More Spotlight
1415 Words
~Lucyll~
When I walked into Harvery’s room, he was in the middle of unbuttoning his shirt, sleeves rolled up and his expression casual—until he saw me.
“Lucyll?” he said, brows lifting in surprise.
If he was acting, he was good. He looked genuinely caught off guard, as if the rematch was news to him. Could this have been Arlyne’s own doing? Wouldn’t be the first time.
“I was told the match had been reassigned,” I said lightly, stepping further into the room. “Apparently we are now together to share the night.”
Harvery finished unfastening his last button, then paused, shirt half-open, as if only now realizing how that might look. He turned away and grabbed a hoodie from the foot of the bed, shrugging into it with the kind of nonchalance that was just a little too smooth. He glanced at me over his shoulder, expression unreadable. “And you’re okay with this?”
No. But what would be the point in saying that?
I gave him a polite smile. “I am okay.”
He walked over to the small table near the window and picked up a bottle of water, twisting the cap slowly. “Really? But you didn’t look happy to see me,” his voice smooth but probing. “Did I… offend you somehow, Lucyll?”
He was testing the waters.
Damn it. I’d been so focused on remembering how he let me burn—literally—that I’d forgotten to shield the hatred in my eyes here, in this life. The one where he hadn’t done it yet. Where, technically, we were still strangers, barely brushing paths.
To him, my distance must’ve felt confusing and suspicious.
“Sorry,” I said quickly, blinking up at him with wide, unsure eyes. My lashes trembled just the right amount. “I just… I guess I didn’t expect someone like you to pay any attention to me. I’m fresh out of school. You already have a whole business empire.”
The sweet little rabbit routine. Harmless. Flattered. Easily impressed.
Harvery’s expression shifted. The flicker of doubt in his eyes vanished, replaced with something warmer, more calculated. “I don’t want to sound cheesy,” he said, taking a step closer, “but honestly? I liked you the moment I saw you.”
That was fast. Too fast. My stomach twisted.
In the last life, those words hadn’t come until halfway through the season. But now? He looked like he couldn’t wait another second to put the charm on.
Everything was changing.
Perhaps my change in demeanor had thrown him off-balance, and he was trying to win back control the only way he knew how: by pressing fast-forward on Arlyne’s plan. Win the girl. Win the trust.
I swallowed hard. “Sorry. Today’s just been... a lot. Would you mind if I showered and went to bed early tonight?”
I didn’t give him a chance to answer. I stood, already moving toward the bathroom.
…
The bathroom door clicked shut behind me, and for a moment, I just stood there. Breathing. Counting.
One... two... three...
The sound of water running helped. I turned the knob, letting the shower stream fill the small space with steam, a veil between me and the outside world. I wasn’t planning on actually getting in—not yet. Especially when Harvery was just a few feet away, probably dissecting my every word and movement.
I sat down on the closed toilet lid and let my head fall into my hands. My heart was still pounding. Being in the same room with Harvery had brought a muscle memory—the dread, the heat, the betrayal.
I could felt fire, licking up my arms. Crawling over my skin.
The way Harvery stood on the sidewalk with her, arms crossed, face impassive, watching me getting burned alive as if it was nothing more than a scene in a film.
I took a steadying breath, then stood, splashing cold water on my face.
I needed to reset. To shift back into the new Lucyll.
You can’t break down now, Lucyll. Remember? You have a lot to do. Being with Harvery was expected. And you can handle all the variables this time.
…
When I finally emerged, towel-dried and dressed in my sleepwear—a pale camisole and loose shorts that looked innocent but strategically offered nothing—Harvery was already stretched across the bed, flipping through the room’s welcome packet like it held stock tips.
He looked up at me. “You okay?” he asked, tone deceptively casual.
I gave him a small, tired smile and nodded. “Just needed a minute.”
He studied me again, gaze dipping too low before politely drifting back to my face, “Understandable. Big day.”
I crawled into bed—on the far side, naturally—and slid under the covers with exaggerated calm. “Are you sleeping here tonight?”
Harvery chuckled. “Relax. I’m a gentleman. I will be sleeping on the cover,” He got up and walked over to the armchair in the corner, grabbing a blanket from the bench. “You want the lamp off?”
“Yeah,” I said softly, curling onto my side, facing the wall. “Thanks.”
The room dimmed. For a moment, silence. Then—his voice, low, curious: “Lucyll?”
I kept my tone light. “Mm?”
“You ever feel like... people aren’t who they say they are?”
I almost laughed. You have no idea.
“Every day,” I murmured, eyes shut. “Goodnight, Harvery.”
“Night.”
…
The next morning, I got a text from Arlyne. “Possible opportunity for you today. Come to Everest HQ at 10.”
I remembered this day from my last life. It was one of those turning points—the moment I had to choose between stepping behind the scenes as a scriptwriter or taking a leap and auditioning for a show. Both paths would’ve secured me a seat at Everest Entertainment. One just came with more spotlight.
Back then, I’d chosen the quiet route. Scriptwriting felt safer. I was shy, unsure of myself, and more comfortable with words than cameras.
But this time, I wanted to make a different choice.
If Arlyne and Harvery were planning to use me—to mold me into some shiny accessory for their public image—I figured I might as well grab the spotlight myself. That way, they wouldn’t get to control the narrative alone.
When Harvery's car pulled up to Everest’s headquarters, Arlyne was already outside, standing with a group of actresses, perfectly poised and smiling like she ran the city. Which, to be fair, she kind of did.
She caught sight of us from across the lot and gave me a wave. A picture-perfect welcome. Cameras might as well have been rolling.
Beside me, Harvery chuckled. “Looks like my mother likes you.”
Liked me? Please. She was setting the table for something, and I was the main course.
But I didn’t flinch. I smiled sweetly and nudged him playfully. “Stop.”
The second I stepped out of the car, Arlyne was already making her way over. “Happy first day on set,” she greeted smoothly, kissing the air near my cheek.
I smiled. “Mr. Everest made the transition… very efficient.”
She laughed lightly, then her tone shifted. “Alright. Time for the real conversation.”
She turned on her heel, and I followed her into the sleek, mirrored lobby. We didn’t stop until we were inside her office. Once the door shut behind us, she turned and gave me a look that could slice diamonds. “Now that you’re officially with Everest, you should know—our resources are endless. Writers. Directors. Acting coaches. If there’s a path you want, we’ll make it happen. So tell me, Lucyll—what do you want?”
“I heard you’re developing a new TV series,” I said. “I’d like to audition.”
Her brows lifted. Genuinely surprised. “Really? I didn’t peg you for the on-camera type.”
I smiled, meeting her gaze. “A girl shouldn't always stay inside of her comfort zone.”
She studied me for a long moment, then her lips curved into an approval. “Well then. Let’s get you in front of the camera.”
Game on.
- Writer
