AN: As usual, I went wild with the numbers. 😅
Words: 3.3k
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[4:50 PM] [SJ's home]
Inside Scarlett's house, the vibe was easy, bright, and just shy of chaotic. The living room had been transformed into a Pinterest-worthy setup with string lights, polaroids pinned to the walls, scattered white balloons, and a table stacked with snacks, sparkling juice, and a cake so big it looked slightly apologetic for existing. Well, the cake's in a box right now. Max said not to open it before the actual cake-cutting ritual. She and Caroline made it, just the two of them.
Scarlett sat cross-legged on a floor cushion, hair curled just enough to look effortless, wearing high-waisted jeans and a soft pink tank top. A simple gold necklace rested at her collarbone. It wasn't a "blowout" birthday. That was the point. She just wanted an intimate celebration with her family and friends.
Max, in a cherry-red romper, sat on the floor with her back against the couch, braiding a long gold ribbon into a streamer while sipping lemon soda from a champagne flute.
Caroline was at the snack table, rearranging cupcakes like they were chess pieces and making sure the frosted letters on top spelled "SJ the Great" instead of "SJ the Grape," which had accidentally happened an hour ago.
Evangeline Lilly stood in the kitchen, sleeves rolled, helping Vanessa prep small plates of sliders and sandwiches. She had flour on her jeans. Vanessa, in a no-nonsense black tee and mom jeans, was moving like a general mid-campaign.
Anna Faris had appointed herself DJ for the afternoon and was currently bopping her head to an early 2000s throwback playlist while sorting through an ancient CD binder Scarlett found in her basement.
Hunter, Scarlett's twin, was out back with Adrian, their older brother, lighting the grill and talking about sports and stocks in the way that only mildly confused siblings could. Hunter wore a "Birthday Security" t-shirt that he insisted was part of the theme. Adrian brought drinks and sarcasm.
Then the doorbell rang.
"Well, there comes your bf," Vanessa peeked out with a grin.
Scarlett opened the door.
Rachel walked in first, wearing a black party gown. "Sorry, we're late," she said, taking off her sunglasses. "Alex wanted to personally escort your gift."
Scarlett ran to hug her. "You made it. Thank you."
"I brought you a gift," Rachel said, handing her a small box with glittery wrapping and a suspicious weight. "Spoiler alert. It's not a bomb."
Before Scarlett could respond, a truck was already pulling up through the gate.
The truck rumbled up the driveway, its glossy black exterior catching the late-afternoon light. Everyone near the windows turned their heads. Conversations paused. Even the playlist in the background reached the end of a track and fell momentarily silent.
Scarlett blinked. "Uh… is that?"
Max stood up, brushing off her romper. "If that's a surprise taco bar, I'm marrying him myself tonight."
Caroline peeked out the window. "Nope. That's a covered trailer. Vehicle size. Definitely not tacos. Sorry."
The truck came to a slow stop just outside the house, and a man in a Titan-branded jacket hopped out from the driver's seat. He unlatched the back of the trailer and opened the ramp.
Inside, bathed in soft lighting and looking like it had just driven off a Hollywood film set, sat a white 2005 Rolls-Royce Phantom.
Scarlett stepped outside slowly. Everyone else followed behind her, a few still holding half-eaten snacks or party cups. For a second, the whole house spilled into the driveway.
Alex stepped out from the passenger side of the truck. He was wearing a T-shirt and jeans, both from his Titan Brand.
Scarlett stared at the car, then at him, then back again. "No. No way."
Alex walked up to her and handed her a silver key with a blue leather fob. "Happy birthday."
Scarlett blinked hard. "This… this is a Phantom."
She stood frozen. The key rested in her hand like it was made of glass, too surreal to grip. She looked at Alex, then at the car again, then back at him, her mouth halfway open but no words coming out.
Max was the first to break the silence.
"Okay, I'm just gonna say it. What the hell, Moneybags? That is not a gift. That is a marriage proposal on wheels."
Caroline elbowed her. "Shh. Let her process. She's having a mild out-of-body experience."
Rachel folded her arms, watching with a small smile. "I told him it was overkill. He said go big or go quiet. And you know how well he takes the second option."
Scarlett finally blinked. "You bought me a Rolls-Royce."
"It's a 2005 Phantom," Alex said casually. "Custom interior. Matching your favorite shade of champagne pink on the seats. I had them tune the suspension for smoother handling. You mentioned once you liked smooth rides but hated soft steering."
She stared at him, lips parted, completely speechless.
Vanessa walked out next, drying her hands on a kitchen towel. She took one look and said, "Holy crap. Is that real?"
"It's not made of cake, if that's what you mean," Max muttered.
Evangeline leaned in toward Anna. "Do I… do I have to up my birthday gift game now?"
Anna just shook her head. "Nope. I'm gonna go find more soda and pretend we all imagined this."
Scarlett finally managed to speak. "You can't just… give people Phantoms, Alex."
He smiled. "I can. And I did."
"But this is too much."
"You're not a 'too much' kind of girl. You're a 'worthy of everything' kind of girl."
There was a quiet chorus of female aww sounds from behind her.
Hunter stepped forward, arms crossed. "Can I take it for a spin?"
"No," Vanessa and Scarlett said at the same time.
"We girls are gonna take the first spin. You boys can wait for your turn," Vanessa said, stepping forward.
Adrian shook his head, "You wanna drive after failing the driving test twice?"
"Tsk." Hunter clicked his tongue.
Scarlett looked down at the key again. "I don't even know what to say."
"Start with thank you," Max called out. "Then hug him and kiss."
Scarlett laughed a little, breath catching, and finally stepped into Alex's arms. She wrapped both around his neck and pressed her face into his shoulder.
"Thank you," she whispered. "This is insane. Beautiful. Perfect. And insane."
Alex held her close, his voice quiet near her ear. "You deserve perfect."
She leaned back just enough to look at him, eyes still wide, full of that dazed happiness that happens once in a lifetime. "You remembered everything. The color, the ride, the steering thing."
"I listen," he said simply.
Without hesitation, she kissed him. Right there in the driveway. No build-up or teasing. Just a soft, real kiss. It wasn't loud or dramatic. It didn't need to be. It was the kind of kiss that said this is exactly right. And everyone watching knew it.
Max grabbed a plastic cup and raised it in the air like she was toasting an invisible wedding. "To public displays of affection and ridiculous billionaire birthday gifts!"
Caroline added, "And to the rest of us pretending we're not jealous!"
Hunter groaned. "I'm not jealous. I just want a test drive."
Vanessa shot him a look. "Try me, and I'll test your face against the pavement."
Alex gently stepped back from Scarlett, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Take it around the block later. Get used to her."
Scarlett blinked. "You're serious?"
He gave a single nod. "Fully yours."
She turned back to the car like it might vanish if she looked away too long. "Okay. This might be the best birthday I've ever had. Sorry, Hunter."
Hunter raised both hands. "Fine. I surrender. The car wins. You win. I'll just go grill more sliders in quiet defeat."
Rachel clapped him on the shoulder. "Good sport. Someone's gotta feed the rest of us peasants."
Inside, Max elbowed Caroline gently and whispered, "Bet you five bucks she sleeps in that car tonight."
Caroline replied, "Bet you ten she names it."
They walked back in as the group began to drift inside, the buzz of excitement trailing like perfume. Scarlett stayed back for a second with Alex, both of them standing in front of the Phantom.
There were two more guys inside the truck. They carefully got the car out and then left.
She looked at him, voice softer now. "You know, it's just too much, right?"
He glanced sideways at her. "Well, don't be late on the set from now on."
"Ah! C'mon. That was just a one-time thing."
Alex gave her that glare, raising an eyebrow.
"Fine. Twice. I overslept," SJ teasingly punched his arm.
He held the car door open for her like it was instinct. "Wanna go see the inside?"
"Obviously," she grinned.
They got in, the door closing with that signature Rolls-Royce hush.
...
[6:30 PM] [Dining Room]
The dining room buzzed with the kind of anticipation usually reserved for award announcements and surprise proposals. The lights had been dimmed just slightly. Warm glows came from the fairy lights draped along the windows and the flickering candles dotting the table's edge.
And right in the center of it all sat the cake.
Three tiers. Garden-themed. Frosted in soft sage and buttercream whites. The sides were decorated with delicate vines made of green icing, small clusters of sugar roses, and what looked suspiciously like hand-painted butterflies. On top, nestled among the sugar petals, a tiny edible banner read:
"Happy Birthday SJ."
Scarlett stood at the head of the table, hands clasped near her chest, blinking at the cake like she couldn't decide whether to cut it or frame it.
Max and Caroline flanked her proudly, beaming like pastry scientists unveiling their greatest creation.
"You guys did this?" Scarlett asked, eyebrows raised, voice just shy of stunned.
Max nodded. "Handmade. Top one's lemon poppy seed. Middle's vanilla bean with raspberry. Bottom's death-by-chocolate. Don't ask how we kept the vines from melting. That was a whole thing."
Caroline added, "We stayed up till 2 AM arguing about whether the butterflies should have glitter or not."
"They do have glitter," Scarlett said softly, touching one delicately.
"Exactly," Max said. "I won."
Around them, everyone gathered, drinks in hand. Anna Faris clapped like she was judging a cake show. Evangeline pointed out a tiny fondant frog tucked into the bottom tier. Vanessa just muttered something like "Holy hell" under her breath.
Scarlett reached for the knife, but paused. Everyone looked at her.
"I feel like... if I cut this, I'm committing some kind of art crime."
Vanessa replied, "Too bad. We want sugar. Be brave." She lit up the candle.
Hunter started chanting, "Cut! Cut! Cut!" from the back with Adrian joining in like this was a sports event and not a sugar-fueled birthday bash.
Scarlett laughed and finally took the knife.
Caroline pulled out a disposable camera. "Make a wish first. Duh."
Scarlett closed her eyes for a brief moment. Then she opened them and blew the candle and said, "Okay. Here goes nothing."
She sliced the cake, and the whole room burst into gentle applause and birthday chant.
Max pumped her fist. "No structural collapse! Eat that, Cake Boss!"
They started serving the cake around. People grabbed forks and dove in like polite animals. Compliments flew.
[40 minutes later]
The living room had that warm post-party glow. Plates half-full of cake rested on end tables. People lounged across the couch and floor with that soft sugar crash in their limbs and frosting on their fingertips. Anna Faris was holding court on the floor, retelling an old audition horror story that made Vanessa laugh so hard she had to set down her drink. Hunter was elbow-deep in a bowl of chips like his mission wasn't over until every crumb was gone.
Scarlett sat beside Alex on the couch. Her plate still had a corner of lemon poppy cake left. She was using her fork to draw little trails through the icing while leaning into Alex's side like it was her favorite spot on earth.
Then Rachel stood up from her seat by the window and cleared her throat. That alone was enough to get people's attention.
"Alright, everyone. Phones down. Eyes forward. Alex has one more surprise."
Max perked up instantly. "Wait. More? You already bought her a luxury chariot. What now? A personal moon?"
Caroline grinned. "Is this the part where we get matching unicorns?"
Alex gave them both a mock-glare. "No unicorns. Not yet."
He stood up as Rachel gave him the tab.
"Okay," Alex said, looking around the room. "We just finished the trailer of Alien. And I figured... no better way to celebrate than to upload it on Scar's birthday."
He opened the tab and logged into his YT account. Then added the vid to the upload and handed the tab to Scarlett.
"Do the honor."
Scarlett took the tab from Alex, blinking in disbelief. "You're serious?"
"Let it rip," he said.
She nodded slowly, her hands slightly trembling as she tapped "Publish." The screen showed:
✔ Uploaded: Alien (2006) - Official Trailer
Thumbnail: A cracked, slimy xenomorph egg on a dark.
Vanessa quickly ran to her room and brought her laptop, and opened it. She quickly opened YT and went to Titan's page. She tapped on the trailer, and they all watched it. The trailer showed shadows, eggs, the shadow of the Alien, then the faces of the crew without giving away anything about the plot, and at the end, a large Xenomorph tail curling around the ALIEN logo, followed by the iconic sound.
No one talked after seeing the trailer.
The room stayed still for a second.
A few minutes later...
Vanessa clicked the refresh button on her laptop. The YouTube page blinked. The view count started rolling.
1111 views.
53 comments.
Uploaded 2 minutes ago.
"Holy crap," Max whispered. "This thing's gonna burn the internet down."
Vanessa's fingers flew across the keyboard. "Let's read."
@CineFreak91: WHOA. What the hell did I just watch?! This looks like Event Horizon meets Jaws in space. I'm IN.
@horrorgirlie: Is that SCARLETT? Our romcom queen?? In a horror?? She looks absolutely feral in the best way.
@trailerobsessed: This editing. That sound design. And the egg shot? I screamed.
@ThisIsNotAFakeStudio: Titan Studios just dropped a NUKE. Everyone else go home.
@LowBudgetLarry: How much did this trailer cost?? My soul hurts.
@IGN: Another masterpiece coming from Alex Wilson. Sci-fi Horror. Looking forward to it.
"Holy hell," Evangeline muttered. "The lighting on that spacewalk scene? It's creepy."
[15 minutes later]
Vanessa hit refresh again.
Views: 228,902
Likes: 112,390
Comments: 4,931
@JamesCameronClone: WHO IS DIRECTING THIS??? The shadows. The framing. This is master-level horror.
@BadRobotCEO: My intern just passed out watching this at his desk. I want it on 70mm.
@ReeseWithaSpoon: Okay, I just watched this three times in a row. Scarlett looks terrifying and gorgeous. Alex Wilson might be insane.
@FangoriaMag: Just got chills. "In space no one can hear you scream…" Instant legend status.
@oldmancritique: 10/10 trailer. Feels like a proper new classic. No explosions for fun. No dumb jump scares. Just dread. Actual dread.
...
"I can't breathe," Scarlett whispered. Her eyes stayed locked on the screen, watching the numbers spin up like a slot machine. "This never happened so fast. The views and comments are climbing like... Too fast. Now, it's over 500k. It feels like a dream."
Max squeezed her shoulder. "Welcome to the horror hall of fame, babe."
Rachel stepped behind them, checking her phone. "Other studios are already texting. Universal's trying to 'clarify your release date.' Warners is panicking about their January drop."
Alex grinned. "Let them panic."
...
[2 hours later]
Views: 804,441
Likes: 524,017
Comments: 55,318
@neildegrassedTyson: I don't know if space works like that... but damn. It feels right.
@bloodydisgusting: This is the sci-fi horror we've been starving for. It's cerebral. Visceral. And that damn EGG and tail. What in the bloody hell was that sound at the end?
@DirectorFinch: Whoever cut this trailer, hire them for life. That silence at 1:27 before the screech? Perfection.
@FilmThreat: You had me at "first contact." You sold me at the dead silence in deep space.
...
Anna Faris let out a long whistle. "Girl. Your face just broke the planet."
Scarlett looked over at Alex. "You just dropped a monster on my birthday."
He nodded. "And it's got your name on it."
She stared at the screen, speechless for a beat, then looked back at her friends.
"Okay," she said. "Hug me or I'll hyperventilate."
Alex hugged her tightly with a satisfied smile. 'I don't fucking care how fast the views's rising. The algorithm or the system might be broken or whatever, I don't care as long as it gets hyped.'
Max lifted her cup again. "To breaking the internet. And to Alien becoming the new bar for all space nightmares!"
...
...
[Blackstar Studios] [Main Office]
The room was silent for a moment before Vanessa's scream shattered it. [Yup, 2 people with same name]
"ARGGG!!"
She hurled her phone across the room. It slammed into the wall and exploded into useless shards. Without hesitating, she stormed to the conference table and flipped it with both hands. The thick glass top hit the floor and burst into a thousand glittering pieces.
Papers flew. A lamp cracked against the ground. Her breath came in ragged bursts, fists clenched so tight her nails cut into her palms.
Her laptop still played the Alien trailer in a loop, muted. The xenomorph's tail curled around the logo again. Then again. Then again.
Vanessa stared at it, chest heaving.
"How?!" she spat. "Why is he still alive?"
Her assistant, who had been stupid enough to stick around this late, crept toward the doorway like a mouse in a burning house. Vanessa didn't even look at her.
"He was supposed to crash," Vanessa said through gritted teeth. "I made sure of it."
She dropped into the nearest chair, legs spread, elbows on her knees. Her voice was lower now, tight with fury.
"I gave him the first stage. I gave him press. I put him in the spotlight."
Her hands trembled. She grabbed a half-full whiskey bottle from the minibar and drank straight from it. Then slammed it down hard enough to crack the counter.
"But he walked away. Just walked out. Like I was the fool."
The screen flickered again. Scarlett's face in a helmet. The hollow silence of space. The rising dread.
Vanessa squinted at it, eyes narrowing.
"And now he's turning romcom actresses into scream queens and making half the damn industry look like amateurs."
She stood again, slower this time. Her stilettos crunched over broken glass.
"I paid good money for those hitters. Where the hell are they?"
That silence had grown louder each week. At first, she assumed they were laying low. Waiting for the right moment.
But now?
Vanessa walked over to her desk and pulled out a thin black folder. Inside: photos, reports, contracts. One glossy image of Alex Wilson paper-clipped to the front. She stared at his face.
"Why won't you just die?" she whispered.
Then came a sudden reply from behind that made her jump up. A man's voice.
"Because there is no one to kill him. I killed them all."
She looked back and saw a gun pointed at her.
"Who are..."
Pop! A bullet pierced through her forehead. She fell to her knees, eyes on the man, blood trickling down her forehead as she collapsed on the floor.
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