Words: 3.2k
---
[Wailua River – Afternoon] [Paddleboat Midstream]
The sun hung warm and steady overhead as the paddleboat glided down the Wailua River. Birds darted through the canopy. The occasional ripple broke the surface, sending reflections spinning.
Caroline leaned back in the front seat, arms outstretched behind her, legs lazily propped up over the side of the boat. Her bikini top peeked out from under the tied knot of her button-down. She looked like a woman who'd never heard of work.
Alex sat behind her, doing most of the paddling. Not that he minded. She kept glancing back at him with that knowing little grin, the kind that said this is payback for all the teasing.
"You're making me do all the work," he said, his voice low but amused.
"You have the muscles. I have the playlist in my head," she replied. "It's teamwork."
He arched an eyebrow, not that she could see it. "So your job is... looking pretty?"
She lifted her sunglasses. "Exactly. See? You get it."
A quiet stretch followed. Just the splash of water, the occasional call of a bird, and the breeze threading through the tall grass lining the banks.
Caroline turned slightly, resting her chin on her shoulder. "Do you ever just stop and think... we could've missed this?"
"Missed what?"
"This moment. This trip. You and me. All it would've taken was one wrong turn or one dumb decision."
Alex's voice came softer. "I don't think about what we missed. I think about what we didn't."
She twisted to face him more fully now, folding one leg under her. "That might be the sexiest thing you've ever said."
"I've got better ones," he said, eyes steady on hers. "But I save those for night."
Caroline let that hang in the air, then smirked and splashed water at him with her foot.
He dodged it like he knew it was coming, reached out, grabbed her ankle, and pulled her toward him gently.
"Hey!"
"You splash me, you pay the toll."
"Oh really? What's the toll?"
He didn't answer. He just leaned in, keeping hold of her ankle as he tugged her closer across the paddleboat seat. Her laugh was soft, breathy, but it cut off when his hands slid along her calf, steady and warm.
"The toll," he murmured, "is one kiss."
She leaned forward, a teasing sparkle in her eyes. "Just one?"
"For now."
His hand moved to the side of her neck as he pulled her into him. Their lips met slowly, sun-warmed, with that lazy afternoon softness that made the world pause. She tasted like pineapple juice.
Her hands found his chest, fingers curling lightly as the boat rocked beneath them. His other arm wrapped around her waist, holding her in place as her knee brushed against his hip.
When they finally pulled apart, her forehead rested against his, and she whispered, "This is what I was talking about. We almost didn't get this."
"We did," he said, voice quiet against her lips. "We're here."
They stayed like that for a moment, their breath falling into the rhythm of the water lapping at the boat's edge.
Eventually, Caroline eased back into her seat with a sigh, hair tousled, cheeks warm.
"Alright," she said, glancing around. "Let's take one more round. I want to see that patch of river with the banana trees again."
Alex gave the paddle a push. "You sure you're not just trying to stretch this out?"
"Maybe," she replied, not even trying to hide the smile.
They drifted down a slow bend of the river, past the hanging vines and sloped roots along the bank. A few native kayakers waved as they passed, and Caroline waved back, her face still flushed from the kiss. They circled past a shaded inlet where white birds nested in the branches above.
Then, as the boat turned toward the marina, Caroline leaned back once more, letting her hand trail in the water.
"Okay," she said. "Let's get food."
"There's a spot by the road called Wailua Kitchen. They do fresh poke and grilled shrimp."
"Perfect."
...
[Wailua Kitchen – 1:45 PM]
The scent of grilled fish and garlic rice wrapped around Caroline the second she stepped through the doorway. The open-air layout gave them a full view of the ocean beyond the patio, and the breeze carried the sound of seagulls and soft conversation. Locals mingled with surfers, everyone dressed down and sun-kissed.
Alex held the door for her, then glanced toward the back of the restaurant.
There, sitting alone near the railing with a mocktail in hand and sunglasses pushed up into her curls, was Halle Berry.
Halle Berry was famous two years ago. She gave back-to-back blockbusters like Introducing Dorothy Dandridge, Monster Ball, Boomerang, and a few others. Well, her Catwoman movie bombed, (It has nothing to do with DC. If you watched that movie you should know.) and the makers played her dirty, made her take the entire fall. After that mess, she took a year's break. And this year, she resumed acting with some side roles. To make things worse, she got a messy divorce last year, and right now she's very much single and focusing on her career. But as usual, in the industry, once your perfect image falls, it's hard to get back up. Not to mention that one-year pause didn't do her any good.
Caroline noticed her too.
Her voice dropped just a little. "Is that…?"
Alex nodded. "Yeah. She's been through a lot lately. Want to meet her properly?"
Caroline looked from Alex to Halle again. "Sure. She looks like she could use some company."
Alex led the way, pausing a respectful distance from her table. "Mind if we join you?"
Halle looked up. A flicker of surprise crossed her face, then softened into something warmer. "Depends. Are you buying lunch?"
Alex smiled. "At the very least."
Halle gestured to the empty chairs. "Then have a seat. I was starting to feel like the lone guest at someone else's honeymoon."
Caroline sat down beside Alex, offering a friendly smile. "Hi. I'm Caroline."
"Halle," she replied, shaking her hand. "Nice to meet you without stage lights and card tricks."
Caroline laughed. "I still think about that 'pulse' moment. I thought you two were about to launch a secret movie deal or something."
Halle's eyes flicked to Alex, then back to Caroline. "He's got that vibe, doesn't he?"
Alex raised his brow. "What vibe?"
"The quiet mastermind one. Like you could blink and suddenly you're in a three-picture contract or married."
Caroline smirked and leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table. "Oh, trust me, he's more dangerous than he looks. You blink once and suddenly you're living in a penthouse, flying in private jets, and sharing risotto under a moonlit sky."
Halle chuckled and took a sip of her drink. "So I'm guessing this wasn't a casual vacation hookup."
Alex looked at both of them and shrugged. "She kept flirting. I just stayed consistent."
Caroline turned to him. "Flirting? I was trying to survive your accidental smolder. You look at people like you're about to sign them or kiss them. No in-between."
"I take no responsibility for my face," Alex replied, deadpan.
Halle laughed again. It was soft, a little tired around the edges. "God, I miss this kind of banter. It's been interviews, lawyers, and silence for months."
"You deserve better than silence," Caroline said. "Seriously. You were the only reason I survived half of the crap Hollywood threw out during the early 2000s. You in that Bond film? Iconic."
Halle's smile deepened, but her eyes flickered. "Thanks. A lot of people remember the dress, not the work."
"I do. I tried to contact you, but your manager said you were taking a long break and she'd get back once you were ready. But never got the call. So, I had to look for someone else. Now, I know this is a vacation and we don't talk about work during break. But I want to ask you, what would you do if I say I'll give you an exclusive Titan contract? Six movies' exclusive contract," Alex asked with a serious expression.
Halle looked at him, quiet for a moment. Her drink sat untouched now, her fingers still around the glass. "Wait," she said. "Are you serious?"
Alex didn't blink. "Completely."
She leaned back, slowly. "You're offering me a six-picture deal? Just like that?"
"You're not just anyone," he said. "You're Halle Berry. No. 1 ranking of the most beautiful people in the world. No. 1 on FHM's "100 Sexiest Women in the World". And Catwoman wasn't your failure. That was a production mess. You took the fall, but we both know the truth. They used you to cover for weak writing and even worse direction."
She crossed her arms, testing his tone, not smiling anymore. "You know how many people tell me that and then backpedal the second a boardroom starts whispering?"
"I'm not 'people.'" He leaned forward, resting his forearms on the table. "Titan doesn't answer to studios or cowards in suits. We do things differently. When I say I want you on board, it means I want you. I'll give you the space to prove it again. How you are going to utilize this chance depends on you alone."
Caroline sat quietly, watching Halle carefully.
Halle looked at her. "You're okay with this? Him making offers over lunch during your date?"
Caroline smiled gently. "I don't really mind because I'd like to see you up on the big screen again, and I'll get to see you again on the set if you say yes."
The waiter stepped up quietly, tablet in hand and a white towel tucked under his elbow. He offered them a small nod.
"Can I take your order?"
Alex gestured for Halle to go first.
She glanced at the menu once more. "Grilled garlic shrimp with pineapple glaze. Side of rice and salad."
The waiter tapped it in and turned to Caroline.
"Spiced fish tacos," she said. "With extra lime. And fries."
Alex looked up. "Grilled mahi mahi sandwich. Toasted bun. No onions."
The waiter nodded, repeated the order softly to confirm, then walked away.
Halle turned back to Alex. Her eyes hadn't lost that alertness, like she was still sorting through the weight of what he'd just offered.
"Six films... It's a lot."
"So is six months of silence," Alex said, without raising his voice. "But only one of those changes anything."
Halle exhaled, almost laughed. "You don't waste time, do you?"
"I used to. Not anymore. These six movies I'm talking about will be the world's biggest budget movies ever made. Algelina, Scarlett, and Lilly are already on board. I planned to personally visit you next, but lucky me, I found you here," Alex said as he took out a black Titan card from his pocket and placed it before her on the table. "As for the content and your role, I think it'd be better to discuss them in the office. So, what's it gonna be?"
Halle stared at the Titan card on the table like it was glowing. For a moment, she didn't touch it. She just let it sit there, catching the sunlight, its weight heavier than gold.
Then, slowly, she reached for it and picked it up. Her fingers closed around the edges like she didn't trust it to stay real.
"Thank you," she said quietly, looking Alex in the eye. "I've always dreamed of working with you. I didn't think I'd ever get this kind of offer. Not now. Not without an audition or a contract negotiation or a hundred meetings."
"You can have an audition," Alex said with a faint smile. "If that helps you believe it's real."
Halle let out a soft breath, half a laugh. "You're something else."
"No," he replied. "You are."
Caroline watched her with an approving nod. "Nice. I now get to have another new friend and get to watch the shooting."
Halle looked between the two of them, then tucked the card into her clutch. "Alright. I'm in. I'll call you, but this card's staying with me. I'm framing it."
Alex nodded once. "Deal."
The tension on her face softened just as the food arrived. The plates hit the table one by one, steam curling up into the air. The garlic shrimp was rich with color and glaze. Caroline's tacos were bright, crisp, and dripping with flavor. Alex's sandwich was toasted just right, the grilled fish glistening beneath melted cheese.
For a few moments, they all focused on their plates.
"Okay," Halle said between bites. "This is delicious."
Caroline licked a bit of lime from her thumb. "So fresh..."
Alex bit into his sandwich and said after eating, "Yup! Fresh fish. Nice taste."
They eased into casual conversation. No scripts. No pitches. Just three people talking about movies they loved, places they wanted to visit, old behind-the-scenes disasters, and random facts, like how Caroline once tried to rescue a sea turtle during their beach date and accidentally fell into a tide pool.
"I was trying to be heroic," she said defensively.
"You ended up stuck upside down like a beach pretzel," Alex replied, shaking his head.
Halle burst out laughing. "You two are ridiculous. I love it."
Alex looked at her across the table. "Welcome back, Halle."
She raised her glass of mocktail. "To second chances."
Caroline clinked hers against it. "And new beginnings."
Alex tapped his last.
...
[After Lunch]
They stood by the valet stand as the staff brought the car around. Halle gave Caroline a warm hug and one last wink.
"Don't let this man distract you from how good you look in that dress," she said.
Caroline laughed. "Coming from you, that's like getting knighted."
Halle gave Alex a nod, her expression now more serious. "Thank you. For seeing me."
"You were never invisible," Alex replied. "Some people just forget where to look."
She smiled, slipped into her ride, and was gone.
Alex turned to Caroline, sunglasses already on. "You ready for round two?"
She adjusted the strap of her top and slid into the front passenger seat of their waiting SUV. Alex has dismissed the driver, told him to enjoy his day, and he'll drive instead.
"I've got a full stomach, a full tank of flirtation, and zero shame. Let's roll," Caroline said, stretching her legs.
The road climbed gradually into greener, wilder country.
On either side, towering palms gave way to dense jungle. The canopy dripped sunlight through tangled branches. Every now and then, the foliage broke open and revealed stunning glimpses of emerald cliffs or narrow waterfalls cascading in the distance.
Caroline rolled her window down halfway, letting the wind sweep through her hair. "I feel like we're driving into a painting."
Alex glanced over at her. "I thought you'd fall asleep after all that food."
"I'm in tourist-goblin mode. Too much to look at. Too much nature whispering sweet nothings."
He smirked. "You're romanticizing tree leaves now?"
"Only the sexy ones."
The road narrowed as they reached higher ground, then curved along the ridge.
Ahead, the sound of crashing water grew louder.
And then, just around a bend, it appeared.
Wailua Falls.
Twin streams of white water thundered over the cliffside, plunging into the misty basin below. The force of the fall sent a fine spray curling into the air, catching the sun in broken halos. The surrounding greenery clung to the rocks like it was born for that view.
Alex pulled the car to the overlook.
Caroline practically bounced out of her seat. "Holy hell, that's beautiful."
She hurried to the edge, sunglasses perched on top of her head now, her phone already out. "You didn't tell me it was this stunning."
"I figured I'd let the waterfall do the talking," Alex said as he joined her, hand resting casually on the rail beside her.
Caroline leaned forward slightly, squinting down at the swirling pool below. "If this was in a movie, someone would definitely be jumping off that cliff dramatically."
"You want me to?" Alex asked.
She spun toward him. "Do not even joke. I am not dragging your corpse back to the mainland."
He grinned, then pointed to a narrow trail off to the left. "There's a walk-down path. It's not for tourists. Locals use it. You in?"
She looked at her flip-flops.
Then at the trail.
Then back at him. "How much do you want to see me covered in mud and swearing like a sailor?"
"Very much."
She sighed dramatically. "Fine. But if I slip and land on my ass and get covered in mud, you're going to clean me up."
"With pleasure," He said.
The path was uneven, shaded, and thick with ferns. Roots twisted beneath their feet. It wasn't exactly treacherous, but it demanded attention and steady hands.
Which worked in Alex's favor.
Caroline kept reaching back for him, either for balance or dramatic flair. She wasn't sure anymore.
"Whoever designed this trail," she muttered, "had strong opinions about personal safety."
"You're doing fine."
"I'm sweating in places I didn't know had pores."
Alex pulled her up over a low boulder. "And you're still cute."
"Don't sweet-talk me. I'll make you carry me next."
"I was already considering it."
She rolled her eyes, but a smile tugged at her lips.
Finally, after a careful curve around a tree and a short drop over mossy stone, they reached the base.
The roar of the falls was louder now. The pool spread out before them like melted glass, the mist rising in a fine spray. A couple stood near the edge, taking selfies. Otherwise, the place was quiet.
Caroline stepped toward the water, lifting the hem of her shorts, and waded in ankle-deep.
"Okay," she said, turning to Alex. "This was worth every slippery step."
He stood behind her, arms crossed, watching the falls like they were something from a forgotten story.
She looked back at him. "What are you thinking?"
He moved beside her. "That I'm going to remember this moment. Not just the view. You in it."
Caroline blinked, caught off-guard by the softness in his voice.
"You know," she said slowly, "you keep doing that."
"Doing what?"
"Catching me off guard. Making real stuff sound like poetry."
"I mean it," he said. "Everything's better with you in the frame."
Caroline looked at him for a long second, then leaned in and kissed him: wet feet, jungle heat, waterfall mist, and all.
Alex took out his phone and took a picture of them kissing before the waterfall with his eyes closed.
...
...
[Evening] [Back to the Airport]
The sun dipped low as they drove along the edge of the ridge, golden light stretching across the treetops.
Caroline had her legs tucked under her, one hand resting on Alex's thigh.
"Think we'll ever top this day?" she asked.
Alex shifted gears smoothly. "We don't have to. We just build better ones."
She smiled, watching the trees blur past. "God, I love you."
He didn't say it right away and just reached for her hand, squeezed it. Then said, "Love you too." And drove on.
----
[POWERSTONES AND REVIEWS PLS]
Support link: www.patr eon.com/UnknownMaster
[5 advance chs] [All chs available for all tiers] [No double billing.]
---
AN: This Catwoman movie mention is the standalone flop. It has no connection with DC.