The descent into Tokyo was smooth, the city slowly unfolding beneath the clouds like a neon-lit mosaic.
Pepper and I were seated side by side, accompanied by three bodyguards who had traveled with us from L.A.
We arrived at the hotel not long after. The lobby was sleek and modern, all marble floors and minimalist lighting. Staff greeted us with deep bows and practiced smiles.
"I really love to be rich," I muttered as I stepped inside.
Our luggage and clothes had arrived ahead of us. Inside the room, everything was already in place. My wardrobe was fully stocked with outfits I had pre-approved, and the bathroom shelves were lined with all the grooming products I liked to use. By the bed, my favorite snacks had been neatly arranged like a welcome gift.
It was like walking into a custom-made luxury bubble.
I walked into the bathroom and found the hot tub already filled and steaming, bubbles foaming gently on the surface. Without hesitation, I stripped down and slid in, letting out a satisfied sigh as the heat wrapped around me.
After a good soak and some time to unwind, Pepper and I decided to do some sightseeing. Wherever we went, we drew stares—not because of who we were, but because of the sheer size of my personal security detail. With three towering bodyguards following us everywhere, it was hard to blend in.
That evening, we attended the party. Even though the film was technically a low-budget project, Pepper had decided to host the event anyway. Her goal was to build ties with key Japanese figures in film distribution and production.
Normally, people like them wouldn't show up to a party this small. But considering how fast JD was rising—with three films turning into dark horses and holding the contract of the hottest name in music—they came.
After chatting for a while with Sofia Coppola, I managed to slip away and start a conversation with someone else.
"Hey, nice to meet you, Jake Harper," I said, extending my hand.
"Nice to meet you, Scarlett Johansson," she replied with a friendly smile.
She tilted her head slightly, her expression curious. "So... you're the writer? The one who came up with the story?"
I nodded. "Yeah. Though I had a lot of help making it into something film-worthy."
She smiled, then added, "You're younger than I expected."
She leaned in slightly, still intrigued. "How is it to be the screenwriter?"
"This will sound very weird, but I'm not a real writer. I wrote a few things, and two of them got adapted, but it's not what I love to do."
Scarlett blinked, surprised. "Really?" she laughed a little. "So it's like a hobby?"
"A bit less than that," I chuckled.
"Wow, I wasn't expecting that," she said.
"And you? What's it like being an actress?" I asked.
"Tiring," she said. "But I love it very much. It's what I want to do for the rest of my life." Her voice carried an unmistakable passion.
"Incredible. That's why I'm your fan," I said with a smile.
I did like Scarlett's movies—I always thought she was a good actress. And, of course, there was the obvious: she was stunning.
"Oh, really?" she said with a smile, looking a little suspicious. "Which role did you like me in the most?"
"Huh?" I said, caught off guard.
Oh crap, I thought. I only remember Natasha Romanoff and the movies Match Point and The Island. None of which have even been released yet.
"Hmm," I murmured, then looked her straight in the eyes and said seriously, "This one, in Lost in Translation."
She rolled her eyes and laughed.
"Oh, oh, I remember!" I added quickly, snapping my fingers. "There's one with horses!"
"The Horse Whisperer?" she said, laughing. "Do you even know what that movie is about?"
"About horses!" I said with the most conviction I could muster.
Scarlett playfully punched my arm and grinned. "Do you have any shame?"
I ignored her teasing and suddenly lit up. "Wait, I remember another one!" I said, holding up a finger. "Home Alone, with Macaulay Culkin!"
She laughed again and opened her arms dramatically. "I was in Home Alone 3—the one Macaulay Culkin wasn't even in!"
"Oh man, that never happened with me," I said.
Scarlett laughed genuinely this time
"Come on, let's sit over there," I said, nodding toward an empty bench in an isolated corner of the hall. "I've already destroyed your ego and embarrassed myself enough for one night."
She grinned, and together we walked over and took a seat, the party buzzing far from us.
Scarlett looked at me mischievously. "Even though I now know you're not actually my fan, tell me—what do you really enjoy? Since screenwriting isn't high on your list."
"Music and reading. But I think the first one's more interesting to talk about," I said genuinely. "Music became my passion. You told me about being an actress for your life—maybe music would be that for mine."
"So you dream about becoming a famous singer?" she asked, raising an eyebrow with a teasing smile.
"Yes, in the future—yes," I said.
"I'll be rooting for you," she replied warmly.
"Thank you," I said with a grateful smile.
"To be fair, I already sang a famous one," I added, then sang the first lines:
♪Feeling my way through the darkness
Guided by a beating heart
I can't tell where the journey will end
But I know where to start♪
"You're the one who sang Wake Me Up by Marshmello?" Scarlett asked, surprised.
"Cool, right?" I said with a grin.
"Very! I love his songs," she said, then hummed a few lines from Symphony, her voice light and playful.
I joined her, singing along to a few lines. For a moment, it was just the two of us laughing and harmonizing like kids sneaking away from the party.
Then we looked at each other.
And before she could talk, I leaned in and kissed her.
Support Link: https:///c/MHJunior [Up to 35+ advance Chapters]
Please give a Review and Powerstone if you like the novel