Falling in love during a quite strange quarantine
Chapter 1 – Quarantined
On a surprising sweet day of October, two well-known and talented actors stood exactly six feet apart from each other. The shock on their faces could still be seen through the protecting masks they wore. Those two famous actors were Scarlett Johansson and Chris Evans, the pair of very good friends were going to shoot yet another movie together. This time around, they were back to playing an actual couple, which hasn't happened in years. After playing two friends for ten years - two friends who almost got together at some point - they had both agreed to come back as the characters from one of the first movies they did together. It had taken many, many years but Annie and Hayden were going to be back on screen.
Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini had both wished for a comeback. Even though the book – that the first movie was inspired by – did not get a sequel, they wanted to explore further the chemistry of the two actors. But alas, when it came to start shooting the movie, a pandemic took over the world and all the unprepared countries were quickly submerged by the disease and deaths. This pandemic has put a stop onto the world and pushed further the shooting of The Nanny Diaries 2.
As the months passed, Chris and Scarlett were both informed that they would start shooting the movie in October. They had already filmed a few scenes in all safety, they stood apart during some scenes and only took their masks off when needed to. However, the only thing they couldn't do was the romantic scenes which was quite problematic since the characters' relationship would be taken into another step. Shari and Robert, the directors, kept thinking of ways to make sure that they could kiss and hug and be safe at the same time but none of their ideas were good enough.
One day though, when Shari arrived on set she suggested a crazy idea to Robert who liked it but wasn't sure if Chris and Scarlett would agree to what she had thought of. "This is insane, I love it." He had told her. The two directors had decided that they would go with Shari's idea since it was the only solution they actually had.
They had approached the two stars who were already hanging out together, going through their lines and making sure they would sound as realistic as possible. "Chris, Scarlett." Robert greeted them with a smile that was only shown through his eyes.
"Hi, Robert. Hi, Shari." Scarlett said in her usual sweet voice. "What do you have for us today?"
Shari looked at her co-director before setting her eyes on the pair of friends. "Well, we have finally found a solution about the kissing and safety problem."
"Oh, that's great," Chris said. "What is it?"
She exhaled. "It will sound crazy, and maybe it is, but we want you to be quarantined together for a few days."
"How is that going to help?" Scarlett asked, a frown upon her features.
"Here is the crazy part," Robert announced. "We want you both to get tested for Covid, then you're going to be quarantined together for a few days to make sure that both of you are healthy. Then, once we have the results, you'll be out of quarantine and you'll do the kissing scenes and we'll be good to go."
Scarlett shared a look with Chris who looked as shocked as she was. "What's the point? We already get tested every few days."
"Have you both been drinking?" Chris asked, finding the solution quite absurd.
"By quarantining you together, alone for a few days, we make sure that none of you is sick." Shari explained.
"So you expect me to leave my daughter for a few days?" Scarlett asked, her sweet voice long gone.
Chris suddenly gasped in realization. "You expect me to leave my dog for a few days? Who do you think I am? A monster?" He shook his head. "To hell with the kissing scene, as much as Scarlett is a good kisser I'm not leaving my dog."
Scarlett looked at Chris with a dumbfounded expression. She was thankful she was wearing a mask because they would've seen her blush. She cleared her throat. "I'm with Chris on that, is it really worth it?"
"You could spark the flame, make sure that your chemistry is still here during all that time you will get." Shari mumbled loud enough for the two actors to hear her.
"Are you suggesting what I'm thinking?" Scarlett asked with her arms folded over her chest.
"I'm not encouraging you to cheat, I'm totally against it." She informed the blonde haired woman. "But, you are always making sure that your lines are realistically pronounced, why not do the same for the kissing?"
Scarlett scoffed and shook her head. "That would be kissing outside of work, and that is cheating. If this is how you thought you were going to convince me, well you're wrong."
Shari and Robert looked at each other with a desperate look. They knew it was the only way and both of them were against it. "Look, guys, I know it's not easy and that it sounds totally crazy but just hear me out okay?" Robert pleaded. "Chris, you bring Dodger to your brother or any other family member, you know he will be safe with them. You already left him a couple of times to shoot your other projects, this time is no different except that you're going to be quarantined with a friend you've known for 17 years." He told him and wanted to smile when he saw Chris nod in comprehension. "Scarlett, you can leave your daughter with Colin. If you two are to be married then you should be able to let them bond. They both need to get used to one another, right? Or if you don't want to leave her with your fiance then just drop her off at her father's or your mother's or just hire a nanny."
"Are you telling me what to do with my own daughter?" Scarlett asked, offended by his words. She had gotten into her mama bear mode.
"What? No, no, no." Robert assured.
"Scarlett," Chris called out and stepped closer to her. She turned around and looked at him. "It's just for a few days, it'll be fun. Just the two of us hanging out for a few days, we've been trying to hang out alone together for so long, now is the opportunity. It'll be like a sleepover."
The blonde actress chuckled and sighed. "Fine." She told them. "But only this time."
"It's only for a few days." Shari informed.
"You could've started by that." Scarlett said.
Chris smiled. "Where are we going to be quarantined?"
"An apartment nearby. You'll be taken here after work, you're going to rest and tomorrow at 7 a nurse is going to get you both tested. Then you'll stay in the apartment until we have the results. Sounds fair?" Shari looked at them.
"Yep." Chris replied while Scarlett simply nodded. It was going to be one hell of a few days.