No Such Thing As A Hollywood Ending

chapter 24

Lucy stood by the front door of her new restaurant, her heart racing as she peered out the window. She couldn't believe what she was seeing—paparazzi. Of all things, she hadn't expected this. A small crowd of photographers and reporters hovered outside, their cameras poised and ready, flashes going off even though the door hadn't opened yet. She took a step back, trying to figure out why they were even here. This was supposed to be just the opening of her quirky cafeteria-style restaurant, nothing more. But here they were, swarming the entrance as if it were some celebrity event.

Taking a deep breath, Lucy unlocked the door and cracked it open just enough to speak. "If you're looking for an interview or whatever, can you please go around back? There are other people waiting to get in, and I don't want to hold up the opening."

The paparazzi, sensing they had some access, immediately shuffled around the side of the building, eager to get a moment with her. Lucy sighed and closed the door again before heading to the back. She didn't really want to talk to them, but if it kept them from making a scene out front, it was worth it.

She stepped out into the alley behind the restaurant and found them already waiting, cameras clicking as she emerged. One reporter shoved a microphone toward her.

"Lucy, can you tell us what inspired you to open this restaurant?"

Lucy forced a polite smile. "I wanted to do something different. I liked the idea of bringing a school cafeteria vibe into a restaurant. It's nostalgic for some people, and quirky enough to stand out."

Another reporter chimed in. "And how's the opening going so far? Any big plans for the future?"

Lucy was about to answer when the inevitable question came—one that always seemed to pop up ever since Henry's book had hit the shelves.

"Lucy, what about your relationship with Henry Michael? There's been a lot of speculation. Are you two still together?"

Lucy clenched her fists behind her back, keeping her composure as best she could. She was used to people asking about Henry. Ever since his book had taken off, people were interested in him, and by extension, her. But it was always irritating when they pried into their personal lives.

Before she could answer, the question took a turn for the worse.

"Have you two slept together?"

The words hung in the air, cold and invasive. Lucy's face flushed with a mix of anger and embarrassment. Her heart pounded in her chest as she fought the urge to tell them off then and there. That was not something the public had any right to know, and she felt her privacy being violated in that moment.

"I'm not answering that," she snapped, her voice colder than she intended. "This is a restaurant opening, not a gossip column. I'm here to talk about the business, not my personal life."

The reporters murmured among themselves, some looking disappointed, others sensing they might have gone too far. Lucy wasn't finished, though.

"And if you don't leave right now, I'm going to call the police." She narrowed her eyes at them, her patience worn thin. "This is private property, and I won't have you harassing me or anyone here."

There was a moment of hesitation before the reporters started to back off, realizing they'd pushed her to the edge. Cameras were lowered, and one by one, they trickled out of the alley. Lucy stood there for a moment, her pulse still racing, watching them go.

When the last of them had disappeared, she let out a shaky breath and leaned against the wall, her nerves still frazzled. She couldn't believe they'd had the nerve to ask something so personal, and the fact that they were prying into her relationship with Henry so openly made her feel exposed.

But as the door clicked shut behind her, she pushed the thought aside. She had more important things to focus on today—her restaurant, her dream. And nothing, not even the paparazzi, were going to ruin that for her.