He Loves Me... She Loves Me Not

Chapter Thirty-three

In the meantime, Alec's request for assistance with his political campaign presented a new sense of purpose on my part, giving me a way to embark on something I haven't even tried to do. Despite my personal struggles, I was determined to support my brother in his pursuit. Engaging in the vibrant energy of the campaign, surrounded by passionate individuals striving to make a difference, revitalized a part of me that had been dormant.
 
"Are you absolutely sure that there's no chance of getting back with Scott, Danni? Have you even considered everything you've been through, especially with him?" Alec inquired, his concern evident in his voice.
 
"Why are you so insistent on discussing me and Scott? I thought we were going to work on your campaign speech?" I responded, feeling slightly exasperated.
 
"Of course we are, but you can't ignore the impact Scott has had on our family dynamics. And let's not forget the role he played in your career success," Alec pointed out, trying to reason with me.
 
"It's not about being selfish, but I genuinely think it's better for both of us to go our separate ways," I expressed with conviction, despite the lingering doubts in the back of my mind.
 
"You shouldn't keep Luke away from his dad. Does he even know that you sold your house in Santa Monica? Should you consider lying now because your relationship with him is over?"
 
Thinking about what Alec had said, I went home to see Luke already asleep, and as I was unwinding from a long day working with Alec's team, my phone unexpectedly rang, and I noticed it was David calling. Maybe he thinks of the things I'm thinking too, so he suddenly just bothered to call.
 
And if it's not work-related, I knew he had another motive he wanted to discuss, and I knew exactly what and who it involved. "Aren't you tired of lying, Danni? Scott was bombarding me with questions about your whereabouts and why you sold your house. Didn't you mention that you resigned?"
 
"David, I'm just exhausted. It's overwhelming, okay? Please, let's not argue."
 
"Are you exhausted? Are you tired of lying? That's good because I'm just waiting for you to acknowledge that you can't handle this alone. You can't, Danni."
 
Every time I gaze at Luke, surrounded by the warmth of our loved ones, I am inevitably reminded of the joy that was once present in his interactions with Scott. Conversely, David's words have served as a stark reminder of the futility of my efforts to escape my own inner turmoil. I find myself questioning whether I truly desire this current state of affairs. The answer eludes me, shrouded in the complexities of circumstance. Maybe, under different conditions, my sentiments would be clearer, but such is not the case.
 
Contemplating a return to California, I feel compelled to meet with Mr. Trevor personally as I delve into the details of the screenplay I am crafting for him. With my decision to part ways from my previous employer and sell my latest novel, I am now unburdened by the confines of a conventional boss-employee dynamic.
 
Nonetheless, even prior to my meeting with Mr. Trevor, the notion of reconnecting with Scott had occupied my thoughts. I visited him in his house, with Luke on my arms, to extend an olive branch after months of distance and unanswered calls. Despite his gracious reception, I anticipated a look of disappointment reflected in his eyes long before I stepped inside his house.
 
I understand his longing for his son, which is why I didn't hesitate to entrust Luke to him temporarily while I attended a meeting with Mr. Trevor. Seeing him engrossed with Luke's arrival, I left his house with the belief that he would provide excellent care for our son in my absence.
 
Meanwhile, accompanied by David and Alice, I made my way to the meeting place with Mr. Trevor. The three of us had collaborated on a screenplay for the veteran actor, to my former boss' approval, since we've already agreed that this is my own story now, and I'll handle everything about my writing from now on. Being a freelance writer, I valued the freedom it gave me to spend more time with my son and myself, free from the constraints of rigid schedules and deadlines. This newfound freedom allowed me to reflect on the rushed decision-making that had plagued my relationship with Scott and had an impact on Luke.
 
When Mr. Trevor finally arrived and took his seat opposite us, we eagerly presented our manuscript to him. As he meticulously pored over each page, I exchanged glances with Alice and David. It was clear that this was a crucial moment for all of us.
 
"Hmm, interesting," he said, his expression oddly nonchalant with a hint of smirk. Every now and then, he'd bring his hand up to cover his mouth, as if debating whether or not to show emotion. His focus was solely on the manuscript until he finally put it on the table, releasing a sigh that seemed to hold traces of relief or disappointment.
 
Turning to us, he remarked, "Well, that was quite a script. You know, I'm used to doing action, maybe a bit of drama, but this one took me by surprise. It gave me this sense of nostalgia, like a 'feel good' movie that transported me back to the 90s. It's got that comforting, familiar vibe. I don't see a reason to turn this down. I'll run it by some friends, and then we can talk about when you guys want to start filming. Sound good?"