Alex leaned back slightly in his seat, the coffee cup resting loosely in his hand. The windshield was still fogged from their breath and the soft heat, but the storm outside had slowed to a whisper.
He looked at Halle, really looked at her. Hair damp but shining, hoodie sleeves pulled over her hands, eyes a mix of vulnerability and strength.
"You're not past your prime," he said, his voice low yet confident. "You're beautiful. Always have been. And if I may be frank... you are incredibly sexy."
She gave a quiet smile, but he wasn't finished.
"Your eyes are beautiful and your smile is just... Let's just say, it makes my heart beat faster."
Halle swallowed, her expression softening and her cheeks flushed.
Alex looked into her eyes and said, "I like you. I mean, I'd absolutely date you. Spend time with you. Laugh, talk, maybe more. But before we go down that road, there's something you should know about my life."
She didn't speak, just gave a small nod. She had known Caroline since they met in Hawaii. So, Halle thought he was either going to talk about Caroline or maybe about his new relationships. Or he could be seeing other girls, since it's not that odd in the industry for a successful man to have many girls lining up. Or, maybe he was going to talk about some casual flings. So, she prepared herself.
"I'm in multiple relationships," Alex said. "And I don't mean behind anyone's back or hiding in the shadows. Max, Caroline, Scarlett, Evangeline, Rachel, and Angelina. They're all important to me. Different ways, different depths, but real. And they all know about each other."
Halle blinked. She didn't recoil, but she definitely needed a second to process.
"We've built something unconventional," he added, watching her carefully. "No one's pretending it's simple. But it works because we talk. We respect each other. We don't lie or keep secrets. Just a lot of honesty and a willingness to make it work."
Halle looked down at her lap, then back up. Her eyes searched his face, not with judgment, but with curiosity and maybe a little awe. She expected as much since Alex was famous, hot, and young.
"So it's not just… hookups or flings?" she asked, finally.
"Nope. I don't do one-night stands or sex for work kind of thing. Believe it or not, it's just love," Alex told the truth.
He let the words hang in the air for a moment.
"You deserved the truth," he said. "Because you were honest with me. And whatever you decide, I'll respect that."
She exhaled slowly, setting her cup down in the holder. Her expression wasn't shocked or offended—just thoughtful.
"I was expecting something like that," she admitted. "But I appreciate you not hiding it."
Alex gave a small smile. "Figured I'd lose the chance if I did."
Halle picked at the sleeve of the hoodie, her fingers lightly brushing the stitching as she leaned back against the seat. Her eyes flicked to the fogged windshield, then returned to Alex.
"I have a few questions," she said finally. "If that's alright."
"Of course," Alex replied. "Ask anything."
She hesitated for a breath. "How do you make time for all of them? I mean, you're running an empire. You're directing, producing, building something huge... How does that leave space for actual connection?"
Alex rested his head briefly against the seat and let out a quiet breath before answering. "I plan obsessively. I mean down to the hour sometimes. But more than that, I commit. When I'm with someone, I'm with them. I unplug myself from my work life, and I have enough people to keep everything running in my absence. To me, it's not about squeezing people into my life—it's about making sure they are my life. Not just after the work, but as part of it. Some are involved in Titan, others in my day-to-day. We find ways to be part of each other's world, not orbiting around it."
Halle gave a slight nod. That made sense coming from him.
"Do they all live with you?" she asked next. "Or is there a plan for that?"
"Some do, yeah," Alex said. "Max and Caroline are almost always there. Scarlett's there more often lately. Angelina's staying with me during the shoot. Rachel has her own place, but she crashes after long days, and Evangeline drops in when her schedule lets her. We don't force a routine, but we've talked about expanding. In a few months, I'll be building a new mansion for us."
She raised an eyebrow at that. "So, basically a designer commune with better clothes and less incense."
He laughed. "Pretty much. Think less dreamcatchers and more espresso machines."
Her smile faded slowly as she moved to the next question. "Do you want kids?"
Alex's expression shifted. His voice became serious. "Yes. Not now, but someday when I won't have to work anymore and just spend my time with my family. Like my parents weren't there for me when I needed them most. I barely remember them." He paused for a bit. "I just want to plan everything first. So that my kids won't have to go through that same hardship that I have."
Halle seemed to accept that answer. She looked out the window again. Rain still misted the glass, but the world outside had brightened slightly.
"Okay. Next question," she said, turning back to him. "Do you get jealous?"
Alex took a second with that one. "I don't think I'm immune to it. Like if you're my girl and someone tries to hit on you or say or do something bad. I'll beat the shit out of them, regardless of their status. That I promise."
"Really?" She smiled a bit as the mood lightened slightly.
"You better believe it," Alex said with confidence.
A pause stretched between them. Not uncomfortable, just reflective.
She tapped her finger on her knee. "Have any of them ever left?"
Alex said with a slight nod. "Yes. There was one girl. It was a long time ago before my entry into Hollywood. Back then, I had big debts, my parents bailed out on me with those debts, and I was working on construction, paper delivery, mall, cleaning subways, and well, let's just say, I was doing everything to pay those debts and still try to live. So, she just left with someone with money and a sports car. That gold digger. Haha. I wonder what face she's making right now, now that I'm here."
"I didn't mean to dig into bad memories." She apologized. "It must've hurt. I'm sorry."
"No worries. It did hurt. Back then, I needed someone to just stay with me. What kind of person leaves someone they said they love in their time of need? But I didn't have the time or energy to waste on that gold digger. I had debts to pay. So, I drowned myself in work. But right now, when I look back, I think I was lucky she showed her true colors and left. Or else I wouldn't have worked hard to get where I am today."
Halle leaned back again. She took a deep breath.
"And if I said yes? If I said I wanted to explore this with you?"
"Then I'd be lucky," Alex said simply. "And I'd do everything in my power to make you happy and loved. And I'd expect the same from you too."
She looked down at her hands, quiet for a long moment.
"I think I'd like to meet the others," she said softly. "Not right away. But at some point. If I'm going to understand the rhythm of your life, I want to see it, not just hear about it."
Alex smiled. "They'll like you."
Halle gave a low chuckle. "You don't know that."
"I do," he replied. "They'll see what I see."
She glanced sideways at him, eyes searching. "And what exactly do you see, Wilson?"
He turned toward her fully. "A woman who just asked more honest questions in ten minutes than most do in ten dates. Someone brave enough to stand in the rain, speak her truth, and still sip coffee like she owns the damn moment. That's what I see."
Halle blinked, then smiled at him.
"Well," she said, "now I really have to get that audition."
"Humm," He smirked. "Private or studio?"
"Are there any special perks in a private audition?" She asked.
"Well, there will be a homemade lunch, I'll cook. Maybe some wine, nothing strong, and then there'll be some cosplay dresses for the character you'll be auditioning for. And if you perform well, you'll get free spa and massages," Alex said as he noticed the sky clearing a bit and the heavy rain simmered down a bit.
Halle leaned her head back against the seat and gave him a slow, amused look. "Homemade lunch, cosplay, and spa perks? Sounds like the most suspiciously charming audition I've ever heard."
Alex raised an eyebrow. "Suspicious? I'm offended. That's a premium casting package."
She let out a warm laugh, the tension finally melting from her shoulders. "You make it sound less like an audition and more like a soft seduction."
He grinned. "Only soft if you want it to be."
She stared at him for a second, the corner of her mouth twitching as if she were fighting back a full smile. "Alright, Mr. Wilson. Private audition it is. But I'm bringing my A-game."
"I'd expect nothing less," he said, then looked at her more seriously.
They sat quietly for a few minutes, watching the mist swirl past the windshield. The fog was beginning to lift now, and sunlight peeked through the clouds. The rain has stopped. And the tow truck stopped on the side road.
They got out of the car. The garage has sent three guys. They loaded the car and had a little talk with Halle before they left with the car.
Halle then walked back to Alex.
"So, can you give a lift to my hotel?" She asked.
"Get in."
...
[45 minutes later]
They rode in easy silence for most of the trip, the kind that only followed good conversation and mutual understanding. Occasionally, she would glance at him and smile, sipping what was left of her coffee, while he drove.
Alex pulled into the semicircular driveway of The Rosemont, a discreet boutique hotel nestled between two office towers in West Hollywood. Both of them got out of the car.
"Thanks for the ride," she said, turning toward him as they stood just a few feet from the entrance. "And everything else. Coffee, rescue, honesty... you've got a weirdly specific set of boyfriend-like survival skills."
"I aim to be useful in emergencies," he said with a small smile. "And in regular life too."
She looked up at the building, then back at him. "I'm staying here for a few days. Got some meetings. Some space to think."
He nodded. "Fair."
She hesitated, then added, "I'm in Room 715. Just... in case you want to drop off the script. Or dinner. Or that suspiciously charming private audition."
Alex's lips quirked into a grin. "Got it. No pressure, huh?"
"None," she said, stepping back. "Just... optional intimacy."
"Sounds like the best kind."
She walked toward the entrance, pausing to glance over her shoulder. "See you, Wilson."
"See you, Berry."
And with that, she disappeared into the hotel lobby, leaving him alone on the curb with a smile tugging at his mouth.
He got back in the car, turned the wheel, and pulled out onto the road. The traffic had picked up slightly, but he barely noticed. His thoughts were still sitting back there, in that quiet hotel entryway, replaying her voice and that half-smirk she left behind.
About twenty minutes into the drive, Alex glanced into the rearview mirror. That's when he spotted the bag still sitting in the backseat. The one with her soaked clothes. Jacket, tank top, jeans... and, unmistakably, the corner of a lacy black bra peeking from the fold.
He let out a low breath and muttered, "Damn it." He pulled the car near a gas station.
For a second, he stared at it. His curiosity kicked in. His hand even hovered toward the bag before he caught himself.
"Nope," he said out loud, shaking his head. "Not going down that road."
He shifted gears and made a clean U-turn at the next light.
"Room 715," he murmured to himself. "Guess I'm delivering more than a script today."
...
[Hotel Rosemont – Room 715]
Alex stood outside the door, one hand holding the bag of Halle's wet clothes, the other curled into a light knock. He had debated texting first but figured showing up in person felt more... respectful. And, admittedly, a little bold.
He knocked three times.
After a beat, Halle opened the door.
She was in a pink robe, plush and tied at the waist, and a pair of fluffy white slippers. Her legs were bare, toned and smooth, and her damp curls were tucked behind her ears. A few strands clung to her neck and collarbone, still drying. There was a faint sheen of post-shower warmth on her skin, and she smelled like jasmine shampoo and heat.
Alex's gaze held for a second too long before he forced it up to her eyes.
"Thought I'd return these before I got accused of stealing your laundry," he said, holding up the bag.
Halle gave a slow smile, eyes glinting. "Uh-huh. And did you peek inside?"
Alex raised a brow. "Would you believe me if I said no?"
"Not even a little."
He laughed, handing the bag over. "Scout's honor."
She took the bag with both hands but didn't step back.
"Well, I appreciate the honesty," she said, watching him closely. "And the restraint."
"I have both," he said. "In dangerous amounts."
Halle leaned slightly against the doorframe, not quite inviting him in but not ending the conversation either. Her pink robe had shifted just a little with her movement, revealing the hint of a toned thigh and a slip of damp skin at her chest. She noticed the glance but didn't adjust it. Instead, she smiled like she knew exactly what kind of storm she could be if she wanted to.
"Would you believe me if I said I left that bag intentionally?" She smirked.
"Huh?!" Alex couldn't help by chuckle a bit. "Well, I would actually."
'She's really good. I give her that.' He thought.
"You want to come in?" she asked casually.
--
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