Chapter 36

The drive to set was quiet but comfortable, the kind of silence that hummed with everything unspoken between them. When Celeste parked, she took a breath, slipping her “public mask” into place. Rowan didn’t bother—she stepped out of the car with the same relaxed confidence as always, tossing her sunglasses into her bag.

They walked side by side across the lot, their steps in sync. A few crew members glanced up, murmuring quick greetings as they passed, but no one said anything outright. Still, Celeste could feel the weight of the eyes on them. She squared her shoulders, reminding herself to keep it professional.

At the entrance to the soundstage, Rowan slowed, flashing Celeste a grin. “Guess this is where we split,” she said, nodding toward her dressing room.

“Yeah,” Celeste agreed, though part of her didn’t want to let her go just yet. She adjusted the strap of her bag and forced a faint smile. “See you in hair and makeup.”

Rowan leaned in just slightly, her voice low enough that only Celeste could hear. “Don’t miss me too much.”

Celeste fought the urge to roll her eyes—but the small, traitorous smile gave her away. “Go on before you’re late.”

Rowan winked, then disappeared down the hall toward her room. Celeste lingered a beat longer, steadying herself, before turning toward her own dressing room. She needed to reel it all back in—slip into Vega, the character, the mask, the professional.

Behind closed doors, both of them were left with the same thought, echoing in different hearts: today was going to be harder than yesterday.

SCENE TWENTY-NINE

INT. SOUNDSTAGE – ESTATE BEDROOM SET – MORNING

The set glows with soft golden light, curtains cracked just enough for sunrise to spill across the bed. Crew hovers quietly at the edges, cameras set for intimate framing.

The DIRECTOR leans toward the monitors, voice low and firm.

DIRECTOR
Scene Twenty-Nine — morning after. Quiet. Let it breathe. Every beat is about the aftermath.
(beat)
Action.

ON SET – BEDROOM

ELENA VEGA (Celeste) lies awake, eyes open in the stillness. The sheets are tangled, her jacket tossed across a chair. Her hair is mussed, her expression unguarded.

Beside her, IZZY MARQUEZ (Rowan) sleeps with her head on Elena’s shoulder, hand resting lightly against her chest.

Elena looks down at her, breathing shallow, caught between tenderness and dread.

Izzy stirs, eyelids fluttering. She blinks awake, her lips curving into a faint smile.

IZZY (IN CHARACTER)
Morning.

Elena’s voice is low, rough.

ELENA (IN CHARACTER)
Morning.

Izzy pushes up on one elbow, searching her face.

IZZY (IN CHARACTER)
So… was that all just the job, too?

Elena’s jaw tightens. She looks toward the window, then back at Izzy.

ELENA (IN CHARACTER)
Last night shouldn’t have happened.

Izzy studies her, fingers trailing down Elena’s arm.

IZZY (IN CHARACTER)
And yet it did.

Elena exhales, eyes closing briefly.

Izzy leans down, kissing her gently — tender, lingering.

IZZY (IN CHARACTER)
You don’t have to say it. I already know.

Elena’s hand lifts, brushing Izzy’s cheek. Her eyes soften, her walls slipping for a moment. She leans close, whispering against her ear:

ELENA (IN CHARACTER)
I love you.

Izzy stills, breath catching. She pulls back slightly, her eyes wide.

IZZY (IN CHARACTER)
Say it again.

Elena hesitates, throat tight. Then, steady but quiet:

ELENA (IN CHARACTER)
I love you.

Izzy breaks into a soft, stunned smile before kissing her — deeper this time, full of relief and urgency. Elena kisses her back, hand sliding to the back of her neck, pulling her closer.

The camera circles slowly, catching the glow of morning light across their faces, their kiss framed like the moment was inevitable.

CUT TO: MONITOR
The image is glowing, fragile, but charged — love admitted, captured in fragments of touch and breath.

DIRECTOR (O.S.)
Cut.

The crew exhales together, silence breaking into quiet murmurs.

ON SET – BEDROOM

Rowan rests against Celeste, still close even off-camera. Celeste sits up slowly, glancing once at her before fixing her hair, her composure fighting to return.

But the words hang in the air — real or scripted, no one can quite tell.

FADE OUT.

SCENE THIRTY

INT. SOUNDSTAGE – ESTATE BEDROOM SET – MORNING

The light is brighter now, curtains pulled open wider. The crew resets cameras for a wider frame, prepping for the intrusion.

The DIRECTOR stands near the monitors.

DIRECTOR
Scene Thirty — Marquez enters, finds them in bed together. This isn’t about scandal — it’s about authority, suspicion, and the danger of being seen. Let the silence sting.
(beat)
Action.

ON SET – BEDROOM

ELENA VEGA (Celeste) and IZZY MARQUEZ (Rowan) lie together beneath the sheets. Elena rests propped against the headboard, Izzy curled into her side, one hand lightly resting on her chest. The intimacy is quiet, fragile.

Suddenly, the door swings open.

MR. MARQUEZ (50s) steps inside, stopping dead in the doorway. His eyes narrow, taking in the scene: his daughter in bed with her bodyguard.

Izzy bolts upright, clutching the blanket to her chest.

IZZY (IN CHARACTER)
Dad—

Marquez doesn’t look at her. His gaze is fixed on Elena, cold and sharp.

ELENA VEGA (Celeste) sits at the edge of the bed, calm but alert, as MR. MARQUEZ (50s) steps further into the room.

MR. MARQUEZ (IN CHARACTER)
What is this?

ELENA (IN CHARACTER)
Nothing that compromises your daughter’s safety.

MR. MARQUEZ (IN CHARACTER)
(voice hard)
That’s not what it looks like.

Izzy swallows, her voice trembling.

IZZY (IN CHARACTER)
It’s not what you think—

MR. MARQUEZ (IN CHARACTER)
(quiet, to Izzy)
I know exactly what I think.

He steps further into the room, his eyes still locked on Elena.

MR. MARQUEZ (IN CHARACTER)
I warned you. Stay professional. Stay in your place.

Elena holds his gaze, refusing to flinch.

ELENA (IN CHARACTER)
With respect, sir, I am in my place. Protecting her. Always.

She rises, crossing to the chair. Piece by piece, she pulls on her clothes: shirt, vest, jacket. Her movements are sharp, deliberate, every button like a wall going back up.

Izzy watches, tense, clutching the sheet to her chest.

Marquez’s fury finally breaks. He steps forward, raising a hand as if to strike Elena.

In a flash, Elena sidesteps, catching his wrist midair. She twists just enough to redirect, never striking, only controlling.

ELENA (IN CHARACTER)
(low, firm)
Sir, I do not want to hit you.

She releases his wrist, stepping back, stance grounded. Her eyes burn steady into his.

ELENA (IN CHARACTER)
But I will protect myself if I need to.

The room stills, the moment sharp as glass.

Marquez breathes heavily, lowering his arm but not his suspicion. His gaze flicks to Izzy, then back to Elena.

MR. MARQUEZ (IN CHARACTER)
This… ends now.

Izzy finally breaks, voice cutting through the silence.

IZZY (IN CHARACTER)
No, it doesn’t. Not like this.

Her father freezes, caught between rage and realization. Elena stays composed, jacket adjusted, her eyes never leaving his.

CUT TO: MONITOR
The camera frames all three — a triangle of love, power, and authority, on the edge of collapse.

DIRECTOR (O.S.)
Cut.

The crew exhales, whispering about the weight of the scene.

ON SET – BEDROOM

Celeste smooths her jacket, calm as if nothing happened. Rowan stays on the bed, sheet pulled close, her chest rising and falling with leftover adrenaline. The actor playing Marquez shakes out his hand, muttering, “That felt real.”

The tension lingers, heavy and unresolved.

SCENE THIRTY-ONE

INT. SOUNDSTAGE – ESTATE BEDROOM SET – MORNING

The room is tense, the golden morning light doing nothing to soften the sharp edges of what just happened. The crew hovers in silence, watching through monitors.

The DIRECTOR speaks quietly.

DIRECTOR
Scene Thirty-One — Izzy stands up to her father. Vega stays restrained, calm. This is about Izzy’s voice cutting through.
(beat)
Action.

ON SET – BEDROOM

MR. MARQUEZ (50s) lowers his arm, his fury barely contained. He glares at ELENA VEGA (Celeste), but before he can speak again, IZZY MARQUEZ (Rowan) pushes herself up, clutching the sheet around her, eyes blazing.

IZZY (IN CHARACTER)
Enough!

Both turn toward her, surprised by the sharpness of her voice.

IZZY (IN CHARACTER)
I’m not a child you can lock away anymore. I’m not fragile. I get to choose who’s by my side.

Marquez takes a step toward her, trying to soften his tone, but the authority still lingers.

MR. MARQUEZ (IN CHARACTER)
Izzy—

IZZY (IN CHARACTER)
No. You don’t get to decide this for me. Not this.

Her voice cracks but doesn’t falter. She shifts her gaze to Elena, steady and certain.

IZZY (IN CHARACTER)
She saved me. She’s the only reason I’m here. You can be angry, you can be protective, but you can’t erase that.

Elena stands silently by the window, her jacket buttoned, posture strong but unreadable. She doesn’t interfere, letting Izzy’s words take the floor.

Marquez exhales, torn between authority and the undeniable truth.

MR. MARQUEZ (IN CHARACTER)
This… isn’t safe. You don’t understand what you’re asking for.

Izzy meets his gaze head-on, unflinching.

IZZY (IN CHARACTER)
Maybe I don’t. But I know what I want. And I know who I trust.

The silence is thick. Elena finally turns from the window, her eyes meeting Izzy’s for a brief, heavy moment before flicking back to Marquez.

MR. MARQUEZ (50s) glares at her, his voice sharp.

MR. MARQUEZ (IN CHARACTER)
You don’t understand. She kills people for a living.

Izzy freezes, her eyes widening.

IZZY (IN CHARACTER)
That’s not true.

MR. MARQUEZ (IN CHARACTER)
(leaning forward, cutting)
Then ask her. Look her in the eye. She is not a good person.

Izzy swallows, torn, before turning her gaze slowly toward ELENA VEGA (Celeste).

IZZY (IN CHARACTER)
Her job doesn’t make her.
(beat, softer, almost pleading)
Is that true?

Elena stands by the window, jacket buttoned, her posture rigid. She doesn’t look away, doesn’t soften.

ELENA (IN CHARACTER)
Yes. It’s true.

Izzy’s breath catches, her eyes searching Elena’s face for something more. Elena doesn’t flinch, doesn’t lie.

ELENA (IN CHARACTER)
(steady, low)
I won’t lie to you.

The silence is deafening. Izzy looks between her father and Elena — one demanding she see danger, the other refusing to hide it.

Finally, Izzy exhales, her voice shaking but firm.

IZZY (IN CHARACTER)
Her job doesn’t make her who she is.

Marquez clenches his fists, anger and fear colliding in his eyes. Elena stays still, unreadable, though the faintest flicker of pain moves across her face.

MR. MARQUEZ (IN CHARACTER)
You are fired. I no longer need your services. You have to go. Everyone else on your team can stay.

He turns on his heel and storms out, the door slamming behind him.

The silence is deafening.

Izzy clutches the sheet tighter, her breath trembling before the dam breaks. Tears spill as she turns to Elena.

IZZY (IN CHARACTER)
You can’t leave.

Elena, standing near the window, buttons her jacket slowly, her face a mask but her eyes flickering with pain.

ELENA (IN CHARACTER)
I have no choice.

Izzy shakes her head violently, tears streaming.

IZZY (IN CHARACTER)
But I just got you to love me.

Elena exhales sharply, finally turning to face her. Her voice is steady but weighted.

ELENA (IN CHARACTER)
I will always love you. And I am literally a call away.

Izzy rises from the bed, sheet slipping slightly, stepping closer.

IZZY (IN CHARACTER)
If you leave… I’m going with you.

Elena’s mask cracks, her jaw tightening as she steps forward quickly, gripping Izzy’s shoulders with urgency.

ELENA (IN CHARACTER)
You can’t. If you do that, your father will send people after me.

She swallows hard, her voice breaking just slightly.

ELENA (IN CHARACTER)
And I don’t want to kill anyone around you. I don’t want you to see that side of me.

Izzy’s tears fall harder. She leans her forehead against Elena’s chest, whispering.

IZZY (IN CHARACTER)
Then don’t go. Please.

ELENA VEGA (Celeste) gently pulls back from IZZY MARQUEZ (Rowan), her hands still on Izzy’s shoulders. Her voice is soft, almost breaking.

ELENA (IN CHARACTER)
I don’t want to… but I have to.

She reaches into her jacket pocket and pulls out a small device.

ELENA (IN CHARACTER)
Here. This is a distress button. If you’re ever in trouble, if you can’t get out — press this. It sends me your location. And I’ll be there as quick as I can to save you. I promise.

Izzy takes it with trembling hands, staring at her like she doesn’t want to let go.

Elena leans down, kissing her softly, tenderly. When she pulls back, she presses a small phone into Izzy’s palm.

ELENA (IN CHARACTER)
This is a burner. It only has one number — mine. You can call me anytime. And I’ll answer. No matter what. Okay?

Izzy nods, silent tears falling.

ELENA (IN CHARACTER)
I’m not leaving you. You still have me. I just… can’t be here with you physically.

Izzy’s voice cracks, whispering.

IZZY (IN CHARACTER)
I love you.

Elena’s eyes soften.

ELENA (IN CHARACTER)
I love you too.

She reaches into her vest and pulls out a small silver heart necklace. Her fingers tremble as she clasps it around Izzy’s neck.

ELENA (IN CHARACTER)
I’ve been saving this… waiting for the right time. Don’t ever take it off.

Izzy touches the pendant, her tears spilling faster.

Elena kisses her once more — soft, lingering, filled with everything she can’t say.

Then, slowly, she stands. Adjusts her jacket. Turns toward the door.

Izzy watches, silent, as Elena walks out of the room.

INT. SOUNDSTAGE – ESTATE HALLWAY SET – CONTINUOUS

Elena strides down the long hallway, her footsteps echoing. Guards and staff glance up, but no one dares stop her.

She pushes through the front door, the morning light swallowing her as she disappears into the world outside.

CUT TO: MONITOR
The final image: Izzy clutching the necklace, tears shining in the golden light, as Elena vanishes.

DIRECTOR (O.S.)
Cut.

The crew exhales, hushed, some shaking their heads at how raw the scene feels.

ON SET – BEDROOM / HALLWAY

Rowan stays curled on the bed, her fingers clinging to the necklace. Celeste never looks back as she walks off set, jacket sharp, posture steady — disappearing into the shadows.

The silence afterward is heavy, almost reverent.

FADE OUT.

The Director checked playback one last time, then pushed back from the monitor with a satisfied nod. He clapped his hands together, drawing the crew’s attention. “Alright, that’s a wrap for today!” he called, his voice carrying across the soundstage. “Great work, everyone—really strong energy on those takes. Go get some rest, because tomorrow’s schedule is stacked. Same call time in the morning. See you all then.”