Chapter 281 | After-Party

read ahead: www.patreon.com/TC_L

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As soon as the party was over, almost everyone knew that it wasn't yet the end.

All these parties, with paparazzi, and celebrities being in front of cameras were for one thing, the fame which comes after the party.

People loved the after-parties. They loved the costumes. They loved their dialogues. They loved their interviews. They loved their discussions. They loved what they did in front of cameras, in front of the paparazzi.

Simply, they loved every part of the fame they got after those big parties.

Ian couldn't help but read newspaper and magazine headlines that were about the party.

< Hollywood's A-List Flock to Celebrate 'Inception' Box Office Success >

< "Glamorous Bash Celebrates Record-Breaking Box Office Numbers for 'Inception'" >

< Inside the Star-Studded Soiree: 'Inception' Cast and Celebs Toast Film's Phenomenal Success >

< Party Like it's 2021: 'Inception' Cast and Crew Celebrate Box Office Triumph in Style >

< A Night of High Fives and Champagne: Inside the 'Inception' Box Office Party Extravaganza >

< Blockbuster Brilliance: 'Inception' Celebrates Box Office Dominance at Exclusive Party >

< Red Carpet Glamour: Stars Turn Out to Celebrate 'Inception' Box Office Triumph >

< Inception's After-Party: A Star-Studded Celebration of Box Office Greatness >

< Inside the Swanky Bash: 'Inception' Team Toasts Success with Hollywood's Biggest Names >

< From DiCaprio to Darlene: Hollywood's Finest Celebrate 'Inception' Box Office Records at Starry Soiree >

-

Ian's focus shifted to Brad, who was talking about the party as well.

"... And simply, if I'm talking about it, it was just wonderful. The party was amazing, Ian. Cheers to you for hosting such a great event," Brad said while sipping on his coffee.

Ian nodded.

"Yeah, the event team pulled it up better than I expected."

"Honestly, my favourite part would be the movie. I thought this was going to be a dead-ass boring party just like all the other celebratory parties are. You know, a bunch of rich businessmen in the industry, just talking about money and future projects. But not going to lie, the party was lit, and it started right where it should. The movie…" Jean said and smiled.

She was the sound director, and while she was adjusting something that was on her computer, she appreciated the party that they had all attended the day before.

"Yeah, my favourite part too. Ian can back me up on this one, it never gets old looking at people's reactions. And, I was curious how the young director was reacting…. The look on his face was priceless."

Ian chuckled at Brad's reaction. "You know the feeling, Mr. Crutchfield."

"Please call me Brad. we are way past that."

"Yeah, you know the feeling Brad. it's undeniable when you put so much into it."

"Every time. Every single time a movie gets released, the emotions are just unbearable."

"Haha, true. But again, that's why we put so much effort, right?"

The two directors who sat side by side in the corner of the studio started talking to each other and discussing movie-making.

And for the past months that had passed since they started shooting, Ian was able to realise what sort of a character "Brad Crutchfield" truly is.

Brad Crutchfield, during this short time, had shown and let Ian know how their connection had grown over time.

"Ian, I'm asking out of curiosity. You had these rumours going on about Raelynn, your director in the studio, right? How has it been? Have things been settled because…" the director looked a bit more worried than he was before. "You know this could affect Kiara, right?" he asked.

"Hmm. I can't tell you not to worry about it, but. I'm hoping that it will be fine."

Brad understood the meaning behind his words.

Soon after their short conversation ended, Ian was asked to go to the powder room, where there were actors already getting ready for the shot.

Surrounding Ian, there were plenty of actors, who even sided with characters of the movie getting prepared, and getting pampered by the make-up stylists.

Looking around, Ian felt nostalgic remembering how he used to be an actor, and how everyone would be in such a hurry when the shooting time was about to begin. And, as a member of the always-late club, no matter if he was the main character or was playing a side character, he used to go to shootings later than he'd go on time.

Due to that reason, at first, he used to get scolded, but then the directors would make fun of him.

"... Hey," the makeup artist walked closer to Ian, distracting Ian from the memories he was having.

"Oh yes, go ahead, please…"

She started by brushing all his hair away.

-

The set was ready as usual. Everyone was in their positions. Ian was preparing to get into his character.

A glint of sadness danced in his feelings.

"Alright! So, listen up everyone! The positions have been set! Ian, look sincere and playful the whole time. And Natalie, I want the emotions on your face first. Like you know, Oh, Sean is being Sean, and then… Boom! This man actually wants to marry you, that kind of… emotional shift. Ian, look sincere.

"The lady wearing the red dress, please. Sit down!

"Is everyone ready?"

Brad asked.

"Let's go."

"Lights!

"Set!

"Sounds!

"Set!

"Action!

As soon as the words left Brad's mouth, Ian got into character.

-

The scene was set at a trendy coffee shop, with Sean and Kiara sitting across from each other at a small table. There was a playful twinkle in their eyes as they talked and laughed over their drinks.

Sean took a deep breath, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a small box.

"CUT!" Brad interrupted.

Ian chuckled. "What? I was just getting the feeling!" he said and everyone laughed.

"No, woman! Sit your ass down! If you're not going to sit, please get out of the set. We booked the café for like three hours, so, please."

As the woman who was annoying Brad was right behind Ian, the former wanted the shot to be perfect. And the woman was interrupting it.

"I'm leaving the set, sorry, sir. My daughter called me, I think I need to leave!" she said and practically ran away from the set, making everyone wonder, what the hell was that.

"Let's take it from the top!"

"... And… Action!"

Sean reached into his pocket and took out a small box. Kiara was continuously talking to Sean and laughing, yet the guy could only focus on one thing.

"Kiara, I have something important to ask you."

The camera focused on Sean's emotions.

Kiara raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on her lips.

"Uh-oh, this sounds serious. Did you break something of mine again?"

Sean rolled his eyes, playfully swatting her arm.

"No, no, it's nothing like that. Kiara, will you marry me?"

Kiara's eyes widened in surprise, but then she grinned, shaking her head.

"Wow, you really know how to sweep a girl off her feet with that kind of romance, Sean."

She said sarcastically. Sean grinned back, looking sheepish.

"Hey, I was trying my best. So, what did you say?"

Kiara nodded, still smiling.

"Yes, Sean, I'll marry you. But only if you promise to keep making me laugh like this for the rest of our lives."

Sean leaned in, taking her hand in his.

"Deal. And I promise to always love you more than coffee."

Kiara laughed, rolling her eyes.

"Well, I certainly hoped so. I wouldn't have wanted to have to compete with caffeine."

They shared a sweet kiss as the camera pulled back, showing the bustling coffee shop around them.

"Cut! Cut cut cut! Oh my God! That was purr-fect!" Brad said, dragging the word 'perfect'.

"But hold on in your places! Let me check the scene!"

Brad went and watched the scene over and over.

"Let's take one last take! But this time... Kiss with more intensity. I want the depth of the kiss! I want the kiss to seal the deal!" Brad said and looked at the couple sitting in front of him.

But as Brad kept on saying the words, Ian's eyes were elsewhere.

"Hey, focus!"

Brad said again.

And Ian nodded immediately.

'I can kiss so hard that Natalie would feel things she never wanted, but how could I… When Rae is right in front of me?'

Ian thought to himself, and again took a glance at Raelynn who was leaning on the wall, looking at the scene and what was happening. Beside Raelynn, Niko stood tall, grinning from ear to ear, and his eyes showed the emotions, 'This is the kind of movie I wanna watch'.

Ian threw a glance at Niko and looked at Brad.

"Give me five minutes," he said.

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