James Whitmore's Pov
I, James Whitmore, have been in the industry for over two decades now and I've seen things.
Desperate talents and arrogant stars. Washed up veterans clawing for relevance and raw gems who didn't even know they sparkled.
But nothing in my long career prepared me for the storm that was Moon—and the tornado that was Mr Alexander William!
I still feel that phantom of his choking fit lingering in my throat, trying to laugh and swallow the disbelief at the same time when William has dropped those…those absurd terms.
"She agrees to report directly to me throughout the filming," William had said, his voice hard as granite, eyes colder than the wind that swept across the studio lot.
"And she's not allowed to stay overnight at the filming location unless I approve it.
No unsupervised off hours meetings with any male co-stars. And she can't accept interviews about her personal life without my clearance."
I blinked, nearly dropping the hand I had extended towards Moon for a handshake to seal the collaboration.
For a moment, I wondered if this was some kind of a joke. William has never involved himself in any production matters.
He owns star entertainment. But that is all there is to it. He funded, he approved budgets, he signed checks.
But casting, directing, and scripting? He left those to people like me. But here he is, controlling the very oxygen Moon was allowed to breathe.
I had dared to ask, but cautiously, "is this necessary, Mr Alexander?"
William gave off the domineering ruthless demeanor of a king, waiting for his subject to trio up and make a mistake.
He just stared at me with a quiet fury he was famous for in boardrooms. The kind of silence that made grown men question their life choices.
And when he spoke, the words were… "are you going to accept it or not?"
Like what was that? If I was going to accept it? Like I wouldn't! He knew that and he used it to his advantage!
What else could I do? Refuse the billionaire and lose the only Yun Na the world would ever believe?
But it's fine. I told myself it was temporary. William wouldn't be around during filming anyway. You ready ever showed up on Star Entertainment.
Once Moon was secured in the role and the cameras rolled, I could tweak the terms. Then rearrange things subtly. What was that saying again? It's better to ask for forgiveness than to ask for permission.
I nodded, feeling proud of my thoughts. As long as the movie is filmed, Mr Alexander wouldn't ask us to delete it because his wife talked to a co-ster, would he?
As Moon turns to leave with William, her face unreadable but her steps certain , I stood watching them.
A part of me felt uneasy, like watching a bird voluntarily work into a cage made of silk and iron.
But she had said it herself. She needed the money. And I owed her that much; agreeing to the terms in order for her to pay up her debts.
"James."
A voice pulled me back. It was smooth and cool. The voice carried a hint of curiosity that is rarely heard in it.
I turned and found Sebastian Hales stepping forward. His hands are in his pocket and his expression is unreadable.
Now, there was another surprise. Sebastian really said more than what was required of him. Is always polite and professional, and distant also.
Women fawn over him on and off screen but the man was like a mist. He was untouchable and unreachable.
"She's good," Sebastian said simply.
I nodded, still watching the space where Moon had disappeared. "Yeah she is," I agreed. "Better than good, in fact she is raw and real. I've never seen anyone carry Yun Na like that."
Sebastian was quiet for a moment, his gaze turning thoughtful. And then…
"Who is she?"
I blinked, taken aback. Now, that was direct… but then, once he spoke, it was always direct and plain. "Why, you're interested?"
Sebastian sleeves twitched at my question, not quite a smile, because, well, he never did. Always laid back and aloof, making me wonder if he has a story or he was simply just like that.
"Just curious," he says nonchalantly, but my detective eyes could see that it was beyond just mere curiosity.
"Her name is Moon," I replied. "Don't know her full story. She just walked in today and I wasn't even expecting her to audition. Her name wasn't even registered on the official list.
She only said she came to return something to Mr William and then…" I gestures towards the stage, still almost in disbelief. "...boom!"
"She's married?" Sebastian asked again.
I frowned. "That's what I heard. She is and to William actually."
Sebastian's browse lifted slightly, surprise flickering in his orbs. "She's his wife?"
"So they say."
"But…I've never seen her in any social functions. If they are married, then why don't they go places together?"
I shrugged. He was asking me to ask who? I am just still as confused. "Neither have I. And I've been to every star entertainment event in the last 6 years. Like, she's like a ghost. But a beautiful ghost anyways."
I see a look of loss flicker across Sebastian's eyes, jaws twitching. For a second, he doesn't respond immediately, just looking out the hallway where she'd gone through.
"You are asking because you want to know more?" I ventured, half teasing.
He turned his head slowly, one brow raised. "Just curious," he repeated, but the glint in his eyes said something entirely different.
I narrowed my eyes, studying him. "Funny. I've never seen you curious about a woman before. Not even when that French model threw her room key at you during the Cannes gala."
Sebastian's lips quirked. "she was boring."
"Mmm," I teased further, "and Moon?"
Sebastians didn't answer. He simply nodded once and turned, walking off.
For a moment, I stood there lost in thought, filling the shift in the air. Moon had walked in and set something off.
William, already possessive, and Sebastian, already intrigued.
The movie hadn't even begun shooting, and the backstage drama was already heating up.
I sighed, running a frustrated hand through my hair.
"I swear, this film better win awards," I muttered under my breath, then reached for my phone.
I needed to start planning.
I had a movie to shoot.
And apparently, a fucking war to manage!