HUSH

HUSH Episode 4

Night had draped itself over California, painting the Hollywood Hills with a sea of glittering lights that stretched endlessly beneath the stars. Hidden among the city’s luxury lounges and exclusive clubs stood one of the most notorious nightlife spots, its walls vibrating with deafening music, flashing neon lights, and the laughter of the rich and reckless.

Inside, the club was packed to the brim. Expensive liquor flowed like water, dancers moved effortlessly beneath the colorful lights, and the scent of tobacco and expensive perfume hung thick in the air.

Amid the chaos sat a young woman, unusually calm, her composed expression making her stand out from everyone around her. Beside her lounged a bulky man with an intimidating build. A lit cigar rested between his lips as he leaned back comfortably, surrounded by a flock of strippers competing for his attention. Despite the noise and temptation around him, his sharp eyes occasionally drifted toward the silent woman at his side, as though she alone had captured his interest.

“Speak”

“She had gone into hiding Ramos “

“She is the type to run,interesting “

“Shouldn’t we have some men on her ?”,Bianca asked nervously,her hand on each other,Ramos only chuckled and place the tobacco on an ashtray

“Why should I ?”

“What if they get to her before us,and she provided evidence?”

The man looked at her sharply like those words she said made sense but he only laughed,”Bianca,I know why you are scared but trust me,no evidence is available so be relaxed and dont shiver ,remember yiu have a shoot tomorrow and you wouldn’t want to be shaky “

He said and simply dismissed her with his hand,meanwhile in the other end of the club was a man watching them,his eyes darken,a glass cup of water in his hand,he picked up his phone and typed a message to someone before leaving the club.

I wasn’t a fan of desserts.

Especially not the homemade kind.

The elderly woman had insisted, placing three small bowls of her freshly made dessert in front of us with a warm smile before taking her seat. It was simple—nothing extravagant—but she looked proud of it.

No one spoke.

The silence around the dining table was almost suffocating.

I glanced at the woman across from me again.

Blonde hair fell neatly over her shoulders, framing a face hidden beneath obvious makeup. It wasn’t hard to tell she was trying to disguise herself, yet somehow, the disguise only made her more intriguing.

She quietly scooped a spoonful of dessert into her mouth, avoiding my gaze as if she could pretend I wasn’t watching.

I couldn’t understand it.

I’d met women far more beautiful, far more confident.

Yet none of them had held my attention the way she did.

There was something about her—something she was desperately hiding.

And for reasons I couldn’t explain, I wanted to uncover every last secret.

But why is she having a new hair on her head,her hair color is brown tho

“So,how was the city,hope not too stressful?”,the old lady warm voice ring in my head bringing back to reality,I look at her and smile,the type of smile I spent a week learning how to do it

“Not at all,granny”,so cringy,but the old lady was a better actor,acting exactly like my grandmother I never had,where did Samuel get her from, i looked at Becca once again,is she going to stay hidden here forever,won’t she go out to Hollywood Hills,to prove her innocence,she can’t just stay quiet about an accusation she doesn’t know about

“So,Becca when did you move here?”

I started a conversation I don’t know when to end it

A small plate of homemade dessert rested untouched in front of me, but I barely noticed it.

My attention was somewhere else.

Across the table.

I found myself stealing another glance at him, a smile tugging at my lips before I could stop it.

How could someone look so effortlessly handsome?

Even sitting quietly, there was something magnetic about him. His broad shoulders, calm expression, and piercing eyes made it impossible not to stare.

I quickly looked away, pretending to focus on the dessert, but the temptation won.

Another glance.

Another smile.

I must have looked ridiculous, daydreaming over a man whose name I barely knew.

Still…

For a brief moment, I allowed myself to imagine what it would be like if those eyes were looking at me for more than just a passing second.

“This morning “,I sharply said not to give out my voice

“Hope you are loving it here tho?”,came another question,well what could I say,this place is more calmer and quieter than the big city out there

“I hope to “

The old lady interrupted,”she is Maggie’s daughter “

The guy nod his head while chewing on his food,I felt like pushing my hand down his hair,did he put something on them,they look wet from where am sitting

“I know,you told me on the phone granny “

The old lady chuckled and smiled at me,” I am sorry I did,”

“It’s fine,Mrs Hollander “

The quiet dinner came to an end, leaving behind empty plates and a comfortable silence. Moments later, the three of them stepped onto the old house’s spacious veranda, where the cool night breeze welcomed them.

The porch lights cast a warm golden glow across the wooden floor, while the distant city shimmered beyond the tall bushes that bordered the property. Thousands of tiny lights twinkled against the dark California sky, reminding them that the bustling world was still awake, even as this peaceful corner remained untouched by its noise.

The elderly woman settled comfortably into her favorite rocking chair, a gentle smile on her face. Nearby, the young woman and the man took their seats, the calm night wrapping around the three of them as crickets sang softly in the distance and the leaves swayed with the breeze.

For the first time that evening, there was nothing but the quiet company of one another—and the unspoken words lingering in the air.

“For how long do yoh want to stay here?”

The young man voice broke the calm silence,Rebecca looked at him silently,more like in a guarded way,why is he asking me that question

“Forever “,I replied in a joking tone while he chuckled,I glanced at the old lady she seems to be dozing,maybe I should leave, I already have a great night and dinner

“Mrs Hollander,Mister Damian,I want to take my leave”

I said and tap on my joggers,putting my hand into my cardigan pockets,Damian stood up also while the old lady nod at me and smile

“Damian and I will stop by tomorrow to help you out”

“Oh,you shouldn’t bother yourself “

I said waving my hand while the old lady shook her head,”Damian will love to help,Isnt it,Damian?”

“Uhn,yeah I would love to “

I looked at them and smile,maybe this is all I need,this sweetness and calmness ,I smiled and thanked them and about to take my leave

“Let me walk you to your house “

The young man offered,I couldn’t say no,I don’t want to leave yet, am falling in love with this face

“Oh,thanks”

I said and kissed the old lady bye and walked out with the guy behind me,

The night was unusually quiet as they strolled along the narrow path leading away from the house. A cool breeze swept through the trees, carrying the faint scent of blooming flowers and rustling the leaves overhead.

They walked side by side, leaving just enough space between them to avoid brushing shoulders, yet close enough to feel each other’s presence.

Neither of them spoke.

The silence wasn’t awkward—it was comforting.

The soft glow of the porch lights gradually faded behind them, replaced by the silver moonlight that stretched across the path. Every now and then, the distant lights of the city peeked through the tall bushes, twinkling like scattered stars.

She kept her eyes on the path ahead, occasionally stealing a glance in his direction before quickly looking away.

He noticed.

Without saying a word, the corner of his lips lifted into the faintest smile.

She pretended not to see it, though her heart betrayed her with every beat.

Their footsteps remained perfectly in sync, echoing softly through the peaceful night as the quiet between them spoke louder than any conversation ever could.

“So,what work do you do?”,I asked the young man out of curiosity

“I work at a farm somewhere in Mexico,but recently moved back to my granny place to help her while I continue on my father’s farm”he said carefully,”what about you?”

“Huh?”

I stutter and he repeated

“What work do you do?”

A heavy silence,we are at my front door,my hand on the handle,I smiled and told him

“You wouldn’t believe “

“Tell me “

“Am an artist”

“As in acting ?”,he asked and I almost denied but I said the truth

“Actress “

“Oh,”he said and shrug,which made me surprised.

“Dont you watch movies,like Hollywood?”

“Nah,I rather go horse riding “ he said and I laugh,not a staged laugh,a pure laughter that I forgot when last I laughed so happily

“Yeah,true movies sucks “

He smiled with his eyes this time,I almost melted but held the handle for support

“So what made you come here ?”