idiots to lovers | ONC 2021 | completed

20. epilogue

Chapter 20
ten years later

The staff talking over each other from outside my trailer bring me peace. When I slide over my body my comfy purple sweater, someone knocks on my door.

"Yes?" I ask loud enough to be heard.

"We're about to start shooting," the guy says from outside, and a grin lightens my face.

I get out of the small uncomfortable trailer and follow him to the set, glancing at people moving pieces of furniture around and talking through the earpiece they have.

I would have never expected to be in this kind of environment thanks to my novel, but it happened. I am finally going to have "based on the novel by Nöelle Lively" all over the big screens.

I sit down on the black chair with my name on it. There's a camera in front of me, and I watch the scene roll out from it. The actors are amazing. For my first urban fantasy, I'm surprised at the love my readers poured into it.

After all, it's thanks to them that I'm here.

"Hey, do you have an extra copy of the script?" I whisper to the old director, who blindly gives me his.

Thanks, I guess.

My eyes carefully scan the pages when a name I haven't heard in ages shows up. Written by Kevin Bailey. He was my university boyfriend—if I'm not wrong, we lasted for a couple of years before breaking up.

I wonder what he's been through during all these years.

My phone vibrates from the back pocket of my jeans, and I pull it out. I grin at the message.

Love: Just finished my last meeting. I'm coming back home. Miss you.

Me: It was damn time, and don't forget that I'm not in New York now.

Love: Yeah, no worries. I'll grab some Chinese on my way.

Me: Perfect! See you soon.

After Kevin, I hit rock bottom, unable to eat or even live my life as I did before meeting him. I never expected a heartbreak to be so devastating. In the end, the essay I wrote back in the day wasn't so wrong after all because he broke up with me.

He didn't like me anymore, and there wasn't much I could do about that but accept it. Years went by where I avoided relationships at all cost—anything to protect my heart from being broken again. But then, I realised the cycle of love will continue whether you want it or not.

While sending out query letters to publishing houses, an agent finally reached out to me, and another love story began. Four years went by since then, and I couldn't be happier.

"Nöelle?" an old known voice asks.

I lift my head and turn to the side, meeting Kevin Bailey. My heart slightly clenches, but it's nothing compared to before. I give him a small smile. "Long time no see," I say.

Kevin smiles back as my eyes go further down, noticing how professional he looks. Black slacks and a white button-up shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. He looks good.

"How have you been?" he asks.

I nod. "Good, good. I knew you would have made it." I lift the script with his name on it.

He chuckles before waving his hand around. "And this is all thanks to you. I read the book. It's amazing, although I don't like the love interest. He's way too damn cold."

"Cold and mysterious sells, Mr. Bailey. I'm just creating what the people want." I throw him a wink as he rolls his eyes with a smile still plastered on that handsome face.

He looks much more mature with the growing beard and his buzz-cut dark hair following a fade in style. It feels weird not having my heart speed up just for us talking like this.

Funny how I would have died ten years ago.

Kevin's green eyes move to look behind me with a frown on his face. I can't turn around on time when my vision gets covered by a pair of warm hands. My heart comes to my throat at the strong cologne only one man I know could wear.

"Surprise," Jun whispers in my ear. His voice makes my toes curl from how deep it is.

I put my hands on top of his and slide them over my lips. I peck the palm of his hand before turning around. Almond-shaped black eyes are glinting in happiness. "Guess we'll have to eat at a proper restaurant for once," he says before looking up at Kevin.

He straightens his back, extending his hand for Kevin to shake. The handshake is short. A polite smile is on Mr. Bailey's face. "Kevin Bailey. The new screenwriter of your girlfriend's novel."

Jun grins. "Pleasure to meet you. I'm Jun Park. Did you like her book?"

Kevin nods, and they start talking, leaving me outside of their bubble. I roll my eyes and focus back at the scene, rolling feet away from me.

───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────

Jun opens the hotel room's door, shaking his thick black hair from London's unexpected snow. "Ugh, I can't wait for summer to come," he says as we walk inside with bags of Chinese noodles in hand.

We were too lazy to find and go to a restaurant at the end.

Lights turn on automatically, and we stand still for a minute, admiring the little beauty. The company behind the movie adaption of my novel is paying for everything, and I couldn't be more grateful.

"This is more your style," I say, looking at the white double-sized bed contrasting with the wooden dark brown furniture. It looks like an office.

Jun takes the plastic bag from my hand and puts it on the desk, which has a metallic lamp on one side and a kettle with glass cups and tea bags on the other.

I take off my winter coat, hanging it inside the dark wardrobe placed right next to the bathroom door. When I turn back to Jun, I find him already sitting cross-legged on the bed with his box of noodles and chopsticks in hand.

His coat lays on the chair with his soft black scarf. I pick the food up too and take off my shoes before sitting on my knees on the bed.

There's a small mounted TV hanging above the desk; I look around for the remote, and, for once, luck is on my side since it's on the bedside table.

I turn the TV on and stop at the first Marvel TV show that appears.

"Kevin seems nice," Jun speaks up a few minutes later.

I glance at him, finding him already staring at my face. I look back at the TV. "He is."

"Will you be alright working with him?"

I shrug. "I guess. Why?"

"I remember you naming him when we first met. He was your ex, right?"

My lips tug upward in a smirk as I tilt my head to the side. "Am I sensing some jealousy from the guy who always told me he never gets jealous?"

Jun rolls his eyes. "I was just wondering."

I chuckle, squeezing his soft cheek. "You're adorable."

He leans in, pecking my lips. His eyes are twinkling in happiness. "I care about you. Can you blame me?"

I shake my head, gently caressing his cheek. "Don't worry. Nothing will happen."

But then again, life is unpredictable, so who knows what my future holds. One thing is sure, though—I don't think my feelings for Jun can change that quickly. . .Right?

the end.

Thank you for reading until the end! I'm not satisfied by how I ended the story, but I can't think of a better monologue. It'll definitely change once a better one comes to mind. For now, that will do. Thank you again and, off I go with the second round of edits.

Word Count: 30.571