Stars of My Heart

Emily lay in bed, letting out a long, heavy sigh as she watched Matthew walk around the room. He was wearing a light cotton shirt, his hair still damp from the shower, and a slight smile hung on his face.

"You need to relax," he said as he approached, carrying a bottle of aromatic oil he had found in one of the cabinets.

"I need a new spine," Emily murmured, closing her eyes.

Matthew sat down beside her and began massaging her shoulders, his strong fingers working skillfully to ease the accumulated tension. The scent of lavender filled the room, and Emily felt her muscles finally begin to relax.

"You've had a busy day," he commented, as his hands gently slid down her back.

"Agitated is an understatement. Roberto was impossible today. But I think the scenes were worth the effort," Emily replied, her voice already softer.

After a few minutes, Emily picked up her phone from next to her and opened Instagram. She had received hundreds of comments on the photos she had posted throughout the day.

"Look at this," she said, showing Matthew her phone. "The fans really loved the behind-the-scenes footage."

She started replying to some comments:

"You look amazing! Can't wait for the movie!"

Emily replied, "Thank you! We're working hard to bring you something special!"

"The set looks beautiful! What's it like to work in a place like this?"

Emily wrote, "It's amazing! Even though I'm tired, it's always inspiring to be in such beautiful locations."

Matthew, as he continued his massage, watched her interact with the fans.

"They really love you."

"And I love them. They're a huge part of all of this."

She posted on her Stories, showing off the cozy room and the bottle of oil Matthew was using. "After a long day, there's nothing like a little relaxation. #CareIsLove"

Fans were quick to respond:

"Lavender is amazing for relaxing!"

Emily laughed as she read the comments to him, who just shook his head in amusement.

After finishing the shoulder and back massage, Matthew went to the bathroom and came back with a basin of hot water. He placed the basin on the floor and gestured for Emily to sit down.

"Now it's time for the feet," he said, serious but with a glint of amusement in his eyes.

"You're unbelievable," Emily commented, but she complied, placing her feet in the warm water.

Matthew began to massage her feet carefully, using the aromatic oil again. Emily sighed, completely relaxed, as he worked.

"If this keeps up, I'm going to end up falling asleep right here," she murmured, closing her eyes.

Matthew smiled and, after finishing the massage, dried her feet with a soft towel. "Now you're ready for a good night's sleep."

As Emily stood up to thank him, Matthew gently pulled her close, his eyes shining with a mixture of tenderness and desire.

"Who said the night was over?" he asked, with a mischievous smile.

Before she could answer, he kissed her intensely, his hands sliding over her shoulders and slowly moving down to remove the blouse she was wearing. Emily kissed him back, her hands gripping his arms tightly as the heat between them grew.

Matthew lifted her easily, placing her on the bed as he leaned over her, his eyes fixed on hers with an intensity that made Emily's heart race.

"I can never get enough of you," he murmured, before kissing her again.

The kisses became deeper, more sensual, as he removed each piece of her clothing carefully, as if he were unwrapping a precious gift. When she was completely exposed, he smiled, a smile that mixed affection and desire, before leaning over her again.

The Next Morning

The sun was softly streaming through the curtains when Emily opened her eyes, feeling her body heavy and aching. She turned and saw Matthew already awake, leaning against the headboard of the bed, reading something on his tablet.

"Good morning, sleepyhead," he said, with a soft smile.

Emily groaned, covering her face with the pillow.

"You're a monster. I'm all sore because of you."

Matthew laughed, putting the tablet aside.

"A monster, huh? Well, I have a solution."

Before she could protest, he picked her up in his arms princess style, ignoring her grumbling.

"Matthew! Put me down!" she complained, but without much conviction.

"No way. You said you're sore, so I'm going to take care of you."

He took her to the bathroom and gently placed her on the floor. Emily still protested, but there was a slight smile on her face.

While Emily showered, Matthew went to the closet and chose a simple but elegant dress made of warm fabric. The day was starting to cool down, and he wanted her to feel comfortable.

When she came out of the bathroom, already dressed, she found the dress folded on the bed and a pair of boots next to it.

"Ready for another day of filming?" he asked, handing her a cup of hot tea.

"Ready... I think." Emily replied, sighing, but with a smile on her lips.

The next few days were exhausting for Emily. The tight filming schedule, combined with Roberto's perfectionism, left no room for rest. Even so, she managed to shine in every scene, delivering performances that impressed the entire crew.

Matthew, as always, was by her side during breaks, making sure she ate well and found moments of relaxation amidst the chaos. But her time with him seemed to be running out. On Saturday morning, as they had breakfast together, Matthew announced:

"I have to go back to Aurora tomorrow."

Emily froze for a moment, holding the cup of tea with both hands. Her eyes stared at him, sad, and a pout formed on her lips before she murmured,

"Do you really have to go?"

Matthew smiled softly and held her hand across the table.

"I do, my love. Lancaster Corp needs me. But I promise it won't be long before we see each other again."

She sighed, leaning against him, as if to soak up his presence while she still could.

The next day, the weather was cool and the sky was overcast. Emily wore a gray wool coat and a blue scarf, while Matthew wore a smart black overcoat. They both looked prepared to brave the cold, but not to say goodbye.

On the way to the airport, the car was silent, only the sound of the radio filling the space. Emily stared out the window, her melancholy expression reflected in the glass. Matthew, sensing her mood, took her hand and squeezed it lightly.

"Hey, don't be like that," he said with a smile. "You'll be so busy filming that you won't even notice the time passing."

She turned to him, her eyes shining with a mixture of sadness and affection.

"That's not true, and you know it."

Matthew chuckled softly and leaned down to kiss her forehead.

"Okay, you win. I'll miss you too."

When they arrived at the terminal, the bustling atmosphere contrasted with the calm they tried to maintain. Matthew picked up their bags and took them to the check-in counter, while Emily followed him in silence.

When they were finished, he turned to her, smiling, and put his hands in the pockets of his coat.

"We still have a while before I board."

Emily nodded, and they walked to a quieter area, where they could talk without rushing.

Sitting side by side in a small waiting area, Matthew pulled Emily closer, wrapping her in a warm hug. He gently ran his fingers through her hair, while she rested her head on his shoulder.

"You're the best part of my life, you know?" he said, breaking the silence.

Emily raised her head and looked at him with a shy smile.

"It's not worth saying those things when you're about to leave me."

Matthew laughed and kissed her nose.

"I promise I'll be back as soon as I can."

He held her face with both hands, looking deeply into her eyes before kissing her. The kiss was slow, full of emotion, as if they both wanted to prolong that moment as long as possible.

"Are you going to be okay?" he asked, caressing her cheek.

"Of course I will," Emily replied, trying to sound confident. "Just don't forget to call whenever you can."

"Never," he replied, with a smile.

When the announcement of Matthew's flight was made, Emily felt a pang in her heart. She held his hand as they walked towards the boarding area, their steps getting slower with every meter.

At the security gate, he turned to her and hugged her again, this time tighter.

"I love you," he said, his voice low and full of sincerity.

"I love you too," she replied, with tears in her eyes.

Matthew cupped her face one last time, planting a soft kiss on her lips before grabbing her carry-on bag and walking toward the boarding line.

Emily stood there, watching him walk away. He turned around one last time, waving and smiling before disappearing behind the security barrier.

She stood there, staring at the spot where she had lost sight of him.

"See you soon, Matt," she whispered to herself, before turning and walking back to the airport exit, already counting down the days until she could see him again.