It was Raelynn.

A smile drew on the corner of Ian’s lips as he saw the gorgeous woman walk in holding his cup of coffee.

“I’ve never been more turned on,” he mumbled as he took a sip from the hot coffee.

They’ve not been on good terms talking ever since the movie was released. It wasn't because of problems they’ve been having, but simply of how nervous Ian has been with the entire John Wick situation.

Ian has never been in a serious relationship during one of his nervous phases, and just like he was used to, this time too he didn’t decide to talk things out but ignore the situation of communication with Raelynn whole.

“How have you been?” she asked as she sat in front of him. On the chair that was right opposite him.

“Good. Trying to forget the fact that I’m nervous about the next ten days which are important to see how well John Wick would do.”

Raelynn sighed. Before she was about to enter the room, she knew there must be some things that he had been thinking about.

As she remembered how he used to explain that it made him nervous to know about the competitions and what John Wick is fighting with, she knew what she could expect.

“Ian, you do know you did your best with the movie right?”

She asked the same thing that he had been telling himself over and over for the past couple of days.

“Yeah. It’s alright. You know, on the good hand, my prayers are working. John Wick is in the top three. With Karma and Death Realism, which kind of makes things harder for me.”

Raelynn stood up and walked around so that she was in front of him. She knelt so they were face to face.

“I’ve never seen you this nervous.” She whispered looking into his eyes.

Ian was a director who always had to hold his thoughts and feelings because he knew how people looked at him.

“I’ve never let you see me at my worst.” He whispered back and offered his hand. She took it, stood up, and sat on his lap. “You remember how I went to France so that I could have some time alone?” he asked.

Raelynn said nothing but nodded.

“During the entire time, I realised a lot of things. A lot of things that have been quite helpful for me.”

“What do you mean?”

Ian sighed. In a way, the trip helped him to realise that his blessing—curse or whatever it is, the memory library is… He shouldn’t be entirely taking advantage of it, but also use his gift of creativity which he brought from his previous life.

The other thing he realised was something quite personal and related to everyone around him. Everyone including his friends, Raelynn, and his family—his uncle and Valerine.

“Hmm… How to put it?” he asked himself and slightly rotated the chair so both of them turned in another direction. “Rae, you know my history. I wasn’t someone who cared shit about others. And if anything, all I cared about was myself and how I’m going to become successful. Then I got into movies, uh well, let’s skip to the part where I wanted to take care of people who care for me.”

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She frowned at his words.

“Rae, this is going to sound crazy, because I know all I need to focus on right now is the next project, and everything else. But France made me realise that, if I die someday, it wouldn’t be the people who enjoyed my movies but the people who were around me that’d feel the most. And that time while in France, was tough. Among the very small number of people who checked in on me, you were one.”

He said and gently kissed her lips.

With that kiss, the tingles in his gut were there.

“I just want to take you right here, Mr. Renner,” Rae whispered, surprising Ian. Her lips curled up in a sexy smile as she shrugged as if it was no big deal.

“Look what you wish for.”

-

Down Avalon Boulevard, there was a man in his thirties walking down the street. He had a beanie on, and with his grey beard, someone could even take him for a homeless person.

He kept scrolling through his phone, a box of cupcakes in his hand and walked down to take a left.

[John Wick; the newest Action sensation! Ian Renner strikes another!]

His eyes widened as he started reading the article. He was still walking. Although the vehicle noise and the stubborn ear pollution that came around him distracted him a little, he couldn’t help but keep reading so that he could spoil himself before going to the movies tonight.

[...The directors had quite interesting matters to explain about John Wick when we were lucky to get an interview with them. The questions included several extreme topics such as…]

He was halted before reading further when he realised the surroundings.

Knocking twice he entered his house to meet his beautiful wife. The blonde-haired woman who he promised to take care of until death divides them apart.

“Are we going to the movies?” she asked as soon as the man walked inside the house.

She saw his phone, and what he was reading, therefore she realised another movie date was coming up.

“John Wick?” he asked back.

Her eyes lit up as she realised what he was saying. The movie was released some time ago, and being the huge Hollywood fan that she was, she wanted to watch it.

“Are you kidding me? Keanu was so hot in the movie!” she yelled and danced awkwardly in front of him.

He chuckled and walked back to get ready so that they could go watch the movie, as he already had booked the tickets.

“Please don’t tell me you know the ending, honey!” she yelled after him.

He chuckled again.

-

[At the theatre]

Both of them were right in front of the theatre, waiting for the last show to end. As the couple was waiting, holding the popcorn in their hands and trying to get in line with the other people, some concerning conversations were ongoing with people who just arrived.

“...Karma is just not worth the hype, man. Like, even I thought it was going to be good. But I wished that I didn’t pay that much to watch yesterday, even though the entire theatre was booked.”

“Well, at least someone’s getting paid”

“It’s not even the thing, it’s like, more than seventy-five percent of people who were watching it with us, kept cussing the director while walking off after the movie. I mean, we were only thinking it to be more valuable, you know. The hype goddamn made it feel like one of those movies that’d be on top ten for months, you know.”

Hearing the words, the couple couldn’t help but turn around to see who it was. They realised that it was just a bunch of men who were spending their time watching newly released movies back to back.

Among the group, some were even wearing merch of John Wick.

“Yeah. But there’s this other movie, Death Realism. It’s kinda good, you know. Like, y’all didn’t watch it, I did. I was invited to the premiere, and next week, you’ll see what the hype is about. Trust me, it's as good as the trailer.”

“Oh yes, your uncle must be giving lots of privileges… Being connected to movies and all, but yeah, it’s too bad we got our seat bookings next week instead of this week.”

“Hahaha... Shut up!”

The couple looked at each other.

“I heard critics are saying bad things about Death Realism,” she told her husband, as he looked at the bunch of men.

“Yeah well, I believe Ian Renner can outdo both the movies. And now it’s kind of a competition thing considering how they all are in the top three now. Death Realism is also streaming in that OTT-”

“Oh yeah, well, let’s see. I’ll watch the movie and put out a review. According to statistics, every review matters.”

He kissed her forehead as the bell rang signalling that the last movie was over.

“John Wick, here we come!”

The couple walked in with the crowd.

Many people were already waiting around, and with them going in altogether—it wasn’t the most pleasant thing.

The next thing they knew was that the security was walking in to make sure no one was being harmed and the peace was being maintained.