No Such Thing As A Hollywood Ending

chapter 25

As the last of the customers filtered out and the restaurant's lights dimmed, Lucy, Henry, and Audrey sat together at one of the tables, enjoying the quiet after a busy day. The soft glow from a few remaining candles lit up the table, casting shadows on the walls. Lucy leaned back, still processing everything that had happened that day.

Audrey, however, was practically buzzing with excitement. "Can you believe it?" she exclaimed, her eyes wide with amazement. "We made so much money today! I mean, for a first day? This is huge!" She glanced between Lucy and Henry, a wide grin on her face. "You know, if this keeps up, do you think we could work here full time? Like, if we get paid minimum wage and all that?"

Lucy smiled. She had honestly been too overwhelmed by the success of the day to even think that far ahead, but hearing Audrey's excitement made her consider it. "Yeah," she said thoughtfully, "I think that could definitely work. You and the others have been amazing, and I'd love to keep you guys on board."

Audrey's grin widened, but before she could say more, Lucy gently touched her arm. "Hey, Audrey, would you mind giving Henry and me a minute? I just need to talk to him about something."

Audrey raised her brows, nodding quickly. "Oh, sure! I'll go clean up the kitchen or something." She hopped up from the table and disappeared into the back, leaving Lucy and Henry alone in the dimly lit space.

Lucy turned to Henry, her expression shifting from the excitement of the day to something more serious. She had been holding this in ever since her encounter with the paparazzi earlier, and now was the moment she needed to talk to him about it.

Henry noticed her change in mood and gave her a concerned look. "What's wrong?" he asked, his voice soft.

Lucy sighed, her fingers nervously playing with the edge of the table. "I... I need to talk to you about something that happened earlier, before the restaurant opened. The paparazzi were outside. I didn't expect them to be there, but they were. I told them to go around back, and I answered a few questions, but... they started asking personal stuff."

Henry shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "Personal stuff? Like what?"

She bit her lip, glancing down before meeting his eyes. "They asked if we've... slept together."

Henry's eyes widened, his face paling slightly. "What?"

"Yeah," Lucy said, nodding. "They asked me if we've had sex. I was so mad. I told them I wasn't answering any more questions and threatened to call the police if they didn't leave. But now... I'm worried, Henry." She sighed, her voice trembling slightly. "I want to stay in this relationship with you. I really do. But people are starting to ask such personal questions, and... I'm scared that, at some point, our families are going to find out what we've done."

Henry was silent for a moment, his gaze dropping to the table as he processed what she was saying. Lucy could see the tension in his posture, the way his fingers tightened around the edge of his seat.

"I don't know what to do, Henry," she continued. "I don't want people prying into our lives like this. I'm worried about what our families will think if they find out. I mean, I'm not ashamed of what we've done, but... it's just... private, you know?"

Henry nodded slowly, his expression thoughtful. "Yeah, I get it. I don't like the idea of people asking questions about us like that, either. It's nobody's business." He hesitated, his voice softening. "But... if people find out, it doesn't change how I feel about you. I'm still here. I still want to be with you."

Lucy felt a small sense of relief hearing that. She leaned closer to him, resting her hand on his. "Thank you," she said quietly. "That means a lot. I guess... I'm just scared of how messy this could get if it all came out."

Henry squeezed her hand gently. "We'll figure it out," he assured her. "We don't have to let other people dictate our relationship. As long as we're honest with each other, we'll be okay."

Lucy smiled, her heart calming a little at his words. "Yeah," she whispered. "You're right. We'll figure it out."

As they sat there, the world outside seemed distant, and for a brief moment, the pressures of the day faded into the background.

"But I think we should tell them, our parents I mean. we didn't do anything wrong, and I think it would only cause them to mistrust us if we continue to keep secrets from them."

"ok, yeah. we can do that. but I want you with me when I tell my dad."

"I will be there for you. trust me."