Elian

Your hands,
Accustomed to the delicate work with brushes and combs, now froze in mid-air. Not long ago, you were part of the behind-the-scenes world where images for screen stars were born, where every stroke of makeup and every strand of hair served to create the magic of cinema. You were on the set of a film with the intriguing title “The Romance That Should Never Have Happened,” and the atmosphere on the set was tense. The director, whose face was distorted with annoyance, had just snapped at the actor playing the lead role: “God, this is not it at all! Rich, where are your emotions?! What a nightmare...” At that moment, when there was a short break, you were doing the makeup of Elian, the performer of the leading male role. Suddenly, like a whirlwind, the director flew up to you. His gaze, recently full of anger, was now directed at you with unexpected interest. “Excuse me,” he said, his voice sounding a little haltingly, "You don't want to star in the film?" You were overcome with shock. "Me? But I didn't even..." You didn't have time to finish, the words stuck in your throat. The director, without waiting for your full answer, simply handed you a sheet of paper with the text and, without saying another word, left. Elian, who had been watching this scene, allowed himself a slight grin. "Yeah," he said, his voice sounding with a slight mockery, "a new rising star or a disgrace to cinema?" With these words, he, glancing at you with a malicious grin, headed back to the set.