Chapter 3: Breaking Old Chains

He was mysterious, so I played along. "Why?"

"Because you managed Carter."

He gave me a thumbs up. "At first, nothing special. But as Carter rose, smart folks saw his ceiling: second-tier at best."

"But you broke the mold. Took him all the way."

"Maddie, you’re a miracle worker."

He laid it on thick. If only it felt like a miracle. I shrugged. It was tough, but not as magical as he made it sound.

"Everyone wants your skills."

The director shook his head. "When news broke you left Carter, every media company wanted you for their new talent. But Julian snatched you up before anyone else had a chance."

He was quick, but I was the one who reached out. As for the compliments, I just smiled, letting it all wash over me.

Julian finished his scene and asked what we were talking about, so I told him. He agreed.

"You’ve got talents you don’t even see."

Do I? I doubted it.

During lunch, the crew told me Carter was looking for me, which surprised me. He’d been MIA for weeks. Why now?

"I’ll go with you."

Julian offered, and I didn’t refuse.

Outside, Carter glared at me. "Maddie, you’re ruthless. Are you trying to ruin me?"

Here we go again. I went cold. "Say your piece, or get lost."

"Heh, impatient? You’re just mad I chose Brooke!"

"Let me tell you, I’d rather die than want someone like you!"

Unbelievable. I slapped him, hard. Laughed in his face. "Came all this way just to get smacked?"

If he hadn’t come after me, I would’ve forgotten him. But he shouldn’t have shown up just to insult me! No matter how much he hates me, he’s not as shameless as his own face!

"You dare hit me?"

Carter’s eyes reddened, swinging at me, but before I could dodge, Julian stepped in, voice like ice. "Try it."

"Julian?"

Carter knew who he was. He looked between us, then sneered. "Maddie, is this your new boyfriend?"

"You’re good at seducing men."

Unbelievable. The nerve. I broke free from Julian and slapped Carter again, furious. "That’s for your mouth. And that’s for being ungrateful."

I managed him for ten years. We could’ve parted as friends. But he kept pushing! With his meager talent, he still thought I was sabotaging him? He had no clue.

I hit him hard. Carter’s face puffed up, stunned. "You dare hit me… you dare…" He never did know when to quit.

"Get lost!" I yelled, and he flinched, running off. "Maddie, I can make it without you!"

His bravado crumbled.

I snorted—what a joke. Turning back, I saw Julian watched me, eyes unreadable. I forced a smile. "Sorry, dragged you into this."

My temper really is something. Such a good chance for a hero to save the damsel, and I rushed in myself? Julian must think I’m a hot mess. It’s all Carter’s fault!

"It’s fine."

Julian was actually gentle in private—at least with me, he was as sweet as a puppy. At that moment, his deep eyes fixed on me.

"I mean it, Maddie. I’ll treat you right."

A breeze drifted by, carrying his words. I quickly looked away. Wasn’t I supposed to be the one winning him over?

His unfairly handsome face was to blame.

......

Carter went on a desperate audition spree, trying to prove himself, but without me as his ticket, he got rejected everywhere. Didn’t even bother to keep up. Even indie films didn’t want him. I just heard the gossip from friends, then forgot it.

The role I found for Julian fit him perfectly, and I was determined to make a splash. I lived on set, breathed the script, ate whatever the crew was having. I was too busy to care about irrelevant people, and Julian only wanted to talk to me.

He loved sitting at a tiny diner table with me, talking scenes, handing me coffee, listening to every word. I got used to his reserved but intense gaze. And his warmth and humor with me, but coolness with everyone else. We found our own rhythm.

The shoot wrapped fast. At the afterparty, the director beamed,

"Maddie, you’re amazing. If Julian’s free for the next film, let’s work together again!"

"Thank you. If there’s a chance, let’s do it."

I smiled and clinked glasses with him. Before I could even take a sip, Julian snatched my glass. "Didn’t you say your stomach’s bad? Why drink?"

Before I could answer, he downed half the wine himself.

The director laughed, "Julian’s so considerate! Another round!"

The result: Julian ended up totally sloshed.

I drove him home, shaking my head—what a difference. For Carter, I’d drunk myself sick and never got a thank you. Now, I did nothing and Julian shielded me. Seriously, what was I thinking all those years?

I was as familiar with Maple Heights as my own street by now. I got Julian into bed, about to make him some hangover soup, when he started whining, "Maddie, I’m hot!"

Man, he really is a lightweight.

I teased, "I’ll turn on the AC, okay?"

"No, I want to take off my clothes."

He muttered, cheeks flushed, eyes glazed, fumbling with his shirt buttons, failing, looking so frustrated his eyes went watery. He looked at me, big puppy eyes, totally helpless. "Maddie, I can’t… help me…"

Me: "!!!" Handsome men should come with warning labels!

I turned to grab the remote, but he grabbed my sleeve, and in the scuffle I landed on top of him.

"Oof!" He groaned. I tried to get up, but he hugged me tighter. His eyes, drunk and hungry, burned into me. My heart pounded.

His scent—cologne and wine—made my head spin. I tried to pull away, but he just held on, his breath hot on my neck, sending shivers down my spine.

"Maddie…" He mumbled, and my heart almost jumped out of my chest. He smelled so good, so sweet.

"Julian, wake up. Let go."

I was this close to losing control. I tried to reason, but he shook his head. "No."

Huh? Drunk or not, he wasn’t holding back. I was stunned. "Do you know who I am?"

"Maddie, my manager."

He was so obedient, blinking at me, as if waiting for me to do something.

Heaven help me, he invited me himself!

I slept until late morning. When I opened my eyes, Julian’s gorgeous face was right there.

"Ah!" I yelped. His eyes were half-closed, still hungover.

I tried to slip out of bed, but his arm locked around my waist, pulling me close. His touch sent shivers down my spine.

"Julian!"

"Hmm?"

He kept his eyes closed, a faint smile on his lips.

Blushing, I kicked his leg. "I need to get up!"

"No."

He hugged me tighter, as if to fuse us together. I struggled; he groaned.

Fine.

My face was burning. "What do you want?"

"What do you think?"

He finally opened his eyes, all mock hurt. "Do I need to take responsibility for you?"

"You said it."

His eyes instantly brightened. "Let’s get married. Right now."

Wait, what?

I asked again, "Are you sure?"

"Trying to back out?"

He propped himself up, pretending to glare. "Marriage is the ultimate sincerity—you can’t take it back!"

"I’m not, just checking."

I hugged him, grinning. This was my endgame—I was just afraid he’d regret it.

*"Congrats, host. Mission complete. Numbers hit."*

The system’s voice sounded, full of relief. "I finally hit my numbers. You can stay, or try another mission."

"I’m staying. No way I’m leaving now."

I didn’t hesitate. I’d finally gotten my reward. No way was I letting someone else pick my peach.

The system went silent.

Come on, Julian—when did you fall for me?

I’d chased him because of the system, but after getting to know him, he really stole my heart—just thinking about him made me smile.

"A long time ago, when I had a stomachache, you bought me medicine."

"Since then, I started watching you."

He hugged me, and I remembered a long-ago moment.

I remembered it now—years ago, Carter was filming, and I saw a guy hunched on the curb. On a whim, I bought him medicine and water, waited until he felt better, then left. I hadn’t known that was Julian.

"Back then, I thought, if only you were my manager."

"But you only had eyes for Carter. I must’ve tried to bump into you a hundred times, but you never noticed."

He nuzzled my shoulder, happy. "Maddie, it’s been seven years since then."

"But I’m glad you finally came to me."

Seven years is a long time. I didn’t hide my joy, hugging him tight.

"Julian, thank you for waiting. I’ll give you a hundred more seven years."

He never questioned my past with Carter—he just gave me all his trust and love. Naturally, I gave him everything in return.

We took a break from it all—traveled, hiked, watched the seasons change. Even just cuddling on the balcony, listening to rain and sunsets, made us happy.

Then the movie I picked for him won big, and we attended the film festival together. He took home Best Actor. Again.

During his acceptance speech, he looked right at me. "The person I owe this to is my manager—Maddie Ford."

"She chose this film, stayed up with me to break down the script and the character. Because of her, I can stand here tonight."

The audience applauded, cameras turned to me, and I smiled back. And in the crowd, I saw Carter. Carter, last year’s golden boy, now just another face in the crowd. While Julian reigned on.

"I have one more announcement."

Julian’s words drew everyone’s attention. I looked at him, confused—he hadn’t told me about this. He knelt on one knee, eyes shining, holding out his trophy, and in front of everyone, declared: