Fallen Actress' Comeback: Torn Between the Director and the Mafia Lord-Chapter 20: First Time on Set

Chapter 20

~Xena’s POV~

After Xavier dropped us off, Skai and I headed straight inside the hospital to check on Nancy.

She was still sleeping, resting peacefully after her surgery. The doctor assured me she was doing fine, no complications, just fatigue.

I was so relieved by the news that I almost cried right there.

By the time we finally returned home later that evening, exhaustion clung to my bones.

I kicked my shoes off the second we stepped inside. All I wanted was a long bath, preferably the kind where I stayed in the tub until my skin wrinkled.

I tucked Skai into bed first after bathing her, listening to her tiny snores grow steady. The moment I sat on the couch afterwards, my phone buzzed.

I nearly jumped from the bed. I moved towards it and picked it up. As soon as I saw a part of the text, I knew who it was.

I had almost forgotten that I had given Xavier my number. So when I got a text message from him, my stomach did that same stupid flip it always did when Xavier was involved.

The message preview appeared on screen.

Xavier: Did you get home safely?

My thumb hovered over the keyboard longer than it should have. Why was I suddenly nervous when it was just a text? A normal text.

Right?

I exhaled and typed back.

Me: Yes. We’re home now.

I stared for a second before hitting send.

Almost immediately, his next message came in.

Xavier: Good. And Skai?

I softened without meaning to.

Me: Already asleep. She was exhausted.

There was a pause.

Xavier: I figured. She had a long day. And... I’m glad we talked today, Xena.

I blinked down at the screen, warmth sneaking up my cheeks before I could stop it.

Why did his words feel heavier than they looked?

Why did "I’m glad we talked" feel like more than it should?

I tightened my hand around the phone, trying to steady the fluttering in my chest.

My mind replayed the way he looked at me earlier, the softness in his voice when he spoke to Skai, the ridiculous smirk he wore when he teased me...

This man was trouble, the dangerous kind. And yet... here I was, rereading his text like a teenager with a crush.

I walked out of my daughter’s room to the parlour and crashed on the couch. I peeked at my phone again, expecting a message, but when I saw none, I sighed and leaned back into the sofa.

He was probably waiting for me.

Me: ...Yeah. I’m glad too.

I stared at the message for several seconds before locking my phone.

I didn’t know what any of this meant, but the flip in my stomach wasn’t going away anytime soon.

Xavier: You liked the cake?

Me: Um... Skai loved it, and Nancy too.

Xavier: And you?

I wanted to drop the phone and ignore him, but that’d be rude, right?

Me: Good night, Mr. Xavier.

I did not wait for another of his replies. I turned my phone off and went inside for my well-deserved bath.

By the next morning, after turning my phone on, I received a text from Dominic, saying I was needed at the company’s entertainment wing alongside co-actors for the movie.

That was all I needed to hear. I dressed quickly, dropped Skai with my neighbour, and headed straight for the company.

I hated leaving her when I went to work, but most jobs weren’t paricularly good with bringing your kids to work.

The entire building buzzed with activity when I arrived. People rushed in and out of doors, carrying costumes, light equipment, and folders. The energy always felt different on days like this. Tight, loud, and strangely exciting.

As soon as I entered the lobby, someone called out softly.

"You must be Xena Winter."

I turned to see a young woman standing by the glass doors, and smiling politely. She looked around my age—maybe a little younger—with a sleek ponytail and a badge hanging from her neck.

She stepped forward. "I’ve been waiting for you. This way, please. Director Xade asked me to bring you to the movie wing."

I nodded and followed her through the hallway.

"My name’s Cece, by the way," she added as we walked. "I’m the head of production coordination."

Ah. That explained the clipboard and the ear-piece.

We reached the large double doors leading to the set. Two bouncers stood there, arms folded, scanning through the list in their hands.

Cece stepped forward confidently.

"Cece Hart. Production coordinator. And with me is Xena Winters, the lead actress of this movie." 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

Their expressions changed instantly. One of them checked the list, found my name, then nodded and opened the door for us.

Inside, the movie set looked even bigger than I expected—bright lights hanging everywhere, actors milling around, makeup artists touching up faces, camera operators adjusting lenses.

People I knew. People I had only ever seen on TV. And people I didn’t recognize at all.

Cece turned to me. "Please wait here. I’ll inform the director you’ve arrived."

"Alright," I said with a nod and she hurried off.

I took a slow breath, scanning the room. I caught a few familiar faces—actors I’d admired for years. Some glanced at me, some didn’t bother. It still felt unreal being here to be honest.

Immediately, memories rushed through my mind, pulling me back to those days—those years on set, acting and loving every moment.

Several voices came flooding my mind in an instant and all I could do was smile as if I was transported back there.

Cut!

Take a ten-minute break.

No. Cut.

Redo the scene again.

Make the romance more believable.

Let your anger pour through and...

A shrill, sarcastic, annoyed voice sliced through the noise behind me, breaking through my train of thought.

"So, this is the wannabe duckling that stole my lead role."

I froze for a second before I slowly turned around to see a black haired lady with too much makeup staring at me.

"I didn’t know that they now pick street trash over gems here. How low Apex Dream Entertainment has fallen."