INT. SOUNDSTAGE – SAFE HOUSE SET (SPLIT SCREEN EFFECT)

ELENA VEGA (Celeste) answers instantly.

ELENA (IN CHARACTER)
What’s wrong?

IZZY (IN CHARACTER)
I don’t feel safe. Someone was looking in my room.

Silence. Izzy frowns, clutching the phone tighter.

IZZY (IN CHARACTER)
Hello? Elena?

Elena’s voice finally comes through, tight, contained.

ELENA (IN CHARACTER)
I’m still here. I’m trying to contain myself because if I don’t… I’ll be outside that door in two minutes, shooting everything up.

Izzy closes her eyes, her voice soft.

IZZY (IN CHARACTER)
Calm down, baby. I’m okay right now, I promise. If I need you, I’ll hit the button. And I’ll keep the phone on me.

Elena exhales sharply, her mask cracking.

ELENA (IN CHARACTER)
Fuck. I could strangle someone right now. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

Izzy listens, silent but steady.

Elena drags in a long breath, grounding herself.

ELENA (IN CHARACTER)
I cannot lose control. Everything is okay.

She pauses, her voice softening.

ELENA (IN CHARACTER)
Stay on the phone with me, okay?

Izzy nods, smiling faintly despite the fear.

IZZY (IN CHARACTER)
Okay.

She tucks the phone in her pocket, headphones still in.

ON SET – ESTATE HALLWAY

Izzy walks carefully past one of the men. He smirks and mutters something under his breath — in Russian.

The sound carries through Izzy’s phone.

Elena hears it. Her tone shifts instantly, sharp, deadly calm.

ELENA (IN CHARACTER)
Izzy, listen to me. Do not argue. Do not react.

Izzy slows, her heart pounding.

ELENA (IN CHARACTER)
Go to your room. Lock the door. Stay there until those men leave.

Izzy swallows hard, her smile gone.

IZZY (IN CHARACTER)
What did he say?

Elena doesn’t answer right away. Her eyes close, jaw clenched.

ELENA (IN CHARACTER)
Just do what I said. Please.

CUT TO: MONITOR
The split screen shows Izzy slipping into her room, locking the door — while Elena paces the safe house like a caged animal, ready to break loose.

DIRECTOR (O.S.)
Cut.

The crew exhales, some visibly shaken by the intensity.

The Director stepped out from behind the monitors, a rare smile tugging at his face as he clapped his hands to quiet the bustle of the crew. “Alright, everyone, that’s a wrap for today. We’ll resume on Monday. We’ve made some really good progress this week, so take the weekend off and recharge. Rest, reset, do whatever you need to come back sharp. Monday we pick it back up full force. Great job, team.”