A Button and a Broken Finger.

After the Red-Carpet event concluded, the audience quickly filled up their seats and waited for the movie to begin. Inside the VIP area, Romeo was seated beside his female co-star, making small talk with the actors and staff that had played a role in this film. From the corner of his eye, however, he continued to follow the presence of the two hunters that had been present within the audience, without making it apparent that he knew they were there.

'Did he have to show up today?'

He recognized Raphael immediately. His stature was not meant to be discreet, because of which he had always had a tough time trying to hide his presence.

'And that brat must be his son. Brian? Bob? Bruno. Yeah, his name was Bruno.'

The lights went out, and the theater was soon illuminated by the light coming out of the projector and reflecting off the giant screen.

"Whispers in the Night."

Starring-

Romeo Brandt, Heidi Parker, Tony Romano, Albert Sommer...

The credits rushed past, and the film finally began.

Ethan had never felt so helpless and defeated in his entire life. After the allegations that had driven his company to ruin, he had lost almost everything he had worked for, except for a small studio left to him by his late mother.

As he prepared to move into the studio, he found out that it was currently being occupied by a young woman named Maya. Her occupation of the studio wasn't exactly legal, but Ethan soon discovered that Maya was the daughter of his mother's friend, and she shared a deep passion for art, just like his mother did. As a kid, she used to sneak into the studio at night and exchange thoughts with his mother until dawn. As they couldn't be too loud, all of the conversations were done in the form of whispers. After his mother passed away, she decided to carry her legacy within her paintings and vowed to become an artist that could stand at an equal footing to her master.

At first, Ethan was furious. He had lost everything, and now someone was taking what little he had left. However, as he got to know Maya, he realized that she was different. She was smart, kind, and fiercely independent, and she had a talent for art that took Ethan's breath away.

Despite their initial conflict, Ethan and Maya started to form a friendship. Ethan used his contacts to help Maya prepare for an exhibition, pushing her to showcase her artwork to the world. Although Maya wasn't sure if her work was good enough, having spent her entire life chasing the excellence that Ethan's mother had once shown her, he eventually convinced her to be confident in her talent and spread it for others to see and admire. What followed was a multitude of twists and turns that acted as obstacles to the progress of their relationship, but by the end of it, they managed to push through all of it and prepared an exhibition that became a sensation in the world of art. Maya had become an artist that was celebrated by everyone, and Ethan stood by her side, supporting her through all of it selflessly.

And then, a flash forward.

Years later, as they stood in front of the studio that had brought them together, Ethan took Maya's hand and gazed deeply into her eyes. "Maya," he said, "When I got to know you at first, I did not know that you were going to become such a crucial part of my life. You brought light back into my life when everything else seemed dark, and gave me a purpose to work with. I am what I am today thanks to you. So, before I lose the will to ask this question, will you do me the honor of being my wife?"

Tears streamed down Maya's face. "About time." She said as she put her hand forward. Ethan slipped a beautiful diamond ring on her finger, and a passionate kiss ensued. Even after the influence of work, they had managed to hold onto each other's hearts, and when the right moment arrived, they made sure to express their feelings without hesitation.

And thus, the film concluded.

The screenplay entrapped the audience right until the very end. Some of the viewers were sobbing, some of them were stretching and the rest were staring at the duo with a sparkle of expectation in their eyes. One couldn't help but ship the two of them after such a convincing performance.

What followed was a 10-minute standing ovation, along with cheers for the actors and their respective characters. Romeo stood up along with his co-star and staff and made his way up the stage, while taking a glance at the father-son duo.

'Is he crying?'

Raphael was constantly wiping the tears off from his face. Bruno had a wide grin as he looked towards the female lead. He had obviously been charmed.

'Time to make contact.'

Without warning, Raphael saw Ethan's hand dart towards his sleeve. He quickly flicked something at Bruno's forehead, and Bruno's grin instantly turned to a look of surprise. Raphael couldn't quite make out what had happened, but he could tell that Ethan's movements were lightning quick and that only he had seen what had just occurred. Sensing a small object flashing towards them, he tried to protect his son by blocking the object with his right hand.

'Shit.'

He wasn't quick enough, but luck was on their side. The object halted on contact with his middle finger, but the force behind it was strong enough to crush his middle phalange as he recklessly tried to absorb the impact.

"Father?"

Bruno was in shock. The small object that was responsible for breaking the finger of one of the strongest physical attribute hunters was,

"A button?"

He couldn't help but look back at Romeo, who was currently in the middle of a closing speech, indifferent to his previous self.

"That bastard hasn't changed one bit."

Raphael slid his right hand into his pocket. These antics were all too familiar to him.