CHAPTER SEVEN
986 Words
Brian lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling as fragments of a particular night flashed through his mind.
Broken pieces.
Disconnected.
Incomplete.
No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t piece them together.
One moment stood out more than the rest—but even that felt… blurred.
Just out of reach.
He frowned.
Why can’t I remember?
Sunlight streamed through the window, hitting his face. He groaned softly and turned, shielding his eyes with his arm.
Reaching for the alarm clock, he squinted.
12:00 PM.
Sunday.
“Great…” he muttered under his breath.
Dragging himself out of bed, he made his way to the kitchen, his head pounding lightly.
Fragments again.
A voice.
A presence.
And then—
Red.
He paused.
Red…?
Brian frowned, rubbing his temple.
“What the hell happened last night…”
He opened the fridge, grabbing a bottle of water and taking a long gulp.
Before he could think further, his phone rang, cutting through his thoughts.
He glanced at the screen.
James.
He picked up.
“Hey, Brian, you up already?” James’s voice boomed through the speaker.
Brian winced, pulling the phone slightly away from his ear.
“Are you trying to deafen me this early in the morning?”
“It’s afternoon, you drunk.”
Brian scoffed lightly, taking another sip of water.
“What happened last night? How did I get home?”
There was a brief pause.
Then—
“This is why it’s not good to drink yourself to stupor,” James said casually.
Brian narrowed his eyes slightly.
“Just tell me you’re the one that dropped me off.”
“No. I’m not.”
Brian straightened immediately.
“What?”
“Who did you drink with, huh? You this child called Brian,” James teased.
“Stop playing around.”
“I’m serious.”
Brian leaned against the counter, his grip tightening slightly on the bottle.
“Then who brought me home?”
Another pause.
This time, longer.
“Does it matter?” James said finally.
Brian frowned.
“It should.”
But James brushed it off.
“Are you still hungover?”
Brian belched lightly, rolling his eyes.
“Come on, I’m coming to pick you up. Let’s go out.”
“I’m not going anywhere with you. I have a meeting later with Director Hudson.”
“I’ll drive you.”
“I have a manager.”
“Tell him to take the day off. I’ll drive you.”
Brian shook his head, a faint smile forming despite himself.
“Are you planning to sell me off instead?”
“You aren’t worth that much.”
Brian placed a hand dramatically on his chest.
“That’s a lie and you know it.”
“Just get ready,” James said.
“Suit yourself.”
“Yes!”
Brian chuckled softly and ended the call.
But the moment the line went dead—
his smile faded.
Red.
A faint image flickered again in his mind.
Red heels.
A shadow.
A presence standing over him.
His brows furrowed deeply.
“…what was that?”
He shook his head.
“Forget it.”
Dropping the empty bottle into the trash, he headed back to his room.
-
James drove Brian’s car as they headed toward the meeting with Director Hudson.
Brian sat in the passenger seat, scrolling absentmindedly through his phone.
“Why did you insist on driving me?” he asked. “You really made me tell Dennis to take the day off.”
“You’ll see,” James replied, a smirk tugging at his lips.
Brian glanced at him sideways.
“What are you planning?”
“Nothing. I just want to meet Director Hudson and the crew.”
“Is that so?”
James nodded.
“You never told me who the female lead is. Or even the storyline.”
Brian sighed.
“It’s a romcom.”
James slammed the brakes.
The car jerked to a stop.
“What?!”
Brian grabbed the dashboard.
“What are you doing? We’re going to be late!”
“A romcom?” James turned to him in disbelief. “Since when do you accept romcom roles?”
Brian leaned back in his seat, exhaling.
“Since it involves Director Hudson.”
James stared at him for a moment.
Then scoffed.
“Are you even cut out for that?”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
Brian looked out the window.
A romcom.
Love.
Smiles.
Happy endings.
His jaw tightened slightly.
Love stories were the last thing he needed right now.
“I thought about it,” he said finally. “But Hudson said we’ll get along.”
James shook his head.
“This should be interesting.”
He started the car again.
They arrived at a café inside Denas Entertainment.
“Brian, you’re here,” Director Hudson said, standing up to greet them.
“Sorry if I’m late,” Brian replied as he and James took their seats.
“No problem. The female lead isn’t here yet.”
Brian leaned forward slightly.
“So… who is she?”
Hudson smiled.
“You’ll be in for a surprise.”
Brian frowned slightly.
A surprise?
Before he could ask further—
a voice cut in.
“Director Hudson.”
They all turned.
Brian’s breath hitched for a second.
Avery.
She walked toward them confidently, her red heels clicking sharply against the floor, her presence drawing attention effortlessly.
“Avery Denas,” Brian said under his breath.
She smiled as her eyes met his.
“Hey, Brian.”
James blinked, clearly taken aback.
“Oh… wow.”
Hudson gestured toward her.
“Meet your female lead.”
Brian stared at her for a brief moment—then let out a small breath.
Of course.
Avery.
She smiled, calm… almost expectant.
And suddenly—
Brian felt like something had just shifted.
Something he couldn’t quite explain.
- Writer
