Page 20 of Play Room Actor

At one point, I found myself in front of a photograph showing a nook beneath a staircase. I couldn’t help but be reminded of the strip club scene when Kilian had flirted with me. This time, though, a smile briefly crossed my lips.

Guess I’ve just accepted that he keeps creeping into my thoughts whenever I least expect it.

“Hey,” a voice said beside me.

I turned around and found myself face-to-face with Alex. Everything in my head spun again, and I felt like I’d gotten up too quickly. I took a deep breath, trying to shake off the dizziness.

“Do you like the picture?” he asked, gesturing toward the photo.

“Yeah,” I answered awkwardly. “It reminds me of a place. Where did you take it?”

“Oh, that was in a café in Geneva.”

There was a moment of silence, and I wasn’t sure if I should say anything.

“Sorry,” Alex said finally. “Have we met before?”

My heart skipped a beat, then raced, and I gasped for air. Before I answered, I glanced over my shoulder to make sure no one was nearby, listening in.

“I … I wasn’t sure at first either, but … It must have been at Livio’s party, when you … I was the one who called the ambulance.”

“Oh no,” he said, clearly startled. “That … Shit …”

The situation was so uncomfortable that I ran my hands through my hair in agitation. “I’m clean now. No more parties.”

“Me too.” The relief on his face was obvious. “That was my last one.”

I forced a smile, but it faded almost instantly. “I wish I could say the same.”

“You made it out, so you should be proud of yourself.”

I rubbed my shaky finger over my lips and chin. “I … didn’t come out unscathed.” My voice was barely a whisper, and I wondered why I was telling Alex this.

My therapist had always suggested I join a support group. Maybe this was what he meant—talking to someone who had been through something similar.

“I’m sorry,” Alex said.

I didn’t want his pity, so I tried to steer the conversation elsewhere. “I saw you during the speech earlier. Is that your boyfriend?”

Alex’s face lit up, as if all the spotlights were on him. “Yeah, we met back then. He knows everything about my past—which is good. And he accepts it.”

“That’s nice,” I said, clearing my throat as I strengthened my shoulders. Somehow, I felt like I’d been slouching. “Anyway … I’m glad you’re doing well. You were really lucky.”

Alex narrowed his eyes. “If you want to talk …”

“No,” I said, forcing a laugh. “I’m fine.”

“I mean it.”

“Hey, guys!” Kilian called out as he came over to us with a glass of wine. “You two know each other?”

“No,” I replied shortly.

Alex was also vague. “Only briefly.”

“Are you both starving?” Kilian asked after a brief silence. “Lucien and Noé are suggesting we go grab something to eat.”

“Sure,” Alex said, looking at me. “You coming? You two seem to know each other.”