"Follow you?" Zac asked, perplexed.

"On Instagram," she clarified.

"Oh… umm. Because I wanted to?" Zac's response was tentative, a hint of uncertainty coloring his words as he struggled to articulate his thoughts.

Vanessa shot him a pointed look, her gaze piercing through his attempt at nonchalance. "Really? After all these years. Just like that?" Her voice held a note of incredulity, a silent plea for honesty and understanding.

"You remember Jeffrey Ballard?" Zac's voice softened as he shifted the conversation, his eyes searching Vanessa's face for any sign of recognition.

"Hmmm… sounds familiar?" Vanessa furrowed her brow, racking her brain for any trace of memory associated with the name.

"He was my first publicist. Back in the day." Zac's tone was nostalgic.

Recognition dawned on Vanessa's face, a flicker of warmth replacing the furrow of confusion. "Oh yeah! I do. I ran into him at an event a couple of years ago! He was so nice."

"Yeah," Zac nodded, a small smile playing at the corners of his lips. "He was a great friend. Whenever I was in town, I'd make it a point to visit him. He'd been sick, though, unfortunately, the past few years."

"I'm sorry to hear that," Vanessa's voice softened with sympathy, her heart going out to Zac.

"Thanks." Zac's gratitude was palpable.

"When he saw you, he told me he was so happy to run into you and how awesome you were," Zac continued, his words tinged with a mixture of fondness and regret.

"Aww," Vanessa's lips curved into a gentle smile, touched by the memory of Jeffrey's kindness.

"He asked if we were still in touch and got a bit quiet when I said we weren't." Zac's voice held a hint of remorse.

"He said, "You know, no friendship or relationship is an accident. And until and unless you absolutely burn down a bridge, it's still there. It just takes one step forward to put it to use. Where there's love, time or separation doesn't take away from any relationship. Keep in touch with everyone you love." He then said, "Look at us. You fired me, but we're still here." Haha."

Vanessa listened intently, Jeffrey's words resonating deeply within her.

"He was really good at staying in touch with friends and old clients. And he was all about reconnecting with people, especially in his last few years. He wanted everyone to know how much they meant to him. Even if time and distance had led their paths down different routes. He passed away last year…" Zac's voice trailed off, a somber note settling over the conversation.

Vanessa fell silent, the weight of Jeffrey's wisdom pressing heavily on her heart. She reflected on his words, on the importance of nurturing relationships and cherishing the connections that mattered most.

"One day when I was scrolling through Instagram, I came across an article about you. I went through your profile and...yeah. I wanted to connect with you in some way. I didn't know where it would lead or what it meant or what anyone would think, I just wanted to. Just like Jeff said…" Zac's gaze met Vanessa's with a depth of emotion that stirred something within her.

"Where there's love, time or separation doesn't take away from any relationship." The words hung in the air, a silent reminder of the enduring power of connection and the possibility of reconciliation.

Vanessa felt a surge of emotion welling within her, a newfound determination to heed Jeffrey's wisdom and reach out to those she had lost touch with. And as she looked into Zac's eyes, she knew that their shared history, their friendship, was worth fighting for.

Vanessa stole a quick glance at the clock, only to realize that what had been a memorable night had seamlessly transitioned into the next morning.

Time had flown by but there had also been moments where it had stood still.

As Zac caught her gaze, he apologized. "Oh shoot, it's really late. I'm sorry I kept you so long."

"Nah, don't be. This was… good."

"Yeah," smiled Zac as he slowly got up from the couch. "Just give me a sec and I'll walk you to your room, okay? I'm just going to make a quick trip to the bathroom."

"Sure, no worries. Thanks!"

Zac returned a few moments later only to find Vanessa fast asleep on the couch, the exhaustion of the evening finally catching up with her. He couldn't help but smile at her peaceful form, a gentle warmth swelling in his chest at the sight of her.

Glancing at the clock once again, its red numbers casting an eerie glow in the dimly lit room, Zac realized with a start that it was well past 4 am. The thought of disturbing anyone at such an hour, including Vanessa's friend Laura, made him hesitate. With a decisive nod, he gently pried her phone from her grasp and set it aside before carefully lifting her sleeping form in his arms.

Carrying her to the bed, Zac tucked her in under the soft comforter, a tenderness in his touch as he brushed a stray strand of hair from her face.

Returning to the couch, Zac draped an extra blanket over himself, the weight of exhaustion finally catching up to him as well. But despite the weariness in his bones, there was a lightness in his spirit that he couldn't shake—a sense of contentment that he hadn't felt in years and he couldn't help but think how it had nothing to do with the Oscar that was right in front of him.