Kim Moonchildの小説

The echoes of Halloway’s heels faded into the dark, leaving behind a silence that felt like a held breath. Julian stood frozen, his eyes glued to the spot where she had vanished."She’s literally watching us from the shadows now, isn't she?" Julian whispered, his voice trembling.Leo didn't look toward the exit. He kept his gaze locked on Julian, his jaw tight. "Let her watch. If she wants a show, we’ll give her a grand finale.""Are we actually doing this? Total transparency? That’s not a plan, Leo; that’s professional suicide.""Being her puppets was a slow death, Jules. I’d rather go out in flames than spend another year on her leash.""You’re okay with losing everything? The lead roles, the contracts, the status?"Leo stepped closer, closing the distance until their chests almost touched. "I’ve been 'Leo Thorne' for years. I don’t even know if I like the guy. I’d trade every single trophy on my shelf to wake up one morning without looking over my shoulder."Julian searched his eye

The security guards ushered them into the mahogany-paneled office like two condemned men walking toward the gallows. Julian’s heart was hammering against his ribs, but he caught Leo’s gaze—a flicker of defiance that told him they were far from finished.Halloway tossed the tablet onto her desk and poured herself a drink. "Sit. Both of you. You look like you’re about to pass out.""I’d rather stand," Julian said, his voice cold. "And I’d rather know why you think a board-approved embezzlement scheme makes you untouchable.""It makes me a partner," Halloway said, taking a slow sip. "It makes me necessary. But keep talking. I love watching you two try to grasp the scale of the game you’re playing."Leo pulled out a chair and sat, leaning back with a lazy, dangerous grin. "Necessary? Or just convenient? The board wouldn't be too happy if the public found out their 'Golden Boy' and 'Action Hero' were being used as money laundering conduits."Halloway didn't flinch. "Try to sell that headli

Halloway’s smile wasn't a smile; it was a guillotine. She stood in the mouth of the alley, the blue light of her phone screen casting harsh, sickly shadows over her features."Caught you," she purred, her voice dripping with clinical satisfaction.Julian stepped back, his heel scraping against the wet pavement. "How long have you been standing there?""Long enough to hear the revolutionary manifesto," Halloway said, walking closer. Her heels clicked with rhythmic, terrifying precision. "So. 'Writing your own script'? That’s cute. Did you honestly think you were the first pair of vanity-projects to try and dig into the agency's server?"Leo didn't move. He stood in front of Julian, his shoulders squared. "We weren't digging, Halloway. We were just catching our breath after your little ‘crowd control’ experiment went sideways.""My experiment?" Halloway raised an eyebrow. "You’re the ones who signed the contracts. You’re the ones who made the brand worth millions. If the fans get a litt

"An engagement? Are you out of your mind?" Julian dropped the documents as if they were scorching hot.Halloway didn't blink. "It’s not a request, Julian. It’s a survival tactic. The studio wants a permanent anchor to this story. You sign, or your career is effectively vaporized by tomorrow morning’s news cycle."Leo leaned forward, his voice a low, mocking growl. "She’s not kidding, Jules. Look at the terms. They’re offering a ten-point back-end bonus if we deliver the 'ring' by Sunday.""I don't care about the money! This is insane. We can’t just announce an engagement to a public that thinks we’re an 'it' couple because of a few staged photos.""The public already thinks you’re in love," Halloway cut in, her tone surgical. "The engagement is just the period at the end of the sentence. Now, get out. The premiere for Shadows of Valor is in an hour. Dress the part, act the part, or don’t bother showing up."Julian stared at the closed door of the SUV. "I feel like I’m being groomed fo

"They saw everything," Julian repeated, his voice barely a whisper as he stared at the pixelated image of them on the verge of that kiss. "We’re done. This is the end. Halloway is going to hang us from the rafters."Leo didn't panic. He just swiped the phone screen away and leaned back against the leather seat, his jaw set in a hard, dangerous line. "Relax, Jules. It’s not a kiss. It’s ‘stolen intimacy.’ The public loves a forbidden moment. If anything, this just made us more expensive.""Expensive? Leo, people are calling us frauds! Look at the comments section. 'Toxic,' 'Calculated,' 'Fake as a three-dollar bill.' We’re trending for all the wrong reasons.""Let them talk. Attention is currency. You want to stay relevant? You ride the wave.""I want to stay employed, not be the laughingstock of Hollywood."The SUV lurched as it hit a pothole, throwing them briefly together. Julian braced his hands against the center console, keeping a rigid distance. "We have that joint interview wit

"What the hell are you doing here?" Julian scrambled backward, his heart hammering against his ribs like a trapped bird.The silhouette in the doorway didn't move. It was just a delivery driver, looking confusedly at the illuminated cabin."Uh, groceries? The agency sent them over. Is everything okay in here?" the delivery guy asked, peering past the blinding light."Everything is fine," Leo said, his voice terrifyingly steady. He didn't even glance at Julian. He stepped forward, taking the crate from the man. "Leave it on the porch. We’re busy.""Right. Sorry about the, uh, interruption," the guy muttered, backing away into the night.The door slammed shut. The latch clicked. Julian felt the air leave his lungs. He stared at Leo’s back, his face burning with a heat that had nothing to do with the thermostat."You were going to kiss me," Leo said, his back still turned. It wasn't a question."I was not. I was disoriented. The light—it was a reaction to the sudden brightness."Leo turn