Like Old Hollywood Chapter 7: The months, a bridgerton fanfic

A/N: WOW, hello everyone?

Okay, I know I took too long again, but I have good news: I have officially finished my other fic, so I will be ONLY updating and writing for this one from now on, so my man, FINALLY I will be able to update more frequently (unless work gets in the way, which I hope it does not).

Now, this chapter was supposed to be a double update; I planned it, I planned the titles, and I was going to give you guys TWO good news, but for Merlin's sake, the first chapter was longer than I expected. One of the longest I have ever written, and that says a lot. So, honestly, it was already taking me too long to update due to work, and it took even longer because this chapter was so long, so I decided it was best to post it, even if it stood alone. But keep in mind that this chapter and the next one are sort of a combo, and I am sure you will not understand why until I post the next one, but for now, just remember that.

This chapter is also a little different from the previous ones in that it is about the months of post-production and how the cast and crew (mostly Polin lol) do not interact as frequently as they did when the movie was filming, so there will initially appear to be a lot of small moments happening, which is completely intentional. As Colin and Penelope return to interact more and more, the moments will grow until the chapters feel more similar to the previous ones.

(!) Important for readers: our website here is not exactly friendly to the "tweet" format I need to use sometimes and I hope it doesn't get confusing (and i'll do my best to make it clear), but if it does for some I do suggest reading this fic on ao3 or at least the tweet parts IF it gets confusing

Last but not least, this is kind of insane of me to say, but...I am excited because this is where the fun begins (and you guys will think I am crazy for saying this, but there it is).

Penelope Featherington was twelve years old when she first gave up on Colin Bridgerton.

It was the beginning of summer, and as usual, she was staying with the Bridgertons.

Even at the start of their teenage years, she and Eloise would still dash around the house playing hide and seek, and spending countless hours in the pool until her skin turned an unhealthy shade of red. The difference was that they would also occasionally have sleepovers, wearing facial masks and doing each other's nails—with the most obnoxiously glittery shade available, a trend Eloise soon abandoned.

However, the real difference was Colin. For Eloise, he had turned fifteen that year and was becoming increasingly annoying with his grown-up, stuck-up attitude. Not to mention, he never had the time to play with them.

But Penelope faced a more difficult predicament. Colin was growing taller, his voice was deepening, and although it made her heart flutter more than usual, it also created a sense of distance that was hard to articulate. To make matters worse, he had developed a newfound curiosity in girls, whom he had previously claimed to find repugnant. However, he had been frequently mentioning various girls from his class, leading Penelope to gradually realise that she was not the sole female presence in his life apart from his sisters.

And while that realisation would have sufficed, Penelope was unaware that she wouldn't have to simplylistento him talk about girls.

One fateful June night, as Penelope applied bright blue eyeshadow on Eloise's eyelid, they heard laughter coming from the entrance of the house. Eloise, rolling her eyes, got up and walked towards the door, with Penelope following closely behind.

As soon as the door swung open, they were met with the mortifying scene of Colin snogging a random blonde girl.

And as Colin pulled away from the girl and started cursing at Eloise, who shouted back, Penelope felt like the world had stopped for a moment. Seeing him with that beautiful girl, receiving the kind of attention she could only dream of, made her realise that everything she thought she meant to Colin was ridiculous.

She was just his little sister's best friend, nothing more.

And she would never be anything else.

Sent via form submission from dixtoi

Pseudonyms, please:anon

Subject:upcoming movie drama

Message:

A rising actor from the UK was spotted chasing after his co-star from an upcoming project as they left a pub in London, and it looked like they were having an argument. It's not really surprising, given who it was, but there were rumours they were friends.

Penelope wasn't responding to his texts.

Actually, she didn't even answer his calls, which was especially concerning given that at their age, no one called each other unless someone was dying.

He had attempted to talk to her the previous night, but who would have expected her to run so quickly on those small legs of hers? It didn't help that he was slightly drunk, but the real problem was that his intoxicated brain thought it was a brilliant idea to make out with a beautiful woman who was also interested in him.

Unfortunately, she also happened to be Penelope's cousin.

And Penelope hasn't responded to his messages since then.

Glancing at his phone for the tenth time in the last five minutes, he grimaced as the bitter taste of coffee lingered on his tongue. Colin could not help but wonder how Anthony drank that more easily than he did water as he stared at his cup filled to the brim with the black liquid. It would certainly provide an explanation for his brother's ever-present bad mood.

But either way, bitter as it was, coffee was a surefire way to counter a hangover, so Colin wasn't about to change his own decade-old methods.

Then, the long-awaited buzz of his phone finally came, causing the actor to practically jump towards it and swiftly turn it over to see the screen.

Marina Thompson:You free today?

Marina Thompson:You did promise to show me around

With a sigh, Colin put away his mobile and turned his focus to his disgusting coffee. Meeting one of the most beautiful women he had ever seen on the same night he learned about his girlfriend's infidelity felt like a stroke of luck, as if the universe was finally showing him some kindness.

However, he couldn't shake the image of Penelope's expression from his mind.

Never before had he seen such a wide-eyed, open-mouthed look of betrayal on her face. Just the thought of it sent a chill down his spine, as if all the warmth and hope in the world had been abruptly snatched away. He realised it was a terrible thing to do as a friend—getting romantically involved with someone from such friend's family. But he hadn't anticipated Penelope's extreme reaction. Or at least, that's how it appeared... if only she would answer her phone and let him know how she felt, or at least allow him to apologise.

His phone buzzed again, and he exhaled, realising he needed to answer Marina before it seemed like he was ignoring her. But as he picked up his phone once more, he was surprised to see that the notification was from someone else. It was at the end of a very long and embarrassing conversation that he had been monitoring closely since the previous night:

Colin:Pen

Colin:im sorry

Colin:I wasn't thinking

Colin:it won't happen again i swear

Colin:i was drunk

Colin:please

Colin:Pen?

FaceTime audio

Colin:Pen?

Colin:answer the phone please

FaceTime audio

Colin:Pen please

Colin:i mean it

FaceTime audio

Colin:Penelope

FaceTime audio
FaceTime audio
FaceTime audio
FaceTime audio

Penelope:sorry i fell asleep

Colin grimaced. That was an excuse if he had ever read one. He pursued her down the street, crying out her name, and she couldn't pick up the phone because, what? Had she fallen asleep in the cab, was that it?

With an intense gaze fixed on the screen, he eagerly awaited her next message, wondering if there would even be one. He was confident that he had effectively conveyed the topic he wanted to discuss, so it was now her turn to reply. Without averting his eyes from his phone, he took another sip of his coffee, momentarily forgetting about its unpleasant flavor.

But Penelope was taking an awfully long time to type, making him question if she was going to reply at all since the app didn't show she was composing a message. However, she had always typed at an astonishing speed, almost to the point of being intimidating, so maybe he could hold off on stepping in for the time being.

Penelope:its fine

Penelope:i understand

If Colin had suspected something was wrong before, he was now certain. In all his life, he had never witnessed Penelope composing such emotionless text messages.

Colin:are u sure?

Penelope:im sure

He shook his head, filled with dread at her tone. He struggled to articulate why Penelope didn't sound like herself, but she didn't. Perhaps he was simply being paranoid; perhaps it was the guilt and the haunting expression he saw on her face, but he just couldn't shake that feeling.

Colin:are you free today

Maybe meeting face to face would help ease his mind, giving him a chance to apologise in person and allowing her to see his sincere expression. Or maybe he would notice it in her eyes that, yes, it was all just in his head and that everything was just fine.

Penelope:i cant i have a shoot today

A wave of discomfort rolled through his stomach. He couldn't tell if that was true or not, but he really wasn't feeling good about his chances.

Colin:ah

Colin:okay

Colin:what about next week when are you free?

He realised he might be pushing her a bit, but his desperation to sort things out felt more important than the risk of coming off as needy. Penelope paused for a moment before answering him, and that made him think it could be a bad sign.

Penelope:i think i'm free on friday

Colin:alright

There was a chance she would be magically busy on Friday again, but he was glad to have the opportunity to try at that moment. Finishing his coffee in one swift motion, he set down his cup on the counter with a loud, echoing thud. Then his phone vibrated once more.

Marina Thompson:But if you're not available its alright

Right. He had completely forgotten about leaving Marina on read before all of that happened. Now, all he could do was stare at his phone, wondering what else he could possibly do in that situation.

Colin:Good morning

Colin:Good afternoon actually

He flinched. What was he doing? Turning back into an awkward adolescent?

Colin:I'm sorry

Colin:I forgot I needed to record a commercial today

Colin:I'm really sorry

She then replied with a neutral okay, probably not believing him for a second. And he couldn't blame her.

Penelope knew Colin was the most clueless man on the planet.

If not for the years he had been oblivious to her feelings, then for each moment he failed to recognise how deeply he had hurt her. Not a single word or text message she sent, no matter how strained, managed to catch his attention.

And why would they, really? Penelope went out of her way to accommodate everyone's feelings at the expense of her own, even Colin's. Especially Colin's.

Which was why she ended up at a pretty typical Chinese restaurant on a Friday, watching him enthusiastically slurp his fried noodles as if he had never seen food before.

Colin was wearing a black cap to avoid being recognized, which was unusual for him since he rarely wore hats, probably because he knew how great his hair looked. On the other hand, Penelope went with a ponytail and a fresh face look, as she didn't have to hide her identity given her current level of fame, which was low.

As she observed the dull white walls, the small table, and the generic glassware, Penelope couldn't help but wonder why he hadn't proposed meeting at his place or a fancier restaurant, venues he typically preferred. However, she wasn't about to complain. In fact, she felt more at peace in that location, as it served as a sort of neutral ground.

"Aren't you going to eat?"

Blinking, she came back to reality and gazed at him. With a raised eyebrow, Colin was pointing to her plate using a wooden chopstick.

"Right," she answered, picking up her own chopsticks and staring at her bowl as if it was her first time seeing it. "I'm not really hungry today."

Colin just grunted amm-hmm, watching her as she dug into her fried noodles.

"Are you sure you are okay with what happened between me and Marina, Pen?" he asked abruptly, as if launching a surprise attack.

Choking on her noodles, Penelope felt the scalding heat of the liquid searing her throat, prompting her to vigorously thump her chest. The man observed her with a sense of intrigue rather than worry, casually pouring more jasmine tea into her cup. She picked it up, murmuring her gratitude before taking a small sip.

Colin remained silent. He quietly observed her as she redirected her attention to her meal, as though nothing had happened.

"Of course I am," she lied, her voice slightly hoarse from the choking. "Why wouldn't I be okay?" She continued, her voice rising in pitch as she furrowed her brow, concentrating on picking up her noodles with her chopsticks and avoiding his gaze.

And by all means, everything should be fine, truly. If she hadn't been in love with that man for most of her life, she wouldn't care at all.

Or perhaps she should be concerned if a close friend dated her cousin, and the fact that she was claiming it was fine only made her more suspicious. She truly had no idea, as her relationship with Colin had completely short-circuited her brain.

"Really?" He asked.

"Yes, really," she replied, nervously adding an insane amount of soy sauce to her food. "If the two of you want to date, I am fine with that as well," she said with a shrug, like the most idiotic person on the planet, all while staring at her now-drowning brownish noodles.

"We haven't seen each other since that night."

Penelope nodded, aware that it did not mean much. She then went for her pork dumpling, sensing that her noodles were probably beyond saving at that point.

"And she might not be too pleased with me since I haven't really responded to her texts."

"Why?" She asked with a hint of fake detachment, eager for the conversation to end as she dipped her dumpling into the overflowing soy sauce bowl, determined not to waste it.

"Because you're clearly upset about it."

Penelope's head snapped up suddenly, a look of surprise on her face as if startled back to reality, her dumpling falling into the bowl with a splash. Colin's lips were tightly pressed together, showing that her reaction had only confirmed his beliefs.

She blinked, disoriented as to how to reply to him. She was ready to discuss almost any topic except for Colin picking up on her emotions and confronting her about them.

"No… of course not," she answered, causing Colin to shake his head in disappointment. He then returned to his food with a subdued demeanour, showing that any previous excitement he had shown for the food was merely a facade.

"Pen, I'm your friend, aren't I? Or at least I thought I was," he replied tiredly. "I just thought that you would at least give me a chance to explain, to make things better."

He somehow made her feel like the worst person in the world, which was ridiculous since he was the one who hurt her first. But that was precisely what she disliked the most about Colin: no matter what, he was a fantastic friend.

No matter how hard she tried, that fact always sucked her back in. She could attempt to keep her distance, convincing herself that she hated him and never wanted to see him again. But then he would go and do these silly things, from merely calling to check on her to buying ridiculously rare tickets for a concert she really wanted to go to. That was Colin, as a friend.

"I was just… shocked," she said, her voice tinged with a sense of resignation. "I didn't..." her voice trailed off as she grappled with the difficulty of explaining herself. She was upset with him for not having romantic feelings for her, but that was something he had never promised. "It made me feel uncomfortable," she explained, her voice lowering as she added, "seeing you two like that."

"So I'm never seeing her again," Colin declared as if it were the simplest thing in the world, problem solved.

"No," she blurted out before she could stop herself, her hand instinctively reaching for his arm across the table.

Colin gazed at it, his lips briefly forming a faint smile. Around each other, he and Penelope were always comfortable with physical touch, even if they were not like that with everyone else. It wasn't until that particular fight, when Penelope refused to look at him again, remain near him, or even touch him, that he saw how instinctive their dynamic was. Now that she was touching him again, he figured that was a good sign.

Penelope, however, faced a completely different issue. Was it really right for her to ask Colin to never see Marina again? Given everything he had done for her, was it fair to prevent him from pursuing any kind of relationship, especially since he would never end up with her anyway?

With a sheepish smile, she drew back her hand, feeling Colin's gaze alight with a renewed vigor.

"It's perfectly fine if you want to date her, Colin," she murmured, torn between loathing herself for all eternity and congratulating herself on being a wonderful friend despite it all. "The shock has faded now, so no need to fret about it. I'm well aware that Marina's quite pretty," she added, with a bitter taste lingering in her mouth.

"She is," he said, and her stomach plummeted to her feet as she realised that the victorious feeling was, in fact, a deep-seated self-loathing.

But then Colin reached for her bowl and nonchalantly traded it with his own. "It was just a distraction. I was inebriated and angry at Tracy," he said. "Not the most promising beginning for any relationship."

Penelope would have replied at that point if she had not been preoccupied with trying to stop his absurdity and reclaim her bowl. Then, he casually swatted her hand away and went for the noodles with his chopsticks, eating them happily as if they were not (probably) the saltiest noodles to ever grace the earth.

He then smiled at her in defiance and she rolled her eyes, finding his eagerness to help her with anything, even her ruined and salty meal, to be ridiculous.

She sighed, picked up her chopsticks, and ate the noodles that used to be his, saying, "I can't argue with that," while trying not to show too much relief that he wasn't pursuing Marina anymore. "Just make sure you're doing it for yourself, not for me."

He nodded, believing her for the first time during that conversation. He then plopped the soggy dumpling into his mouth, and she shook her head at his antics. While it appeared that he was solely focused on the food, he asked, "Are we all right, Pen?"

She glanced at him and realised that even though he wasn't looking at her, he genuinely meant his question.

"We are," she responded sincerely, before shifting her focus back to her food.

A smile crossed Colin's face as he glanced at her briefly, then he quickly returned his gaze to his bowl.

From the corner of his eye, he was quite certain that he spotted a mobile phone pointed towards them. It was something he anticipated when dining at a regular restaurant, even in a peaceful neighborhood. However, if selecting a place where Penelope would willingly accompany him meant enduring such disturbances, it was a small price to pay.

Colin Bridgerton and Penelope Featherington Enjoy Cosy London Lunch

The Englishman in Italy star, who turned 34 this month, was spotted enjoying a cosy meal with his 30-year-old co-star from Sword and the Heart on Friday.

For his rare outing, Bridgerton showcased a laid-back look featuring a white, short-sleeved T-shirt, grey jeans, all-white sneakers, and a black baseball cap. In the meantime, the red-haired emerging actress wore a striped white turtleneck tank top, paired with black leggings and black loafers.

According to statements from their managers, the duo has maintained a lifelong friendship, a claim that comes in the wake of rumours sparked by affectionate behind-the-scenes pictures shared on Instagram. However, questions surrounding their relationship status have resurfaced following this recent sighting of the actor, shortly after his rumoured breakup with American model Tracy Romano, 27.

Hilly hilllaryss

Cy3452n I told you it wasn't them on dixtoi

Penelope realised that the months that follow the wrapping up of filming a movie were weird. Particularly when it's one so big it's rumoured to be a blockbuster before it even premiered.

It was as if she was aware that there was a tsunami coming: of press, of events, of anxiety and maybe even of momentary attention, but she was still living her old life. She was still sitting on her couch, temporarily unemployed, going to auditions one after another. Granted, she had achieved a bit more success now, but still far from fantastic.

It wasn't until months after their wrap party, when she was supposed to do a photoshoot for the movie's promotional materials, that she truly realised her life had changed.

Penelope wasn't particularly fond of photoshoots if she were honest. They consumed a lot of time and lacked the enjoyment she found in acting. Nevertheless, this time, she was looking forward to reuniting with some of her fellow cast members. Even if that meant encountering Colin, whom she definitely shouldn't miss, but always did.

Over the past five years, her deliberate distance from him – communicating only through phone calls and seeing each other in person just a couple of times a year – had been tough, but slowly, it became bearable. However, after eight months of being around him every day, it was difficult to readjust to her old routine, even though the past year had been emotionally turbulent.

Yet she somehow managed to maintain her distance once more, all thanks to her sheer stubbornness. Colin, busy with shooting movies, special episodes for TV shows, and commercials, probably didn't even notice, just like he hadn't in previous years. At least, she hoped he didn't. She wasn't prepared for another conversation like the one they had at the Chinese restaurant

"Okay. Beautiful," the photographer declared, his gaze fixed on the camera screen as he admired his work, a smile of contentment spreading across his face.

Penelope smiled nervously, feeling like a misplaced statue in the spotlight, especially since she was dressed differently from everyone else in her Nora clothes. She never liked how she looked in pictures, but at that point in her career, she trusted professionals to do a better job than she normally could. Still, as she looked around at the dozens of people working on the photoshoot, the thought of messing anything up made her incredibly nervous.

But as Colin and John walked into the room, she noticed them and felt a smile tug at her lips. Colin, upon seeing her, mirrored the smile.

"Perfect!" The photographer declared, motioning with his hand for Colin to join them. "Let's move on to the next theme."

The actor, obediently following instructions, began walking towards Penelope. "Alright, but don't take too long," he cautioned, glancing at his watch. "I'm on a tight schedule today, Henry."

While crouching to frame the couple in his camera, the photographer glared at Colin, irritably waving him away with a dismissive, "Oh, bugger off."

The man, seemingly unfazed, resumed adjusting his lens while Penelope, eyebrows raised, shot a questioning look at Colin, who was grinning with a hint of amusement.

"He's part of Benedict's overly pretentious art friend group," he explained, and Penelope, understanding, simply shook her head at his comment. Then Colin went on, "He's alright."

"Okay," Henry said, his voice cutting through the chatter, as he raised his hand and caught their attention. As they both turned to him, eager to hear his instructions, he gestured towards Penelope and declared, "You're too short."

A gasp escaped Penelope's lips, her hand instinctively reaching for her chest as Colin laughed beside her. Though she knew it was true, she never thought someone would be so blunt about it. As she glared at Colin, who couldn't stop laughing, Henry was snapping his fingers at his assistants, demanding someone bring her a box.

Following instructions, the photographer's assistant quickly brought Penelope a box to stand on and positioned it next to Colin. Her eyes darted between the object and Colin, expressing equal amounts of annoyance. She cautiously stepped over it, barely keeping her balance. Colin saw her wobble and reacted instantly, grabbing her arm and pulling her in until she stood steady. She looked up at him, startled, her big blue eyes wide and fixed on his handsome features as they were so close.

"You okay?" He asked, his tone a bit softer than usual.

She blinked. "Um, yes," she replied, feeling utterly foolish, because she should have been correcting him, telling him that he was being ridiculous, because she was nowhere near falling from the stupid little box.

The two of them then looked back at Henry, who was watching them curiously. After a moment, he blinked and said, "Right. So, they want us to take more friendship-themed photos. Feel free to pose however you like. To begin, I suggest we start with the classic back-to-back pose." Demonstrating his idea, he crossed his arms over his chest, careful not to touch the camera lens, and smoothly turned 180 degrees as if someone stood behind him.

Penelope's brows furrowed slightly, trying to understand his idea. As if on cue, she and Colin turned simultaneously, their backs pressed together, arms crossed, and eyes fixed on the camera.

"Yes… something like that," Henry said, his voice a little uncertain, as he trained his lens on the couple, who tried to hold their pose.

With a slight tilt of her head, Penelope realised she was still on the same level as Colin's back. Looking at him sideways, she said, "I think this box is still too small for me."

Colin started chuckling, and she found herself smiling at the situation."I meant it," her voice a hushed whisper as she squared her shoulders, as if she could will herself to be taller. "People are going to think I'm your child apprentice or something."

Colin's laughter filled the air, his head thrown back, and she could feel the vibrations of his laughter through her back.

"I'm totally serious," she said as she attempted to get on her tiptoes.

He mockingly said, "Don't worry, I'll help you," then subtly bent his knee at the exact moment she tried to rise, causing her head to land on his shoulder.

And when he chuckled at her situation, all she could utter was, "I truly hate you," as if Nora had taken over her body for a minute.

"Right then, let's give something else a go," Henry announced, reminding them that he was, in fact, there. "Just strike the same pose, but both of you face the camera."

The duo, as directed, adjusted their stance, turning toward the photographer, crossing their arms, and leaning into each other.

"No, but like before, with her head on your shoulder," Henry said, pointing between Penelope and Colin and crouching down.

Both of them exchanged raised eyebrows, Colin stealing a quick glance at Penelope when she let out an "oh". He then bent his knee once again, desperately hoping that Henry was only capturing their upper bodies in the photograph, otherwise he murder him.

But then his eyes met Pen's, and she was looking cutely frustrated by her height, which made him want to smile again. And as he finally reached her, she rested her head on his shoulder, spreading warmth to his skin, and weirdly, his chest. A strange urge to lay his head on hers overcame him, but he stopped himself before his body could act without thinking. He then turned to Henry and decided to focus on more rational matters.

"Hurry up, will you? I'm not in my twenties anymore, my knees are on the verge of giving out," he said.

Penelope's laughter reverberated against his shoulder, and although Colin couldn't see it, he knew her laughing face was truly adorable, especially with her head nestled in the curve of his neck. It was a scene that Henry made sure to immortalise.

They just had no idea that he was not the only one who had done so.

Cinthy️ ️ Cy3452n

HELLO?

.༘ Fa loratheexplorer

Cy3452n WHAT IS THAT

catherine cwbolton

loratheexplorer Cy3452n there was a s photoshoot today

Colin Bridgerton News CBrNews

Colin Bridgerton, Cressida Cowper and Penelope Featherington behind the scenes for The Sword and the Heart promotional photoshoot (via henrygranville on instagram)

Marie Ann Cowperbaby

CBrNews make way for the QUEEN

ℝ𝕒𝕗𝕚 Cressidasswiftie

Cowperbaby CBrNews how can someone be so perfect I literally dont get it

Lilian is waiting for the sword and the heart swodndheart

CBrNews um who is playing Leonidas love interest again? i'm confused

𝔠𝔞𝔯𝔩𝔬𝔰 carlosbton

swodndheart CBrNews this is what ive been saying but ppl swear to me its normal

Lilian is waiting for the sword and the heart swodndheart

carlosbton CBrNews normal? which part? Cressida and Colin looking like they want to kill each other or Penelope caressing his upper arm?

𝔠𝔞𝔯𝔩𝔬𝔰 carlosbton

swodndheart CBrNews HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Hilly hilllaryss

carlosbton swodndheart CBrNews oh yes when two actors randomly start looking deeply into each other's eyes during a photoshoot while everyone else is watching in confusion normal

it's always rainy in delulutown loranator

maybe i win once in awhile

Cinthy️ ️ Cy3452n

loranator ERIKA

it's always rainy in delulutown loranator

Cy3452n no comment

Cinthy️ ️ Cy3452n

loranator HE LOOKED LIKE HE WANTED TO KISS HER

it's always rainy in delulutown loranator

Cy3452n and like he wanted to have 5 children with her in the near future yes

Jessica Souza leonidasbabe

loranator Cy3452n And was it just me or did it look like he and cressida were… off

Cinthy️ ️ Cy3452n

loranator leonidasbaby NOT JUST YOU

it's always rainy in delulutown loranator

Cy3452n leonidasbaby i mean they were off since the books so its fitting

Dee warofthorns

Ofc /they would read into things

Maria Gomes ️ englishmansw1fe

warofthorns I thought those videos were so normal?

Dee warofthorns

englishmansw1fe they were just posing for pictures there is literally nothing to see

Linda lindama762

warofthorns englishmansw1fe I thought Cressida was a bit stiff but that's it

Maria Gomes ️ englishmansw1fe

warofthorns lindama762 ya but that's how she always is

Dee warofthorns

englishmansw1fe lindama762 its not like we dont know whats happening on the books, they cast her for a reason they planned this for sure

Linda lindama762

warofthorns englishmansw1fe that's true i just wish the loralulus would use their brain but we know that won't happen

"Don't get angry at me."

Anthony closed his eyes, taking a deep breath to brace himself for whatever Agatha was adding to his already-full table. "What?" He let out a bark.

"The trailer is ready. We're set to release it this week."

The director sat up abruptly, the enormity of their situation suddenly striking him—premiere day was fast approaching. He looked down, his eyes darting between the chaotic pile of papers on his desk and the overflowing inbox on his computer screen. The sheer volume of post-production tasks sent a wave of anxiety washing over him.

"May I have a look at it?" He asked.

The silence on the other line stretched into an eternity, making his anxiety spike, and he didn't even know why he was so nervous.

"Yes, this is why I reached out to you; I wanted you to have a look at it."

Anthony frowned, sensing something off in Agatha's hesitant voice. Years of working with her had taught him that this unusual tone usually meant bad news.

"Alright…" He answered. "May I ask why?"

Despite his constant desire to view the trailers for all his films, the majority of producers and studios were largely indifferent to his opinions on them. Apparently, he was too thick-headed and knew nothing about the market, even though it washismovie. Nonetheless, Agatha was aware of his desire to see the trailers beforehand and consistently showed them to him a few days before their public release.

"Because the trailer editors had… an unusual perspective on the material we provided."

Anthony blinked, unsure what to make of the comment. "Okay. Is it bad?"

"No, it's absolutely perfect," Agatha replied with unwavering conviction.

She was now confusing him more than she had ever done before, which was saying something.

"So, what is the issue?" He asked.

"Will you just watch it?"

"Fine," Anthony said with a sigh. "Email it to me."

Agatha wasted no time, quickly sending him an encrypted file, their usual practice when dealing with sensitive information. With Anthony keeping her on the line, she waited in silence as he downloaded the video file.

And indeed, once he watched it, it was quite excellent. To be frank, he was seldom so pleased with the final trailer.

"It's fine," he said immediately after the video finished.

"Is that so?" She asked a question, but he only responded with a low, rumbling sound of agreement. "Did you happen to notice anything unusual?"

Anthony's forehead creased in confusion. "No, should I have?"

"No," she replied rather enigmatically, and just as he was on the verge of expressing his frustration about her wasting his time, she added, "Alright, good. I'll see you tomorrow then," and hung up.

The man stared blankly at his phone, completely confused by the conversation.

The Sword and the Heart theswordandtheheartmovie

Two enemies. One last vow to save the world.

Anna heartssandswordss

DECEMBER 17TH

Kithy is tired dorsetth0mas

heartssandswordss It's so close already im gonna kms

Joe Josephnavarro

Did they just spoil everything on this trailer

𝖆𝖘𝖍 dorieussw1fe
I knew i could trust anthony this looks so good

lana•the sword and the heart in 93 days ! heartsofnoras

ARE LEONIDAS AND NORA GONNA BE A THING?

mimi leonidasn0raxx

heartsofnoras I THOUGHT I WAS THE ONLY ONE

️Trish dorjorie4llifee

My etl alive and well Kate and Thomas look fire

⁀mell mamamarjorie

dorjorie4llifee Is she good I never watched anything with her

️Trish dorjorie4llifee

mamamarjorie Shes amazing on love education I knew she would be perfect

billie noraswsift

Lora?

Cinthy️ ️ Cy3452n

noraswsift THE CHEMISTRY

billie noraswsift

Cy3452n no seriously I can't believe they'd put two actors with that much chemistry for lora only to not have them as endgame they truly hate me

Maria Eduarda dudiiiiinha2004

Marjorie's dress! It looks just like I've imagined

j. mandolord

how are thomas eyes so blue

Amy mrscolinbrigertonn

Colin

fi is tired fifigrande

mrscolinbrigertonn choke me with those biceps

lariiiii SnH era southnationsqueen

The girl playing nora looks so good

jess leolover2

southnationsqueen No fr i thought she was the best on the trailer

lariiiii SnH era southnationsqueen

leolover2 Every micro expression so on point

ɪʀɪꜱ swor4onh3rt

southnationsqueen leolover2 She looks ugly and as if she can barely act

𝔠𝔞𝔯𝔩𝔬𝔰 carlosbton

LORA

Harry c0wp3rlady

Why does the girl who play nora look like shes balding

M. btcolIn

c0wp3rlady the wig is ugly but damn she uglier

Cinthy️ ️ Cy3452n

Leonidas and nora are getting together

Source: the voices in my head

Milena mrsleonidassoares

Cy3452nKkkkkkkkkkkk I knew you'd be here

Cinthy️ ️ Cy3452n

mrsleonidassoares AM I LYING

Ro is waiting for Sword and the Heart roroswift

Cy3452n mrsleonidassoares honestly I never understood the lora appeal until now

bella saw blackpink x2 bellatae

Okay but the red haired girl and Colin

val featheringtonlady

Pen LOOKS PERFECT

kimberly funniestgirlk

featheringtonlady me if i were blind

alice️ lovexXneducati0n

Save me kate sharma save me

𝒸𝒶𝓂𝒾 waiting for the sword and the heart arianasdorieus

Who's the girl playing nora? I've never seen her before

jonathan joewh1998

arianasdorieus Penelope Featherington

𝒸𝒶𝓂𝒾 waiting for the sword and the heart arianasdorieus

joewh1998 Ooh thks

*ੈ‧𝚌𝚎𝚕𝚎𝚜𝚝𝚎 ੈ‧ kingleonidass

No but the girl playing nora

Sa. sarahsnorthqueen

kingleonidassIdk who she is but shes my fave already

*ੈ‧𝚌𝚎𝚕𝚎𝚜𝚝𝚎 ੈ‧ kingleonidass

sarahsnorthqueen I was so scared on the teaser cause we got almost zero scenes with her but now im convinced

Hilly hilllaryss

Are they gonna put leonidas and nora together serious question

. inyoupswife

hilllaryss LMAO

Mari noraswig

inyoupswife hilllaryss Why does catherine look like the third wheel im losing it

Hilly hilllaryss

noraswig inyoupswife It's what she deserve to be but the writers will never be that smart

In the months before The Sword and the Heart premiered, something peculiar happened: Penelope suddenly had update accounts.

No, not accounts run by anyone from her team—Mrs Varley wouldn't know who to hire for that—but accounts made by fans, sharing their own updates about her.

They were constantly sharing her pictures on Instagram, posting about upcoming events she would be at, and seemingly always knew what she was up to, making her feel like they were more in tune with her life than she was. It felt strange to have people so enthusiastic about the most ordinary details of her life, even though she knew this was a common experience for actors and actresses.

But the strangest thing was not just the updates accounts about her; it was the updates accounts about both her and Colin. Together. As if they were a couple.

She recalled the day she stumbled upon the Twitter account of "Polin News," feeling completely bewildered by the username's significance. The account was announcing upcoming interview dates for Colin and herself, in relation to their press tour for "The Sword and the Heart." Initially, she tried to brush it off, but then came across an Instagram picture of her and Colin with a simple caption: "Polin ." It was an old photograph, almost forgotten, capturing a moment from their college days. Her hair was shorter and messier, her arms wrapped around his shoulders, and her head leaned against his. She appeared blissfully happy, completely absorbed in his presence.

Curiosity got the better of her, and she decided to Google "Polin." The shock caused her to drop her phone, her heart racing, and her face turning crimson, even though there was no one else in the room. And then she realised that she could never face Colin again.

Fortunately, she wouldn't encounter him for a few weeks, since he was busy filming another movie, and she, surprisingly, had landed a small role in a romantic comedy. Her role was to play a friend of the main character, and it ended up being a delightful experience. And just like that those weeks flew by, and she gradually adjusted to the idea of a larger, more fervent fanbase and the small but dedicated group of fans who shipped her with Colin.

"Hi everyone! I'm Anne Hartigan, and I'll be your moderator for the global press conference of The Sword and The Heart. Let's kick things off by introducing our lovely guests: Anthony Bridgerton, Kate Sharma, Thomas Dorset, Colin Bridgerton, Penelope Featherington, Cressida Cowper, Dolores Stowell, Edward Hall, and Emma Kenworthy!"

Penelope felt her legs weakening as the thunderous applause erupted after the host's announcement. It was strange, really, because she thought she'd be more accustomed to it by now, having already experienced it at their panel at San Diego Comic-Con months prior. But that event felt like a blip in her life. They went, she sat quietly, barely got any attention, the teaser trailer dropped, and then it was over. No one wanted photos with her, and aside from a few interviews, her life returned to normal.

The present moment felt more real. Perhaps because Colin was present, as he had not attended the comic con due to scheduling conflicts. Or maybe it was a reminder that the movie premiere was approaching quickly. In any case, she took a deep breath in the darkness before the door swung open. Colin saw her little moment, his brows drawing together. Reaching out quickly, he gave her arm a reassuring squeeze, and then they were directed to enter the auditorium.

The roar of applause accompanied them as they filed in, each finding their place on the impossibly long couch. She sat beside Colin, which was already comforting in itself, except for Cressida being on her left.

"I was thinking I'd begin by talking to our director," Anne commented, showing Anthony, who sat closest to her. "It's safe to say that most of us were taken aback when we first heard that you were part of this project. You've directed so many thrillers and dramas. What inspired you to try something completely different?"

Anthony furrowed his brows, lost in thought, as he always aimed to give well-considered answers, even if he'd heard the questions repeatedly.

"I guess the easiest way to put it is that I love a good challenge," he said. "But also, coming across a series of books as significant as this one brought to mind directors I've admired in the past who also took on these larger-than-life literary adaptations…"

Penelope gave a distracted nod. She enjoyed listening to Anthony's process, but after a while, the repetition of the same stories caused her mind to go blank, especially since her anxiety was already high with all those eyes on them.

She took a deep breath, glancing at the water bottle on the table before her and opting for a sip to steady herself and ease her nerves. As she reached for it, her slightly damp hands nearly caused it to slip from her grasp, but she swiftly tightened her hold, subtly taking control of the situation before anyone caught on. Seeing the crowd, hundreds of people all focused on the director and interviewer, she felt a sense of relief. As if anyone would actually be paying her any mind at a time like that.

Just as she felt her tension easing, the infuriating water bottle cap refused to budge. Her hand kept slipping around it, and she subtly wiped her hand on her trousers before trying to open it once more, but to no avail.

"Do you need help?" Colin whispered to her, leaning in slightly.

Penelope stood still, her hand hovering over the bottle cap, convinced that no one had spotted her little predicament. But, naturally, Colin's ever-present urge to lend a hand would come into play at such a moment.

"It's alright," she said quietly.

Frustrated and blushing with embarrassment, she yanked harder on the cap, determined to open it. But she squeezed the bottle so hard that water sprayed out, soaking her pants and even splattering some onto Colin's.

Next to her, her treacherous friend started to softly chuckle, causing her to shoot him a glare, her face turning a deep shade of red. Colin pressed his lips together, attempting to suppress a laugh, and then reached into his pocket, producing a small pack of tissues—the type his mother had always nagged him to carry in his teenage years. Unfortunately, this only made it more difficult for Penelope to maintain her composure and avoid nervous giggles.

He whispered, "Here," and handed her a tissue. Penelope bit her lip in response.

Observing her expression, he asked, "What?"

"Nothing," she mumbled, speaking softly as she accepted the tissue. It was definitely a better alternative than questioning why he had brought it to a press conference.

While she discreetly tried to wipe her pants with it, Colin concentrated on wiping the space between them on the sofa to prevent the water from dripping onto their respective buttocks.

"Oh, I see there's been a bit of an accident over there."

Penelope and Colin froze instantly.

Fantastic.

A chuckle or two rippled through the crowd at the moderator's remark before both of them turned to her.

"You two doing alright over there?" Anne made a joke, but rather gently.

In that moment, Penelope was overwhelmed with the desire to crawl into a hole and disappear, but Colin remained unfazed, smoothly grabbing his microphone and addressing the moderator, reassuring, "All's well, Pen just found the air conditioning a bit too warm."

Despite the joke being utterly absurd, laughter erupted from the crowd, forcing Penelope to offer a weak smile as mortification washed over her.

A soft laugh escaped Anne's lips, mirroring the amusement of her audience. As she pointed at the two actors, she remarked, "Since we're already on the topic of discussion, so let's talk about Leonidas and Nora for a bit." And as she glanced down at the flashcards in her hands, the crowd responded with great enthusiasm.

Penelope's eyes widened in surprise at the loud clapping, shouting, and whistling, completely unprepared for such a fervent response. Even Anne looked up, startled by their enthusiastic audience.

"Looks like we've got a few fans in the house," she remarked with a grin before turning back to the pair. "We discovered last year that you've been friends for a long time," she remarked, prompting some light applause from the crowd. "And you play two characters who also have a very long-lasting friendship. Tell me, what was it like? In what ways did your real life friendship shape the portrayal of Leonidas and Nora, if at all?"
Colin and Penelope exchanged a glance, almost instinctively, as though they were both anticipating the other to speak up. "Do you—" they both enquired simultaneously, before Penelope hesitantly replied, "No, you go ahead."

He didn't put up much resistance and, facing the moderator again, said, "I suppose I'd be dishonest if I said it didn't didn't help a great deal. Naturally, as actors, we ought to be ready to built that kind of…" he paused, searching for the appropriate word. "Chemistry with every single scene partner, regardless of whether we've just met them that very day. Sometimes we have to act like we've known that person our entire lives, which is undoubtedly one of the most amazing aspects of acting. But..." he trailed off, his eyes flickering as he recalled the countless months he devoted to shooting the film. "It certainly felt quite effortless to weave in elements of Leonidas and Nora's friendship; we didn't need to establish certain aspects like that deep-seated and unspoken trust they share or even their easygoing banter. Even if that's not precisely how Pen and I are, it's something we can draw more naturally from our relationship."

Anne then nodded, utterly captivated by that response, much like everyone else in the audience, including Penelope, who was gazing at Colin in awe.

It was odd because she had witnessed Colin's interview style before. She knew how he could quickly become reflective when discussing a project he was passionate about, but watching him do the same thing when talking about their friendship was simply mind-boggling.

And as she was lost in her own astonishment, she nearly missed the way Anne was looking at her, as if waiting for her turn, and then quickly raised her microphone near her mouth and blinked before she made a fool of herself.

"Yeah, definitely," she cleared her throat, trying to shake off her distraction and focus on the question. "This was actually my first big production, and being cast as such an important character can be quite nerve-wracking, to be honest. And when… when you're performing, it does require a certain level of trust in your scene partner as well, which can sometimes add to the stress, but…," she said, blinking as she organised her thoughts. "But when we were filming, I knew I could trust Colin completely, as I have done my entire life, so it was easy to tap into that familiar feeling and bring it to the character."

Finishing her answer with a nervous expression, she was surprised to see a smile reflected in Anne's face and even in a few audience members. Then she glanced at Colin and noticed he was also gazing at her with a somewhat surprised smile of his own. It suddenly occurred to her that she had never expressed to him just how much he had done for her without even realising it, how much easier he had made her life by merely being present.

She beamed back at him, entirely unaware of a dangerous truth she had stumbled upon: those interviews could very well unearth things they had never shared with one another before.

it's always rainy in delulutown loranator

What was that

Cinthy️ ️ Cy3452n

loranator Which part

it's always rainy in delulutown loranator
Cy3452n The part of them looking at each other

Cinthy️ ️ Cy3452n
loranator I SAID WHICH PART

Milena mrsleonidassoares

Is it normal for two co-stars to just have a silent conversation with one of them looking like they want to kiss the other right then and there and the other looking all red and embarrassed all while in public when the director is talking asking for a friend

Nanda nandaxinha

I don't go here but what was happening at the sword nd heart press conference

Hilly hilllaryss

Oh i'm doomed

billie noraswsift
hilllaryss I can't believe you were right

Hilly hilllaryss

noraswsift I'm not they're "friends"

billie noraswsift
hilllaryss RIGHT

Yara le0k1ng

it's the way I knew she slept with someone bc it couldn't be talent

ℚ𝕦𝕖𝕝 racheltyl

le0k1ng theres no way colin *or anthony* ever touched that thing

Re XcolinxXbr1

racheltyl le0k1ng bettin' all my ten cents Anthony put her in the movie as a favor for Colin.

lana•the sword and the heart in 23 days ! heartsofnoras

No but when Penelope dropped half a bottle of water everywhere and colin started losing it

𝔠𝔞𝔯𝔩𝔬𝔰 carlosbton

heartsofnorasthe man barely smiles off screen anymore let alone LAUGH

Lizzie redfeatherington
carlosbton heartsofnoras Did you guys see cressida's face though

lana•the sword and the heart in 23 days ! heartsofnoras
redfeatherington carlosbton LMAO

Kelly ipanemabrina23

On a scale of 1 to Cressida Cowper staring at Colin Bridgerton and Penelope Featherington stealing all the attention away from her how much do you hate your job

Dee warofthorns

Starting to get annoyed at how there's some clear favoritism in this cast

fi is tired fifigrande

warofthorns Like we get it you're friends w Colin so anthony cast you it's not like you have talent honey

"The world seems to be waiting on the edge of their seats for their next epic story, and it appears that this winter we may meet the next global sensation with the adaptation of a famous historical adventure book. And if you've been living under a rock all year and have no idea what I'm talking about, meet the cast of The Sword and the Heart!"

Penelope inhaled deeply, swiftly putting on a smile as the curtains drew back. Although she didn't typically watch talk shows, but she was well aware of the reputation of the one they were about to step into. Jimmie Fox wasn't exactly the most refined of hosts, often opting to pose personal questions that left his guests feeling uncomfortable. And for the life of her, she'd much rather dodge this interview, but then again, so would Anthony, Kate, and Colin. If all of them had to be there for the promo tour, who was she to sit it out?

She was thankfully assigned a chair in the back row, alongside Colin and Cressida. Meanwhile, Kate, Thomas, and Anthony settled onto the sofa on the front, next to the host. Penelope just had to wait an additional five minutes to reach her seat as Cressida paused and wave at her fans in the audience, a gesture she appeared to be indulging in increasingly lately. Whether it had anything to do with the online comments about Penelope and Colin, the redhead did not want to think about it.

"Right then, I gather there's not much you can share just yet because of spoilers," Jimmie said, mostly directing his attention to the trio on the couch. "But I'm rather curious. What did you manage to bring back from the set this time, Thomas?" He glanced over at the lead actor, managing to draw a few chuckles from the audience.

Thomas was notorious for bringing home the most ridiculous souvenirs from his sets, which always made things amusing. And somehow, that line of questioning seemed to help Penelope relax a bit; at least he was concentrating on something connected to the film.

"Not much, I'm afraid," Thomas remarked with a smile, leaning in slightly to get a better look at the host. "With this one on charge, I hardly managed to get back home with my photos and videos," he quipped, giving a cheeky thumb gesture towards Anthony.

More laughter rippled through the crowd, and Anthony shook his head, putting on a show of comical annoyance. But those close to him, Colin, Penelope, and even Thomas himself, knew that his exasperation was genuine.

Jimmie chuckled, "Really? What were you all filming over there? Is there some hidden secret that we're all kept in the dark about?" He posed the question as a joke, but Thomas was speechless for a second, then glanced at Kate and Anthony, who were giving him a withering look.

"Uh, nothing," Thomas said, "Just sill—"

"Wait a second," the host gestured between the three of them, the damage already done. "I feel like there's something interesting going on."

The actor's mouth remained agape for a moment too long, as he desperately tried to figure out how to salvage the situation. "No, of course n—"

"Oh come on!" Jimmie could smell blood in the water, giving Anthony a light-hearted slap on the back as he faced the audience. "He can't fire his main actor," he joked, prompting laughter from the audience as if it were all in good fun, while Anthony cast a wary glance at the Jimmie's hand resting on his back, as if it were infectious, and Kate fixed her gaze on the host with a look of pure rage.

Thomas glanced back and forth between the pair, trying to figure out what to do next, especially since he'd already made a mistake. "I think this is a story best shared by those directly involved," he gestured towards Anthony and Kate, aware that although they might want to kill him later, it was likely wiser to let them take over before he accidentally put his foot in his mouth again.

"Oh," their host said, a few audience members echoing the sentiment in a way that was starting to grate on Kate's nerves. "I see now why Thomas is a bit on edge," he quipped, prompting another round of laughter from the crowd.

Kate and Anthony exchanged a glance, something they had meticulously avoided during the press tour, their limited interactions being a blessing in disguise thanks to the director's reduced presence at these events. However, at that moment, they had to put everything else aside and face a crucial decision: how to present their story in a way that was humorous and lighthearted, rather than a piece of gossip. Anthony then swiftly gestured for Kate to take the lead, which was rather unusual, but she certainly wasn't going to question it.

"Oh, it was nothing of any real consequence, honestly," she remarked, straightening her back, folding her hands neatly in her lap, and adopting a rather dignified tone that only she could manage. "There was an accident with one of the horses," she said, and Anthony nodded while Jimmie appeared captivated. "I ended up falling off one, and our director became rather worried and dashed over to see how I was doing."

Anthony winced, a sudden realisation hitting him that he had blundered by asking Kate to speak first. He'd now learned that she, unlike him, didn't know which incident Thomas had filmed. Actually, Thomas wasn't even on set during the last accident, and if Anthony wasn't so busy being filmed at that moment, he'd be shocked that Kate had forgotten.

"Oh?" Jimmie commented, gazing at Anthony with theatrical admiration. "A heroic act on our director's part."

Kate feigned enthusiasm with a nod, while Thomas, whose brow furrowed at the end of the story, eventually nodded along to keep up appearances, revealing that, despite everyone's doubts, he still had some good judgement.

"I don't recall that," Cressida suddenly piped up, causing everyone to glance her way. To those who knew her well, she didn't appear confused in the slightest; instead, there was a hint of a smirk playing on her lips. Truthfully, after Kate showed even a hint of defiance towards the insufferable woman, the blonde gleefully embraced every opportunity to make her life difficult. "I was under the impression that Thomas was referring to the day you and Anthony had such a heated argument near the horse that it bolted."

A collective gasp arose from the crowd, and Anthony and Kate, their eyes narrowed, glared at her in perfect synchronicity. The host's eyes gleamed with amusement at the scandalous detail, while Colin valiantly attempted to mask his surprise, unsure whether it was Kate's tale or Cressida's spite that had shocked him. Penelope, on the other hand, was restraining herself from taking any action against the blonde, as the surge of anger and offence she felt on Kate's behalf was nearly overwhelming her at that moment.

"Just to clarify, there weretwoincidents involving a horse?" Jimmie joked, and as Kate hurried to respond, the crowd erupted in laughter once more, while she did her best to keep her composure and not let it get under her skin.

"There are a lot of horses in this movie," Thomas commented, hoping to lighten the mood and steer the conversation elsewhere.

"Indeed," Jimmie said with a hearty chuckle, quickly shifting his focus to the flashcards, an indication he was about to change subjects. Thomas let out a relieved sigh, and Anthony and Kate exchanged a quick glance.

"Right then, let's shift our focus to the back row," he said, and Penelope, silently wished for once she and Colin wouldn't be the unfortunate targets. "Cressida, despite your extensive career thus far, this marks your debut as a romantic interest, so how was it for you? Was it different from your previous roles or just another day at the office?" He gestured with his hands, mimicking a dismissive wave.

A handful of audience members cheered as the actress was mentioned. She grinned and said, "Just another day at the office." She playfully shrugged, drawing cheers from the crowd. Then, her expression turned serious as she continued, "I guess it demanded a bit more vulnerability and tenderness, but thankfully, I had a fantastic scene partner," she gestured to Colin on her left, which elicited a flurry of whistles from the audience. "It was surprisingly effortless."

Colin drew on his acting classes and smiled at her response, even though he believed she displayed hardly any vulnerability or softness whatsoever. Still, the host appeared quite pleased with that answer.

"And speaking of Colin, I caught the global press for your film, as I'm sure many others did here," Jimmie remarked, gesturing towards Colin and Penelope. "I'm fairly certain I heard Penelope mention that she's known you for her entire life. Is that really what happened, or did she make it sound more dramatic? So, what's the story with you two? When did you meet?"

The cheering from the crowd made Penelope laugh nervously, burying her face in her hands. She had unintentionally dug herself into a hole and couldn't believe her own blunder. He smiled at her reaction, but this time, it was genuine.

Colin, still sitting casually with his legs crossed and arms hanging loose, raised his microphone. "We met when I was..." he trailed off, "Nine, I think?" He glanced at Penelope, who was now recovering and nodding as if to confirm his answer, and pointed at her with his thumb, saying, "And Pen was probably six at that time."

"Wow, so it really was all of your lives," Jimmie remarked, leaning back in his chair, and the audience, holding their breath, hung onto Colin's every word. "I assumed she was saying you two crossed paths back in acting school or something, but you were proper kids! Where on earth did you meet, nursery?"

Normally, Colin would find such a question intrusive, but this was a story he loved to tell. One look at Penelope's flushed face and irritated expression confirmed she was still annoyed by his fondness for the tale.

"No, it actually involves another horse," Colin said with a cheeky grin, and Penelope shot him a glare, which he found utterly adorable as ever.
"Another horse, is it?" Jimmie replied with a flourish, turning to Anthony as he enquired, "Is that a family trait?"
Anthony let out a huff, trying to pass it off as just a sigh as he responded, "Maybe."

"I was learning how to ride at that time, and as fate would have it, I got hit right in the face by a yellow hat," He said, his voice laced with amusement. Penelope buried her face in her hands, her cheeks flushing red as the crowd erupted in laughter. "It was only when I found myself sprawled on the ground, caked in mud and observing a red-haired little girl chuckling at me, that it dawned on me whose hat it was."

"I did not laugh at your face," Penelope shot back, whipping her head up at him, which in turn, caused even more people to laugh at their story.

"Oh, so we are rewriting history now, are we?" Colin, arms crossed, teased as he turned to her.

Indignation caused her mouth to fall open, a typical response whenever he put her on the spot. Turning to face him, she said, "You ran into my hat, not the other way around!"

Colin widened his eyes, his eyebrows shooting up, and exclaimed in a mock-shocked tone, "What on bloody earth was your hat doing up in the air?!"

"Look at what we're up against on set," Thomas quipped, just as the pair noticed they were stirring a storm of excitement from the audience.

"Ah, yes," Jimmie agreed, his hand resting on his chin as he studied Penelope and Colin. "I understand them now. How are they called? The lora shippers," he said, and a few people cheered in the crowd, "Or is it the polin shippers?"

"The what now?" Colin replied, his brow furrowing as Penelope silently wished for a bolt of lightning to come down and put her out of her misery right then and there.

"The fans who ship the two of you," Jimmie chuckled, pointing between them once more, seeming to revel in their discomfort.

Colin turned to Penelope, her face flushed a deeper red than usual, and asked, "Leonidas and Nora?"

"No," Penelope replied, her voice low yet perfectly clear through the microphone. "He's talking about people who ship you and me," she answered, her heart pounding so hard in her ears that she couldn't even hear the audience's response.

Colin appeared thoroughly baffled. He was quite convinced that they had put an end to any whispers about himself and Penelope when their picture went up on Instagram, but it seems his tendency to remain perpetually offline left him blissfully ignorant of their unsuccessful attempts. And Penelope, in turn, came to the realisation that all those weeks she spent too frightened to even meet his gaze were entirely pointless, as he hadn't a clue what was going on until she spilt the beans, on live television no less.

"That's crazy," Colin said, facing the host as the audience chuckled. Penelope, faking a smile and a giggle, nodded in agreement.

"You two are too good at your job," Jimmie remarked, glancing back at his flash cards. "Now, Kate," he continued, "tell us your favourite part of working on this monumental production for the first time…"

Samantha ﾟ｡ fourth wing in 5 days mermaaidsammy

Someone explain to me what was happening on the snh set

Amy mrscolinbrigertonn

mermaaidsammy we don't know either

️Gabs ️ lladyora

Did jimmie really say they're too good at their jobs WHAT DOES IT MEAN

wes. kingofsnh

lladyora lora confirmed

Jade englishmansbiceps

kingofsnh lladyora he is like that with everyone i wouldn't read too much into it

𝖆𝖘𝖍 dorieussw1fe

wydm kate and anthony were fighting on set?

Diana kshaemamarjorie

dorieussw1fe I thought i picked up a weird vibe between them

Siena Rosso sienarosso

Not surprised

fi is tired fifigrande

sienarossoOh?

kimberly funniestgirlk

fifigrande sienarosso I knew it

Pat ladyeics

funniestgirlk fifigrande sienarosso Kate sharma speak up

｡‧ʚɞ‧｡ Taylor j1minology

Why is Anthony Bridgerton trending?

Nathalie Abbot nath4l1e4bot

j1minology his ex gf just posted a tweet shading him after that jimmie fox show interview

｡‧ʚɞ‧｡ Taylor j1minology

nath4l1e4bot What? Why?

Nathalie Abbot nath4l1e4bot

j1minology it's been rumored he wasn't the best to work with on set and cressida cowper outed him

Joe Josephnavarro

nath4l1e4bot j1minology apparently he's awful in his personal life too

jess leolover2

They truly…truly didn't like that did they

ally l3on1n0ra

leolover2 Colin and Penelope?

jess leolover2

l3on1n0raYa

ally l3on1n0ra

leolover2 she looked so uncomfortable

sab bbtooncol

l3on1n0ra leolover2 he looked disgusted

jess leolover2

l3on1n0ra bbtooncol Shut up

mimi leonidasn0raxx

'ThAtS cRaZY'

Cinthy️ ️ Cy3452n

leonidasn0raxx COLIN BRIDGERTON I KNOW WHAT YOU ARE

kay𓆰𓆪lora era loraskiss

Colin: *flirts with Penelope on live tv*

Colin: how can people say we like each other?

billie noraswsift

loraskiss UNHINGED

lariiiii SnH era southnationsqueen

Guys can we please just focus on lora they were clearly uncomfortable

Daniella pensfeathers

southnationsqueen Right? Just shut up im begging

lariiiii SnH era southnationsqueen

pensfeathers They're gonna ruin a twenty year old friendship and for what

Hyacinth:…

Hyacinth:Colin

Hyacinth:are you and Penelope dating?

Colin:it wasn't funny the first time it wont be funny the second time i promise you

Gregory:make way for the polin president

Benedict:in the internet defence I thought it was a cute name

Hyacinth:right? adorable

Hyacinth:I should have thought of it first

Colin:sigh

Francesca:why are you sighing in text?

Francesca:what is a polin president

Hyacinth is currently typing…

Gregory is currently typing…

Daphne:guys why is my manager calling me abt anthony

Benedict:what?

Hyacinth:oh this is bad

Hyacinth:im gonna call lily hold on

Anthony:ignore it

Anthony:who is lily

Gregory:not again

Daphne:how can i ignore it when he's telling me to separate my image from my brother's

Daphne:what did you do

Colin:this might be the right time for me to declare I hate Cressida Cowper

Anthony:Not now Colin

Colin:yes now

Colin:i hate her

Daphne:?

Gregory:Cressida told the entire world anthony yelled at kate while they were filming

Anthony:I DIDN'T YELL AT HER

Gregory:oh okay

Gregory:idk

Gregory:it felt in character for you

Colin:kate and anthony are both equally loud and insufferable on set

Anthony:thank you

Benedict:no offence colin but why are you so chatty today?

Benedict:unusually chatty

Gregory: probably trying to make us forget about polin

Colin: SIGH

Hyacinth:okay guys i talked to lily

Hyacinth:its worse than we thought

Hyacinth: https/wwwdailymailcouk/tvshowbiz/article-29507483/anthony-bridgerton-accused-of-harassment-on-set

Penelope quickly learned that nothing was so terrible that it couldn't become even worse.

Like, there should be a research on how one terrible thing led to another bad thing, truly.

As she sank into the cozy embrace of her couch, enveloped by the glimmering lights and the delightful scent of freshly arranged Christmas decorations, she found herself torn between three articles. The first one discussed Anthony's potential dismissal as the director of the "Sword and the Heart" franchise, while the second one hinted at a secretive relationship between her and Colin. The third article raised suspicions about her casting in the "Bridgerton" movie.

And then the door to her flat swung open.

"I never want to speak with that man ever again."

Penelope startled, immediately getting up at the sight of her irritated cousin entering her flat while hauling her heavy bag behind her.

"Marina, what—"

"I understand you mentioned this should only be for emergencies, Pen, but honestly, I've got nowhere else to go." She held up the key to Penelope's flat, the one she'd had copied on her initial trip to the city, turning to lock the door while she continued to mutter curses under her breath.

"What happened?" Penelope inquired, her gaze fixed on her cousin's enormous suitcase, a sense of dread washing over her as she awaited the response.

"George kicked me out, that's what happened," she said angrily, turning to her cousin as if her innocent question had been a personal attack. "It seems a pregnancy scare was all it took for him to figure out he didn't want a life with me," she said, striding over to the couch and flopping down on it, looking utterly out of place against the cheerful Christmas decorations surrounding her.

Penelope wrinkled her forehead. "George? I thought you guys were over months ago."

It definitely seemed that way when she was snogging Colin in the bathroom of a random pub.

"Well, we got back together," Marina grumbled, swatting at the little lamp that was annoyingly stuck to her shoulder. "Which turned out to be the most regrettable decision of my life, I must say."

"Right," Penelope said, her voice strained as she tried to grasp the idea that her cousin was now sleeping on her couch, on top of all her other problems.

She started toward the kitchen, a plan to make tea and clear her mind forming in her head. But before she could even reach the counter, her phone buzzed for the tenth time in the last five minutes, a pattern that was growing increasingly common. The hiss of the kettle filled the air as she started to boil the water, a sigh escaping her lips as she reached for her mobile. Her eyes widened as she gazed at the screen, seeing something she hadn't witnessed in ages. A message from her sister.

Philippa:Is this you

Philippa:https/stories/dixtoi/354735083450570349?igsh=NDhlYXViNXhiYzRh

Penelope was well aware of which Instagram account that was; she realised that for the sake of her sanity, it would be best not to click on that link. But curiosity was gnawing at her, and the fact that her sister, who rarely contacted her, had sent the link made her even more intrigued.

Q: can you give us any details on the sword and heart drama?

A: All I can say is that the reports about a specific director are true, and that he used his power in the film to bring a certain family friend into the main cast.

"SON OF A—"

"What's going on?" Marina appeared at the kitchen door the moment Penelope began cursing loudly, which was rather out of character for her.

"Not now, Marina," Penelope said, her hand trembling as she stared at her phone in disbelief.

Her cousin's curiosity only grew, prompting her to walk closer and ask the question again.

"Not now!" Penelope's voice cracked with emotion as she glared at Marina, her eyes red and her chest rising and falling rapidly. Because it was over wasn't it? If people already despised her for things much smaller than this, it was all over now. This would flood the internet—articles upon articles, thousands of comments. As soon as everyone witnessed her performance, they would understand; they would realise it was all true, and her acting was nothing more than a fraud.

Her vision blurred as she scrolled through her phone, and for a moment, her finger lingered over Eloise's contact. Because who could she possibly call? Who would bother listening to her at a moment like this, especially about such a ridiculous matter?

Not even Eloise, and that was the truth. She'd been genuinely alone for years.

Taking a deep breath, she scrolled through her contacts, letting her emotions cloud her judgement for a change.

"Pen?"

"Colin, I—" she began, her hand coming up to cover her face as she inhaled deeply, trying to steady herself.

"What is it?" In an instant, his voice grew heavy with concern, as if he owned the world's most acute sixth sense.

"It's stupid, it's really…stupid," she choked out, her breaths ragged and tears streaming down her face.

"Alright, I'll be over shortly."

"What?" Penelope paused, "No that's not—"

"I'll be there in ten," he announced before hanging up, leaving Penelope to gaze at her phone in disbelief, and then at Marina.

"Alright, it looks like Will is finally on the same page as Mrs Varley, and I'm with them too: you really shouldn't do anything," Colin said, tucking his mobile back into his pocket.

Penelope paced around her living room, running a hand through her hair, utterly bewildered by the ridiculous advice she'd just been given. "Why is it that when it was about us, we had to put out a statement straight away, yet when it comes to my career and reputation, I'm expected to keep quiet?"

"Because there's absolutely nothing you can do, Pen," Colin said with sincerity, causing Penelope to halt her pacing and stare at him indignantly. "With two people, they can check each other's stories, but Anthony is already dealing with quite a bit of backlash as it stands, and there's nothing he can say to improve the situation. If both of you decide to speak up, it could potentially make things even worse."

"I hate this," Penelope said, her eyes welling up once more, and she couldn't quite tell if it was from anger, stress, or genuine sorrow. "I truly hate this," she scratched her head before glancing up at him once more. "Colin, is there a chance that—"

"Of course not," Colin shot back, anticipating where Penelope's line of thinking was leading. "Pen, don't you know Anthony at all? Or Agatha? If you're in this movie is because you deserve it, I told you."

She gave a weak nod, sighing and closing her eyes as her phone buzzed again. She stared at it and pursed her lips.

"It's Mrs Varley," she told him. "This could take a while."

He nodded, resolved to wait patiently while she spoke to her manager, until Marina, who had been silent the whole time, decided to intervene.

"Maybe we ought to give her a bit of space, then? Or at least have a go at finding us all some dinner," she said, raising an eyebrow at him. "You did say you'd show me around, didn't you?"

Colin furrowed his brows at her, feeling as though he ought to be doing anything else, but then he glanced at Penelope. She was gazing at them both with a far-off look in her eyes, likely still worrying about her career.

"It's all right," she replied softly, meeting his gaze as though answering to the same question he had posed months before. "This is likely to take more than an hour, and I've got nothing in the fridge," she announced before finally answering her phone.

"It's so adorable how you came running to help Pen the moment she needed you."

Colin nodded absentmindedly, the takeout menu a jumble of colours in the low light as he squinted through his dark sunglasses. But he could make out the wordsHummus Sabich, which he knew Penelope loved, so that was a success.

"She was clearly quite upset on the phone, so I thought it was the least I could do," he explained, handing the menu to Marina.

The girl nodded, grabbed the big laminated sheet, and read through all the options. "Is that why you ran for the hills that nigh?" She asked without raising her gaze to him, and although her tone was nonchalant, Colin knew that the question was far from it.

He crossed his arms with a sigh, taking in the dimly lit, cramped takeaway restaurant, hoping the cap and sunglasses were enough to keep him anonymous.

"I was drunk that night," he replied.

"And?" She asked, returning the menu to him."So was I."

"And..." he began, his voice trailing off as he signalled to the kitchen attendant, letting him know they were ready to order. And as the thin, young man approached the counter, Colin finished his thought. "Not the most ideal way to kick off a relationship."

"A relationship?" Marina asked incredulously, as if he'd lost his mind. "I thought we were just having fun. Getting over our exes and all that."

At that point, the attendant was ready for them to place their order. Colin stepped up and said they would like one Hummus Sabich and one portion of Falafel Balls. He then gestured to Marina, who mentioned she would like to order a kebab. The young man smiled at them and headed back to the kitchen with their orders, much to Colin's dismay, as he would have preferred to escape that conversation with Marina rather than see it through to the end.

"I get I might not be as beautiful as the models you're accustomed to, but there's really no need to lie—"

"I'm not," Colin stated, refuting her claims that he was being dishonest. "You're hot, and you're well aware of it, Marina," he responded with a hint of weariness, and she couldn't help but smile at that, feeling quite satisfied.

"So, what was really the issue then?" She narrowed her eyes at him. "Because I didn't ask for a relationship. And you think I am attractive, so—"

Colin adjusted his hat and scratched his head, feeling overwhelmed by her questions. "Maybe I should turn that question back to you," he said, letting out a heavy breath as his eyes met hers. "What seems to be the issue? Why are you talking about this now?"

"Because," she said, resting her weight against the wall and folding her arms over her chest. "I find myself needing to forget my ex."

The man stared at her, speechless at her sudden declaration. Colin wasn't stupid; he had been in similar situations countless times before, and he understood exactly what she was implying. And the problem was that he wasn't truly opposed to it; after all, Marina was certainly one of the most beautiful women he had ever encountered. Moreover, it just so happened that he had been single for months, and honestly, he couldn't quite figure out why.

So maybe he could help her move on from her ex, while she helped him forget his troubles. Then, the next day, they'd go their separate ways, back to normal life, but at least a little less stressed.

"Just have a think about it," she said offhandedly, aware that she had his attention.

This only unsettled Colin further, as it reminded him of the Marina he knew, the kind of captivating storm that held the promise of simplifying life magically.

"Number thirty-two," the attendant called, abruptly bringing Colin back to reality. He wondered if they had been standing in silence for that long, engrossed in their unspoken impasse. But he couldn't decipher his jumbled feelings, so he just grabbed their order and paid.

The street felt like a breath of fresh air after the confined space they had just left, and as they walked towards Penelope's building, he took a deep breath, enjoying the cool air that settled over his skin. Marina continued in silence, walking by his side as they passed by a vibrant parade of restaurants, stores, and pharmacies, their windows adorned with glittering Christmas decorations and festive displays. By the time they arrived at their destination, Colin's mind was sufficiently clear for him to make a decision. So, as Marina opened the building entrance door, he calmly held out his hand with their order.

"I just…" He inhaled deeply. "I just realised I should get to bed early tonight, as I've got an interview to record first thing in the morning."

Which wasn't a lie, as he was indeed recording numerous interviews and podcasts for their promotional tour. And Penelope was doing the same, to be fair. So, as Marina took the takeaway bag from his hand, he took a few steps back to ensure he didn't do something stupid.

With the shock fading from her features, she let her arms fall, shook her head, and chuckled dryly.

"Are you serious? The same excuse?" She asked.

"It's not an excuse, I really—"

"Colin," she cut him off, her gaze fixed on him, refusing to accept his false act.

Sighing, he removed his sunglasses and placed them on his collar, locking eyes with her in an attempt to make her understand. Glancing slightly upwards, as if towards Penelope's apartment, he said, "She's not alright with this. With us, I mean."

Marina scoffed in disbelief. "So it really was because of Penelope."

He couldn't bear to meet her gaze, so he looked away, his attention drawn to a distant, speeding car.

"Colin, she's fine with it." She took a slight step forward, hoping he would look at her. "I'm her cousin, I would know."

"Well, I'm one of her best friends," he said, putting his hands in his pockets and gazing back at her. "And I'm telling you, she's not."

She looked down at her hands, adjusting the takeout bag and shaking her head. "Fine," she said, and Colin relaxed. "I would just be careful if I were you."

Confused by her words, he wrinkled his brow. "With what?"

She then glanced up at him. "You two are getting carried away with this job," she said. "I see the way you look at her, and it's obvious you're not attracted to her, so it can't be that you have feelings for her. But you two are becoming too dependent on each other, and it's not good for either of you."

And with that, as Colin stared at her, still in utter confusion, she leaned in and kissed his cheek. "I'll catch you later," she remarked, then walked back inside.

Usually, Colin wouldn't allow anyone's opinion of him to bother him anymore. He had been there, done that, a thousand times over, and he knew full well that nothing good would come of it.

But Marina's comment left him restless, and he couldn't pinpoint what exactly was bothering him.

"What's going on with you today?" Will asked from the passenger seat, his eyes fixed on Colin's reflection in the rearview mirror. The actor has been surprisingly quiet and compliant ever since he was picked up from home.

Colin's gaze snapped from the window to his manager, startled as if suddenly realising he wasn't alone in the car. "Nothing," he muttered.

Will made a noncommittal sound in his throat, as if he didn't believe a word of it. "If this is about your brother, I wouldn't stress too much," he stated vaguely, before turning and giving Colin his mobile phone.

Confused, the actor furrowed his brow as he picked up Will's phone. His eyes were drawn to the screen, which displayed a short text message in white letters on a black background. Glancing at the username, he immediately recognised the picture.

"It has come to my attention that my name is being used to unfairly target a coworker, and despite the pressure to stay quiet, I can't stand by and let these false claims spread online.

I have never experienced any harassment from Anthony Bridgerton, nor have I seen him harass anyone else on set. Any differences we may or may not have had are strictly personal and something we both bear responsibility for.

I absolutely do not give my consent for anyone to speak on my behalf when it comes to criticising Anthony. In fact, I want to emphasise that I couldn't have asked for a better director for our film.

-Kate"

"I thought you mentioned she couldn't stand him?" Will asked as Colin was engrossed in his reading.

Colin looked bewildered, his face twisted into a knot of confusion, as he handed Will his phone, saying, "She can't."

"Well, apparently not enough to sink his reputation," Will said with a shrug, tucking his phone back in his pocket and turning back to look straight ahead. "This will be all over the internet in no time."

"Yeah," Colin replied, lost in thought, his finger tapping nervously against his lips as he glanced back at the streets.

"If not this, then all their energy will be directed towards you and Penelope," Will said in a playful tone.

Colin let his hand fall limply to his side and let out a frustrated huff. Why was everyone suddenly so fixated on him and Penelope? They did nothing unusual, but it seems that many people on the internet were talking about them, and then Marina, and now even Will was laughing about it.

They had been friends for a long time; what was so remarkable about it?

"Or when this film finally premieres, everyone will have something far more interesting to occupy their time," Colin muttered, a hint of bitterness in his tone.

Will cocked his head to the side, unsure if he believed that could actually happen. And as their car descended into the shadowy depths of the parking garage, he said, "Right then, just do me a favour and leave this brilliant mood behind when we head upstairs, yeah?"

Colin scowled at him as he unfastened his seatbelt. Nevertheless, he was resolute in his efforts to maintain his composure and quell his confusion, all in the name of ensuring an uneventful interview.

Especially because he was sure that the situation would resolve itself soon.

Anthony:You didn't need to do that

Kathani Sharma:Actually I did. I really did.

Anthony:I had the situation handled

Kathani Sharma:Did you?

Anthony:yes

Anthony:you shouldn't have risked your reputation because of me.

Kathani Sharma:…

Kathani Sharma:I didn't

Kathani Sharma:if that's what your absurd act is all about.

Anthony:you're unbelievable

Anthony:you're infuriating did you know that

Kathani Sharma:me

Kathani Sharma:you're the one getting on my nerves when I've just done you a favour

Kathani Sharma:but if you want me to take it back, just say so.

…

Anthony:thank you

Kathani Sharma:you're welcome

Penelope, upon discovering online that Kate had spoken out in Anthony's defence, believed the run of misfortune would end and things would return to normalcy. She truly did.

Her career, her relationship with Colin, and her looks were still all subject to ongoing scrutiny. However, their film was set to premiere in just over a week, and she was quite convinced it would eclipse all those issues; it would overshadow everything, and all would be well in the end.

That was precisely why, as soon as she set her phone aside, she popped some corn for herself, settled into her couch with her snug and well-loved blanket and switched on the most random Christmas film she could find. With all the interviews and promotional filming finished for the day, she felt utterly free and relaxed.

The only slight issue was that she wasn't living by herself.

"The princess switch 4?" Marina's scoff was immediate upon entering the living room. She was rushing to pull her hair up into a bun, leaving it slightly messy, her face painted with colourful makeup, and her large, dangling earrings swaying with every motion. "Seriously, Pen, you need to get out more."

Taking a deep breath and mustering all her patience, Penelope replied, "I've been out all day."

"Yeah, but for work. I meant going out to have some fun," Marina said, gesturing at the television as if it had done something wrong. "You'll never find someone if you keep acting like this."

Now that hurt.

Penelope really should be used to it by that point, honestly, since she's heard variations of that sentence from all sorts of people throughout her life. It was really just that she was getting older, and it felt like time was having a good laugh at her expense, always reminding her that she might end up living her life as an old spinster. And that was definitely the last thing she wanted to be reminded of when she finally had some free time.

"Marina, I'm tired. You can go out all you want, I'm not stopping you," she replied curtly, placing her popcorn bowl by her right. She didn't want to waste it all by eating while arguing with her cousin.

"Aren't you," Marina muttered under her breath, her voice a low growl as she stomped back to the bathroom.

Even though her reply was barely a whisper, Penelope furrowed her eyebrow, having caught every word. And she should have left it alone, but at that point she was sufficiently incensed to reply back.

"I'm really not the best company for any sort of gathering or pub outing you might fancy, I assure you," she said, aware that her cousin could hear her.

Marina's heavy steps echoed across the living room as she stormed back in, glaring at Penelope. "That is not the problem."

The redhead gazed at her with bewilderment, unable to comprehend the source of the sudden aggression. "What is the problem, then?"

Marina bit her lip, took a deep breath, and said, "The problem is that you don't go out, you don't have a boyfriend, and so no one else can."

Impossibly, the crease between Penelope's eyebrows deepened. "What on earth are you talking about?"

"Colin," Marina said, her shoulders tensing up. "I'm talking about Colin."

What.

Penelope's heart quickened at the sound of his name, even though she was bewildered by how everything had shifted to focus on him.

"Marina, wha—"

"I haven't the foggiest idea how your friendship works, and quite frankly, it's none of my business. But honestly, you should go out and meet new people."

Penelope ran her hands over her face. "I don't—"

"Because if you really won't allow each other to see other people—"

"Marina, Colin's been out with loads of people," Penelope said, waving her hand as if to silence her relentless cousin who was grilling her about her love life while Penelope just wanted to watch a stupid Christmas movie.

"So it's only a problem when he's interested in me," she said.

And then Penelope froze.

At last, everything was falling into place. Or, Penelope furrowed her brows, at least in part since the last time she had talked to Colin about Marina had been months prior.

"I told him it's not an issue," Penelope replied, her voice becoming quieter as her arms slumped by her side.

Marina crossed her arms over her chest as she studied Penelope's strange reaction. "Well, he definitely seems to think it is."

Thatwas certainly a surprise to her, Penelope mused. She had told him time and again not to let her stand in the way of anything he wanted with Marina, yet now it appeared her cousin had a rather different understanding of the situation. Nevertheless, Penelope had no intention of revealing all the details of her conversation with Colin, especially since her cousin was irritating her.

"When he asked me about it, I said it was alright," she remarked. "But you can't really hold it against me if he picks up on the fact that I'm not entirely comfortable with you treating him as a rebound."

"Penelope, he's well aware that I'm just using him as a rebound," Marina said, her tone dripping with condescension, as though Penelope were a child who hadn't a clue about life's realities. "Seeing as I was also aware he was using me in the same way, I fail to see how this concerns you at all."

The actress didn't want to admit it, but perhaps that was what hurt the most.

In her head, she had that perfect chevalier image of Colin. Despite knowing about his past relationships, she preferred to believe that he genuinely cared for the people he dated and wasn't the type to use others just for physical pleasure. It was rather absurd, as childish and naïve as Marina likely perceived her, and perhaps that was the true reason she had remained single all her life.

"You're right, it doesn't," Penelope said, her voice drained of energy and hope.

Marina blinked, taken aback by Penelope's sudden shift in mood. She couldn't quite put her finger on it, whether it was the way everything seemed to click into place in her mind or the sight of her cousin, looking increasingly pale as she stared down at the fuzzy brown blanket draped over her lap, but in that moment, it all became clear.

"You love him," she said.

"What?" Penelope snapped, her whole body stiffening as if she'd been stung.

And now Marina was absolutely certain. "It's the only thing that makes sense," she said, a dry laugh escaping her lips as she ran a hand across her forehead. "It's painfully obvious."

The air felt thick and heavy, making it hard for Penelope to breathe. She stood up abruptly, "This is ridic—"

"You're actually falling for this charade the two of you are putting on, aren't you?" Marina interrupted, her eyes hardening with a pity that made Penelope's stomach churn. It felt like a knife twist in the gut because, deep down, Penelope would be lying if she said that people's opinions about her and Colin weren't affecting her at all.

"You are," Marina concluded.

And Penelope didn't have the chance to explain that this wasn't an act, that they weren't pretending, but simply being themselves. She didn't have the opportunity to lie that her feelings for Colin had always been platonic and that she wasn't foolish enough to think otherwise. Because now Marina had seen through her, and she was relentless.

"Pen, he's not interested in you," Marina said condescendingly, as if teaching a child basic arithmetic. "Can't you see you need to let this go?"

Penelope felt absurd, as she was fully aware of all those things Marina hurled at her, and more. However, hearing someone else say it so bluntly made the reality of the situation sickening.

"You two might have some lovely moments on camera, but really, that's all they are—a fantasy," she went on. "How long are you going to keep deluding yourself with them?"

"Marina, everything you saw between Colin and me is real," Penelope managed to say, her voice cracking with defeat as tears welled in her eyes. "If you picked up on any emotions, that's your interpretation; we weren't acting."

The other girl then shook her head wearily, "If I must be the one to bring you back to reality, so be it," she said, reaching into her pocket and tossing something onto the couch beside Penelope. "I'd give that a read if I were you," she remarked before heading back to the toilet.

For a moment, Penelope stood there watching her leave before summoning the courage to look at what Marina had thrown her way. With slightly trembling hands, she picked up Marina's phone and immediately recognised what seemed to be an interview Colin had given for British Vogue. It seemed harmless at first, until she stumbled upon the part her cousin had intended for her to read all along.

You've certainly had your fair share of public relationships, but it appears that your most talked-about one is with your co-star and long-time friend, Penelope Featherington. Do you find that odd, or were you both anticipating such a response?

I suppose so? I still can't quite grasp why everyone appears so fascinated by our friendship; I promise you, we couldn't be more ordinary. It's quite ridiculous how many people keep asking me if we're going to date. Just to be clear, I wouldn't ever consider dating Penelope, not in a million years [chuckles].

Penelope Featherington was thirty-one years old when she gave up on Colin Bridgerton for the 187th time.

And that was the first time she truly meant it.

A/N:OKAY BREATHE

NOW YOU SEE WHY I WANTED TO DOUBLE UPDATE THIS. But, alas, I had no choice but to endure being stonned by you guys AGAIN.

But anyways my comments are open, fell free to stone me there just be kind, just remember THERE IS A NEXT CHAPTER.

Also there's the LIKE OLD HOLLYWOOD PLAYLIST for anyone that needs emotional support, I've added a LOT of songs, changed some, anyways, check it out and have fun.

God bless you all, have a good afternoon.