Chapter 80 Stuck at the Film set
Dandelion.
"Five million views in forty-eight hours," Director Diego said, shaking his head in disbelief. "The festival director called me personally. They want your film for opening night."
I sat in the production office, still trying to process the number. Five million people had watched that twenty-second clip. Five million people.
"Opening night is huge," I managed to say. "Are you sure they want me? After everything?"
"Dandelion, they're not asking in because of your scandal. They're asking because of your performance. Because you're brilliant." He slid a contract across the desk excitedly. "This is the official agreement. Film festival premiere, guaranteed distribution deal if you accept, and also some awards consideration. Isn't it awesome!."
My hands trembled as I picked up the papers. This was real. My comeback wasn't just happening, it was happening along with all the benefits.
"Director I need to read through this properly."
"Of course. Take your time. But Dandelion?" He smiled. "Get ready. Your life is about to change again. This time for the better."
I left the office. After an hour of reading the contract thoroughly along with my new manager, I signed the contract, feeling like I was floating and went to submit it back to director Diego. I bade him goodbye and headed outside.
But the moment I stepped outside, I froze.
The parking lot was swarming with people. Dozens of photographers, reporters, cameras everywhere. They found out I was here.
"Dandelion! Over here!"
"Ms. Williams, how does it feel to be making a comeback?"
"Is it true you've signed a three picture deal?"
"Who helped you get this role?"
I froze on the steps, my heart hammering. There were too many of them. And I had no security to clear path to my car.
"Dandelion, look this way!"
Flashes of camera went off like lightning. I brought my hand up to shield my eyes, taking a step back toward the building.
"Give her some space!" Director Diego appeared beside me, trying to wave the crowd back. But they didn't budge.
"Just one photo, Dandelion!"
"A statement about Chase Brussel!"
I retreated fully into the building, the door closed behind me muffling the shouting.
"I'm so sorry," Director Diego said. "I had no idea they'd find out you were here. Someone must have tipped them off."
"It's not your fault." I pulled out my phone with shaking hands. "I just need to call for a car with security."
"Use my office. Take your time."
I went back inside, dialing Walter. He answered on the first ring.
"Mrs. Graham. Is everything alright?"
"I'm stuck at the film set. There's paparazzi everywhere. I can't get to my car."
"Okay, Stay inside. I'll send security immediately. They should be there in twenty minutes."
Twenty minutes felt like an eternity with that mob outside, but I had no choice.
"Thank you, Walter."
I hung up and sank into a chair, trying to calm down. This was part of being famous again. I knew that. But after months of hiding, of being invisible, the sudden attention felt overwhelming.
My phone buzzed. It's a text from Alex.
I'm outside, Don't come out yet.
My heart jumped. Alex was here?
I went to the window and peaked through the blinds.
I sighted Alex's black sleek car a few meters away from the paparazzi.
The paparazzi swarmed it immediately with cameras flashing. But it seemed like there was no one inside.
My phone rang. It's Alex.
"There's a side door near the production office," he said immediately. "Meet me there."
"How did you know where I was?"
"Walter told me you had a meeting here today. I was going to surprise you and take you home. I didn't expect a circus."
"You shouldn't have come. If they see us together--"
"I know. That's why we're being careful. Just get to the side door now."
He hung up.
I grabbed my bag and found Director Diego. "Director, I have a ride. Thank you for everything."
"Alright, Be safe out there. And Congratulations, You earned this."
I nodded with a smile.
The side door led to a small alley where Alex's was. He was standing with his hand in his pockets. Even with the stress of the situation, my stupid heart skipped at the sight of him.
"You came," I said.
"Of course I came. You were stuck." He said, his eyes scanning my face. "You okay?"
I sighed,"There's so many of them."
"Don't worry, I called for backup security. They'll be here in five minutes." He glanced toward the front of the building where the crowd was still gathered. "But we need to be smart about this. If they get photos of us together, they'll dig into who I am."
"Then maybe you should go. Let the security handle it when they arrive."
"I'm not leaving you here alone."
The firmness in his voice made my chest ache. We were still in this weird space between confession and trust, we still hadn't talked about what happened at the resort, but he dropped everything to come get me.
"Alex, how did you manage to get through the crowd." I asked suddenly realizing that his car was parked at the front but he had managed to get to the alley.
"Everyone in Greenville knows my Name, but only a few people have seen me directly, so it was easy to walk past them without much attention, and this situation is the exact reason I avoid publicity."He explained calmly, like it was the most common thing.
I felt slightly opportuned to be among the few that has come in direct contact with him. And even share the same bed with him, everyday.
A black SUV pulled into the alley. Six large men in suits got out, clearly professional security.
"Mr. Graham," the leader said with a respectful nod. "We'll create a path to your vehicle. But sir, I recommend disguising yourselves. The paparazzi will try to identify you."
He was already pulling items from the SUV. Two black face masks and a pair of dark sunglasses.
Alex collected one of the masks, and personally slipped it on my face arranging my hair in place like a kid, it made my feel tingly and flushed.
"This is ridiculous." I muttered, my cheeks were probably red underneath the mask.
"It's necessary." He said putting on the sunglasses, "Unless you want tomorrow's headline to be about your secret billionaire boyfriend."
"You're not my boyfriend."I said almost immediately.
He smirked. "Right. Well we still don't need the media circus that comes with that speculation."
He put on the mask transforming into someone unrecognizable, like a spy in a bad movie.
The security team moved toward the front. "We'll go out the main entrance," the lead guard explained. "Ready?"
I nodded, my stomach in knots.
Alex's hand found mine. "Stay close to me."
And we walked toward the chaos together.
The moment we stepped outside, the noise hit us like a physical wall.
"Dandelion! Who's with you?"
"Is that your boyfriend?"
"Sir, can we get a name?"
The security formed a tight barrier around us, but the photographers pushed forward anyway. Cameras flashed continuously. Someone tried shoving a microphone toward me.
"Ms. Williams, who's your mystery man?"
Alex's arm came around me, his hand pressing protectively against my lower back as he guided me forward. His touch was possessive and protective.
I could hear the cameras capturing every angle.
"Move back!" the security shouted, but the paparazzi were relentless.
Someone managed to grab my sleeve. And I stumbled, but Alex caught me immediately, pulling me against his chest.
"Don't touch her." he said, his voice was calm and low, but dangerous enough that the photographer actually stepped back.
We were almost to the car when someone shouted, "Are you the one who helped her comeback? Did you pay for her lawyers?"
Alex ignored them, opening the car door. He slid in beside me, slamming the door shut.
The security held the paparazzi back as the car pulled away. Through the tinted windows, I could see them still taking pictures, still shouting questions.
"That was insane," I breathed, pulling off the mask.
Alex removed his sunglasses, "Are you hurt? That photographer grabbed you."
"I'm fine." I looked at him, "You didn't have to Come get me and risk being photographed."
"It's okay."He said simply, and pulled out his phone typing something. "I'm telling Walter to monitor social media. If photos of us go viral, we need to control the narrative before the speculation runs wild."
"Why? Your face is covered. No one knows it's you."
"I know, But people will start digging more. They might start tracking you and anyone you've been in contact with. You have to be careful now Dandy." He said seriously.