Stars of My Heart

The next morning, the sun was softly illuminating Emily's bedroom. She opened her eyes slowly, enjoying the rare luxury of not having an alarm clock ringing in the early hours. The silence was a welcoming embrace, and she allowed herself to lie down for a few more minutes, enjoying the calm in her spacious and elegant home.

After a long, relaxing shower, she changed into comfortable clothes—a light white t-shirt and gray sweatpants—and went downstairs to the kitchen. It was one of those days when she could slow down and do something simple like make breakfast. She grabbed a frying pan and some eggs, letting herself be carried away by the pleasure of cooking something leisurely. As she cooked, she noticed her phone beeping with a few messages from friends on set, asking if she wanted to meet up later.

After breakfast, Emily sat on the couch, looking out her window at the view of the city skyline. There was something comforting about seeing the city so alive from afar while her world was at peace. She picked up a book that was on the coffee table, a novel she had started months ago but hadn't had a chance to finish yet. Reading was something she loved to do, and today seemed like the perfect day to dive into another story.

The afternoon came quickly, and Emily took the opportunity to organize a few things in her office. There were a few contracts and documents that needed her attention, mainly related to the new phase of her career. As she flipped through the pages, she noticed that one of the magazines had an interview with Matthew, with a photo of him looking directly at the camera. She laughed at the determined expression on his face, remembering the fun way he had off camera.

When she finished organizing, she decided it was time to pamper herself a little. She put on some relaxing music, made a green tea and went out to the terrace. There was a comfortable armchair where she sat, closing her eyes and letting the soft sound of the music lull her thoughts. Inevitably, they turned to Matthew and the night before. His smiles, the words they exchanged, the way he made her feel special.

Before she knew it, her phone rang, breaking the silence. It was Gabriela, her manager, who always seemed to know exactly when to get in touch.

"Hi, Emily! Enjoying your day off?" Gabriela asked, her voice cheerful.

"Yes, finally," Emily replied, laughing. "I needed this."

"Well, enjoy every second! Oh, I just called to remind you about the photo shoot we have next week. I'll be there to make sure everything goes perfectly."

Emily thanked him, and after saying goodbye, she hung up the phone. The peace of the day calmed her and, at the same time, brought to the surface a pleasant expectation for what was yet to come, both in her career and in her personal life.

To end the day, she decided to take a walk around the neighborhood, admiring the simplicity of the trees and the sound of the birds around her. Each step was like a reminder that life away from the cameras and commitments was also rich and full of precious moments.

Emily continued her walk through the neighborhood, watching the sunset paint the sky in shades of orange and pink. It was a silent spectacle that made her feel connected to something bigger, something simple and true, far from the lights and pressures of the film set.

When she returned home, night had already fallen. She decided to prepare a light and comforting dinner. The kitchen was a space that always calmed her, so she put on soft music while she chopped some vegetables and prepared a risotto. The aroma of food soon filled the room, creating a cozy atmosphere.

During dinner, her phone vibrated again. As she looked at the screen, she noticed a message from Matthew.

Matthew: "Hi, how was your day off?"

Emily smiled, hesitating for a moment before replying.

Emily: "Peaceful and perfect. I needed some time to myself. How about yours?"

Matthew: "I had a few meetings, but I'm free now. I figured you'd be at a party or event, not holed up at home."

Emily: "We don't always need to be surrounded by people to feel good, right? Today it was just me and my favorite book."

Matthew: "I liked that. So... since I'm free, how about dinner sometime?"

Emily's heart raced. For a moment, she imagined the perfect answer, not wanting to show too much enthusiasm.

Emily: "That would be great! When you have some time in your busy schedule, let me know."

Matthew: "Done. I'm looking forward to it. Until then, enjoy your evening. Happy reading ;)"

Emily let out a light laugh, happy with the exchange of messages. After the conversation, she kept thinking about Matthew and how much he could make her feel at ease, even if it was just with a few words. He was different, and that difference was exactly what attracted her.

After dinner, she lay down on the couch in the living room with the book in her hands, but soon realized that it was difficult to focus on the story. Her mind insisted on going back to the conversation with Matthew, to the moments they shared. He had left a space in her life that, little by little, she was beginning to fill.

When the night finally came, she went to bed feeling peaceful and filled with a warm feeling. She closed her eyes, thinking about the possibilities and adventures that awaited her, both in her career and with Matthew.

The next morning, Emily woke to the soft sound of her alarm clock. Sunlight streamed into her room through the cracks in the curtains, and she took a deep breath, feeling refreshed. Thoughts of Matthew were still fresh in her mind, and an involuntary smile appeared on her face as she remembered the messages they had exchanged the night before.

After showering, Emily began to get ready for a leisurely day. She put on a light linen shirt and comfortable pants, since her schedule was not full. She decided to take some time to take care of herself, which included a hearty breakfast. She made an omelet with fresh herbs, orange juice, and a cup of coffee. The aroma of the coffee calmed her, making the moment even more enjoyable.

As she ate, her phone vibrated, revealing a new message from Gabriela, her manager:

Gabriela: "Good morning, Emily! I hope you're feeling well rested. I know you're on vacation, but we've landed a cover for an important magazine! We want a more relaxed photo shoot that shows you as you really are. Let's talk about it tomorrow?"

Emily read the message, surprised and excited about the opportunity, but she took the opportunity to put work aside for the day. She decided to walk around the neighborhood, visit some small shops, buy some flowers and maybe even have lunch at a café she'd always wanted to try.

After a while, as she walked down the street, she began to reflect on her relationship with Matthew. They had become so close in such a short time that now he seemed to be part of her routine. The way he made her smile, the way he treated her with respect and understanding... It all seemed so natural and real.

Emily picked up her phone and typed quickly:

Emily: "Good morning, Matthew. I hope work isn't taking too much of a toll on you. Shall we schedule that dinner soon?"

She hesitated for a moment before sending, but eventually decided that there was nothing to lose. After all, this was a new phase in her life, where she was finally making room for new connections and feelings.

Matthew's reply arrived within minutes:

Matthew: "Good morning, Emily. I was actually thinking about you just now. Let's go! This week has been a bit busy, but... how about Saturday night?"

Emily: "Perfect. Looking forward to our date. Good job!"

Emily continued her walk around the neighborhood, feeling light and hopeful.