I COULD ASK YOU THE SAME THING

**Rebecca’s story**

There were no incidents yesterday, but it passed relatively quickly. It didn’t matter, though, that before we sat down at the table Dominic insisted upon knowing what Olivia and I were talking about, even though in his eyes we had barely met.
But I knew how to get out of the situation gracefully, in a woman’s style.
“I’m so excited about this day. Aren’t you?” I asked him, smiling.
“How could I not be? It’s actually my movie” he grinned softly, placing a kiss on my forehead.
I watched him, and the tuxedo he wore made him irresistible. Taking advantage of the situation was entirely his doing because he was fully aware of how attractive he looked. I felt him approaching me gently, like a predator, and pressing my body against the icy wall, I felt him capture my mouth into a fiery kiss. But things have not evolved beyond that. Although we were both panting. “If I don’t stop now, I won’t be able to stop for the next few hours “A shiver ran through my arousing body as I heard his low voice close to my ear.
Although reluctantly, I consented to his wish not to indulge our wild imagination and consuming passion.
“You’re right, I’m in the same situation. We’d better not let them wait for us.”
We drove quietly to the place where Dominic’s film was to premiere. I could hear my own thoughts as well as his.
In all its grandeur, the StarZone Pictures logo dominated the Azure, the hotel where the premier was to take place. And the name of the film, When love is not enough, also enthroning every entrance.
“And here we are,” a smile spread across Dominic’s face as he took in the entire area. As soon as we stepped towards the entrance, a lot of paparazzi and fans jumped on him. At the same time Dominic was trying to keep me close and signing autographs for his fans.
Although he didn’t let me out of his sight, I pulled a little to one side so Dominic had room to unfold. I was watching him in all his glory, admiring the way he was behaving with all these people who had come to see him.
After a few moments of fame, everyone retreated, letting Dominic walk forward. I felt his hand grab mine as we walked into the huge cinema room of the hotel.
As the movie started, it amazed me at how big the room was and how many people were in attendance. At some point, the murmur became overwhelming but listening more closely, everyone was talking and appreciating their favorite actor, Dominic Stone. The premiere was some people’s first time attending a movie premiere. As invitations had been on sale for some time, participants sat in their seats with curiosity and excitement.
I glanced around the hall and, like those present; we sat in the front row.
“It’s impressive how many people have come to see you, Dominic,” I exclaimed in amazement, looking at him softly and proud of all he had achieved so far.
“This movie is very important to me, so I can’t help but be happy with how much it’s appreciated. However, the last word will belong to the film critics,” he said in a slightly changed voice.
“Film critics?”
“Yes, baby. Somewhere in this room, there are some people paid to glorify or denigrate the movie. We’ll see.” And his unmistakable smile flashed across his face. He wasn’t nervous, but now all this filled me with anxiety. I wanted everything to go well for him.
Suddenly, all the lights in the theater went out, and the film started running. I watched it with bated breath, thinking about the last reactions of those present. The ending was as I expected, an epic one and if you asked me, although I was not a film critic, it left room for a sequel. Dominic was very secretive when it came to his films. He always said the fans would be in for a surprise.
And in the silence that fell after the final credits, a roar of applause exploded in my ears. And it lasted a good few minutes. His fans were ecstatic. I looked around the auditorium and noticed a few stiff faces still not making a single gesture. Those guys probably had the last word. The part that excited me the most was the audience reaction, which will probably count in the eyes of the critics.
“They seemed to like it, didn’t they?” I asked curiously, turning my gaze back to him.
“The fans did. Let’s see what the really qualified people have to say” Just as I thought, Dominic was interested in other kinds of opinions. However, his fans were also very important to him. Just then he grabbed my hand and squeezed it. We stood up facing the crowd which suddenly became even more frantic. Their cheering became even louder.
I found myself smiling broadly, sharing in the fame Dominic enjoyed.
Several minutes after the outburst of the entire hall, fans started coming in one by one for autographs. Round two followed. Like the first time, I backed away slightly to his left, making room for them. It didn’t take long for the press to show up, either. It was great to see Dominic in the light of triumph. Being so absorbed by how fast things were moving, I found myself next to him in front of the press. So, I didn’t escape their questions either.
“What’s it like to be around an actor as well-known as Dominic Stone?” one reporter asked me and I saw Dominic’s eyes darken. It was clear that he was not into that kind of questioning. But it was his moment, so I was going to make him shine even brighter. I squeezed his hand lightly as a sign that I didn’t mind the question.
“It’s great! Dominic is wonderful, and I am a lucky woman to be around him. Maybe the luckiest in the entire world”
As soon as I answered the question, Dominic pulled me after him into a smaller room near the cinema. There I realized who was waiting for him. They elegantly set a few tables up with a few snacks and coffees. And around the tables, critics already had heated discussions about his film.
We stood for a few seconds in the doorway and then walked confidently in. Somehow, I could feel Dominic’s heart beating frantically. I squeezed his hand gently again, showing him once more that I was beside him.
As soon as they saw him, all eyes turned to him. “Stay calm, everything will be okay,” I reassured him, wearing a wide and confident smile.
And so, it was. All those men seemed to love the movie. Only constructive criticism. And just as I thought, one of them suggested making a sequel.
“You were great, Mr. Stone. But keep in mind, the audience needs a follow-up. You’re going to break the box office; I am sure of that.”
In all that joy, I left Dominic alone. Especially since I had received a call from Logan, who informed me he had news about Tom’s case and those involved in my attack.
I left without him seeing me and walked somewhere behind the hotel, down on a rather side street. I didn’t want anyone to overhear my conversation with him. Much less Dominic.
“Logan, what is it? What did you find out?” I asked curiously, looking in all directions in case I was being followed.
Taking a few steps back, I sneaked past him without giving us away to anyone who might have been passing by. The place I stood in was not visible at all. A dark corner apparently carved into the hotel wall.
“We’ve established that Tom, your ex-fiancé, was involved with Zack Barnett until he killed him in revenge. I recently learned there’s another woman involved. One of Barnett’s mistresses.” I froze on the spot. Although it was not a surprise Barnett had mistresses. It’s just that my gut told me that this mistress knew us.
“Another woman involved? I don’t like the sound of that. How did you find out?” My question seemed to change his expression a little, but he straightened his voice immediately.
“Somehow, I smuggled someone into his lair, a spy. So far, so good. Let’s hope Barnett discovers nothing. This person noticed a woman coming and going and, most of the time, she stayed overnight. He described her to me as a tall, brown-haired woman, middle-aged, quite attractive, he said, for her years, elegant and sharp looking”
“There are a lot of women who look like that. I don’t think that description helps. Maybe your contact can get more useful information. It’s good to know there’s also a woman we’re after, though.” In the middle of the conversation, I felt my sixth sense sharpen. Someone was approaching us and the closer he came, the more familiar his scent seemed to me. I only had time to turn around and meet his hateful gaze. “Dominic? What are you doing here?”
“I could ask you the same thing!”