Unexpected Co-star

Part 17

The waves were loud like a lion roaring as they crashed onto the shore when Hugh and I arrived at the beach, the perfect escape from our hectic lives. After weeks of adjusting to everything, I was looking forward to a relaxing day. The warmth of the sun sinking into my skin, Hugh's looked overly handsome as the wind blew through his hair. 

We set up a little spot away from the main crowd, spreading out towels and unpacking the snacks Hugh had brought. It felt good to be away from the chaos, even if just for a few hours. Me and Hugh begin to undress; revealing our bathing suits. His sculpture like abs caught my attention immediately. His chest hair trailed down his entire body, his v-line was exposed. I don't remember seeing such a effortlessly perfect man, even though I can't remember anything, I don't want to remember any other attractive men besides Hugh.

But as we settled in, I started to notice people glancing in our direction more frequently. It was subtle at first, just a few curious stares, but soon, the whispers grew louder. My unease increased with every passing minute.

Then, without warning, a flurry of camera flashes erupted, blinding me momentarily. The sound of clicking cameras grew louder, and before I could fully process what was happening, a group of paparazzi surrounded us, their aggressive shouts and questions filling the air.

"Hugh! Is that your previous co-star from the cancelled movie?"

"Are you dating? What's going on?"

I felt my heart race, a wave of panic washing over me. The intrusive cameras and relentless questions were overwhelming. I looked up at Hugh, who was already on his feet, trying to shield me from the barrage of flashing lights and curious lenses.

"Stay close," Hugh said urgently, grabbing my hand and pulling me towards him. His expression was a mix of concern and determination as he maneuvered through the crowd. "We need to get out of here."

I stumbled along with him, the crowd pressing in around us. The flashes were disorienting, and the noise felt deafening. My mind was racing, and I struggled to keep up with Hugh's swift movements. The confusion and fear made it hard to think clearly.

Hugh's protective grip tightened around my hand as he guided me toward the car. "Hold on," he instructed, his voice steady despite the chaos. "We're almost there."

We finally reached the car, and Hugh quickly opened the door for me. I slid into the passenger seat, my breath coming in short, uneven gasps. Hugh jumped into the driver's seat, slamming the door shut and starting the engine in one swift motion.

As we sped away from the beach, the paparazzi's shouts and flashes faded into the distance. I looked over at Hugh, who was focused on the road but kept glancing at me with concern.

"It's okay," he said softly, trying to reassure me. "We're safe now."

But the panic that had taken hold of me was still simmering. "I—I didn't expect this," I stammered, my voice trembling. "It was so overwhelming. I couldn't think."

Hugh reached over, placing a calming hand on my thigh. "I know. It's a lot to take in. But we're okay. We just need to take a deep breath."

I nodded, trying to steady my breathing. Hugh's presence was comforting, and his touch helped ground me. We drove in silence for a few moments, the reality of what had just happened slowly sinking in. He kept his grip on my thigh, firmly gripping.

Finally, we reached a quieter area, away from the hustle and bustle of the beach. Hugh pulled over, turning to face me with a gentle but serious expression.

"Are you okay?" he asked, his voice filled with concern. "I know that was a lot."

I took a deep breath, nodding slowly. "Yeah, I'm okay. Just... a little shaken. I didn't realize how intense it could be."

Hugh's eyes softened, and he reached over to hold my hand. "I'm sorry you had to go through that. It's not fair, and it's not what we wanted for today."

"It's not your fault," I said quietly, squeezing his hand in return. "I'm just grateful you were there to get me out of there."

He gave me a reassuring smile, though there was still a trace of worry in his eyes. "We'll take things slow for a while. I'll do everything I can to make sure you're comfortable and safe."

I nodded, feeling a surge of gratitude for his support. "Thank you, Hugh."

Hugh's smile widened, and he gently squeezed my thigh more. The paparazzi wasn't the problem, I was. Hugh was in love with someone else. I was like an intruder hiding behind a mask. 

As my thoughts settle down, I realize we left our clothes on the beach, leaving us only in our bathing suits. His veins popping out of every part of his body. Hugh's hair had a couple stray pieces falling infant of his face. He looked concentrated and stressed but I was more distracted by his physique to bring it up to him.