CHAPTER 4 — The One He Doesn’t Ignore
994 Words
Kris didn’t believe in coincidence.
Not in his work.
Not in people.
And definitely
not twice.
The shoot ended late.
Later than scheduled. Later than necessary.
No one complained.
No one ever did.
“Your car is ready,” his manager said quietly.
Kris didn’t move.
Not immediately.
His gaze remained on the set
now empty.
Lights dimming. Staff clearing equipment. The energy fading into something dull and routine.
Forgettable.
Except...
“…Where is she?”
The question came before he thought to stop it.
His manager blinked slightly. “Who?”
A pause.
Then...
“The assistant.”
“…Lana?”
Kris didn’t answer.
He didn’t need to.
“She should still be around. Wardrobe section.”
Good.
The corridor was quieter now.
Kris walked through it without hesitation.
And found her...
exactly where he expected.
Lana stood near a rack, organizing outfits back into place.
Calm.
Focused.
Like nothing had happened.
Like she hadn’t crossed a line.
“…You’re still here.”
Her hands paused.
Then resumed.
“I’m finishing work.”
No surprise.
No tension.
Controlled.
Kris stepped closer.
“You missed something earlier.”
Lana turned this time.
Met his gaze.
“…I fixed it.”
“Not that.”
A pause.
The air shifted.
Lana didn’t look away.
“…Then what?”
Kris studied her.
“The part where you stepped closer than necessary.”
Direct.
No room to hide.
Silence.
For a moment....
it looked like she might deflect again.
But then....
something changed.
Her fingers tightened slightly around the hanger.
Then she exhaled.
“…I know.”
That...
was unexpected.
Kris’ gaze sharpened.
“You know?”
Lana nodded.
“Yes.”
No denial.
No excuse.
Just
admission.
Interesting.
“Why?” he asked.
Simple.
Lana hesitated this time.
Not because she didn’t have an answer.
But because...
she wasn’t supposed to say it.
This wasn’t the plan.
This was
improvised.
“…Because I wanted you to notice.”
There it was.
Clean.
Honest.
Reckless.
Kris stared at her.
For a second...
then two...
And then...
he laughed.
Low.
Brief.
But real.
That
almost never happened.
“You wanted my attention?”
Lana nodded again.
Still steady.
“Yes.”
“Why?”
A pause.
Then
“…Because I don’t know how to do it properly.”
That answer
caught him off guard.
Slightly.
“Do what?”
“…Talk to men.”
Silence.
Kris blinked once.
Then looked at her more carefully.
Really looked.
“…How old are you?”
“Twenty-two.”
Another pause.
And then
he laughed again.
Longer this time.
Not mocking.
But
incredulous.
“Twenty-two,” he repeated.
His gaze dropped briefly, then returned to her.
“You’re telling me you’ve never dated?”
“…No.”
Too fast.
Too honest.
Kris let out a breath.
Half amusement.
Half disbelief.
“That’s new.”
Lana didn’t react.
Didn’t shrink.
“…I’ve been busy.”
“With what?”
“…Working.”
A beat.
Then...
quieter...
“And I never needed to.”
Kris tilted his head slightly.
“Until now?”
Lana met his gaze.
“…Until now.”
Silence settled between them.
But it felt...
different now.
Less sharp.
More curious.
“So,” Kris said slowly,
“You decided to practice on me.”
Not a question.
Lana didn’t deny it.
“…You’re experienced.”
Direct.
Blunt.
Almost...
too honest.
Kris’ lips curved slightly.
“Is that what they say?”
“Yes."
Another pause.
Then...
“…You’re known for it.”
There it was.
His reputation...
laid out without hesitation.
Kris didn’t seem offended.
If anything...
he looked amused.
“And your plan was what?”
Lana hesitated.
Then...
“…to get your attention.”
“You already did.”
A beat.
“…I know.”
And somehow...
that answer landed differently.
Because she did know.
And she said it anyway.
Reckless.
Or...
calculated.
Kris stepped closer.
Not as sharp as before.
But still...
deliberate.
“You’re not very good at this,” he said.
Honest.
Lana didn’t argue.
“…I said that already.”
Another beat.
Then...
softly...
“That’s why I need help.”
There it was.
The shift.
Clear.
Unavoidable.
Kris’ eyes narrowed slightly.
“Help?”
Lana nodded.
“Yes.”
“With what?"
She held his gaze.
This time...
there was the smallest crack in her composure.
Not fear.
But...
something real.
“…Learning how to do it right.”
Silence.
Kris studied her for a long moment.
Because this...
was either the most ridiculous thing he had heard...
or...
the most interesting.
“You want me to teach you how to flirt.”
Not a question.
“…Yes.”
No hesitation.
No embarrassment.
Just...
intent.
Kris let out a quiet breath.
Then...
a faint smile.
Dangerous.
“You chose the wrong person.”
Lana didn’t move.
“…Or the right one.."
That...
was bold.
Too bold.
And yet...
it worked.
Because Kris didn’t walk away.
He didn’t dismiss her.
Instead...
he looked at her like he was seeing something new.
Something unexpected.
“Be careful what you ask for,” he said quietly.
“I know.”
“No,” Kris replied,
his voice lower now...
“You don’t.”
Silence.
Then...
he stepped back.
Breaking the distance.
“For now,” he added,
“go back to work.”
The moment ended.
But not completely.
Because this time...
it wasn’t just awareness.
It was...
invitation.
Lana watched him walk away.
Her expression didn’t change.
Her posture stayed calm.
Perfect.
Until
he was gone.
Then
slowly...
her fingers tightened.
“…That was reckless.”
A whisper.
A truth.
Because none of that
had been part of the plan.
And yet
it worked.
Better than it should have.
Her gaze lifted slightly
toward where he had disappearead
“…Now he’s interested.”
A pause.
Then
quieter
“…Good.”
Because interest
was the first step.
And she had just forced it
without meaning to.
- Writer
