Day 1: Distraction
(Thomas Hunt x OC) in a Choices Red Carpet Diaries/ The Royal Heir crossover fic.
Masterlist
Rating: PG for some mentions of sexual situations. Mostly fluff all over.
@krsnlove @my-heart-beats-for-ya @aworldoffandoms @flyawayboo @trappedinfanfiction @sophxwithers @twinkleallnight @hopelessromantic1352 @tessa-liam @choicesrcd2022 @promptnonny
Premiere Date
Two months earlier...
"Maxwell said the premiere for The Royal Romance will be December first." Amanda balanced her phone on her shoulder while finishing up reviewing the servants' wages. "Would you like to be my date for it?"
"Of course." Thomas jotted it down on his calendar. "I believe we made it official last month that I would be your date from now on."
Amanda couldn't help but smile when she looked at her engagement ring. "Yes, we did but I thought since it is a Tommy Phelps film, that might stretch your affection for me.
Thomas snorted in response. "There are not enough explosives in that man's mixed bag of mediocre cinematic tricks to ever stretch what I feel for you."
"I love how you're able to take an insult to someone else and turn it into something romantic for me." She replied with a giggle.
His lips curved. "As was my intention. I should be in the process of editing my film by then." He double checked the date. "Are you able to remain in Los Angeles after the premiere?"
"I believe so." Amanda flipped through her own calendar. "I don't have any court events I have to attend until after the holidays."
"Good." Thomas motioned for Holly to bring him his schedule for the day. "Then we can begin our plans."
Amanda smiled even more. "Our wedding plans?"
"Exactly." He quickly scanned the day's shots. "I don't intend to start any film projects until the end of next year so that we can enjoy the beginning of our marriage."
Thomas glared over at Holly and Addison making aww noises. He turned away from them in an attempt to keep his conversation private.
"Plus I want us to have a honeymoon away from everyone we know."
His frown eased when he heard Amanda laughing.
"Have you got your usual audience around you again?" She teased.
"I do." He grumbled.
"I see." Amanda smiled softly. "I suppose this means no, I love you, at the end of this call, hmm?
"Of course not." He replied. "I'm not going to let a few irritating individuals stop me from saying that."
"Then I will let you get your day started while I wind down for the evening." She replied. "I love you, Thomas."
"I love you, too." He sent another glare over his shoulder when he heard Addison and Holly's overly dramatic sighs. "Sleep well."
"I'll talk to you tomorrow, my love." Amanda promised.
"I look forward to it." Thomas ended the call with a dark frown towards his two assistants. "Don't you have something you should be working on?"
"Just waiting upon your usual demands, boss." Holly replied.
"Is Amanda coming to visit?" Addison asked.
"Unfortunately," he quickly counted the weeks, "not yet."
"You miss her a lot, don't you?" Holly prodded.
"I do." His frown reappeared at them involving themselves in his private life. "Well, don't just stand there! Make sure everyone is waiting on the set!"
Their grins let him know they weren't the least cowed by his bluster of anger. He knew he'd have to do something about that at some point. A soft smile formed as he realized he wasn't too worried about it.
In eight weeks, he'd be back with the one he loved.
*************
Seven weeks later, Taos, New Mexico...
This had to be one of the inner circles of hell Thomas was trapped in. There was no other explanation that could make sense better than that one. All his plans, his intentions, everything was one monstrous nightmare.
Nothing about filming his new take on the western genre was going like he'd envisioned.
He'd lost numerous supporting actors due to some type of food poisoning. Two of his stunt doubles were in the hospital due to accidents off set. The hotel they were originally at caught on fire and most of the costumes were damaged from the smoke and embers.
Holly fell while hiking and twisted her ankle all while dragging Addison with her and causing the costume designer to break her wrist and three fingers.
Matt Rodriguez had to leave for a few weeks, halting production since his character was the one the entire plot revolved around, when his father suffered a heart attack.
Jessica Clarke, Hollywood's favorite new actress since her starring role in Thomas's The Last Duchess, had to stop filming her own horseback riding scenes the moment she found out she was pregnant.
Thomas was certain that all of this was occurring at just the right moment to drive him completely insane.
There was no way he'd be able to up and leave to start over. They were halfway done with filming the needed scenes on location. Plus, the backdrop to this desert town was exactly what he needed to convey the sheer hopelessness of Matt's character finding peace and redemption.
He eyed his phone, knowing he'd have to make the dreaded phone call.
He wouldn't be able to be Amanda's date for the premiere.
He needed to stay and combat these problems.
He knew she would understand. It was one of the many things he adored about her. He simply hated the thought of letting her down. And to be honest, he wasn't looking forward to seeing her in pictures on the arm of anyone else.
Who else was more perfect to be her escort to a movie premiere than the one man many regarded as a cinematic genius?
Thomas rubbed his face, softly groaning at what must be done.
He visibly jumped when his phone vibrated loudly on the table with an incoming call.
"Hello?" He tried to not sound so disgusted.
"Oof." Amanda replied. "That might be the most depressing hello I've ever heard."
Thomas pinched the bridge of his nose. He didn't know how to begin letting her down.
"Production must be going rough." Amanda softly said. "I'm so sorry."
"What do you have to apologize for?" Thomas snorted. "Unless you have become some maniacal sorceress and placed a curse upon my film, you have nothing to be sorry about."
He realized how bitter his tone was when he was met with nothing but silence.
"Amanda, I apologize." Thomas began again. "I didn't mean to sound like--"
"I know you didn't." She quickly interrupted before he spiraled on with guilt. "I only meant how sorry I am that I can't do anything to make it better for you."
"You make everything better." He grumbled. "In fact, hearing your voice is the only thing keeping me from yanking my hair out right now."
The sound of her laughter bubbling up brought a softening to his frown.
"We can't have that." She sighed. "I hate I won't get to see you next week."
He blinked. "How did you know I wouldn't be able to take you to the premiere?"
Her chuckle held a touch of sadness.
"Because I know how hard this shoot has been for you and I know you need to be there to complete it."
Thomas shook his head, marveling at how she always knew what he needed before he even said a word.
"I'm going to miss you terribly." She continued. "If Maxwell hadn't made us all promise to stick by his side, I'd find a way to sneak over to Taos."
"I understand." He slumped in his chair. "I was looking forward to finally having a chance to be with you." He rubbed a hand down his face. "I'm sorry I can't be there as your date."
"Then you better make plans for when you are free for the two of us." She replied.
Thomas could imagine the smile she must have just by the sound of her voice.
"What kind of plans would you like me to make?" He asked.
"The usual kind, Mr. Hunt." Amanda replied. "Time where we can be alone without anyone or anything else bothering us. I want no distractions taking your attention away from me."
"My favorite kind of plan." His lips curved. "And you should know that every time I am with you, nothing can take my attention away from you."
"That's all I want to hear." Amanda softly sighed. "I probably should let you go so you can get some rest."
"I doubt I'll get any sleep." He grumbled. "I've got another rewrite to work on with Holly."
"Try for my sake." Amanda gently urged.
He groaned.
"I will for you."
"Good. I love you so much."
Thomas relaxed some in knowing she must truly not be upset with him for canceling their plans by hearing her say that.
"I love you, too."
After he ended the call, he sat there staring at nothing in particular while thinking of Amanda. His frown formed once more in knowing she'd be coming to America and he couldn't enjoy her visit.
He reached over for the script, picked up his pen, then paused.
He wondered if there was a chance she could come here after the premiere.
*************
December first...
"Earth calling Thomas, Come in, Thomas."
He looked up, blinking the world around him back into focus.
"Welcome back." Holly grumbled, handing him a new cup of coffee. "Are we going to change up the scene with the argument Jonah and Marlene have since Jessica can't chase him down during the stampede?"
"Hmm?" Thomas glanced at the script. "Yes, of course."
Holly waited for him to give her something to write down.
Thomas stared at the scene for a few silent seconds.
"Okay." Holly threw her pen down. "Talk to me, boss."
Thomas quirked an eyebrow at her.
"We've been moving at a snail's pace with this script. You've barely shot any new footage. Every time I come into your trailer, you're staring off into the distance." She folded her arms. "There's only two possibilities for you to lose focus."
His eyes narrowed.
"The first one," Holly continued, unfazed by his glare, "is that this desert town has now drained your heart of filmmaking."
He rolled his eyes in response.
"Or you are distracted with a serious issue." She concluded.
He averted his eyes from her.
"What's wrong?" Holly repeated. "Come on, Thomas. I've worked with you too many times to be ignored."
He cleared his throat. "I don't know. Each time I think about the scenes that need to be addressed, I find myself..."
He squirmed in his chair, glaring down at his cup of coffee.
"You find yourself, what?" Holly prompted.
"I find myself thinking of Amanda."
Holly sat back with her jaw dropped.
"It isn't that shocking." He grumbled. "She is my fiancée after all."
"I know that." Holly leaned forward. "But I've never known you to be so lost in thought over her that you weren't able to work!"
"I am working!" He snapped.
Thomas snatched his pen up and x'ed out the entire scene. "There!" He threw it down. "I just made a directorial decision!"
"Thomas!" She scolded.
He rubbed a hand down his face.
"Why don't you take the next couple of days off and go see her?" Holly asked.
"Because I have a job to do, here." He argued.
"Which you're sucking at." Holly mumbled
"That was unnecessary." Thomas bit out.
"No. It's pretty necessary." She took the script and set it back in her portfolio. "Take a break. Everyone else has needed one for various reasons. You need one to clear your head so we can finish this shoot strong."
Thomas groaned, shaking his head.
"You know I'm right. Go surprise Amanda. It will put you in a better mood." Holly swiped up her stuff on her way out. "And we certainly need a more pleasant director right now."
"I won't make it in time to take her to the premiere." He mumbled.
Holly paused at the door. "Then get there in time to take her home."
His eyebrows raised while he calculated the hours he'd need to do just that.
*************
"What'd you think?" Maxwell eagerly asked.
"It was amazing!" Riley exclaimed.
"I never said any of that." Drake snapped. "Why did you--"
"I loved it!" Hana interrupted before Drake could destroy Maxwell's excitement. "I wish I was as graceful as Cassandra Leigh."
"You are even more graceful." Liam told her while slipping his arm around Riley. His smile grew when his wife kissed his cheek. "And I am moved seeing our love story come to life."
Olivia rolled her eyes. "At least you made me true to form." She eyed Amanda. "You're awfully quiet."
"Hmm?" She looked up at her friends. "I'm sorry, did you ask me something?"
"The movie?" Maxwell took her by the shoulders to playful shake her. "Remember seeing it just a few minutes ago?"
Amanda laughed. "Yes. It was great."
"It's a shame you were out of the country during all that." Maxwell slung his arm around her shoulders as they followed everyone out to the lobby. "Then you could have been cast as someone awesome."
"I doubt anyone is more awesome than Ryan Summers." She teased. "You lucked out."
"I know!" Maxwell grinned at her. "Wasn't it like looking at my twin brother?"
"Sure."
Once they were out in the lobby, the group looked around at the crowd.
"Now what?" Drake asked.
"After party, baby!" Tommy Phelps joined them. "We are going to celebrate our success!"
"I've been waiting all my life for an after party." Maxwell exclaimed.
"My man!" Tommy fist bumped him. "I knew you would be down for one." He eyed the other Cordonians. "You're all coming too, right?"
"We are." Riley replied. "Right guys?"
Liam, Drake, and Hana answered in the affirmative.
Olivia rolled her eyes with the pleading looks from Maxwell and Riley.
"I suppose I could go for a drink or two." She responded. "Amanda?"
She nudged her when the duchess remained quiet.
"Hmm?" Amanda tried to focus on the conversation. "Oh! No. I'm not going."
"No!" Maxwell pouted. "How come?"
"Jet lag." Amanda latched on to the excuse. "I think I'll go back to the hotel and get some sleep."
After another firmer refusal, she was able to escape her friends.
All she wanted to do was to go back to her room and call Thomas. It felt so wrong being in Los Angeles without him. Her first premiere had been as his date for The Last Duchess. She'd assumed as quickly as their relationship developed that all premieres would be spent by his side.
She could just imagine his reactions to the overly dramatic scenes, the unneeded explosions, and the way the scenes were framed. Her lips curved into a sad smile as she also thought of how he would have remained by her side, his arm around her or holding her hand, whispering that he thought she looked lovely tonight.
She could almost feel the kisses he would have placed upon her knuckles and temple as they sat through the film. Her skin tingled with how he would have insisted they not go to the after party so that they could return to his home for an evening alone.
Her imagination was vivid enough to conjure all they would have gotten up to once within that peaceful, empty of all well meaning friends, and able to express their love. The kisses and caresses that would follow once the door was shut. The clothes slipping off.
Her cheeks colored as she walked outside of the theater. Her eyes scanned the now empty red carpet, searching further for a taxi or town car to take her back to her hotel. The number of limos lined up made her softly groan over the possibility of having to walk a few blocks in her uncomfortable heels.
As she dismissed each limo and waiting driver without a second glance, she doubled back on the sight of a tuxedo clad man leaning causally against a limo.
Thomas watched as recognition flashed in her expression. Unfolding his arms, he broke out into a smile as she rushed to greet him.
Chuckling, he caught her in a hug that lifted her off the ground. His lips sought hers as she slipped her arms around his neck.
"You came." She breathed against his lips.
"I did." He deepened the kiss, feeling at peace for the first time in weeks. "I've missed you."
"Nowhere near as much as I've missed you." She leaned back to look into his handsome face. "I can't believe you're here!"
He took her hands while motioning with his head toward the limo. "Shall we go home?" He eyed the people beginning to spill out. "Unless you have other plans."
Keeping his hand in hers, she got into the limo, tugging him in behind her.
"My plans only involved returning to the hotel and calling you." She snuggled against him once he settled his arm around her. "Now that you're here, I'm rethinking them."
"Oh?" He pressed his lips to the side of her neck. "I hope they align with my own."
She melted against him as his hands began to wander along her curves. Their lips met again and again in a more heated exchange than the last one.
"I feel very confident that our plans are going to align perfectly."