Behind the Spotlight
Episode 1: The Contract
[Scene: Late evening. Luminary Entertainment HQ. Kiara’s office — glass walls, city lights below.]
Kiara Sen (FL)
(typing) “Send Mr. Reign in.”
Nicholas Larsen(FL PA)
(typing) “Right away, ma’am.”
Door opens. Aarav walks in — confident, wearing a dark suit, sunglasses still on indoors.
Kiara Sen (FL)
Still pretending the sun shines only for you?
Aarav Reign (ML)
Only when you’re in the room.
Kiara Sen (FL)
Save the lines for your script. Sit.
Aarav Reign (ML)
(drops into the chair, smirking) You sound just like you did five years ago.
Kiara Sen (FL)
I don’t have time for nostalgia. You’re here because your scandal is tanking my company’s new production.
Aarav Reign (ML)
You mean 'our' production. I’m still the lead, remember?
Kiara Sen (FL)
Not for long if you don’t sign the new contract.
Aarav Reign (ML)
Let me guess. More restrictions. No nightclubs, no flings, no headlines.
Kiara Sen (FL)
Exactly. Your image is chaos, and Luminary doesn’t do chaos.
Aarav Reign (ML)
(leans forward) Funny. You didn’t mind my chaos when we were alone.
Kiara Sen (FL)
That was a mistake.
Aarav Reign (ML)
Was it? Because you’re still wearing the same perfume.
Kiara pauses — she hates that he remembers.
Kiara Sen (FL)
Focus, Mr. Reign. You either sign this or you’re out.
Aarav Reign (ML)
You think you can control me with paper?
Kiara Sen (FL)
I control your career. That’s enough.
Aarav Reign (ML)
(slow smile) You want control. I want you.
Kiara Sen (FL)
You want what you can’t have.
Aarav Reign (ML)
You’re wrong, Kiara. I always get what I want.
A charged silence fills the room.
Kiara Sen (FL)
Sign it, or I’ll replace you by morning.
Aarav Reign (ML)
(grabs pen) Fine. But I have one condition.
Kiara Sen (FL)
You’re in no position to negotiate.
Aarav Reign (ML)
Then call it... a promise. You’ll see me again. Off the record.
Kiara Sen (FL)
Delusional.
Aarav Reign (ML)
Obsessed.
He signs, pushes the contract toward her, fingers brushing hers — deliberate.
Kiara Sen (FL)
We’re done.
Aarav Reign (ML)
Not even close.
He stands, eyes locked on hers, then leaves the faint trace of his cologne staying behind.
Kiara exhales, steadying herself. Her phone buzzes — message from him.
Aarav Reign (ML)
📩You can’t keep ignoring me, Kiara. You know I was made for your world.
Kiara Sen (FL)
(typing) My world doesn’t revolve around you.
She stares at the screen, heart racing despite herself.
Kiara Sen (FL)
(thinking) I should’ve never let him back in.
Kiara Sen (FL)
But as city lights flicker below, she knows it’s already too late.
Episode 2: Red Carpet War
[Scene: Grand Film Gala Night – Mumbai. Red carpet flashing lights, cameras, and chaos.]
Kiara steps out of her car — sleek black gown, diamond earrings, the perfect image of control.
Reporter 1
That’s Kiara Sen! CEO of Luminary Entertainment!
Reporter 2
Where’s Aarav Reign? Rumors say they’ll walk together tonight!
Kiara ignores the questions, her face calm but her phone vibrates.
Aarav Reign (ML)
📩 Don’t walk in yet.
Aarav Reign (ML)
Wait for me. I want the world to see us. Together.
Kiara Sen (FL)
This is business. Don’t make it personal.
Aarav Reign (ML)
Everything with you is personal.
Before she can reply, a roar from the crowd — Aarav arrives. Black tuxedo, sharp jawline, confident smile. The cameras go wild.
Reporter 3
Aarav! Over here! Who’s your date tonight?
Aarav Reign (ML)
(smiling directly at her) You’ll see soon.
He walks up to Kiara, offering his arm.
Kiara Sen (FL)
You’re out of line.
Aarav Reign (ML)
No. I’m exactly where I belong.
The crowd gasps as she reluctantly takes his arm — PR necessity. Flashes explode.
Photographer
Mr. Reign, Ms. Sen! Look this way!
Aarav Reign (ML)
(whispers) Smile, Kiara. Pretend you don’t want to kill me.
Kiara Sen (FL)
You’re lucky these cameras exist.
Aarav Reign (ML)
Without them, you’d kiss me instead?
Kiara Sen (FL)
In your dreams.
Aarav Reign (ML)
You’re already in mine.
She freezes — his tone too serious this time.
Reporter 1
Are you two officially working together again?
Kiara Sen (FL)
Professionally, yes. Aarav is part of our next film project.
Aarav Reign (ML)
And personally, we’re… reconnecting.
Kiara Sen (FL)
We are not.
The crowd laughs at their banter, taking it as playful chemistry. She glares at him.
Kiara Sen (FL)
(Low voice) One more stunt like that, and you’re off the roster.
Aarav Reign (ML)
You’ll fire your star attraction? Bold move.
They walk inside the gala — elegant chandeliers, soft music, champagne glasses. The world sees a power couple, but inside, it’s a war zone.
Aarav Reign (ML)
You handle pressure well. That’s why I liked you.
Kiara Sen (FL)
You don’t get to talk about liking me.
Aarav Reign (ML)
Then what do I talk about? How you walked away without a word?
Kiara Sen (FL)
Because you were reckless. You still are.
Aarav Reign (ML)
And you’re still pretending you don’t feel anything.
He steps closer, his voice low, eyes burning with intensity.
Kiara Sen (FL)
Back off, Aarav. This is not your movie.
Aarav Reign (ML)
No, it’s ours. You just haven’t read the ending yet.
Someone interrupts — Kiara’s business partner, Rhea, joins them.
Rhea (Business partner)
Kiara, you look stunning! Aarav, nice to see you behaving… for once.
Aarav Reign (ML)
Behaving is overrated.
Kiara Sen (FL)
So is arrogance.
Rhea leaves, chuckling. Aarav leans in again.
Aarav Reign (ML)
You hate that I make you feel something.
Aarav Reign (ML)
Then why do your hands shake when I’m near?
Her fingers tighten around her clutch. She hates that he’s right.
Kiara Sen (FL)
Because I regret letting you close again.
Aarav Reign (ML)
Liar. You missed me.
Kiara Sen (FL)
You’re impossible.
Aarav Reign (ML)
And you’re addicted.
The event host calls Aarav to the stage for an award — Best Actor of the Year. The crowd applauds.
Host
Ladies and gentlemen, Aarav Reign.
Aarav takes the mic, gaze locked on Kiara.
Aarav Reign (ML)
(speech) Thank you to Luminary Entertainment for believing in me… and to one woman who keeps me striving to be better — Kiara Sen.
Whispers ripple through the crowd. Cameras turn toward her. She keeps a neutral smile, though her pulse races.
Kiara Sen (FL)
(typing) We’ll talk later. PRIVATELY.
Aarav Reign (ML)
(typing) Finally. I’ve been waiting for that invitation.
[Scene: After the event, backstage]
Kiara storms into his dressing room.
Kiara Sen (FL)
What the hell was that speech?
Kiara Sen (FL)
You turned a professional night into your personal drama!
Aarav Reign (ML)
Because you keep pretending you’re unaffected. I wanted the world to see who inspires me.
Kiara Sen (FL)
That wasn’t flattery. It was manipulation.
Aarav Reign (ML)
Maybe. But it got your attention.
Kiara Sen (FL)
You already had it, Aarav. You just keep wasting it.
He steps closer, eyes soft now, not mocking.
Aarav Reign (ML)
You think I don’t know I’m messed up? I do. But I can’t turn off how I feel about you.
Kiara Sen (FL)
You should. It’s safer that way.
Aarav Reign (ML)
Safe is boring. You’re not.
For a heartbeat, she almost smiles — then catches herself.
Kiara Sen (FL)
You’re exhausting.
Aarav Reign (ML)
And you’re everything.
He brushes past her, leaving the room — the scent of his cologne lingering again. Kiara exhales shakily.
Kiara Sen (FL)
(thinking) He’s going to ruin me… or I’ll ruin him first.
Episode 3: The Late-Night Script Read
[Scene: Midnight. Luminary Studios, rehearsal room. Only the soft glow of desk lamps. Papers scattered, silence thick.]
Kiara sits at the table, script open. Aarav walks in, his hair slightly messy, jacket slung over his shoulder.
Kiara Sen (FL)
You’re late. Again.
Aarav Reign (ML)
You called me after midnight. That’s practically a date, not a meeting.
Kiara Sen (FL)
Don’t flatter yourself. We’re reviewing your dialogue for tomorrow’s shoot.
Aarav Reign (ML)
Or maybe you just couldn’t sleep without me?
Kiara Sen (FL)
Keep dreaming. Sit down.
He sits opposite her, leaning back, that familiar smirk tugging at his lips.
Aarav Reign (ML)
You look tired. Too many secrets to manage?
Kiara Sen (FL)
I manage 'empires', not secrets.
Aarav Reign (ML)
You mean you hide your feelings better than most CEOs.
She glances up sharply. He’s too close to the truth.
Kiara Sen (FL)
We’re here to rehearse, not discuss feelings.
Aarav Reign (ML)
Fine. Let’s read. Scene twelve — The confession.
He reads his line, voice low, rough with emotion.
Aarav Reign (ML)
(reading) I never stopped wanting you. Even when I tried to forget, your name stayed in my throat.
The air shifts. Kiara’s fingers tighten around the script.
Kiara Sen (FL)
You’re supposed to 'act', not mean it.
Aarav Reign (ML)
Who said I’m acting?
A heavy silence. The clock ticks louder. She forces herself to look back down.
Kiara Sen (FL)
Stick to the lines.
Aarav Reign (ML)
You don’t realize how hard it is to stand across from you and 'pretend' it’s fiction.
Kiara Sen (FL)
Then learn to separate your role from your obsession.
Aarav Reign (ML)
Maybe I don’t want to.
He stands, circles the table, stopping behind her chair. His voice drops, softer now, pleading, not teasing.
Aarav Reign (ML)
Do you ever think about us, Kiara? Even once?
She exhales, eyes closing briefly.
Kiara Sen (FL)
Sometimes. And every time I do, I remind myself why it ended.
Aarav Reign (ML)
Because I loved you too much?
Kiara Sen (FL)
Because you mistook possession for love.
He goes silent, the words hitting him harder than expected. Then — quieter, almost broken.
Aarav Reign (ML)
Maybe I did. But you’re the only chaos I’d choose again.
She looks up, eyes meeting his, a thousand emotions between them. The city hums outside the glass walls. Neither moves. The distance between love and danger has never felt thinner.
Download NovelToon APP on App Store and Google Play
