Chapter Forty-four

931 12 0
                                        

Alexa sat in the bright, bustling studio, her heart hammering in her chest

Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.

Alexa sat in the bright, bustling studio, her heart hammering in her chest. She adjusted her posture, glancing at her reflection on the glossy surface of the coffee table in front of her. This wasn't her first interview, not by a long shot, but today felt different.

The weight of the past few months hung heavy over her, and she knew that today's conversation wouldn't just be about her new film, Fuego en el Alma.

It would be about everything that had happened behind the scenes—everything she'd tried to keep buried. She had dressed impeccably, in a sleek black pantsuit that made her feel powerful and in control.

Her makeup was flawless, her hair styled in loose waves that framed her face perfectly. But no matter how composed she looked on the outside, inside she was a swirling mix of nerves and fear.

She had decided, in the hours before the interview, that she would tell the truth about Diego.

She was done hiding, done pretending that she could just brush off what had happened as another casualty of her profession.

The interviewer, Sofia Martinez, a seasoned journalist known for her probing questions, sat across from her. They exchanged polite pleasantries, and the cameras rolled.

"Thank you for joining us today, Alexa," Sofia began, her tone warm but professional. "We're excited to talk about your latest project, Fuego en el Alma. The buzz around this film has been incredible."

Alexa smiled, trying to focus on the praise. "Thank you, Sofia. I'm really proud of this film. It's been a challenging but rewarding experience."

Sofia nodded, leaning in slightly. "Your portrayal of Lucía, the fiery protagonist caught between love and ambition, has been described as your most intense role yet. How did you prepare for such a demanding character?"

Alexa took a deep breath. She'd expected the softball questions at first, the usual inquiries about her craft, her preparation, her relationship with the cast. "It took a lot of research and really diving into the character's psyche. Lucía is such a complex woman, and playing her required me to tap into some very personal emotions."

They continued to discuss the film, Alexa answering questions about her character's journey, the on-set dynamics, and the physical demands of the role. But as the conversation progressed, she knew they were edging closer to the questions she was dreading.

She could see it in Sofia's eyes—the shift from light-hearted banter to something more serious, more invasive.

"I have to ask," Sofia said, her voice softening. "There's been a lot of speculation about the off-screen tensions during the filming of Fuego en el Alma. Can you tell us a bit about what was happening behind the scenes? Specifically, your relationship with your co-star Diego Hernandez."

Alexa's heart skipped a beat. She looked down at her hands, fingers twisting nervously in her lap.

This was it—the moment she had to decide whether to keep her silence or to finally speak her truth.

Crossing Paths | Jude BellinghamWhere stories live. Discover now