The Lies We Tell Ourselves

Chapter 10

After their drinks, he drove her back to her condo, the silence stretching between them like an unwelcome guest.

As they parked, Serena turned to him, a teasing smile breaking through her otherwise stoic demeanor.

"You're getting soft on me, Laurent," she said, teasing him.

"Soft? Hardly," he replied, a smirk dancing on his lips as he leaned closer, their shoulders nearly touching. "I mean, who wouldn't be a little vulnerable with someone like you?" He let the words hang in the air, watching for her reaction.

Serena rolled her eyes, but the corners of her mouth betrayed her. "Wow. I thought you were too prideful to admit that," she shot back, her voice playful yet curious.

"Well. People can change, Vale"

She laughed, the sound lighting up the otherwise tense atmosphere. "You really know how to charm someone, don't you?"

"Only when the person is worth it," Laurent replied, his gaze steady on hers.

She didn't say anything.

As he watched her expression shift from amusement to something more solemn, he felt the teasing banter start to fade.

She slipped out of his car, "Thank you for the ride, Mr. Laurent Gray," she said with an exaggerated formality, pulling a box of cigarettes from her pocket. "And thank you for the cigarettes as well. You will be the death of me once this smoking finally gets the hell out of me."

Laurent let out a soft chuckle at her attempt to act tough, but he could see right through her facade. "You know, if you keep using my name so formally, I might start to think you're trying to win me over," he teased, leaning back against the car with a playful grin.

"You wish, Laurent"

THE FOLLOWING DAY ON SET, the atmosphere felt heavier than usual. Rumors about Elias began to swirl, each whisper more salacious than the last. Laurent tried to focus on his scenes, but his thoughts kept drifting back to Serena.

Why was she so distant? He couldn't shake the feeling that it had something to do with Elias, and as if the universe had conspired to confirm his suspicions, the news broke.

LATER THAT EVENING, lounging in his condo and reading his script, he had the television on in the background.

A familiar name caught his ear: Elias Blackwell. Laurent's attention snapped to the screen as a news anchor began detailing Elias's recent concert tour to Milan, where he had been photographed with a stunning model, their chemistry was undeniable.

The headline read: "Elias Spotted with New Flame!"

Laurent thought to himself, 'Just how many times is this guy going to get caught up in another dating scandal?'

Laurent felt a sharp pang of realization. This was it-this was why Serena had been acting so distant, so guarded. Elias still had a hold over her, and the thought twisted something in Laurent's chest.

How could their breakup still be affecting her so deeply?

DING DONG! ~

Lost in thought, he barely registered the ringing of his doorbell.

The sound sliced through his contemplation, and he rose to answer it, finding Vivien standing in the doorway, her expression a mixture of anger and amusement.

She stepped inside without waiting for an invitation, a tabloid in hand.

"Did you see this?" she demanded, thrusting the article towards him. "You and Serena Vale? Dating? Seriously? That Vale? Didn't you used to hate her?"