Page 41 of Love in Times of Contempt

He frowned. "The nature of the film is to look at Hollywood and what it takes to be involved with huge projects as often as I do, and explore that through a critical lens. While some folks may be curious about it, some others could see it as more cynical and criticize us for it."

"Thank you."

They moved to the next reporter. Ana told herself she'd have a chance to share her vision, yet.

"Hello, guys!" the reporter exclaimed.

"Hi," Ana and Liam responded.

"Thanks for chatting with us. You look gorgeous Ana. Who are you wearing?"

"This dress is by Colombian designer Manuel Peña."

"How was it working with someone of Liam's caliber for you?"

Ana raised an eyebrow and smiled at Liam, who gazed at her with a cheeky smile. She returned her attention to the reporter, ignoring the swirl of mixed feelings that continued to build inside of her. "Interesting! It changed some of the rules of the game. I had never had to deal with people's curiosity while filming the same way, or the way they inspected me as a person— rather than a director."

"And it was a change in pace for you too, Liam, is that right? How was it different to work in a non-scripted project?"

"It was special in many ways," Liam responded. "It made it feel like I wasn't being filmed, but that might have had to do more with Ana's style and skills, than it not being scripted."

Ana wanted to add her thoughts to that, but the reporter took the mic away. Ana kept the frown away from her face with effort. The swirl in her stomach darkened.

"And perhaps also due to the chemistry between the two of you, as well, wouldn't you say? You look lovely together."

She stuck the mic on Ana's face and the words she'd wanted to say died in her throat. What was the question? The word she said instead brought a soft blush to her face. "Thanks."

The butterflies in her stomach died all one by one.

Liam's professionalism held strong, despite the crack caving inside.

Ana didn't shine the way he thought she would.

The crowd watching the premiere with them cheered when the credits rolled, and people were generous with praise over the film as they all moved to the afterparty. Many of them had also expressed their awe at the rawness of the documentary, and now, as they all roamed around with drinks in their hands, some shared in their own similar experiences.

"I know that shit, man," a local actor shared with them. Liam leaned in to Ana and put a hand behind her back. "Going to Los Angeles for pilot season has taught me some hard lessons."

"Los Angeles teaches us all hard lessons, I think," Ana said.

He glanced at her. She smiled to people around and chatted affably, responding well to the conversation but he knew her well. She was hiding something.

She didn't look up to him, but stared at two people approaching them.

"Hello!" A tall, blonde woman offered her hand to shake. "Congratulations on your film. My name is Marie, and I'm the anchor for the morning show you're booked in for tomorrow. So nice to meet you! This is my co-host, Andy."

The man shot a hand forward. "Hello. What an amazing documentary you created."

"Thank you," Ana said, smiling, engaged; she shook their hands with as much energy as they put in, but her inner spark remained dim.

Mary's eyes were open with excitement. "We can't wait to discuss things with you both tomorrow. Talk a bit more about living in a world that doesn't make room for the person behind the image."

"Yes, absolutely." Liam nodded. "I think it's the power behind Ana's film, how clearly it paints the picture."

"Not living in that world directly, we don't always know, right?" Marie said.

"What I'm always curious about," Andy said, directed at Ana, "is how you handle jealousy. You have to see your boyfriend kissing other people, sometimes even having sex with them and here you are, having to deal with that on top of us nosy reporters, right?"

"Oh no, I'm not jealous. It's his job." Ana shrugged, a strain hidden in her words. "Just like mine is to create these films. I don't think he should be jealous of how closely I get to know the people I work with."