Shooting Stars

The soft hum of the camera powered on, red lights flickering to life as the crew adjusted their angles. The auction house—usually silent, save for murmured bids and quiet wealth—felt alive in a way it hadn't in decades.

Rose stood at the center of it, under the largest chandelier, with emeralds draped around her neck and diamonds catching the low lights. The emerald silk gown cascaded down to the marble floor, pooling just at her feet.

She looked like she belonged in another time.

Jason leaned over the monitor, grinning as he adjusted the frame. "She's something else, Lex. This angle's eating her up."

Lex stood a few feet away, arms crossed, watching Rose as she shifted slightly under the lights, hands brushing against the jade bracelet she wore—the only piece of her own jewelry.

"She's not just something else," Lex said, eyes narrowing. "She's the whole show."

Jason shot him a look, smirking. "You know, if I didn't know you better, I'd say you sound like a man in love."

Lex's gaze didn't shift. He remembered too clearly the life she lived before—scrubbing floors and doing laundry while guests she wasn't allowed to look in the eye drank champagne around her.

Lex signed.

He was making up for every time he carelessly let her disappear.

"It's not love, Jason," Lex said quietly. "It's overdue."

Jason snorted but didn't press further.

As she ran her fingers over the silk, Lex's phone buzzed in his pocket.

Benny.

He answered quietly. "Yeah?"

"I got a writer for the Everett script. But Lex—Ryan's team needs to see something. They're interested, but not enough to sign without visuals, Lex." Benny's voice crackled on the line, cutting through the quiet. "You're the only one putting up cash for this Everett film. No other backers either. Just you."

Lex's gaze didn't shift. Rose leaned forward slightly, her voice soft but strong as she started humming along to the piano's low notes.

"That's fine," Lex replied, voice calm.

Benny groaned. "Fine? No, no. This is the part where you panic a little. You're funding a full concept reel by yourself. That's not a small check especially if you are pushing for Ryan."

Lex's eyes narrowed slightly, watching the way Rose's hair caught the chandelier's glow as she tilted her head back, lost in the music.

"I know exactly what I'm doing."

"Lex, listen—" Benny's voice lowered, taking on that rare tone he used when he was actually trying to talk Lex out of something. "There's no safety net here. You're going all in on Rose for a film we don't even have Ryan locked for yet. If this flops—"

"It won't." Lex's voice was sharp, cutting Benny off mid-sentence.

Benny chuckled. "I don't know how you always sound this confident, but I'm starting to think I should stop questioning it."

Lex smirked. "Good instinct. I'll call you back."

As he hung up, the dressing screen slid open.

Rose stepped out in the emerald silk gown, the fabric catching the light and pouring over her shoulders like it had been made just for her.

Lex's breath stilled for half a second.

She didn't just look the part.

She was the part.

Her eyes met his. "Well?"

Lex's smirk returned, slower this time.

"That's the look of someone no one forgets."

The cinematographer gave the cue, and soft music filled the auction house. It wasn't for the video—just a backing track to set the mood.

Rose's eyes flicked toward Lex for a brief second before the performance began.

Her lips parted, and her voice—low, sultry, and sharp enough to slice through the weight of the room—carried the first note.

Lex's chest tightened slightly.

She didn't sound like someone trying to prove herself.

She sounded like someone who had already won.

An hour passed, the takes running seamlessly. Jason worked the angles, directing the crew while Rose moved through the gallery, brushing her hands along the glass cases, her reflection shimmering beside the jewelry.

Lex stepped aside, giving her space to work. He barely noticed when Gregory Tann walked in—flamboyant as always, wearing bright orange loafers that somehow didn't squeak against the marble.

Gregory stopped beside Lex, watching the scene unfold with an approving nod.

"You know, I always thought you had good taste, Lexington," Gregory said, arms crossed. "But this—this is something else."

Lex glanced over, raising a brow. "Is that your professional opinion, or are you just fishing for a stylist credit?"

Gregory chuckled, pulling a glittering hand fan from his pocket and flicking it open dramatically. "Why not both? The girl looks like she stepped straight out of a Gatsby party."

Lex's eyes stayed fixed on Rose.

"She's supposed to."

Gregory hummed thoughtfully, lowering his fan just slightly. "Your great-grandmother would've loved her."

Lex's smirk twitched at the corner of his mouth. "You think so?"

Gregory arched a brow. "Oh, absolutely. Lady knew how to pick people who shined. And she'd know a rising star when she saw one."

Lex didn't answer immediately, his thoughts drifting back to his great-grandmother's portrait.

In another life, Rose wouldn't have been anywhere near this.

But this wasn't that life.

"She's not just rising, Greg," Lex murmured. "She's already there. The rest of the world just hasn't caught up yet."

Gregory let out a soft laugh. "I don't know if you're arrogant or just right."

Lex finally looked at him, smirking. "A little of both."

The final shot wrapped just as the last of the natural light faded through the high gallery windows. Rose stepped down from the raised platform, pulling the earrings off carefully and handing them to Jason.

She approached Lex, brow raised as she tugged lightly at the dress's silk hem.

"So, do I get to keep any of this?"

Lex smiled faintly. "You can borrow it."

Rose laughed under her breath. "Generous."

Lex nodded toward the jade lock necklace still on her neck. "But that—keep that. It suits you."

Her fingers brushed over the cool stone, something soft flickering in her eyes.

"Thanks."

Lex didn't say anything more. He was in a good mood.