Lydia sat by her small apartment window, staring out at the city lights, the hum of traffic below barely registering in her mind. The day had been long, yet her thoughts kept replaying those few seconds at the snack table.
George had said hi.
It was ridiculous how such a simple greeting had completely thrown her off. They had been working on the same set for two weeks, exchanging nothing more than passing glances, and today..today he had decided to say hi. She had been caught off guard, scooping trail mix when his familiar voice reached her.
"Hi Lydia. Long time."
Long time indeed.
She had turned, seen his smile, and her mind had gone blank. The weight of curious stares around them only made it worse. So she did what felt easiest, she left. Walked away with a polite nod, pretending her heart wasn't pounding in her chest.
She hoped he understood.
It wasn't that she didn't want to talk to him.
She did.
She wished they had had more time to catch up.
There were still two weeks left of filming together. Maybe by then, they could actually have a real conversation.
But what unsettled her more was Scarlet.
She had not missed the way Scarlet had been staring at her..a sharp, warning kind of look. Lydia knew that look well. Scarlet was staking her claim, and Lydia was not the kind of woman to steal another woman's man.
Whatever feelings she had once held for George Rowe, they were long gone.
Or so she told herself.
Five years ago, when George left, she nursed a bruised heart for nearly two years. She remembered how foolish she had felt, clinging to hopes that he'd come back, and maybe, finally notice her.
When she finally left for college, she met Jack.
Jack had been everything George wasn't. Polished, ambitious, and from a well-to-do family with a clear-cut future. He was set to follow in his father's footsteps and become a politician. A perfect gentleman on paper. But he never supported her dreams. To him, acting was a hobby, not a career. He had made it clear that he expected her to fit into the mold of a perfect politician's wife.
Lydia had wanted so desperately to move on from George, to prove to herself that she could build a life without him in it. So when Jack had suggested they move in together barely a year into dating, she had agreed.
But loving Jack had been work. Exhausting work.
And when George started appearing in the news three years ago, climbing his way into the spotlight, she had felt that old ache return.
Two years ago, George became Hollywood's golden boy. His name was everywhere, his face on every screen. Lydia had tried harder to focus on her relationship with Jack, to believe that she was building something real.
But deep down, she knew. She had settled.. For a life she didn't want, with a man who didn't see her.
When Jack had cheated on her, it had almost been a relief. The betrayal hurt, but it also set her free.
After the breakup, she threw herself into auditions. She couldn't avoid George. She wanted to act, and his name was everywhere. She kept up with his career, and heard the dating rumors of him and his co-stars. None of them ever seemed to stick.
But Scarlet felt different. Scarlet had the kind of allure that made headlines. Maybe she would be the one.
Lydia shook her head, trying to clear the spiral of thoughts. It didn't matter. George's love life wasn't her concern.
What she couldn't understand, though, was why she kept avoiding Leo.
He was kind. Funny. And unlike Jack, he seemed genuinely interested in her for who she was.
But Lydia didn't want distractions. Not now.
She had just landed a role in a major film. Even if it was just as an extra, it was more than she had dared hope for.
Love was the last thing she wanted in her life. Not even with George.
She needed to focus. To build her career.
The heart had no place in this.
At least, that's what she kept telling herself.
Her phone rang, snapping her out of her thoughts. Chris' name lit up the screen, a small smile tugging at her lips as she answered.
"Hey, Chris."
"Hey, kiddo. How's filming treating you?"
Lydia chuckled softly. "It's going well. I don't have much to do on set, but today I got to carry a tray right in front of the camera. I even said two words."
"Two words? That's a big deal!" Chris said, his voice warm with pride.
"It felt like a good start," Lydia admitted. "It's small, but it's something."
"That's how it begins," Chris said. "I'm glad you're doing well. You sound happier."
Lydia smiled to herself. "Thanks, Chris. I'm trying."
"Don't forget our dinner next week," he added. "I'm looking forward to seeing you."
"I won't. See you then. Goodnight, Chris."
"Goodnight, kiddo."
The call ended, leaving Lydia feeling a little lighter.