IRENE'S POV
This isn't happening.
It can't be happening.
No one, I mean no one, has ever entered my dressing room except Mummy T. But now, someone just did, and not just anyone. That voice…
I froze, my eyes still lowered, afraid to turn.
"I know you don't want people to see your face," the voice said gently. "I get it. But I'm just... curious, okay? It's crazy, but I can't get you off my mind. Maybe if I see your face, I'll stop thinking about you like this."
God.
It sounded like him.
Bright.
Mr. Bright.
But no, it couldn't be. Could it?
Panic clawed at my chest. My masks were already packed in my bag. If he reached forward, if he turned me around, I was done. My secret would be out. Sugar would have a face, and so would all the lies I built around her.
I opened my mouth to say something, anything…
"Excuse me, sir. You need to leave. This area is restricted."
Mummy T's voice just came at the right time.
"If you don't step out now, I'll have security escort you."
Footsteps shuffled behind me. Then silence, and he was gone.
I exhaled, long and hard. My knees nearly gave out.
Mummy T stepped in and closed the door behind her.
"You okay, Sugar?"
"Yeah," I nodded, still catching my breath. "How did he even get in here?"
"No idea," she huffed. "But those bouncers are getting an earful when I'm done."
I hesitated, then asked, "Did you… See his face?"
She shook her head. "Not clearly. He was wearing a face cap and dark shades. But trust me, he's tall… and fine."
I blinked.
Was that… a smile on Mummy T's face?
I found myself smiling too.
"Thanks, Mummy T. I'll finish getting ready. I'll use the back door tonight."
"Good. And take your time, Sugar. You've got them wrapped around your finger."
She winked, then left me alone.
But my mind wasn't on my performance anymore.
That voice was still echoing in my head.
**************
ANITA'S POV
The second the breeze of New York touched my skin, I knew it was it.
This was home.
I sat quietly in the backseat, staring out the window, my heart thumping with nerves and memories. Five years. It had been five whole years since I last set foot in this city, and somehow, nothing had changed.
But I had.
The car pulled up to our house, and I barely had time to open the door before Mum rushed out and wrapped me in a hug so tight that I nearly lost my balance.
"Welcome home, my child," she whispered, stroking my back. "Freshen up and come eat, okay?"
My dad stood by the door, arms crossed as usual. Affection was never his strong suit, but the warmth in his voice told me he'd missed me, too.
"I will," I smiled.
The maids carried my luggage upstairs. Their faces were new, unfamiliar. Then again, it had been five years.
I stood alone in my old room, still painted the same shade of pearl pink.
After a quick shower, I headed downstairs to join my parents for dinner.
The dining table was still set like royalty. I sat, inhaled the smell of Mom's seasoned rice, and began eating like I hadn't tasted home-cooked food in years.
I looked around.
"Where's Bella?" I asked between bites.
"She has a shoot," Dad replied with a faint chuckle. "If only she'd listen for once. Either go to a proper film school or find something else to do. Have you seen that recent movie she was in? Cringe-worthy."
I winced.
He wasn't wrong.
"If not for Bright's influence," Dad continued, "no one would cast her. She's that bad."
"Peter!" Mom snapped, horrified.
Typical.
Dad: blunt and brutally honest.
Mom: soft, hopeful, always defending us, even when it was pointless.
But that name.
Bright.
It still did something to me.
I smiled faintly, imagining the look on his face when I showed up at his doorstep again.
I just hoped whatever leftover feelings I had buried inside me… stayed buried.
*************
IRENE'S POV
Monday came too fast.
The weekend flew by in a blur, and now here I was, dragging myself out of bed for my first official day as Lily's nanny.
I hopped into the shower and came out five minutes later to find a surprise waiting for me.
"Erica!" I shouted.
She was placing outfit after outfit on my bed like it was a runway. Maya stood nearby, holding a pair of stilettos and giggling like she was in on the plan.
"What is going on?" I asked. "When did you even get in here?"
"You took forever in the shower," Erica said, smirking. "So I thought, let's make an entrance. You need something that announces your presence. Something that makes heads turn."
I shot Maya a look. "Can you go check on Sophie, please? You know how she tosses around in bed."
Maya nodded and quickly left the room.
I turned to Erica, ready to enter my wardrobe, until she blocked me with both arms like a bouncer.
"You're wearing what I picked. Just imagine, what if one of his celebrity friends walks in and sees you looking like a goddess? That could mean huge exposure for my brand!"
She tucked a loose strand of my hair behind my ear. A trick she always used when she wanted something.
"Haven't you ever heard of beauty privilege?" she whispered. "Have you even seen yourself in a mirror lately? You're a perfect ten, Irene. Own it."
"Fine," I sighed. "The black gown. It is simple, my style, and less dramatic."
I saw her grin like she'd just won a Grammy. "The black gown, then my friend."
********
I arrived at Bright's house feeling… ready. I couldn't explain it, but something about today felt different, maybe the dress gave me an extra confidence.
No delays at the gate, no protocols, and no explanations needed today. He must've informed security already.
As I stepped into the living room, I caught sight of him.
Standing in the center of the room, alone… muttering lines under his breath.
At first, I thought he was talking to himself. Then I realized he was acting.
Practicing.
I watched from a corner quietly, hiding a small laugh I couldn't hold in. But it slipped out anyway.
He turned.
"Oh, you're here," he said, rubbing the back of his neck. "Sorry. I was trying to get into character. Mafia role. First time trying something like that."
Without thinking, I rolled my eyes.
"Yeah," I said. "Without being told, I can tell it's your first time. You suck at it."
The words flew out before I could catch them.
His eyes widened.
And before I could apologize, I heard a sharp voice from behind me
"Excuse me?"
My stomach dropped.
Even without turning around, that voice was threatening.
"I said, Who do you think you are to speak to my son like that?"
Her son.
Oh no.
Oh God.
I'm about to lose this job before I've even started it.