Los Angeles sunlight filtered through the floor-to-ceiling windows of Stage 24, bleaching the soundstage floor in pale gold. Madison Morgan stood center frame, her heart still hammering from the intensity of the scene she'd just shot. The director's voice still echoed in her ears: "And… cut! Perfect, Mads. Beautiful work."
She blinked twice, her chest rising and falling rapidly. That had been the hardest scene yet: a slow, lingering kiss with her co-lead, Jake Turner, a handsome actor with chiseled features and a reputation for turning every romance on-screen—
and off—into tabloid fodder.
"Quiet on set," the assistant director called. The bustle of camera crew and makeup artists quieted around her. Madison peeled one arm free from Jake's grasp and stepped back, blinking to clear her head.
"Great take," Jake purred, pressing a hand to her elbow. He exhaled, his breath warm against her skin. "You're incredible. It's like the cameras can't look away."
Madison forced a polite smile and gave him a slight nod. "Thanks, Jake."
He stepped closer, lowering his voice. "Listen, after we wrap tonight, you and I should go grab a bite. My treat."
She dabbed at her lipstick in a compact mirror, heart fluttering with nerves and…something else. She'd learned long ago to keep her personal and professional lives separate. But the memory of Kai's face last week—seeing him with Daniela Melchior, the rumors swirling—had left a bruise on her heart.
"I appreciate it, but I've got plans," she said gently but firmly, stepping around him.
"Oh?" Jake raised an eyebrow, the smirk playing on his lips. "Plans? You're always welcome to hang with me."
Madison squared her shoulders. "I'm not interested."
Jake's confident grin wavered for a heartbeat before returning. "You sure? I could show you some hidden-gem spots in WeHo. Best craft cocktails in the city."
She held his gaze evenly. "Maybe another time."
He let out a low whistle and stepped back. For a moment, she thought he'd press the issue. Instead, he only cocked his head, dark eyes appreciative. "Alright, Madison. Your loss." He strode away to sign autographs for a pair of extras, tossing over his shoulder, "I'll see you later."
Madison exhaled slowly, the adrenaline receding. She hated this—playing cat and mouse with someone she barely knew, especially when part of her yearned to lean on someone. Yet every time she thought of Kai, her heart clenched. She and Kai had been close during his early days at Sporting—late-night video calls, whispered promises of "someday soon"—but distance and rumors about him with Daniela had left her wary. Could she risk her heart?
With a deep breath, she pulled out her phone and dialed.
"Hey, Taylor," she said as soon as her agent, Taylor Chen, picked up. "I finished the kiss scene."
Taylor's enthusiastic voice crackled through the line. "I heard. Darling, your performance blew up the monitor feed. The director wants you even more in the next two episodes."
Madison exhaled, a small grin tugging at her lips. "That's good, right?"
"Good? Mads, it's amazing. Between this, that red carpet in two weeks, and Emmy buzz starting to swirl, you're on fire."
Madison's grin faltered. "Emmy buzz?"
Taylor laughed. "Yes, Emmy buzz. Doesn't matter if it's early. Entertainment Weekly already ran a feature: 'Breakout Stars of 2026.' You're in the top five. And brands are chasing you – Gucci, Chanel, Dior. They want you on the front row."
Madison pressed her palm to her forehead, overwhelmed. "Taylor, that's… amazing. But it's a lot."
Taylor's tone softened. "I know, honey. Just remember to breathe. We'll pace it—magazine covers before Paris Fashion Week, then the Emmys nomination announcement. You're ready for this."
Madison closed her eyes, letting the excitement and anxiety swirl together. "Thanks, Taylor. I'll be home late tonight. I've got voice-over work in the morning."
"Understood," Taylor replied. "I'll send you the brand schedules. And, by the way, I booked you a screen for your party in three days. Sporting vs. AC Milan, remember?"
Madison smiled, the tension in her shoulders easing. "Yea. Wouldn't miss it."
"Good," Taylor said. "Alright, I'll let you get back to your day. Break a leg on the next scene."
"Thanks, Taylor. Talk soon."
Madison hung up and set her phone down, letting the thrill of the evening settle in her chest. She turned back to the set, where Jake was now chatting with extras. She sighed softly and refocused on her mark. Acting was her life—bright lights, glamorous premieres, whispered speculation. But tonight, her mind had drifted elsewhere, back to Lisbon, and to Kai.
Later that evening, when the crew had wrapped, Madison maneuvered through the swarm of cables and cameras, gathering her belongings. The set was enveloped in a soft hush as people prepared to leave. She used the lull to text Kai: "Game this week—I'm tuning in!" Then she slipped her phone into her clutch and exited the stage door, blinking up into the warm LA night.
She took a deep breath of the cool air. For a moment, she allowed herself to forget the pressures of stardom—to imagine herself alone with someone who truly understood her. But those thoughts always circled back to Kai, thousands of miles away.
A sleek black Mercedes rolled to a stop at the curb. Madison climbed inside, greeting the driver, who whisked her to her apartment. As the city lights blurred by outside the tinted windows, she thought of the Champions League fixture in three days: Sporting's return leg against AC Milan, the match that could define Kai's season. She couldn't wait to watch.
At home, Madison changed into comfy clothes and curled up on her sofa, laptop in lap. She opened the message thread with her castmates and Taylor, confirming the viewing party details. Then, almost on impulse, she logged into social media to check on Kai.
The feed was calmer than last week's explosion—no fresh rumors, no fresh gossip. But Daniela's name and Kai's were still trailed by whispers of "dating" and "Hollywood fling." Madison scrolled through a few fan comments before closing the app with a sigh.
He's fine, she told herself, snapping the laptop shut. You trust him.
She flicked on the TV and rinsed her mouth with water before moving to the small bar cart in the corner. She mixed a glass of lemon-mint iced tea and carried it back to the sofa. The city lights cast a soft glow as she settled under a cozy throw, remote in hand.
The next morning, Madison stepped into her sleek downtown apartment's kitchen to find her assistant, Jenna, already setting out breakfast and a stack of scripts. Jenna looked up, flashing a bright smile.
"Morning, Mads. You look… energized."
Madison returned the smile, though it was edged with fatigue. "Just excited for tomorrow."
Jenna raised an eyebrow. "The match? I thought you had a table read."
"I do, but I'll finish early," Madison explained. "I'm hosting the viewing party at my place."
Jenna nodded approvingly. "Got it. I'll move the call times around."
Madison leaned against the counter, savoring the aroma of fresh coffee and pastries. She loved this life—scripts, premieres, television screens—and yet there was always a part of her caught in two worlds. Acting in LA, and supporting Kai's journey in Europe. It was an impossible balancing act, but it was her reality now.
She poured herself a cup of coffee and took a sip, the warmth spreading through her. In two days, she'd be surrounded by friends and colleagues, cheering for Kai's team across the miles. She'd tweet encouragement, flood social media with supportive hashtags, and maybe even message Kai live—because despite the distance and the pressures, her heart danced whenever she thought of him.
Jake Turner's late-night flirting had been tiresome, and she had walled herself off from his advances. She finally realized that no celebrity romance could match the promise in Kai's voice when they spoke. He was her anchor, even if he didn't know it.
Madison grimaced at the thought of being called his "girlfriend" by fans—but if rumors meant people cared, she'd take it. She just hoped the whispers would quiet down before they both ended up in front of a pap-camera. Until then, she'd guard her feelings in private and support Kai from afar.
Because whatever tomorrow brought some scripts to read, scenes to shoot, red carpets to walk, her attention would always return to Lisbon on Champions League nights. And when Sporting took the field against AC Milan, Madison Morgan would be by his side in every heartbeat, every roar of the crowd, from half a world away.