Chapter 4

Once everyone had left, he happened to bump into me on my usual path home.

I was so nervous that I wanted to make a run for it, but this time he caught me—no beating around the bush.

"Isabela, I like you. Will you be my girlfriend?" he said.

I could literally feel him shaking. And his voice... it was so mesmerizing. I felt like I could just lose myself in it.

He said, "I've liked you for exactly three years, four months, and eight days. I want to be with you—will you give me a chance?"

My mind went totally blank. Was I dreaming or was this real?

All the regret I'd held onto for years just vanished when I met his eyes. That moment, my dream came true.

I cried the entire day. God knows how I managed to survive all those nearly four years without him.

I'd see him in my dreams every single night, and honestly, I never wanted to wake up.

He just kept saying sorry, trying everything to comfort me. When I told him about all those letters I'd sent, he was completely blindsided—turns out he'd never received a single one.

It wasn't until I visited his hometown that I realized I'd written the wrong house number. Who even knew where my letters ended up? Maybe someone was still wondering about those heartfelt confessions.

Suddenly, all that heaviness just faded away. It wasn't that he ignored me all this time—turns out fate just loves messing with people.

He confessed he'd been secretly into me for years, and even got into drama school just to stay close to me.

But I kept dodging him, so he thought I wasn't into him at all. Every time some other guy tried to make a move on me, he'd totally freak out, scared I'd get swept away before he had a chance.

I just started sobbing even harder. So, all those three-plus years of mooning over him—was it all for nothing?

He was a total legend—an absolute movie god. Finlay had scored the Best Actor award twice before even hitting his prime.

But who would've guessed that the famously reserved and almost untouchable Finlay—who hadn't even given up his first on-screen kiss—would be a completely different guy behind closed doors?

Maybe it was all those years of longing, but after we finally got together, he turned into my personal Velcro boyfriend—always sticking to me, no matter what.

There was one time we just couldn't see eye to eye.

I ended up just leaving a little note at home and quietly sneaked out.

But I only got a few days of peace before he showed up on the reality dating show, hunting me down.

After he finished talking about the chocolate he'd flown in, his eyes stayed glued to me.

Camilla's cheeks were burning red. There was no doubt—Finlay liked her back, and she could feel it.

The host turned to Camilla for the final question.

"Miss Harmon, have you ever been in a relationship?"

She couldn't tear her eyes away from Finlay—her gaze never wavered, not even for a second.

"Um... I guess you could say I'm kind of, sorta seeing someone," she said, with a shy, playful grin.

The internet exploded all over again.

[Is she talking about Finlay Brown? Is she?]

[My ship just became canon! I'm freaking out!]

"Is he here with us tonight?" the host asked, voice shaky with excitement. This dating show was next-level!

Camilla ducked her head, cheeks flushed, and mumbled a bashful "Mm-hmm."

[It's official! From what she's saying, they're not quite a couple yet, but the vibes are totally there—right? Is it Finlay Brown?!]

[They're a couple in my book!]

You seriously couldn't tell from the livestream who Finlay was staring at—camera angles did nothing to help.

But everyone else in the studio saw it loud and clear—his eyes were basically spelling out 'Isabela Foley' at this point.

Once the interaction rounds were over, the real fun was left for tomorrow. Tonight, it was all about sliding into our crush's DMs and seeing if we'd get matched up.

Back in my room, I picked up my phone and saw just how viral everything had gone online today—it was pure chaos.

My agent never stopped texting, nagging me to put on a good face, because if I messed up again, the entire internet would come for me, no doubt.

I didn't even bother with the company messages—I just muted them all. Honestly, I'd already made enough cash; if it got too annoying, I would just retire from the spotlight and spend my days chilling.

Before I knew it, it was time to send out those crush messages. Right on cue, my phone buzzed with a message.

Who else could it be? Finlay, obviously.

I tapped open and—yup, message waiting.

[My sweet Bela, gotta say—wish I could just nibble on you right now.]

My cheeks went bright red. Every time he scooped me up in his arms, that was exactly what he'd whisper. He always teased that I was just like my name—sweet and juicy, through and through.

How could I ever post something like that?

Just then, my phone buzzed again.

It was from an actor I barely knew.

[Miss Foley, I'd love to learn more about acting from you. Would you mind giving me some tips?]

Why would he reach out to me of all people? With my reputation in the dumpster online, I was totally confused.

The show set us up with special accounts, all using our real names as nicknames.

I still hadn't sent a message, spent a long time just wondering if I should text Finlay.

In the end, I let it go. Better give my poor waist a break for a few more days.

So, I ended up sending nothing. Whoever I got grouped with tomorrow didn't matter. Finlay and Camilla would be paired up for that new drama promo for sure anyway.

I sprawled out on the big bed, munching on the snacks I'd brought with me, and started binge-watching my favorite show.

After thinking it over for a second, I went ahead and ordered some takeout.

Half an hour later, the doorbell rang. I got up to open it.

When I opened the door, I was completely caught off guard—Finlay stood there holding my takeout in one hand and a few bars of chocolate in the other.

"What... what are you even doing here?" I blurted out, flustered and barely managing to sound firm. I tried to shut the door, but he propped it open with a quick move.

Finlay cocked his head to the side, flashing that familiar teasing grin.

"Brought you some chocolate," he replied, all gentle mischief.