Obsession and Young Love

CHAPTER 1

Ethan’s eyes moved from his computer screen to the framed photograph on his desk—a simple picture of the city skyline, the one he’d taken on a rare day off. He leaned back, letting out a deep sigh, and mentally prepped himself for another round of the same-old tasks as an entertainment manager. For all the years he’d spent in the industry, he’d been nowhere close to the big leagues. He was the “background guy”—reliable, professional, and admittedly a bit old-fashioned.

That’s when his phone buzzed with a text from his boss.

“New client for you. It’s Alex.”

Ethan’s heart did a strange flip. Alex? As in Alex West, the famously unmanageable, impossibly talented young actor? Ethan’s mind reeled, but he didn’t have long to process the news. A sharp knock on his office door cut through his thoughts, and a moment later, Alex himself walked in with his assistant in tow.

Ethan quickly rose to his feet, plastering on a polite, professional smile to mask his inner turmoil. Stay calm, he told himself, act normal.

“Mr. West,” he greeted, offering his hand. “Pleasure to meet you.”

Alex shook his hand, his grip surprisingly firm, eyes gleaming with a kind of mischief Ethan hadn’t anticipated. “Oh, please—call me Alex,” he replied, an easy grin spreading across his face. “We’re going to be close, aren’t we?”

Ethan chuckled nervously, doing his best to keep the conversation light. “Well, I hope I can help, at least.”

The assistant stepped forward, handing Ethan a folder. “This contains everything he’ll need, but there’s one small request. For safety, Alex will need a more… stable living arrangement.” She paused, glancing at Alex, then back at Ethan. “Someplace with less paparazzi visibility.”

Ethan blinked. “And… that would mean?”

Alex flashed him a sheepish grin, crossing his arms and leaning back against the desk. “Basically, I’d need to stay at your place.”

Ethan’s mind raced. “My place? I… I’m not sure my apartment is exactly what you’re looking for. It’s not particularly spacious, and definitely not the type of place a celebrity would consider… comfortable.”

Alex tilted his head, feigning interest. “Oh? Sounds cozy already. Just what I need.”

The assistant chimed in, smiling. “It would only be temporary, of course. Alex’s recent… issues with previous managers have made his situation a bit tricky.” She looked pointedly at Ethan. “But we believe that under your care, he’ll be in good hands.”

Ethan shifted, feeling a tug of responsibility. He knew he’d been assigned this job because he was the only one who hadn’t fled at the mention of Alex’s name. That made him wonder what he was getting himself into.

“Well,” he said, thinking carefully. “I guess… we can make it work.”

A slow smile spread across Alex’s face, his eyes twinkling with amusement. “Look at that. Didn’t even need much convincing.”

Ethan tried to reorient himself, steadying his thoughts. “I assume you’re, uh… good with a quiet setup? My place isn’t exactly… celebrity material.”

Alex leaned back, crossing his legs casually, looking around Ethan’s modest office as if envisioning his life there. “I think I’ll manage,” he said, feigning a dramatic sigh. “What kind of amenities are we talking here, Mr. Manager? Private chef? Infinity pool?”

Ethan chuckled, relaxing just a bit. “More like a fridge stocked with leftovers and a coffee machine that’s on its last legs,” he admitted. “The fanciest thing you’ll find in my place is… a collection of very old action movies.”

“Action movies?” Alex perked up, his assistant rolling her eyes in mock exasperation.

“Don’t encourage him,” she muttered with a grin. “He’s already ruined his assistant’s tolerance for ‘80s movies.”

Alex ignored her, smirking at Ethan. “Well, I can work with that. There’s a lot to be said for a classic.”

“Oh really?” Ethan asked, raising a skeptical eyebrow. “You’re a fan of the classics, then? Rambo, Die Hard… Terminator?”

“More of a… Die Hard guy,” Alex replied, his voice dropping into a serious tone, though his eyes were twinkling. “Something about fighting villains barefoot really speaks to me, you know?”

Ethan laughed, shaking his head. It was surreal, sitting here talking about action movies with a celebrity he’d only dreamed of meeting. There was something almost easy in their back-and-forth, something that felt familiar. He caught himself in the moment, quickly returning to his “professional” self, worried he’d slipped too far into the friend zone.

“Good to know you’re a Bruce Willis fan,” Ethan said, clearing his throat. “Though, I don’t think you’ll need to go barefoot during your stay. My place has all the luxuries of an economy apartment—bath mats, non-slip floors.”

“Safety first, huh?” Alex grinned, leaning forward with an amused look. “I don’t know, Ethan. Maybe you’re underselling it.”

“I wouldn’t want you getting the wrong idea and filing a complaint about ‘no infinity pool,’” Ethan said dryly. “You do know this is temporary, right?”

Alex’s assistant interjected with a soft laugh, “I think he’s gotten the memo.”

Alex, however, wasn’t about to let Ethan off so easily. “Noted. So I’ll put off ordering the gold-leaf pillows?”

“Please do,” Ethan replied, his smile widening despite himself. “Although, if you’re interested in vinyl record collections, I can’t promise I don’t have one hiding in a closet somewhere.”

“Even better.” Alex’s expression softened slightly, and for a moment, he looked almost… genuine, almost vulnerable. He lowered his gaze, his tone less teasing. “Honestly, thank you, Ethan. I know this is a weird request. I just…” He paused, glancing out the window briefly before meeting Ethan’s eyes again. “I could use some time out of the spotlight. Some place that feels normal.”

Ethan blinked, taken aback by the sincerity in Alex’s words. He hadn’t expected that—the vulnerability, the glimpse of someone who was just a young man, tired of the life he’d created. It tugged at something deep within him, the part that had admired Alex from afar, who had wondered what he was really like.

“Well,” Ethan said softly, his voice gentler than before, “you’re welcome to my not-so-luxurious pad, then. No infinity pools, no paparazzi. Just some action movies and leftover pizza.”

Alex’s face broke into a genuine smile. “Sounds perfect.”

Ethan could hardly believe it—their exchange felt like something out of a dream. By the time they shook hands again and agreed on the specifics, Ethan was smiling wider than he had in ages. Even as Alex left with his assistant, leaving the office quieter and emptier, Ethan felt a thrill that stayed with him. This was only the beginning, he knew. And yet, he couldn’t shake the feeling that this moment—this ordinary conversation about action movies and leftovers—had marked the start of something extraordinary.

The next day came quicker than Ethan anticipated. He’d barely had time to clear out a spare room and put fresh sheets on the bed when he heard a knock at his apartment door. Opening it, he found Alex standing there with a single duffel bag in hand, a smug expression on his face, and, of course, his ever-present assistant.

“Ready to turn your life upside down?” Alex asked, smirking as he glanced over Ethan’s shoulder, taking in the modest living room.

Ethan held the door open, his face a mixture of exasperation and amusement. “Let’s get one thing clear—this isn’t a permanent situation. I don’t need my life too turned upside down.”

Alex stepped inside, casting a leisurely gaze around the apartment. “No worries, Ethan. I’ll try not to destroy too many of your treasured possessions,” he teased, lifting an eyebrow as he spotted a row of DVDs. “But if I happen to ruin your Die Hard collection, well… that’s just a risk we’re both going to have to live with.”

“Just as long as you don’t bring any explosions into my living room,” Ethan replied, rolling his eyes but secretly pleased to see Alex enjoying himself.

As they moved further inside, Alex’s assistant set down the extra bags she’d carried and began listing off a few last-minute details. “Just a reminder, Alex will be here indefinitely but hopefully not long-term. I’ll be coordinating the rest of his schedule remotely, so, Ethan, feel free to reach out if you need anything for him.” She looked pointedly at Alex. “And try not to give him too much trouble.”

“No promises,” Alex said with a mischievous grin, then turned back to Ethan. “So, what’s on the agenda? A grand tour?”

Ethan chuckled and motioned around the modest apartment. “Well, it won’t take long. Here’s the living room.” He pointed towards a couch with a slightly worn but comfortable look. “That’s the kitchen,” he said, gesturing to the small, open area with a fridge, microwave, and coffee maker that looked like it might break at any moment. “Bathroom’s down the hall, and… that’s pretty much it.”

Alex glanced around, pretending to look unimpressed. “I was hoping for a home theater at the very least,” he joked, then settled himself on the couch, stretching out like he owned the place.

Ethan gave him a pointed look. “Don’t get too comfortable, Alex. Remember, you’re still a guest here.”

“Right, right,” Alex replied, smirking. “Guest. Got it. So, where’s my room?”

Ethan led him down the hall, stopping at the door to the spare bedroom. “This is you,” he said, opening the door to reveal a cozy but simple room, with a twin bed, a small dresser, and a window that overlooked the street.

Alex stepped inside, surveying it with a slight nod. “It’s… quaint,” he said, but there was a glint of humor in his eyes. “I can work with this.”

“Good,” Ethan replied, leaning against the doorframe. “And, just so you know, I’m not your butler. I’m still your manager, even if you’re crashing here. So don’t expect five-star service.”

Alex raised an eyebrow, his smirk never faltering. “I wouldn’t dream of it, Ethan.” He paused, as if something had just occurred to him, and then asked, “So… who else lives here? You got a wife or kids hidden somewhere?”

Ethan blinked, slightly caught off guard. “No, no one else. Just me.”

Alex looked at him with feigned surprise. “Really? A single, hardworking manager, all alone in the big city?”

Ethan chuckled, shrugging. “That’s about the size of it. Work’s kept me busy. Not much time for… anything else.”

Alex’s expression softened, a thoughtful look in his eyes. “Guess I get that,” he said, his voice quieter, almost vulnerable. “It’s not exactly easy to keep people around in this business.”

The moment hung between them, a beat longer than Ethan had anticipated. He felt a strange pull—a sense of connection that went beyond the job, beyond the celebrity status. But he shook it off, clearing his throat.

“Well, you’re welcome to relax for a bit. I’ve got some calls to make, so…” He gestured toward the living room.

Alex nodded, his playful mask sliding back into place. “Thanks, Ethan. I’ll try not to rearrange too much.”

Ethan gave him a wry smile before heading back to the kitchen, leaving Alex alone to settle in. Yet, even as he moved on to his work, he couldn’t quite shake the feeling that having Alex here—joking, teasing, bringing a new energy into his quiet life—was going to change everything.