[Location: Los Angeles] [Evangeline Lilly's Apartment]
The apartment was somewhat smaller than her NY apartment.
The coffee table was buried under a mess of highlighters, scribbled scripts, and two mugs of long-gone tea. Evangeline sat cross-legged on the floor, barefoot, wearing yoga pants and a faded hoodie. Her laptop played soft music while she ran lines aloud.
"Dr. Taylor, we're losing him... clear." She paused, sighed, and flipped a page. "God, this dialogue. Who wrote this, a caffeinated squirrel?"
Her phone buzzed across the table. She reached over and saw the name.
ALEX WILSON
She smiled and answered, flopping back onto the carpet with a dramatic groan.
"Well, well, well. The elusive director finally calls me back. Thought you'd traded me in for a shinier actress."
Alex's voice came through smooth and teasing.
"Please. You're too rare to replace. Besides, who else would roast me before hello?"
She grinned. "You love it."
"I do," he admitted. "What are you doing, Lils?"
"Trying not to burn my brain on a hospital script that makes zero medical sense. It's a small role, some pilot thing. Probably won't even air. But hey, it's work."
Alex chuckled. "You say that now. Next thing you know, you're carrying the whole show by season three."
She laughed. "Not unless they rewrite it so my character's secretly a ninja. Or an alien. Maybe both."
"Don't tempt me," Alex said. "You know I've got Titan greenlighting weird ideas like that for breakfast."
Lilly rolled onto her stomach, chin resting on her folded arms. Her voice softened.
"So what's up? Why'd you call so late? Miss me or just bored in that skyscraper of yours?"
"A little of both," he said. "Also, I might have something big for you."
She raised an eyebrow. "Big how? Career big or you-just-got-out-of-the-shower big?"
Alex's low laugh vibrated through the speaker. "Career first. Personal... we'll get there."
Lilly rolled her eyes playfully. "Of course we will."
Alex continued. "I'm working on a new series. Fantasy, dark, character-driven, action, dragons, and many more mythological things. The shoot will start after I wrap up the Alien shoot in a month or two. You'd be perfect for one of the lead roles."
She sat up. "Wait, for real?"
"Yeah. I've got you in mind. I'll pitch it when you're here. You free next week?"
Lilly nodded even though he couldn't see her. "Yeah. I'm wrapping shooting this weekend. I could fly out Monday, crash your office, steal your coffee."
"Do it. I'll have Rachel clear a day."
She leaned against the couch, her voice lowering. "Missed your voice, you know. It's been a while."
"I know," he said. "Things got insane. Alien's shooting, new brand launch, paparazzi war. But I thought about you. A lot."
She smiled softly. "You say that to all your almost-girlfriends?"
"No," he said. "Just the ones I still picture when I wake up."
Her breath caught for half a second. Then she whispered, "Yeah. Same here."
Alex paused, letting the silence sit between them. Then his voice dropped, slower, warmer. "What are you wearing right now?"
Lilly laughed quietly. "Seriously? You're pulling that line?"
"Dead serious."
"Alright," she said, stretching her legs out in front of her. "Old hoodie. No bra. Yoga pants. Hair's a mess. I look like I lost a fight with a pillow."
"Panties?" He asked.
"What do you think?" She said with a smile.
"Ok. I'm imagining you pantyless and wet. Wow! Now, that's sexy," he said. "Thanks to my photographic memory. I can clearly remember that night. God! I miss you."
"You're insane," she said with a grin. "But okay, your turn. What are you wearing?"
"Nothing. Just got out of the shower."
"Mm. That's what I like to hear."
He grinned on the other end. "Want the details?"
"Obviously."
He leaned back in bed, voice smooth as silk. "Warm skin. A little damp still. Sheets feel cool. I've got the balcony door cracked open. Breeze rolling in. Just thinking about how good your body would feel against mine right now."
Lilly flushed, biting her bottom lip. "Damn. Okay. I walked right into that one."
"You always do," Alex murmured. "But I'd rather show you than say it."
"Next week," she whispered. "I'm all yours."
He closed his eyes, letting her voice fill the silence for a moment. "I'll hold you to that."
"Promise?"
"Promise."
Her voice became a bit serious, "And when I'm there, you better not be too tired. Because I've got a lot of tension to work off. Weeks of it."
He smiled. "I'll cancel everything."
She laughed softly, then yawned. "Alright, I should sleep. But damn. Now I'll be dreaming things I can't say out loud."
"Good," he said. "Sweet dreams, Lils."
"Night, Alex."
"Night."
The call ended. Silence returned to the room, but the air felt warmer now. She sat still for a second, her phone resting on her chest.
"Arggg! Wilson," She lay flat on the floor. "I'm gonna ride the hell out of you. Just you wait, you tease."
..
..
[Next Day – Titan HQ, 10:00 AM]
Titan Headquarters buzzed with the energy of launch day.
Inside Studio One, the photo sets were fully constructed. Each lighting rig cast its designated hue, each backdrop pressed smooth as silk. One corner was designed for the Titan Vela power shots. Another looked like a rooftop skyline, wind machines were already in place. A third space glowed in deep velvets and candlelight replicas, mimicking a luxury lounge. Then there was a final bedroom setting for a more sensual lineup.
Makeup stations were ready. Hairdressers were on standby. Garment racks overflowed with custom pieces, hung by sequence and mood: glam, bold, effortless, provocative.
Titan's top photographers, stylists, assistants, and coordinators had been personally handpicked. Rachel made sure of that.
At exactly 10:00 AM, the elevator doors slid open.
Angelina Jolie stepped out.
She moved like a queen with somewhere better to be. Her hair was in loose waves. Her outfit was a light pink wrap dress, just casual enough to signal this wasn't even her final form. She took off her sunglasses, and she looked around.
Rachel approached immediately. "Angelina. Welcome. Wardrobe and makeup are prepped. Everything's on schedule. You need a break or prep time? Or, just get into it?"
Angelina nodded once. "Let's just get into it."
Rachel turned and spoke into her headset. "Position one. Vela set. Prepare the S1 emerald gown." She then pointed her toward the left room.
Angelina walked toward the room with a stylist, hairdresser, and makeup artist.
Ten minutes later, the elevator chimed again.
Max and Caroline walked in side-by-side, both in pre-glam clothes but already carrying the kind of presence that turned heads. Max wore a Titan hoodie over a tank top and ripped jeans, hair in a messy bun, and sunglasses on top of her head. Caroline looked like she'd walked out of an airport arrival photo: trench coat, boots, minimalist jewelry.
Rachel approached them without missing a beat. "Right on time. Both of you, makeup. You're in the third wave."
Max raised an eyebrow. "Third wave? That makes it sound like a military op."
Caroline smirked. "It kind of is."
Max scanned the studio space, eyes wide. "Damn. This is... serious. Look at all this. It's like Vogue had a love child with NASA."
Rachel smiled faintly. "Welcome to the show, ladies."
From a corner mezzanine above the floor, Alex watched it all unfold through a tinted glass window. He had a headset on, but spoke only when necessary.
..
The first setup began.
Angelina stepped into the Vela set in a deep emerald slit gown that shimmered like water at dusk. Her heels clicked against the polished floor. The logo of Titan Vela pulsed behind her in cool white light. She memorized all her poses and expression to the point.
"Camera one rolling. Lighting sequence one, ready," called the lead photographer.
Angelina turned, looked dead into the lens, and struck a pose so powerful it nearly cracked the atmosphere.
Flash.
Pose.
Turn.
Flash.
She didn't blink once.
The emerald dress flowed like liquid metal with each turn. She raised her chin slightly. Eyes narrowed. Her hand lifted to her hip.
Flash.
The room was silent, save for the shutters and the low hum of rotating rigs.
On the mezzanine, Alex leaned forward slightly in his seat. That was it. That was the energy. 'Oh, God! This ain't good for my heart,' He thought. Angelina was just too perfect and glamorous. His heart was hammering right now.
Down below, the stylist whispered to Rachel, "Boss, really got some good eyes. Just look at her."
Rachel gave a half smile. "I had my doubts, but it looks like I owe an apology."
Next setup. The silk robe.
Angelina sat by the vanity prop, her hair barely touched. No heavy makeup, just soft tones and natural lighting. She turned her head slightly toward the invisible presence behind the camera. The illusion of intimacy.
Flash.
Flash.
Flash.
On screen, it looked like a lover had just walked in and caught her in a moment of vulnerability. The photo team murmured quietly among themselves.
Across the room, Max and Caroline were watching from the sidelines in their robes. Max leaned in and whispered, "Holy hell. That's what fifty million in charisma looks like."
Caroline nodded. "She's good. But we're not bad either."
"Speak for yourself. My last glam shot was taken in a Taco Bell bathroom," Max said.
Rachel turned to them. "You're up next. Max, we'll start with glam. Then Caroline. Time to shine."
Max inhaled deeply and squared her shoulders. "Alright. Let's glam this chaos."
Next. Rooftop set.
A thin wind machine buzzed to life, stirring the edge of the synthetic skyline backdrop. The rooftop set wasn't literal, but you'd never know it on camera. Concrete textures, moody lighting, and faint ambient city sounds are layered in for realism. Well, most of it will go through proper editing.
Angelina stood at the center of it all, now wearing a flowing black trench coat, cinched at the waist. Wind caught the hem, sending it flaring behind her like bat wings. Her boots hit the stage with a rhythmic sound.
Alex had come down from the mezzanine, standing just out of frame now, arms folded, eyes on the lady before him.
Rachel gave a hand signal. "Rolling. Rooftop sequence. Shot three."
Angelina stalked toward the lens with predator precision. Her coat snapped. Her eyes burned. Wind curled through her hair like it had been directed.
Flash.
Step.
Flash.
Turn.
Flash.
The camera glided backward on a track, keeping pace.
She paused. One foot forward, coat fluttering, one brow raised, like she'd just been told no and found it adorable.
Alex whispered under his breath, "Could be a little better."
The photographer called, "Again, reset! Let's do one in motion. Angie, flare the coat on the spin."
She nodded once, pivoted with lethal grace, and did it again, this time faster, sharper. The coat flared, the lighting caught in the folds like liquid obsidian. One leg showed through the slit just enough. Enough to be remembered.
Flash. Flash. Flash.
The stylist's assistant fanned her with a burst of cold air between takes, fixing a loose strand of hair.
Upstairs in the control booth, a sound designer layered in faint heartbeat bass behind the live feed. Just for effect. And it worked. On-screen, she looked like a myth in the middle of a manhunt. Unstoppable. Unapologetic. Glorious.
Alex's voice crackled in the headset: "Lock that sequence. Save all angles. Edit team, mark this batch priority one."
Angelina struck one final pose on the rooftop edge, trench coat open just enough to hint at the black bodysuit beneath. She exhaled slowly, the wind catching her breath like smoke. Then she broke character and grinned.
"Wind machine almost knocked me over that time."
Alex stepped forward with a satisfied smile. "And yet somehow you looked ten percent more lethal."
Angelina walked toward him as assistants scrambled to prep the next location. "That's all you want out of me today? Lethal?"
Alex held her gaze. "That's just one layer. We still need seductive, rebellious, and mysterious."
She lifted a brow. "You sure you're not projecting?"
"Constantly," he admitted, grinning. "Next set is the velvet lounge. Change into the gold gown. Whiskey glass props's already staged."
Then Rachel quickly rushed toward them.
"Ok. She's just perfect. I had my doubts, I am sorry. But I think we should do a couple shoot."
"A couple shoot?" Alex raised an eyebrow. "You do know that men's lineup is still going through the inspection process and..."
Rachel cut him off and spoke. "The process was completed yesterday, and the production has already begun. It'd only take 1 hour to get things set up. Only if you are up for it." She looked toward Angelina. "I know it's not in the contract, but we can always redraft a part."
"If I may ask, who will be the male model?" Angelina asked. If she were to shoot with someone, then she needs to know about that person. Not to mention, couple shoot is the most difficult part of a photoshoot. The mood and the chemistry... All play a major role.
"Yeah. I doubt we have enough time to hire someone or just drag someone out of the blue within an hour," Alex said after a bit of thinking. His eyes went toward Rachel, who was looking at him and smiling.
Angelina followed Rachel's glance and looked toward Alex.
"Wait a minute! Me?!"
--
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[7 advance chs] [All chs available for all tiers]
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