THE RULES OF FAME

Chapter 8 - I promised...

Vanessa Louvier

I took a deep breath, "Someone from the past," I said, and he nodded.

"Then if he is in the past, why are you denying yourself a present and a future?" he said, and I gave him a tight smile.

"It was one of those young loves, the one you believe would be forever, but didn't last," I said, and he nodded.

"So, that means you have moved on?" he said, and I took a deep breath.

Did I really move on? Was I ready to leave Peyton behind? I was not entirely sure, but I promised myself to try, and with that in mind, I slowly nodded.

"Good, because for the first time I got interested in one of my co-stars..." he said, and I bit my lower lip. I couldn't help the little blush that crawled on my face.

"Yeah, why was that? I mean, the story is a romance, and I know sometimes living in our characters´ skins may become confusing." I rambled, and he smirked.

"Do you think I am getting confused?" he smiled, and I shrugged my shoulders, taking a small sip out of the white wine I had ordered.

"For starters, your eyes are beautiful," he said, and I laughed,

"That is a physical trait, not part of my character..." I said, and he nodded.

"Yeah, but they are beautiful not because of their color, but because they are the windows of your soul, and even with a tint of sadness, I can see the beauty of your soul. You inspire peace, security, integrity... beauty, all over," he said and held my hand.

"You, not your character... the first time I noticed was while we were talking on our make-up chairs..." he said, and I took a deep breath.

"Then, every day, it has become more evident that I am drawn to you. I like your smile, that little dimple on the corner of your lips. The way you concentrate on your lines and scrunch your eyebrows, clearly trying to figure out the best way to deliver them, you are always on time, kind and courteous with everyone, and the last master punch in my books, was the day you arrived with those cookies for the staff..." he started mentioning little things that were clearly me not the character.

My character was a smart powerhouse who placed her career above the love of her life. Only to regret it when they meet each other back years later... I took the part because, deep down, it struck a chord in my personal life.

"Tate, I didn't realize you noticed..." I mumbled, and he smirked. He squeezed my hand endearingly, and then his eyes locked on mine...

"I noticed that's why I asked you out," he said, and I smiled. "Now, tell me, why did you agree?" he asked, and I stopped myself a minute from blurting down: "Because Peyton was seen with Shanty, and I wanted - no- needed desperately to feel something different from pain,"

"Because it is time for me to give it a try," I answered instead with a small smile.

"Vanessa, I can tell you are not ready, yet... but if you give me a chance... You won't regret it," he said, and I stared at the handsome man before me. I was an emerging actress with a promising career. Tate, on the other hand, has been around for a longer time than me. He is not much older than me, but he started pretty young. He is already considered one of the most sought-after male leads; overall, he has a consolidated career and is known to not mix job and play. This time, he is breaking his own rules for me.

"I don't want the media meddling," I said, and he nodded.

"We can keep things low profile for a while... Our PR teams can work on an estimate when the time is right," he said,

"It will be difficult, after we end up shooting this one, I am off to Ireland to make a classic romance, and you will be off to your next project," I mumbled, and he smiled.

"But not impossible..." he smirked, and I took a deep breath. If that were only as easy as that. The distance was what broke Peyton and me apart.

"How?" I mumbled, my words filled with incredulity,

"I can travel over the weekends... we can meet halfway... call, video chat... right now, with all the technology it is easy to be present..." he said, as if it was just that simple.

"Are we really doing this?" I bit my lower lip.

"If you say yes..." he smiled, and I took a deep breath.

I promised myself I would try. If I can't forget about Peyton after I tried with Tate, I am royally f****d, because Tate is hot as hell... he is an amazing man too...

"Yes..." I said, and he smirked, lifted my hand in his, and kissed my knuckles.

"You won't be disappointed," he smiled, and I nodded.

"I know, but... can we take things slowly?" I smiled, and he nodded.

"At your pace, beautiful," he said, and I nodded.

"Now, dessert." I changed the subject, and he laughed.

"See, that's what makes you so unique..." he smiled, and I made him a funny face, making him laugh harder, while I giggled along. Tate was funny, confident, easygoing, present, interesting, and for some weird science experiment or reason, he liked me.

The conversation flowed along. He asked me about the play I participated in, and that got me an award. I asked him about his latest movie, and it was a Sci-Fi thriller. It happens that after this project, he would go on a promotional tour for that movie, which is finishing post-production.

"Alright, so I was supposed to be out in space... of course I was not... I was hanging by wires surrounded by green screens..." he said, and I smiled. He was very enthusiastic about the little anecdotes that happened around the sets. "I was supposed to be floating, so, of course, my mind conjured the feeling of being floating on water, but when the producer showed me the shot, I looked like a slow-motion dangling slob..." he chuckled.

"Seriously?" I mumbled, and he laughed.

"Yeah, it was one of those wide shots, and whatever we did, it didn't work... it was weird and off..." he chuckled, "I just hope they strike it off in post-production, otherwise I am in line for my first Razzie..." I laughed,

"Well, and if you get a Razzie, that is part of the process..." I said, and he nodded.

"Of course, I would go and proudly accept my award... in this industry, not everything depends on the actors. The director and his or her vision also count... the story, the writers... that's why it is very important to choose who you work with," he said, and I nodded.

"Alright, I know the team here is pretty amazing, but why did you say yes to this movie? A romance is a weird move after all the box office movies you have been in," I said,

"Honestly?" he asked, and I nodded my head.

"You..." he said, and I squinted my eyebrows. His answer was weird, borderline creepy.

"What?" I mumbled, and he smirked.

"I saw you in your play, and thought you were amazing. When my manager told me the lineup of projects and who would be on them, I saw your name on this project, and I immediately agreed," Tate said, and I nodded.

"Well, I hope I haven't disappointed you," I mumbled,

"Not one bit... I don't know if this movie is an Oscar-winning romance, but that kiss was epic..." He smirked, and I bit my lower lip.

"God! I struggled with that scene. I am sorry for having to make so many takes..." I said, and he chuckled.

"Or maybe you were ruining it because you wanted me to kiss you, many many times..." he said, lifting his body and brushing his lips on mine...

I promised myself that I would try, and this was me trying.