Stars of My Heart

Amid the pressures of filming and the repercussions of the fake news, Emily felt exhausted. Each scene required an intense emotional delivery, and even with the support of her manager and team, it was difficult to shake off the criticism that echoed through the media. However, there was something that kept her anchored in the midst of this storm: Matthew's messages.

During breaks in filming, she would check her cell phone and find a new message from him. Each word seemed to bring a sense of comfort and tranquility that she could hardly explain.

Matthew:

"Hi, how is filming going? I hope everything is going well and that you are taking care of yourself. Remember not to let this ridiculous news get to you. You are amazing, Emily."

Emily smiled as she read it. Just knowing that he was thinking of her fondly made everything seem lighter.

Emily:

"Thanks, Matthew. It's been crazy, but I guess it's part of the process. Sometimes I just wish I could forget about it all and go back to a more relaxed time. How are things going over there?"

He didn't take long to reply, and the message arrived just as she was getting ready for an intense scene in her makeup.

Matthew:

"The usual around here, just endless meetings and lots of paperwork... but nothing too much to handle. You know what? If you ever need to disappear for a while, there's always a place for you here at my company."

Emily chuckled softly, trying to hide her laughter so as not to smudge her makeup. She liked the touch of humor that Matthew inserted into his messages, turning every conversation into something light, even on the most difficult days.

The recordings started again. Emily was immersed in one of the most challenging scenes of the film, where her character, Amara, confronted the corrupt police chief who was impeding the investigation into her father's death. The emotional charge was intense, and the director demanded that she convey the character's pent-up anger and pain.

When the director gave the command, Emily poured all the frustration she had accumulated over the past few days into that scene. Her eyes burned, and her voice shook with emotion, as she challenged the antagonist with an intensity that left the crew silent.

"You will not silence me like you did my father!" Emily screamed, her tone thick with anguish.

The scene ended with an abrupt cut, and the director looked impressed.

"That was perfect, Emily! Exactly what we needed!"

She nodded, still taking deep breaths to calm herself after the scene. And as soon as she had a break, she picked up her phone and saw another message from Matthew:

Matthew:

"It looks like you just shined in a scene, right? Someone told me you'd be giving it your all today. Don't forget to breathe between scenes..."

Emily didn't know how he always seemed to guess what she was going through, but reading those words made her feel more present, more connected.

Emily:

"It's like you know exactly what I'm feeling. How do you do that? Sometimes it feels like you can read my mind, even from miles away."

Matthew:

"Maybe I have a bit of that 'mind-reading gift'... or maybe it's just because I think about you more than I should."

Those words reverberated in her mind for the rest of the day. Matthew was, without a doubt, a presence that made her feel more alive, as if she had someone by her side, even though they were so far away.

With each message exchanged, Emily felt that, little by little, something deep was growing between them.

Filming progressed, and each day seemed more intense than the last. Emily had reached a point where she felt like the character of Amara was beginning to blend into her own. The pressure to be faithful to the role and deliver the emotional depth that the script demanded was immense. Sleep was getting shorter, and the days on set became increasingly demanding.

That morning, they were preparing to film a crucial scene, in which Amara was faced with a devastating discovery: a hidden letter from her father, revealing secrets that would forever change the course of her investigation. It was a tense scene, in which Emily would need to convey Amara's pain and surprise when she realized the extent of what she was facing.

Emily sat on the set set up to look like the character's old apartment. The room was decorated with aged furniture, as if time had left its mark. Dim lights illuminated the room, and the silence on the set contributed to the somber mood.

The director approached and explained what he expected of her in that scene:

"Emily, you need to show us the weight of this moment. Amara has to seem torn between love and frustration for her father. It's a mix of hurt and hope, you know? The truth is in front of her, but it's a painful truth."

Emily took a deep breath, absorbing the director's words. She knew this would be a difficult scene, but she was determined to give it her all.

The crew got into position, and the director gave the signal.

"Action!"

She sat on the floor, the letter in her hands, shaking slightly. Her eyes skimmed over the revealing words, and a look of shock slowly transformed her face. Emily's breathing became heavy, and she felt tears welling up, not as an actress, but as someone who had truly felt Amara's pain. The anguish of watching her world fall apart, the doubts about her own father's intentions, it all felt real to Emily in that moment.

When it was over, the director slowly stood up, taking in the impact of Emily's performance.

"Cut! That was... that was powerful, Emily. Thank you," he said with a genuine tone of gratitude.

Her colleagues on set applauded, but she was still so immersed in the scene that it took her a few seconds to reconnect with her surroundings. The weight of the scene had affected her deeply, and it was difficult to separate herself from that emotion. An assistant brought water, and Emily sipped it slowly, trying to calm herself.

Between scenes, Matthew continued to be her outlet. He sent her encouraging messages, jokes, and even random photos of his daily life, which made her smile during the most stressful moments.

Matthew:

"You seem to be carrying the weight of the world on this set. Want a virtual escape? I'll send you a picture of the view from my office if you want to distract yourself."

Emily:

"Yes, please! You can't imagine how much this helps... it's been intense around here."

Moments later, Matthew sent her a photo of the M-City skyline, with towering skyscrapers under the blue sky. The image brought her immediate relief, a reminder that there was something beyond the walls of the set.

Emily:

"Thank you for this. Sometimes I feel like I would forget to breathe if you didn't remind me."

Matthew:

"I know what it's like. Just don't let the role consume you. I'm here if you need a break or a new perspective."

Emily put her phone away, feeling renewed. Matthew's silent support, even from a distance, was stronger than anything at that moment.

The filming continued with other intense scenes, each one demanding more of her. There was a sequence in which Amara, after a tense chase, confronted one of the accomplices in the case. The scene involved an intense fight, where Emily, with high adrenaline, faced the actor, exchanging angry looks, her lines full of frustration and contained hatred. It took her several takes to get the tone exactly what the director wanted.

The actor next to her, however, seemed more nervous, making mistakes and exaggerating his lines. The pressure was increasing, and the director, trying to ease the tension, asked for a break.

During the break, Emily went to her colleague, offering an understanding smile. "Hey, we all have days like this. These confrontation scenes are complicated, but we're in this together."

He smiled gratefully. "Thanks, Emily. Just seeing your dedication helps me a lot. You're doing great."

At the end of the day, Emily returned to the trailer, exhausted but satisfied. She was covered in a mixture of sweat and smeared makeup, signs of the intensity of that day. But the feeling of building something worthwhile was comforting. Before getting ready to rest, she opened her cell phone and saw another message from Matthew.

Matthew:

"Congratulations on the day of filming, star. I hope that, after all this, you can relax. Tell me tomorrow how it went… I want to know everything."

With a smile, she replied, feeling that, even miles away, he was by her side, following every step of this journey.