The worst, the absolutely unexpected thing had happened. Jackson watched Maria's face freeze as Harry's voice toppled through the room, punching with a raging intensity while he questioned their marital status. He wondered how long he had been there and how much of their conversation he had heard. Maria turned her face from Harry's to his, questions of what to do next clouded her shocked face but she maintained composure. Jackson knew this was something he should handle, Harry was his brother, after all, he was going to understand. Jackson stood up and walked to Harry, grabbing his wrist so they could talk privately, he felt that was best at the moment. Harry jerked his hand from his grip, anger obvious on his stern face, and walked to Maria instead like he had a business with her instead him, the brother. "What did I just hear you say? Is this a joke?" A wry laughter escaped his lips as questioned her with clenched fist. Maria neither bulged nor gave a response, neithe

He flung the phone to the other side of the chair grumpily, like Higgins's message had appalled him, whatever it was, Maria wasn't sure if it was going to be good for them, not after the paparazzi and marriage stunt."What did he say? Is there a problem?" She asked, tying her hair into a ponytail at the same time."They want me present tomorrow, with Natasha and a couple of other actors. I think the producers are going to be there." He had a habit of ruffling his hair at any slight inconvenience, "the project commences soon.""Oh." That was all it occurred to her to say, deep down, she was happy something was moving, and the faster the pace of things, the easier it got for her. She should be selfish and ambitious, she should be angry with achieving her goals and her rage-filled years of torture should fuel her longing, but why did she feel no better than a leech? He didn't even know her real reason for going through with the contract marriage."Are you okay?" He asked with worry wr

She hopped into the car and settled in the passenger seat, strapping her seatbelt as Jackson ignited the engine. The image of Natasha standing Jn the same spot was visible from the rearview mirror, her shoulder slumped and her face impossibly pale, she looked delicate, as though one touch would cause her to shatter. "That was brutal," Maria said slowly, owning the part of her that felt pity for Natasha, "she looks really broken, will you be okay making a movie with her?" Jackson shrugged with his eyes still glued to the road, his face held no shade of pity or remorse, it was the exact opposite, he looked accomplished. "I don't know, and frankly, I do not care."She tapped his arms lightly, " I feel bad about what happened, you're so going to be in trouble, what did you do that for?" Her brows drew together. "Because I like you."Oh wow. Compared to what he had said, his expression remained calm, he didn't waver, and neither was he nervous. On the other hand, she was praying

"See, the craziest thing happened to me today, after our...discussion earlier I went to the beach for some alone time..." He chuckled as Andrew's face flashed in his mind. "He was weird...in a fascinating kind of way. She nodded with a mouthful of pizza, " you went to the beach? And you didn't get discovered?" Her eyes bulged."Yes, yes. But that's not the point, I met this really weird guy. At first, I wanted him to go away but it ended up being one of the best discussions I've had in a while." "So what did you talk about? Did he know who you are?" She asked with sincere worry in her voice. "Eh- not exactly. He just said something I want to follow up on. And I thought you should know." He paused making sure he got all of her attention. "I don't know what caused the outburst earlier but I'm willing to wait. I'd wait for you till you want to talk about it, and I won't stop telling you that I like you." A tiny voice in his head, the one that was scared of pushing too hard, urged him

The harsh cold gripped her causing her to shiver violently against her will as she waited for Harry. Deep down, she hoped Jackson would see her, that he'd stop sleeping and run after her, that he'd tell her this was just a joke, a cruel joke. But that didn't happen till Harry pulled over before her. He came rushing out of the car with genuine worry written all over his face. It increased when his eyes met hers, but she didn't care. She felt as though if she talked or looked at him for long, she'd crumble. Maria had barely stopped tearing up before his arrival, now she could feel the dam in her eyes waiting to crack."What happened? Maria?" He lifted her chin to see her face clearly. She fought back tears and couldn't speak, she knew that if she did, he'd see her weak and helpless. Not like he had not already. He took off his jacket and wrapped it around her, Maria had never been more grateful."Where is Jackson? Did he-?" His pity transformed into a rage as he stared intensely at he