My Actor, My Love

ose beneath the soft sheets. The silence of th

ough the curtains, her mind

d at her, the wa

dening all at once. Her smile faded

deep into regret, a knoc

fore heading to the door. Standing, a deliveryman wa

Delivery for Ms. Smith." She b

She signed and gently too

art racing. It felt expensive. Important. Carefully, she untied the ribbon

l. Good morning

you. I hope it brighten

est, a strange mixture of joy

e didn't need a name.

in her hand. An

quickly into confusion. Why didn't he contact me direc

for a second,

el

peaker like honey, smooth and casual, like they'

ers curling around the

e was relaxed, teasing, and full of that quiet p

he end, "but I'll always find tim

chest. Slowly, she closed the box, not even bothering to

ther knock pulled

ing in high-waisted jeans, sun

seen a ghost," Nuala j

box out of sight and forced

on the couch. "You've been glow

the question

ess further. But when a message flashed on Rassel's phon

ed. "Okay,

the screen. "No one. Ju

a brow. "At

quickly. "He's

ie, and they

heir favorite upscale bar-luxurious and mostly out of reach for people like R

t her worries slowly unravel. Nuala, ever the socialite, ordered a round of drinks, and

their cares forgotten. But as the hours passed, Rassel began to feel t

ed her to the car, where she promptly vomited. Spent some

e to be found. In the midst of the chaos, Noah's call came through, and Rassel, in her drunken state, ans

murmured, v

voice was sharp this t

s with Nuala... now I'm not..." What location are you in? I will check... no I w

moved

through traffic until he spotted her outside the

ing beneath the brim of his cap. "If you

er lips trembling with a

and guiding her into the passenger seat. S

bar, looking for her, he calle

r was trying to ask, Who is on the phone before he could finis

lped her inside. She leaned

inside the alcohol instead of drink

ispered, burying her f

e said tightly.

her shoes, and sat beside her, watching

she was shocked to find a man sleeping beside her. Panic set in as she fumbled for the

usement as Rassel struggled

n beside you on the bed," he said, his voic

me you drink this much. What if I'm not close by to take care of you?" His w

ightly, Rassel felt a sense of sa

one who cared for her deeply. And as she hugged h