BRING IT CLOSER 📸 ━━ II.
HOSTAGE ❛ i don't know what feels

true, but this feels right so stay a sec ❜

𝓗OSTAGE ━━ 𝒗ol I.
𝒊. ✧ second chapter

THE city hummed around Nicholas as he walked through the busy streets, the noise of traffic and chatter softened by the music in his headphones. The sun was sharp, casting a golden light across the morning rush, but he barely noticed it. His mind was already on the meeting ahead, mentally preparing himself for the day's demands.

Then his phone buzzed in his pocket.

Cooper Koch.

Nicholas answered without breaking stride, his tone casual. "What's up, Coop?"

There was a pause on the other end, a hesitation that sent a small ripple of tension through him. "Okay, man, don't get mad," Cooper began cautiously, "but I thought you should know something from me before you see it on internet."

Nicholas's steps slowed, an uneasy feeling stirring in his gut. "Yeah? What is it?"

Cooper's voice softened, the words coming out more carefully now. "There's a photo of Isadora with Drew Starkey. It's all over the internet. They were seen together in New York."

Nicholas's heart skipped a beat, his pulse quickening. He stopped walking, his grip tightening around the phone. He forced a shrug, trying to play it off. "So what?" His voice was even, but underneath, the familiar burn of jealousy was already rising. "Doesn't mean anything."

But even as he said it, he felt the lie hanging in the air between them.

Cooper, sensing his friend's unease, tried to keep things light. "You know how it is-media always blows this stuff up. Probably nothing."

Nicholas barely heard him. The thought of Isadora-with Drew-clawed at him. He'd always been wary of Drew, even back when they were together. There was something about the guy that never sat right with him, a feeling that he could never shake. And now, the idea of seeing them together-just the two of them-was like a punch to the gut.

He leaned against a building, forcing himself to keep his voice steady. "Yeah, well, she can do what she wants."

The words tasted bitter, but he swallowed them down. It wasn't fine. Not at all. He could hear it in the tightness of his own voice, and he knew Cooper could too.

Cooper gave a half-hearted laugh, his attempt to ease the tension falling flat. "Don't let it get to you, alright? You've got enough to handle today without this messing with your head."

Nicholas nodded to himself, jaw clenched. "Thanks, Coop. I'll see you later."

He ended the call and stood there for a moment, phone still in hand. The city moved around him, indifferent to the knot of emotions tightening in his chest. The headlines were already forming in his mind, the images of Isadora and Drew side by side, walking down the street, maybe laughing. He could picture it too clearly.

He slipped his phone back into his pocket, his chest tightening with a frustration he could barely contain. The bustling city around him faded into a blur as his mind circled back to Cooper's words. It's none of your business anymore, he told himself, over and over, as if repeating it could make it true. But the bitterness clung to him, stubborn and unyielding.

He knew it shouldn't matter. Isadora wasn't his concern anymore. Not since their breakup. She was free, free to see whoever she wanted, free to move on.

Yet, jealousy twisted deep in his gut, a feeling he'd buried but never fully shaken.

As his footsteps echoed along the pavement, his thoughts betrayed him, pulling him back to the moments when Drew Starkey had been around. Nicholas had noticed the way Drew's eyes lingered on Isadora at parties, the way he always seemed to find his way into her conversations. At the time, Nicholas had brushed it off, telling himself that trust was enough to hold them together. But now, those memories gnawed at him, twisting into something darker. Had he missed something? Was there always something between them, lying just beneath the surface?

His jaw clenched as he walked, his muscles tightening with each step. He knew this wasn't about Drew-it never really had been. But seeing them together, even in a photo, ignited a jealousy he couldn't control.

The building for the meeting came into view, and Nicholas paused outside the glass doors. He sucked in a breath, trying to steady himself, but the image of Isadora with Drew lingered, mocking his attempts at composure. The irritation simmered, building with every thought that refused to leave him in peace. He had work to do, a role to focus on, but all he could think about was her-and him.

With one final breath, Nicholas pushed the door open and stepped inside, already feeling the weight of the meeting, the tension crawling under his skin. He knew today wasn't just going to be about the movie; it was going to be about holding himself together in front of her. And that, more than anything, was the hardest part.

Nicholas arrived at the meeting room, the hum of casual conversation and soft shuffling of papers filling the space as cast and crew took their places. The sunlight streaming through the wide windows felt too bright for his mood, and he squinted, trying to force his irritation down. He straightened his shoulders, determined to focus on the movie, yet every step felt heavier as his mind replayed Cooper's words about Isadora and Drew.

His hand gripped the back of a chair, and before he could sit down, the door opened. Isadora entered, her soft laughter ringing out as she greeted a few people, her presence instantly commanding the room. Nicholas's eyes locked onto her before he could stop himself. For a moment, the world narrowed, and he saw only her.

She looked the same, yet somehow different. Maybe it was the distance between them that made him notice her more. The way her hair fell in soft waves over her shoulders, the effortless grace in her movements. He wanted to look away, but his gaze lingered, tracing the curve of her jaw, the way her lips parted slightly as she smiled at someone across the room. The same lips he used to kiss so often, the same smile that had once been his to enjoy.

A knot twisted in his chest, and he suppressed the feeling with a rough sigh, pulling his chair out with more force than necessary. Annoyance washed over him. Why did she have to look so at ease? he thought bitterly. With a grunt, he sank into his seat, his mood shifting darker by the second.

Isadora didn't immediately notice him, but when she finally caught his eye, her smile faltered just a touch. It wasn't much, just a flicker, but he saw it. He turned his head, jaw tight, not wanting to give her the satisfaction of knowing how much seeing her affected him.

Nicholas sat rigidly in his chair, his jaw clenched as the meeting continued around him. The room buzzed with the energy of collaboration, but he could barely focus, the image of Isadora and Drew still fresh in his mind. Every word from the director felt like a dull hum, drowned out by the tension he couldn't shake.

The director, an older man with salt-and-pepper hair and a calm demeanor, adjusted his glasses as he flipped through his notes. "Alright, Nicholas, Isadora," he began, addressing them directly, "we need to discuss the dynamic between your characters. The banter, the tension-it's the heart of this story."

Nicholas shifted uncomfortably in his seat, his eyes flicking toward Isadora. She sat a few chairs away, her posture relaxed, her fingers lightly resting on the edge of the table. She seemed so at ease, and it gnawed at him. How could she be so calm? So unaffected?

Isadora met the director's gaze, giving a polite nod. "I agree," she said smoothly, her voice steady. "The chemistry between the leads is crucial. We need to establish that push-and-pull early on."

Nicholas swallowed hard, his grip tightening on the armrests of his chair. He knew exactly what the director meant by "push-and-pull," but right now, he felt like all he could give was push.

The director leaned forward, clasping his hands together. "In the original film, the characters constantly challenge each other, but there's an undercurrent of attraction that builds up. We need to see that same energy between you two-flirtation, but with an edge."

Nicholas's lip twitched. Flirtation with an edge? It felt like a twisted parallel to their real-life situation. He could practically feel the edge in the room-sharp, unspoken, simmering just beneath the surface.

"What do you think, Nicholas?" the director prompted, his eyes now on him.

For a moment, Nicholas didn't answer. He could feel Isadora watching him, waiting. His throat felt tight, but he forced himself to respond. "Yeah," he said gruffly, keeping his answer short. "I get it."

The director nodded, but it was clear he wanted more from Nicholas. "Good, but we need specifics. How do you see your character playing off Isadora's?"

Nicholas hesitated, glancing at Isadora again, and their eyes met for the briefest moment. Her expression was unreadable, but he thought he saw something flicker there-maybe a hint of frustration, or was it anticipation?

He looked away, his voice low and strained. "I think... it's about control. Both characters are trying to one-up each other, but there's always that tension... because they don't really want the other to fail. It's like they're testing each other, but..." He trailed off, his thoughts racing too fast to find the right words.

The director nodded thoughtfully. "Exactly. They're challenging each other, but it's more than just a game. There's something deeper-"

"It's about not letting the other get too close," Isadora cut in, her voice smooth, but there was an edge to it now. "They put up walls, but the attraction is undeniable. They push each other away to avoid getting hurt."

Nicholas's jaw tightened. Her words felt like a direct hit. Walls. Attraction. Pushing each other away. He couldn't help but feel the weight of what she was saying-and the way it mirrored their own relationship.

"Yes!" the director agreed, clearly excited by the direction of the conversation. "That's exactly what we need. The walls are up, but we, the audience, can see what's really going on underneath."

Nicholas barely contained a scoff. What was going on underneath? He had no idea anymore. He stared down at the table, his fingers tapping restlessly. The room suddenly felt too small, too charged.

Isadora, as if sensing the tension building in Nicholas, shifted in her seat. Her voice softened slightly, but there was still a firmness in her tone. "I think we can play off that tension well. Nicholas and I have worked together before. We understand how to balance that kind of dynamic."

Her words felt like a slap. "Worked together before." It was a neutral statement, but the history behind it was anything but. Nicholas's frustration flared. She was acting so... unaffected. So professional. It was infuriating.

The director, oblivious to the undercurrent between them, smiled. "Great. I'm confident you two can bring this to life. Let's schedule some time next week to go over the more intimate scenes."

Nicholas's grip tightened on his chair. Intimate scenes. He didn't trust himself to speak without letting his frustration show, so he just gave a stiff nod, hoping the meeting would wrap up soon.

Isadora, meanwhile, remained composed, responding to the director's questions with calm professionalism. But every time Nicholas glanced her way, he saw her steal quick, guarded looks at him, as if she were gauging his mood.

Finally, the director clapped his hands together, signaling the end of the meeting. "Alright, I think we've got a solid direction here. Let's continue building on this. Good work, everyone."

Nicholas stood abruptly, ready to leave the room as fast as possible. But as he reached for his jacket, Isadora's voice stopped him.

"Nicholas."

Her tone wasn't harsh, but there was something insistent in it, something that made him pause, his back still turned to her. He could feel the eyes of the others in the room, waiting to see what he'd do.

He clenched his fists, taking a deep breath before slowly turning to face her. "What?" he asked, his voice low, but with an edge.

Isadora looked at him, her expression unreadable. "We need to talk."

Taking a deep breath, she led the way into a quieter area, the dimly lit stairwell providing a temporary refuge from the bustling world outside.

Nicholas leaned against the cool metal railing, arms crossed, his expression a mix of irritation and something deeper. "What's there to talk about?" he snapped, avoiding her gaze.

Isadora felt her frustration boil over. "You've been acting like a complete jerk all day. What's wrong with you?"

He finally looked at her, his eyes hard. "Maybe I just don't feel like pretending everything's fine when it's not."

"Pretending? You're the one acting like a child!" Isadora shot back, her heart racing. "I get that things are weird between us, but can't we at least be civil? I'm trying here."

Nicholas clenched his jaw, a muscle twitching at the corner of his mouth. "Civility is hard when your face is all over the internet with Drew Starkey," he said, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "What do you expect me to feel?"

Isadora's breath caught in her throat. "Drew and I? It's just a rumor. I didn't even ask for that photo to go viral!"

"Right," Nicholas scoffed, pushing off the railing to take a step closer, his frustration bubbling to the surface. "And I'm supposed to believe that you didn't enjoy the attention? Because it sure looked like you were having a good time."

"Enjoy the attention?" Isadora repeated, incredulity lacing her voice. "You think I'd actually want to be in the middle of this? Me and Drew are just friends"

"Then why are you letting him hang around like that?" Nicholas shot back, his voice rising. "You could've just told him to back off if you weren't interested!"

"Because he's helping me to deal with this situation" Isadora's voice was sharp, echoing off the walls. "And you know what? You left me, Nicholas! I didn't ask for any of this! I didn't even want to break up, but you made that choice."

Nicholas faltered, his expression shifting momentarily. "I didn't want to leave you. You don't get to pin that on me."

"Don't I?" she pressed, her frustration spilling out. "You walked away without even trying to work things out. And now you're here acting like you care about me when it's clear you're just jealous."

"Maybe I am," he admitted, his voice low, but the defensiveness crept back in quickly. "But you can't expect me to just ignore it, especially when you're flaunting it in my face."

"Flaunting?" Isadora exclaimed, throwing her hands up. "I can't help how the media spins things! I'm not doing anything to hurt you, Nicholas."

Nicholas took a step back, the anger morphing into something more vulnerable. "Then why does it feel like you are?"

"Why can't you let go of the past, Nicholas?" Isadora challenged, her voice rising slightly. "You're still holding onto grudges like a lifeline!"

Nicholas's expression hardened at her words. "And you're pretending like this isn't a big deal? A photo of you with Drew, of all people, goes viral, and I'm just supposed to brush it off?" He ran a hand through his hair, frustration evident in his every gesture.

"It's just a photo!" Isadora shot back, her patience fraying. "Why do you care so much about him?"

Nicholas could feel his anger boiling just beneath the surface. "Because it feels like Drew's always been a threat! He was waiting for us to break up, and you just... you just let him hang around!" His voice raised, filled with raw emotion that he couldn't contain any longer.

Isadora's eyes narrowed, her heart pounding in her chest. "You mean to tell me that after everything we've been through, you still don't trust me? You never gave me the benefit of the doubt, Nicholas! Not once!"

"I was trying to protect myself!" he shot back, defensive and on edge. "It's hard to feel secure when you're hanging out with someone who's always had an eye on you!"

The air between them crackled with tension, the hurt and resentment spilling over like a dam about to burst. Isadora stepped closer, her voice unwavering. "If you really cared about me, you would have trusted me. You would have believed that I'd choose you over anyone else!"

Nicholas's voice raised further, unable to contain his frustration. "You have no idea what it's like to feel that insecurity, Isadora! It's not just about trust; it's about the fact that you put me in a position where I have to compete for your affection!"

Isadora shook her head, incredulous. "Compete? Nicholas, I didn't want to compete with anyone! I wanted you! But you were too busy being jealous and angry to see that!"

The heated exchange pushed them closer to the edge, with Nicholas's voice rising higher, echoing off the stairwell walls. "Maybe I wouldn't have to be jealous if you didn't give Drew the time of day!"

Frustrated, Isadora took a step back, her heart racing as she fought back tears. "I can't keep doing this with you! If you want to yell at me about things I can't control, then maybe we shouldn't even be talking!"

"Fine! Go away, then!" Nicholas barked, his anger bubbling over. But even as the words left his mouth, he felt a twinge of regret.

Isadora turned, her shoulders tense. "You know what? Maybe I will. Because clearly, this isn't getting us anywhere." She started to walk away, frustration and hurt pushing her to leave before she broke down.

"Isadora, wait-" Nicholas's pulse quickened, the weight of their argument pressing down on him. Without thinking, he reached out, his fingers wrapping firmly around her wrist. There was a brief moment when the world seemed to slow, his breath caught in his throat as he pulled her back toward him. Isadora spun around, her eyes wide in surprise, but before she could protest or even speak, Nicholas's lips were on hers.

The kiss was raw, driven by the frustration that had built up between them for months-the unspoken words, the accusations, the jealousy. It wasn't gentle or careful. It was urgent, fueled by the storm of emotions that had been brewing since the moment they parted. Nicholas held her firmly, one hand cupping the side of her face as if he could somehow hold onto this fleeting moment, as if the intensity of the kiss could make up for everything that had been left unsaid.

For a heartbeat, Isadora froze, caught off guard. Her body stiffened, resisting the pull, but there was something in the way Nicholas kissed her-something raw, something real-that made her relent, if only for a second. Her lips softened against his, and for that brief, fleeting instant, it felt like the world had melted away. It was just them, wrapped in the heat of a kiss that carried all the love, hurt, and longing they had tried to bury.

But then reality hit. Isadora's eyes fluttered open, and she broke away, her breath shaky, her heart pounding. She took a step back, her hand instinctively rising to her lips, as if she couldn't quite believe what had just happened. Nicholas stared at her, his own chest heaving, his gaze locked on hers. The silence between them was deafening, charged with unresolved tension, and neither of them moved, both too stunned to speak.

Isadora's face was a mix of confusion and disbelief, her eyes searching Nicholas's, as if looking for an explanation. But there were no words that could justify what had just transpired. The kiss had been impulsive, an eruption of all the emotions they had kept hidden beneath the surface. And now, in the heavy quiet that followed, they were left to face the consequences of that moment-conflicted, raw, and undeniably drawn to each other, despite everything.

"What... what had just happened?" she breathed, her voice trembling as she processed the unexpected intensity of the kiss.

Nicholas stood frozen, as if he, too, had been jolted from a trance. He opened his mouth, but no words emerged. Instead, a flood of emotions washed over him-regret for how they had reached this moment, mingling with an undeniable yearning that he couldn't shake.

"I... I don't know," he finally admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. The air between them felt thick with unspoken tension, an energy neither could ignore.

Isadora stepped back, her expression a whirlwind of confusion, anger, and a flicker of something more that she couldn't quite name. "You couldn't just kiss me and expect everything to be okay," she said, her voice quivering slightly.

Nicholas watched her, heart racing. "I didn't mean to... I just-"

"You just what?" she interrupted, frustration bubbling over. "You wanted to kiss me when it suited you, but what about everything else? What about how we ended?"

Silence enveloped them, heavy with all the words left unspoken. Nicholas's mind whirled, desperate for the right thing to say, but all he could feel was the weight of the moment hanging in the air. He was torn between the impulse to reach for her again and the harsh reality of their fractured relationship looming like a storm cloud.

"I never stopped caring about you," he finally said, his voice a fragile whisper, revealing vulnerability he had kept hidden. "Even when I was angry, I still cared."

For a fleeting moment, Isadora's gaze softened, but the hurt and anger still simmered beneath the surface. "Caring isn't enough if you don't trust me," she replied, the weight of her words settling heavily between them.

With that, she turned on her heel, walking away with a mix of resolve and pain etched on her face. Nicholas watched her go, feeling the chasm between them widen once again. The echoes of their argument lingered in the air, punctuated by the unresolved tension of their kiss. As he stood there, the realization hit him hard: he had a long way to go if he wanted to find his way back to Isadora.

author's note !!

I really don't know how to feel about nicholas.
let's give an applause to isa for being a boss bitch for all the meeting but let's give an hug to nicholas because he doesn't know how to express his feelings in the right way !!

anyway i'm so happy to see cooper in this chapter cause he's the pookie !!