Love & Lies: A Captain Swan Fanfic

Part 2/11

The following day, Emma entered her dressing room, rolling her eyes at the sight of Killian in his leather recliner.

"Do you ever leave?"

"Good morning to you too, love," he said with a grin.

She sat down at her make-up table. He stood up and walked over to her, sitting on the edge of the table beside her.

"It's a rather big day today. I make my debut."

Emma feigned a smile. "I am so excited I can barely contain it."

"I sensed that," he replied with a grin. "So would you like to run lines together?"

Emma shook her head. "No, I don't work like that."

Killian cocked an eyebrow. "May I ask why not?"

"I just prefer to learn my lines and work things out with my scene partner during rehearsal. I think it flows more naturally that way."

Killian nodded. "Well, I'll tell you how I work. I like to run lines so I am comfortable with my scene partner." He leaned toward her and Emma moved her eyes down. "And since our characters are going to be getting very close on the show, I think it could only benefit us to be as prepared as possible."

Emma swallowed hard and stood abruptly. "Ah, but that would require me to spend even more time with you and, unfortunately, I am already having difficulty stomaching you for even small amounts of time."

She made a move to walk away, when his hand gently encircled her wrist. He turned her back towards him, as he came to stand before her. His eyes scanned hers and she felt her heart begin to race. He licked at his lips.

"Listen, love, you're stuck with me whether you like it or not. If you don't start trusting me, then I can promise you it will translate to the screen. Is that what you want?"

Emma tore her wrist free from him and took a step back. "I want to do my job to the best of my ability. I am a professional and I work a certain way. I'm sorry if you lack the acting skills to properly prepare yourself for your scenes on your own, but I can't help you."

With that, Emma made her way to the door and left. Killian sighed in frustration, as he ran a hand through his hair.

...

Emma walked down the hall and nearly bumped into her best friend, Belle French. Belle played Lexi Rose, her character's assistant on the soap. They started on the show at the same time when they were 14 and they had been inseparable ever since.

"You're back from vacation!" Emma said, hugging her.

Belle nodded. "Yes, good to be back. Of course, I leave for two weeks and the show goes and hires soaps' sexiest man alive."

Emma rolled her eyes. "Don't get me started."

Belle chuckled. "I figured you wouldn't be pleased."

"That is the understatement of the year. They gave him a lot more money than me and made me share my dressing room with him."

Belle's eyes widened. "You're kidding."

"Do I look like I'm kidding? And it gets worse."

Belle tilted her head. "How?"

"The show is going to have Eva start an affair with his character Tyler."

Belle shrugged her shoulders. "That makes sense."

"Excuse me? Have you forgotten that my character is happily married and that Eva and Tad are a very popular couple."

Belle waved her hand. "You know the powers that be think happy is boring. It makes sense to take the two biggest stars on the show and put them together. It's good for ratings."