The clock struck two in the afternoon.

Elise arrived at the suburban filming location with Matthew.

Elizabeth and Ethan were shooting their period drama series there.

A massive castle town had been constructed as the primary set.

A crew member escorted Elise toward Ethan.

He was seated behind a large video monitor, intently directing the scene.

Ethan glanced up, offered a brief, polite nod, then returned his focus to his work.

Elise settled quietly nearby, observing the organized chaos.

Elizabeth and her co-star, Benjamin Abbott, were taking their positions for the next shot.

It was her first time witnessing a professional film set in action.

"Scene three, sequence one, take one. And... action!" Ethan's voice cut through the air.

In an instant, Benjamin cornered Elizabeth against a faux-stone wall.

Their eyes locked in a tense, charged stare.

Elise was immediately captivated by the raw emotion in Elizabeth's gaze.

It was mesmerizing.

Benjamin began to lean in, his lips slowly closing the distance to hers.

A flicker of conflict shone in Elizabeth's eyes before they fluttered shut.

A single tear escaped, tracing a path down her cheek.

Their lips were millimeters from touching when Elizabeth abruptly turned her face away.

The spell was broken. Both actors dropped character.

"Cut!" Ethan's voice was sharp with frustration.

"I'm so sorry," Elizabeth murmured, quickly wiping her tear. She addressed the crew. "My mistake."

The script had called for a kiss, and she had avoided it.

Ethan took a calming breath. "Five-minute break for this unit. We're moving to the next scene first."

Elizabeth stepped off the set, looking drained.

Her assistant, Penelope, rushed over with a bottle of water. "Elizabeth, are you alright? What happened?"

"Nothing. I just... lost focus for a second," Elizabeth replied, her voice soft.

"Kissing scenes are always awkward with new co-stars," Penelope sympathized. "Should I have Ms. Linda speak with the director? We could reschedule it."

"No," Elizabeth said firmly. "That's not necessary."

She knew most productions filmed intimate scenes early to help build chemistry.

This wasn't about Benjamin. It was something deeper, a visceral reaction she couldn't control.

"Okay. Let's get you to your trailer to rest for a bit."

Elizabeth nodded. As she turned to leave, her eyes landed on a familiar face. She blinked in surprise.

"Elise Scott?"

"Ms. York," Elise greeted with a warm smile, stepping forward to shake her hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you in person. You're even more stunning than on screen."

"The feeling is mutual," Elizabeth said earnestly. "It's a real shame you aren't an actress."

She genuinely found Elise's beauty striking. Her features were precisely to Elizabeth's own aesthetic taste.

Her brother certainly had an impeccable eye.

"You're too kind. My acting skills are practically non-existent," Elise demurred with a light laugh.

Elizabeth smiled. "Ethan mentioned you're interested in discussing an endorsement?"

"Yes, but I don't want to interrupt your work. Perhaps we could have dinner after you wrap up today?"

"That works for me," Elizabeth agreed. "Actually, a friend is joining me for dinner tonight. I hope you don't mind if she comes along?"

"Not at all. The more, the merrier."

"Oh, and thank you for the confectionery delivery. That was you, right?"

"It was. My pleasure."

"You really shouldn't have, but thank you."

With the pleasantries concluded, Elizabeth continued toward her trailer.

Elise watched her retreating figure.

She had anticipated potential friction, but Elizabeth was proving to be far more approachable than expected.