The midday sun shone brightly over Riverside Hills. The leaves cast their shadows over the front entrance of the old mansion rented for filming. The air was filled with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee, the aroma of sliced watermelon, and the soft hum of portable fans.
Adrian Foster watched Olivia Hart from the entrance. She walked across the courtyard with a firm stride, holding a notebook full of notes. There was something about her demeanor that was impossible for him to ignore: she wasn't Olivia Hart the actress, nor the fashion influencer; she was a focused, determined director, as if she were writing the history of the world herself.
"Hey," Adrian said, walking toward her. "You look different when you're working. Less of an actress, more of a strategist."
Olivia turned her head slightly and raised an eyebrow.
"Are you a critic or an admirer, Foster?" he replied with a half-ironic smile.
"A bit of both." Adrian paused to look at her, crossing his arms. "And I get the impression we're both weird."
She laughed, a clear, unadorned sound.
—Perfect, two weirdos then. And you're the most arrogant of all.
The laughter spread across the set, drawing curious glances from the production team. But Adrian didn't even notice. For him, that moment was special: the lightness of Olivia's laugh had something magnetic about it, something he hadn't found in any other woman.
As they walked toward the main entrance, Adrian couldn't help but wonder what she thought of him. Olivia Hart, the brilliant creative manager, the woman who always seemed to have everything under control, maintained a kind of barrier. And he, a millionaire and always accustomed to getting what he wanted, was intrigued.
"Do you think you've ever had a boyfriend?" Adrian asked, taking a piece of watermelon that Olivia offered him.
She stopped, smiled with a certain mysterious air and replied:
—Since college, no one has managed to get me to stay. Many have tried… and I always said no.
"Why?" Adrian asked softly.
She looked at him for a long time, as if evaluating him.
—Because it's not about love for love's sake. It's about finding someone who understands what really matters. Not everyone does that. And I... haven't found anyone worth it.
Adrian smiled silently, with a mixture of satisfaction and curiosity. That confession made her more human, more real.
"Then I guess we're on the same page," he replied. "Because I don't waste my emotions either. Much less on those who aren't worth it."
A comfortable silence settled between them. The sound of cicadas and a few birdsong filled the air. The sweet scent of fresh watermelon floated in the air. It was an intimate moment, albeit one surrounded by a noisy set.
But then, a voice cut through the moment. It was Marcus Reed, the lead producer, known for his strict nature and profit-driven obsession.
"Olivia, what is this?" he said, striding forward. "This script is useless. No one is going to pay for a twenty-minute silent video. This isn't art, it's a waste of time."
The tension was palpable in the air. Olivia pressed her lips together, trying to remain calm, but Adrian had already taken a step forward.
"Marcus," Adrian said, his voice firm, "I'm funding this project. And if Olivia wants to record twenty minutes of silence, I'll cover every second. So stop questioning her vision and do your job."
The silence was absolute. Marcus lowered his head, muttering something before leaving. Olivia watched him for a few seconds, with a mixture of surprise and gratitude.
"You shouldn't have gotten involved," she whispered.
"Of course," Adrian replied. "We're two weirdos, and weirdos should protect each other."
She smiled, though there was a twinkle in her eyes he couldn't quite decipher. That smile held something both tender and defiant.
Filming continued. The set was filled with murmurs, laughter, and hurried footsteps. Adrián became an active part of the shoot, helping to adjust lights, holding reflectors, and correcting small details Olivia had noted in her notebook. It was clear to both of them that something special had happened that day.
As evening fell, Olivia approached Adrian as he settled on a small back terrace, away from the noise of the set.
"You know," he said, looking at the orange-tinged horizon, "the world may never understand us."
Adrian watched her, fixedly.
—That they don't understand us is what makes us interesting.
She turned to look into his eyes, and for a moment the world seemed to stop. It was as if they were alone, isolated from the noise, the cameras, and the production. He smiled knowingly, and she reciprocated, letting out a light laugh.
But before they could continue talking, her phone rang. Olivia took it out of her pocket, read the message, and her face changed. Adrian noticed the tension.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
She was silent for a few seconds, then replied:
—We have a problem. And it's not a small one.
Adrian leaned toward her, curious. She took a deep breath and nodded.
—You'll know tomorrow. But for now… enjoy this moment.
They both stood in silence, watching the sky turn from orange to deep blue, as Riverside Hills sank into an almost magical calm. It was the calm before the storm.
And perhaps, also, the beginning of something unexpected.