Murry: Hi Oliver! This is Muriel and this is my new number.

Me: So glad we got everything sorted out. I was ready to book a flight back to be sure you weren't going M.I.A. on me.

Murry: No lol. How's Italy?

Me: I mean it's Italy, of course, it's amazing. But it would be better if a pretty little redhead was here with me...hint hint.

Murry: I don't think so, Ollie. You're going to be busy with work and appearances, I will feel out of place. Besides, I've yet to do some sight-seeing since I got here.

Me: Yes, but after a long day of work it would be so nice to spend some quality time in bed with you. We've got about five years of catch-up to work on.

Murry: Well...I guess we will have five years and one week to catch up on when you get back.

Me: DID YOU JUST SEND A SUGGESTIVE TEXT MURIEL REAZPOE?

Murry: No lol I don't think so. Did it sound that way? I was just stating the obvious.

"Ollie- are you listening?" Denise's heavy Scottish accent cuts into my obvious distraction with texting Muriel. 

"Sorry, what was it you were saying?" I look up from my phone, knowing I've got a stupid grin set permanently on my lips.

Denise eyes me suspiciously from the beige large arm-chair near the desk but gathers herself with a quick intake of breath and begins again, "Genevieve from Rivista di stelle will be asking about your thoughts on Thylane's roll in Glass Mirror. She will also be asking about Winter's End and Summer's Starts then of course the personal questions, to which you're used to." Her eyes pin mine when she alludes to something with the last bit of her comment but I don't acknowledge it.

"Brilliant," I state then return my eyes to my phone to begin typing a response to Murry, slouching slightly in my own armchair across from her.

"Ollie? You seem incredibly distracted, is there something you wish to share with me?" Denise's stern voice pulls my attention again from the phone. 

"I am completely undistracted." 

"Okay, Ollie. I'm not buying it, but if you want to keep this little thing to yourself that's fine. Back to business, Thylane would like to meet at Allessandro's for a brew at noon. You'll have an hour there, then by two PM you need to be back here for the interview with Genevieve. From three to five you'll have a break for whatever your heart desires, then from 5:30-6:30 you'll need to be in your room to get ready for the Glass Mirror premier. 7:00 pm sharp, you'll join Thylane at the Century Theatre . Any questions?"

The entire time she's spoke, I've fought the urge to glance at my phone or keep my thoughts from going back to Muriel, so I simply shake my head, knowing Denise will be sure to keep me on track. 

"Perfect, you'll keep me on schedule," I say with a grin.

She sighs again in disapproval then takes in my clothes, "You are changing before you go to lunch with Thylane aren't you?"

I'm wearing what I wore on the plane, which is sweat pants, a white shirt, and cap but I know Denise, as well as Thylane, will expect me to change. There will surely be photographers waiting to snap pictures of Thylane and whomever she is having tea with. 

"And hopefully a shower? You look as if you haven't slept in days." She adds, the suspicion so clear and obvious, all I can do is chuckle.

Denise knows something is up, but I won't be admitting anything, especially since Muriel wanted to keep this under wraps and I will not be doing anything to ruin it. 

"Well, since you've said I look like shite, I best get to showering," I say rising quickly from the plush chair in my suite and scurry off quickly into the large bathroom bringing my phone with me and immediately type a message to Muriel as soon as I lock the door behind me.

Me: It did sound rather cheeky. I've got a busy day here but will be back at the suite around eleven tonight. Can I call you later?

I set my phone down on the granite sink vanity then turn the shower on. I check, the phone as I undress and see she hasn't responded, so step inside the shower and quickly wash up...

🦋🦋

Allesandro's is exactly the type of place my Co-Star, Thylane Christian, would want to attend for a casual brew date. It is anything but casual, just like the woman. She's arrived in a beautiful sky blue summer dress with a full face of makeup and perfectly curled brown hair. Thylane is a gorgeous woman, no one can deny that, and she was made for this industry. She loves the attention, the work, the glamor which I reckon works perfectly for her. She's a modern-day-starlette and I owe my skyrocket from the small screen to the big screen to her. Whether I'm thankful for that, is still an unknown.

"So, Oliver, tell me everything you're working on. I want to know it all." Thylane's french accent slightly coming out as she speaks, but she conceals it well with an incredibly convincing English accent. 

"Currently, I'm on a short break," I say catching a man with a long lensed camera from the corner of my eye outside the posh cafe.  "I've declined several manuscripts that would have kept me busy until Summer's Start ." 

"Would I have heard of them?" She inquires while taking a sip of her tea, her pinky finger held out as she tips the porcelain cup to her red lips.

"Erm, perhaps, both were Romance. I don't want to risk getting typecast, and besides I wanted the break before the next one." I'm referring to the movie we both star in, to which is a romance and pretty good with a mad fanbase, but I'm wanting something else to broaden my work.

"That's fair, what are you looking for? I can keep my eyes and ears open for you." She asks, whilst ignoring the call of her name from across the street.  I glance over to the paparazzi but return my attention back to her quickly.

"I'm not entirely sure yet, I figure I'll know it when I find it. I think something dark would be good to keep me well-rounded."

"Like a horror? Ollie, you should really stick with the heartthrob thing you've got going on." 

I can't help but laugh. I'm too much of an idiot to be considered a heartthrob. "I dunno'. I reckon a psychological thriller would be quite fun. Or to play the part of the villain, I would love that."

"Hmm?" Thylane gives me a flirty smile while she ponders what I've just said for a moment, "You know, Ollie. You are quite mysterious you'd fit into that role perfectly." 

"Cheers for that, Thylane. We will see though. I'm perfectly happy just chilling until Summer's Start."

"Is this because you've actually started dating someone? You know word travels fast in our world." The mischievous glint in her chocolate-colored eyes flashes but I smirk and snort a laugh.

"I don't know what you're talking about." 

"Right, it's fine. Smart to keep all the details a secret. I'm told she's not in the business?" She presses, clearly trying to get something out of me, but I shrug a shoulder and keep busy with taking a sip of my own tea.

"I'm as single as they come." I muster the best lie I can, and by the narrow of her eyes, I think I've maybe convinced her. "I don't have the time to date."

Thylane laughs a bubbly laugh, that I'm sure carries out to the camera's outside then shakes her head, "You've got plenty of time to date, Oliver Thomas."

"To each their own. Anyways, on the topic of love, how's your love life?" I already know her answer, because well, she's a frequent flyer of the tabloids and gossip columns. I do try my best to avoid them, but when it does involve me I do read them. 

It's mad what people come up with. Thankfully, I take it in stride and find it all humorous. 

"I don't have time to date." She lifts her dark brows, suggesting that she still doesn't believe my bluff. "However, rumor has it I'm secretly in an affair with Harry Fitzgerald. Could you imagine that?" She giggles and shakes her head.

Harry Fitzgerald is an actor in his fifties and a nice bloke. I really have no idea where this rumor even came from, but it is all part of the business. "What are you wearing tonight? To the premier?" She asks giving me a pretty smile while resting her chin on her hand.

"No idea. That's part of what I pay Denise for, why?"

"Just curious, if we so much as show up in the same colors God knows what everyone will say. And I'd hate for the wrong news to get out to your...significant other." 

I chuckle again, this woman is relentless, "Haven't a clue what you're talking about, Thylane." 

She bites onto her red lower lip and leans back in her chair, seeming to give up her inquiries about my love life, and giggles, "My Lord, Oliver, you sure are hard to crack open."

Truthfully, if Muriel was indeed my girlfriend and was alright with going public with being in a relationship with me, I would tell everyone and anyone who listened. But, I've gained her trust, I'd never ruin it just to gloat about her...

🦋🦋

Murry: Yes, if I don't answer just call again. I might be asleep, but I'll try to stay awake that late.

I double-check to be sure my phone is on silent while I sit and some man with perfectly manicured brows fixes my hair and others buzz around checking camera angles and lighting. If there is one part of the industry I despise it is these interviews. I don't understand them. I've done all the promotion for Winter's End so I don't know why I even need to entertain another interview until we've finished with the second one. But, for some reason, Denise says doing this interview will be good for my publicity.

She's never steered me in the wrong direction, so I accepted the interview. 

Now, I'm dressed in a nice suit and wait for the interviewer, Genevieve, from Rivista Di Stelle. I'm offered water as well as several other drinks but I decline them all, trying to hide my annoyance the longer it takes Genevieve to arrive. 

Finally, the woman appears, with tissues stuffed into the collar of her black pencil dress to keep the makeup from ruining the fabric of the dress, and quickly takes a seat beside me giving me a sweet smile. She speaks in Italian and takes a quick drink of water, ordering people about, then removes the tissues from her collar.

"So, Mr. Thomas, I'm so happy to have you."

The cameras aren't rolling yet so I give her a cocked smile, "Wonderful you could finally join me."

Denise clears her throat nearby, but I just grin to myself and wait patiently for this woman to get situated. 

"Just catching up on all the latest news. I want to be sure I know everything before we begin." Genevieve speaks sweetly but I let out a silent sigh knowing I'm not going to enjoy this interview. "You've caused quite a stir here in Italy, Oliver." 

"Have I? I've been on my best behavior in London."

"I've heard." She quips still with that smile on her face and fixes the buckle on her shoe then gives a nod to a cameraman, letting them know she's ready.

"We've approved the personal questions, Genevieve. Let's keep on the appropriate topics for this interview." Denise chimes from behind the cameras. 

"Sì, naturalmente." Genevieve concedes and then turns to me in her chair as someone shouts from behind the camera that we are rolling. 

"Oliver Thomas, it's so wonderful to have you here today, thank you."

"It's good to be here. Italy is my most favorite place to visit."

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Hello everyone! It's good to be back in this easy story!

I wanted a chapter that really dove into ollie's career, so I'm hoping the lack of Murry and romance in this chapter is okay.

Also, we will hear more of Ollie's interview, but I think its best to be done while in Murry's POV