Chapter 51

The weekend hadn’t softened Celeste. If anything, it had carved her into something sharper, harder. Naomi’s advice echoed in her head like a mantra: Protect yourself until you know for sure.

Celeste arrived at the studio dressed in precision a sleek black pantsuit, every button fastened, her hair flowing perfectly down her shoulders. Oversized shades masked her eyes, but nothing could hide the icy set of her jaw. Each click of her heels on the polished floor was a declaration: untouchable, unshakable.

The crew picked up on it immediately. Conversations hushed, eyes followed her, but no one dared step in her path. She carried herself like she owned the space, like nothing and no one could pierce her armor.

Rowan was waiting in the corridor, script tucked under her arm, her expression open and hopeful. She straightened when she saw Celeste approach, her heart leaping just a little at the sight.

“Good morning,” Rowan said softly, her voice careful, as if the right tone could bridge the gap between them.

But Celeste didn’t even glance her way. She strode past without a word, her gaze locked forward, her presence so commanding it almost left a chill in her wake.

Rowan stood frozen, her lips parting in disbelief. The sting burned in her chest, sharp and immediate, leaving her rooted in place as she watched Celeste disappear down the hall.

Naomi followed close behind Celeste, pausing just long enough to meet Rowan’s eyes. She gave a small, steady nod — a silent reassurance that said: I see you. I know it hurts. Give her time.

Then Naomi turned and continued after Celeste, leaving Rowan standing alone in the hallway, her whispered “Good morning” still hanging unanswered in the air.

SCENE THIRTY-THREE

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-Three — 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-FOUR

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-Four — 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 crew scattered to reset for the evening, voices low after the intensity of the last take. Rowan slipped her headphones off, her chest still rising and falling with the adrenaline of the scene. She spotted Celeste across the stage, standing near the monitors with her arms crossed, her expression unreadable beneath that calm, collected mask she wore so well.

Rowan hesitated only a second before walking over, her script still clutched in one hand. “Celeste,” she said softly, careful not to let her voice carry. “Can we talk?”

Celeste’s eyes flicked to her, then away just as quickly. Her jaw tightened, her posture sharp as glass. “Not right now, Rowan,” she replied, voice low but firm. “I’m not ready.”

The words cut deeper than Rowan expected, but she nodded slowly, swallowing her reply. She watched Celeste turn and walk off with measured steps, her silhouette strong and untouchable. For the first time, Rowan realized the walls Celeste had rebuilt over the weekend weren’t going to be easy to break down.