As the credits rolled, the theater stayed absolutely still for two full seconds. Then the room erupted. Applause hit like a wave. People stood. Some whistled. Someone in the back actually yelled, "Holy crap, that was insane."
Alex let out the breath he had been holding since the opening scene. Angelina nudged him with a smug little smile that said I told you so.
The crowd kept cheering.
Robert Downey Jr leaned forward from the second row. "Dude, that chemistry was unreal. If you two get any more natural on screen, the tabloids are going to combust."
Scarlett clapped so hard her rings clicked. "Love it. Awesome job, you two."
Halle grinned. "You did good. Very good. Like annoyingly good for a first timer."
Caroline whispered to Max, "He really looked like a spy."
Max whispered back, "He looked sexy. Same thing."
The producers approached next. One of them grabbed Alex's hand with both of his own. "The effects looked too real. I actually flinched during the car explosion. How did you even shoot that?"
Alex shrugged. "We used C4."
The producer stared. "Of course you did."
A critic blinked rapidly. "How does a first time actor pull that off? I know he's the best director, but still... Kinda feel unfair. Some of us trained for years."
A random YouTuber whispered to his friend. "Bro. BRO. The effects in the hallway fight looked so real. I thought the explosions were going to come out of the screen."
Kate Winslet stood and clapped harder than the rest. "Bravo. Absolutely brilliant."
Jennifer Lopez muttered, "That kitchen fight scene looked like a continuous shot. How did they even shoot that without breaking their character?"
Ryan Reynolds yelled from the side aisle. "Alex, you absolute menace. Who let you act that well?"
People laughed, praised, and repeated their favorite scenes at him like excited children describing a theme park. Alex kept smiling because he honestly did not know how else to handle the amount of love being thrown at him.
The lights shifted again as Titan staff directed people toward the after-party. Tables were already set with small mountain ranges of food arranged like art pieces. Champagne glasses glittered under soft lighting. Wine poured freely, and at least four separate tables were dedicated entirely to desserts.
Celebrities spread out in groups. Some talked about the stunt sequences. Some gossiped about who had shown up with whom. A few were already speculating about box office numbers and if they should delay their movies from that timeframe to avoid box office clashes.
Alex and Angelina walked through the room together, stopping every few steps to greet someone.
Kate Winslet hugged Alex. "You were wonderful. And now, I'm missing working with you."
"Let's just say, I've something lined up and maybe we can meet up and talk over lunch?" Alex asked.
"I'd love that," Kate replied with a smile.
Chris Hemsworth clapped him on the back. "The fight inside the house. Mate. Stunning."
"Thanks, that was really fun to shoot. We did that all in a single take and don't blame me if I brag a little," Alex replied.
Ryan Reynolds slid into their path, holding two champagne glasses like a salesman. "Alex, Angelina, your chemistry was unbelievable. Emotional, sharp, flirty. Ten out of ten. I almost kissed the screen."
Angelina laughed. "You say that to everyone."
"I do. But I mean it this time."
Alex accepted the champagne. "Thanks."
Ryan leaned closer. "Also, your first acting role and you already have better fight scenes than half the industry. Stop setting the bar so high. Some of us are tired."
More laughter. More glasses raised.
Alex and Angelina kept moving through the room, smiling, answering questions, and pretending not to notice the number of phones discreetly recording them. They shook hands, accepted compliments, dodged three separate attempts to pitch future projects, and endured one producer who spent six minutes explaining why the movie was destined to reshape cinema.
Angelina whispered, "If he talks for two more minutes, I'm hiding under the dessert table."
Alex kept his smile steady. "If you hide, I'm joining you. I'm not taking questions alone."
She nudged him lightly. "We're a team, remember?"
He nodded. "Unfortunately for us both."
When they finally extracted themselves, Alex scanned the crowd again. That was when he spotted them.
Near a tall dessert table stood a trio who looked slightly out of place. Not uncomfortable, just… trying to figure out which cluster of celebrities was safe to approach. Castle held a champagne flute like it was evidence in one of his crime novels. Beside him stood Martha, elegant and observant. Alexis hovered close, starstruck but trying to pretend she wasn't.
Alex leaned toward Angelina. "They look like kittens in a shark tank. Reminds me of my first premiere of Forrest Gump."
Angelina followed his gaze and stifled a laugh. "Let's go rescue them."
Castle noticed them first. Relief spread across his face like someone had finally arrived with a map.
"Alex!" Castle extended his hand. "Congratulations. The movie was incredible."
Alex shook his hand. "Thank you."
Castle took a breath and turned to the women beside him. "This is my mother, Martha Rodgers. And this is my daughter, Alexis."
Martha offered her hand with grace. "Pleasure. I've been following your work from the start, and may I say, I love each and every single one of them. And I just loved the chemistry between you two."
Alex shook her hand. "I'll take the compliment."
Angelina shook Martha's hand too and lit up. "I've seen your theater work. I loved your performance in August on the Hudson. You were incredible."
Martha blinked, surprised for half a second before smiling like someone had just told her she was twenty again. "Thank you. That means a lot coming from you."
Alex then turned to Alexis. She looked like she was trying very hard to stay calm. Her smile was bright, but her eyes were: I have no idea how to talk to you without squeaking.
"Hi," Alex said, extending his hand.
She shook his hand and exhaled like she'd been holding her breath since the trailers. "Hi. I'm a huge fan. The movie was amazing."
"Thank you. Glad you liked it."
Alexis nodded fast. "Those little therapy scenes were funny and kinda got romantic at the end. The stunt on the staircase? I almost spilled my drink."
Castle cut in. "She did spill her drink."
Alex laughed. "I'll try to warn you next time something explodes."
Angelina added, "He never warns me either. I'm convinced he enjoys the chaos."
Alex held up both palms. "I don't enjoy it. I just accept it."
Martha looked around at the glittering crowd. "This is quite a party."
"It gets easier once you know the routes," Angelina said. "Avoid the directors corner unless you want three pitches in five minutes."
"Ryan is safe," Alex said. "Mostly. He only bites if you mention mint chocolate chip."
Castle leaned closer. "He already interrogated me about my shoes."
"Yeah, he does that to new people."
Alex looked at Alexis again. "You want to meet anyone? I can introduce you."
Her eyes widened. "Anyone?"
"As long as they're not currently crying in a bathroom or campaigning for an Oscar."
She laughed. "Then yes. Please."
Angelina smiled. "Come on. Let's make it fun."
Alex, Angelina, Castle, Martha and Alexis moved back into the flow of the party, this time not looking lost at all.
...[Meanwhile]...
Evangeline stood in front of the dessert table with a cupcake in each hand. One had vanilla frosting piled high. The other carried a clean swirl of chocolate. Scarlett stood beside her with the same dilemma.
Evangeline frowned at the vanilla one. "This looks lighter. But the chocolate smells better."
Scarlett took a thoughtful bite of vanilla. "Vanilla is soft and sweet. Good balance. But chocolate has that deeper flavor."
Evangeline tried the chocolate one. "Okay. That's unfair. This is ridiculous. Why are both good?"
Scarlett nodded. "Max and Caroline might be evil. Delicious, profitable evil."
Jeremy Renner walked up and raised an eyebrow. "What are we judging today?"
"Cupcakes," Scarlett said. "We're stuck."
Jeremy inspected the display like he was evaluating props on set. "Chocolate. Easy." He grabbed one and took a bite. "See? Perfection."
Robert Downey Jr appeared with a plate full of desserts. "Scarlett. Evangeline. Why are you two treating cupcakes like a choice between saving the world or blowing it up?"
"We're trying to pick a favorite," Scarlett said.
RDJ took both cupcakes from Evangeline's hands, tasted each, and squinted. "Vanilla wins for breakfast. Chocolate wins for emotional support. This is science."
Evangeline sighed. "That didn't help."
Scarlett shrugged. "We'll eat both."
RDJ approved with a nod. "Smart move."
They grabbed new plates and continued debating with zero progress with new flavors.
Halle stood a few feet away near the quiet end of the room. She was speaking with Jennifer Lopez, who looked locked in.
Halle pointed at her phone calendar. "Late September would be good. People are back from vacations. No holiday rush. But mid October has stronger streaming numbers."
JLO tapped her chin. "October has good traction. But September gives us more room for promo."
Halle nodded. "We can shoot the photos in August. Drop the teaser first week of September. Launch near the end."
JLO smiled. "That works. And we both look amazing in fall palettes."
Halle laughed. "Exactly. Gold lighting, warm tones. Easy win."
The two bumped fists and saved the date. [They were talking about their new singles, not the one with SJ involved.]
Across the room, Max and Caroline stood near a cluster of empty cupcake trays that had been cleared out faster than expected. Max looked at the crumbs left behind with pride. Two caterers brought more cupcakes and donuts.
Caroline checked her phone. "Look at this. Four big YouTubers already posted clips about the cupcakes and donuts. One called them the best bite at a Hollywood event this year."
Max grinned. "I told you. Celebs love sugar. And influencers love anything they can film."
Caroline swiped again. "We already have three new catering requests. Two from actors. One from a producer. This is wild."
Max leaned in and nodded toward SJ's group. "And this is only the after-party. Imagine what happens when the photos of Scarlett's group over there hit the internet tomorrow."
Caroline's smile widened. "We might need to upgrade the ovens of all shops."
Max laughed. "I'm finally getting my black card."
"You already have one," Caroline said, looking at her.
"Since when?" Max asked.
"Wait! You didn't open that box I gave you two months back?"
"Ah! Opsie. I forgot."
"Max!"
"What? I was busy with Moneybags. He gave me this new head massage and, god, he was really awesome. After he was done with me, I was like jello."
Caroline sighed, shaking her head.
Their trays emptied again as another small group of celebrities drifted over, looking for seconds.
...
[Event end]
The after-party slowly thinned out as the final clusters of celebrities drifted toward the exits like glittery, exhausted migratory birds. Staff cleared tables. Music lowered. Someone yawned so loudly it echoed.
Within twenty minutes, the once roaring event had settled into that strange post-premiere calm where the lights felt softer and the carpet finally got a break from high heels with violent intentions.
Alex stretched his shoulders. "Alright. Everyone go home. I got an emergency meeting."
Scarlett saluted him with a half-eaten macaron. Halle blew him a tired kiss. Evangeline waved a cupcake wrapper in defeat. Angelina hugged him goodnight before heading toward her car with the relaxed shuffle of someone who had carried the movie, the party, and probably two actresses who almost cried over clutches.
Max and Caroline were the last two hovering.
Caroline kissed Alex on the cheek. "Don't stay up late. You look like you're three espresso shots past healthy."
Alex smirked. "This is my natural glow."
Caroline squinted. "It's the glow of a man who forgot what sleep is."
She headed out.
Max stayed behind, fidgeting with her purse. Alex raised an eyebrow. "Everything alright?"
*****
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[5 advance chs] [All chs available for all tiers] [No double billing.]
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