CHAPTER 19
I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the sleeve of my white blouse for what felt like the tenth time.
Today was my first day back at work.
After weeks of being trapped inside Nicholas' mansion, the thought of finally stepping outside felt almost unreal.
A knock sounded on my bedroom door.
"Miss Lana, breakfast is ready," Mike's voice came from outside.
"I'll be down in a minute."
By the time I reached the dining room, Nicholas had already finished eating.
He looked up briefly before placing a black card beside my plate.
"What's this?"
"A company card."
I frowned.
"I don't need your money." I murmured
"You'll need it."
"I don't need it, I'll use mine"
"You'll use mine."
"..."
This man really enjoyed making decisions for other people.
"I won't spend a single penny from it."
Nicholas looked at me calmly, his lips curving into a smirk.
"We'll see."
Before I could argue, Kyle came running into the dining room, dressed in a black hoodie and sunglasses.
"Little girl! Hurry up! We'll be late!"
I blinked.
"We?"
"You didn't think Boss would let you go alone, did you?"
I slowly turned towards Nicholas.
"You assigned Mike?"
"..."
"Then... bodyguards?"
"No."
I frowned.
"Then who?"
Nicholas calmly pointed at Kyle.
"Him."
I nearly choked on my orange juice.
"Him?"
Kyle placed both hands on his waist proudly.
"Surprised?"
"Very."
"Don't worry, little girl. Uncle Kyle will protect you."
Mike immediately smacked the back of his head.
"You've said that enough."
"Ouch!"
Kyle rubbed his head before glaring at Mike.
"You've become more violent since yesterday."
Mike smiled.
"I learned from the best."
Kyle muttered under his breath before grabbing my wrist.
"Come on. We have a movie to shoot."
...
Kyle parked the sports car in front of the filming location before taking off his sunglasses.
The moment he stepped out of the car, loud screams erupted from every direction.
"Kyle!"
"Oh my God! It's Kyle Stewart!"
"Kyle! Look over here!"
Several reporters rushed toward us while security quickly blocked their path.
I stared at Kyle in disbelief.
"You..."
Kyle pushed his sunglasses onto his head before flashing everyone a dazzling smile.
"What?"
"You're famous?"
He looked at me with an exaggerated gasp.
"Little girl... have you been living under a rock?"
"I thought you were just Nicholas' subordinate."
Kyle placed a hand over his chest dramatically.
"That hurts."
Mike sighed.
"I told you she'd think that."
Taylor burst into laughter.
"I can't believe she didn't recognize you."
I frowned.
"Recognize him for what?"
Kyle slowly took a few steps backwards before spreading both arms proudly.
"I..."
"...am the secondary male lead of this movie."
My eyes widened.
"You are what?"
"The male lead."
I stared at him for several seconds before shaking my head.
"You're lying."
Kyle looked genuinely offended.
"Michael!"
Mike ignored him.
"Tell her."
Mike nodded.
"He's telling the truth."
I looked back at Kyle.
"You can actually act?"
Kyle frowned.
"What kind of question is that?"
Olivia chuckled.
"Ignore him. His ego gets bruised easily."
Kyle pointed at Olivia.
"Traitor."
Kate walked over carrying a folder filled with documents.
"Miss Lana, the director is waiting for both of you."
I nodded before following her inside.
The filming location was much larger than I remembered.
Actors moved from one set to another while makeup artists hurried around carrying equipment.
Everything felt familiar...
Yet strangely new.
Kate handed me today's shooting schedule.
"You'll be filming three scenes today."
I scanned the paper before my eyes suddenly froze.
Another name was written beneath mine.
Roland Sterling.
I blinked once.
Then twice.
My heart skipped a beat.
"N...no way."
Kate smiled.
"You've worked with him before?"
I grabbed her arm excitedly.
"Worked with him?"
"I've watched every single one of his movies."
"You mean..."
"He's my idol!"
Kyle's smile slowly disappeared.
"...Your what?"
"My idol."
Kyle looked as though someone had slapped him across the face.
"What about me?"
I looked at him.
"What about you?"
"I've acted in over twenty movies!"
I nodded.
"Good for you."
Kyle dramatically grabbed his chest.
"Michael..."
Mike didn't even look at him.
"I'm trying very hard not to laugh."
Taylor completely lost it.
"I told you she'd never inflate your ego."
Kyle glared at everyone.
"You people are heartless."
Before anyone could say another word...
The entire filming set suddenly became unusually quiet.
Several actresses hurriedly fixed their hair.
Some of the staff whispered excitedly.
"He's here."
"The king of romance is here."
"I heard he accepted this movie because of the script."
I looked towards the entrance.
A tall man dressed in a simple black shirt and jeans walked into the studio.
His platinum blond hair shimmered beneath the morning sunlight.
Even with a face mask covering half his face...
I recognized him instantly.
My breathing hitched.
"Roland..."
Kyle looked at me before following my gaze.
"Oh."
"So that's why."
Roland removed his sunglasses before greeting the staff politely.
He smiled warmly at everyone who greeted him, stopping occasionally to shake hands with the crew members.
Nothing about him carried the arrogance most celebrities possessed.
He looked...
Normal, and kind, exactly like the man I had admired for years.
Kate leaned closer and whispered,
"Miss Lana..."
"He'll be acting opposite you today."
I almost dropped the script in my hands.
"...Opposite me?"
She nodded.
"You're the female lead, of course you guys have alot of scenes together."
Before I could process her words, someone accidentally bumped into me from behind.
The scripts slipped from my hands and scattered across the floor.
"Oh..."
I quickly bent down.
Another hand reached for the same script.
"I'm sorry."
A familiar gentle voice spoke.
"I wasn't paying attention."
I slowly lifted my head.
The moment our eyes met...Time seemed to stop.
Roland smiled softly before handing me the script.
"I believe this belongs to you."
I accepted it with slightly trembling hands.
"T...thank you."
He tilted his head slightly.
"You're Lana Baldwin, aren't you?"
I nodded so quickly that I nearly embarrassed myself.
"Y...yes...you know me?"
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
"I've heard good things about you."
My mind went completely blank.
The Roland Sterling...
My idol...
Knew my name.
Kyle folded his arms before muttering under his breath,
"...Boss Nicholas is definitely going to have a headache."