It Started With A Vampire

Everywhere everything

MALACHI POV

Malachi didn't sleep that night. Not really.

Every time he closed his eyes, he saw the way Eva had looked at him in that quiet second, the moment right before they almost lost control in his trailer. Her lips parted, her breath trembling, her hand in his hair. He could still feel it. Still hear her voice whispering his name like a confession and a dare all at once.

And then... they'd pulled away. Just in time.

But barely.

Now, the morning sun was rising over the studio lot, and he was already pacing in his trailer, running a hand through his hair, trying to not lose his mind. He couldn't stop thinking about her — the way her fingers lingered against his arm when no one was watching, how her eyes always found his even when the cameras stopped rolling.

And now?

He was about to spend the whole day pretending she wasn't the only girl he wanted to look at.

Especially since Disney was doing what Disney does best: spinning stories.

This morning's call sheet had a last-minute addition. A promo shoot. Jace and Eva. "Behind-the-scenes chemistry spotlight."
Which really meant: Make it look like they're something.
Which really meant: Pretend she's not mine.

He slammed his trailer door shut harder than he meant to and cursed under his breath.

"Yo," MK said as he walked up, a protein bar in one hand. "Rough morning?"

Malachi didn't even answer.

MK raised a brow. "They've got Jace and Eva doing press stuff again, huh?"

Malachi nodded stiffly, jaw tight.

"She's not kissing him, bro. It's just press."

"She shouldn't have to be with him for press," Malachi snapped, his voice low and sharp. "It's fake. It's manipulative."

MK crossed his arms. "It is. But you know why they're doing it."

Malachi didn't respond. Because he knew.

This was damage control — all over again. The internet hadn't stopped buzzing about him and Eva, even though nothing had officially leaked. But the PR team was pushing Eva and Jace to redirect the narrative, and Malachi hated that Jace seemed more than willing to play along.

And worst of all?

Malachi couldn't do a thing about it.

Because they had agreed to keep it quiet.
Because they had to wait.

But waiting felt like drowning.

⸻

EVA

Eva was trying to stay calm, but it was getting harder.

She sat in hair and makeup, staring at her reflection while someone curled her hair into soft, romantic waves. Jace was already on set, waiting for her. Waiting to play her maybe-boyfriend for Disney's next marketing push.

Her stomach churned.

She hated this. Hated how forced it was. How fake. And how much she knew it would hurt Malachi.

The worst part?
She had agreed to this. Soft-launching a fake bond with Jace, only to buy time. To take the heat off the real story — her and Malachi.

But that didn't mean it didn't suck.

She blinked back frustration just as her phone buzzed.

Meg 💛:
You okay? Milo said Malachi's been silent all morning.

Eva sighed, fingers flying across the keyboard.

Eva:
Not really. I think he's mad. I hate this fake promo.

Meg 💛:
He's not mad AT you. He's mad he can't do anything. Just talk to him after. And don't let Jace get too close.

Eva smiled faintly.
Meg always knew how to steady her.

⸻

The shoot was exactly what she feared. Romantic lighting, slow motion laughing shots, "impromptu" staged moments where Jace was told to brush her hair out of her face. She did everything she could to keep it professional.

But of course, someone was filming behind the scenes.

By the time she got back to her trailer, the Instagram Story was already up on the official Disney page.
A slow pan of her and Jace laughing.
No kiss.
But... close. Too close.

She barely had time to react before Malachi walked into her trailer. No knock. No warning.

Just heat in his eyes and frustration all over his face.

"I saw it," he said.

"Mal—" she started, but he cut her off.

"It's fake. I know. But Eva, it doesn't look fake. Not to them."

She walked up to him, close, but not touching. "We agreed. You said you'd wait."

He stared down at her, breathing hard. "I said I'd wait. I didn't say I'd watch."

Silence.

Then his voice dropped, low and rough. "But I'll do both, Eva. I'll wait for you... but I'll also fight for you."

Her heart jumped.

He stepped closer, their breath mingling, tension thick. "No one else gets to have you. Not really."

She didn't say anything. Because she didn't have to.

She felt it, in every look, every shiver between them. The pull hadn't lessened — if anything, it was getting stronger.

And then his hand brushed her waist, barely there. Her fingers ghosted along the hem of his hoodie.

Just one second too long... and she would've leaned in.

But a knock at the trailer door ruined it.

Eva jumped, heart racing.

Malachi swore under his breath and stepped back just as Ariana's voice called through the door.

"Guys? Group movie night in Megs trailer after the crew party. Let's go before Milo eats all the snacks."

Eva and Malachi shared a look.

The moment passed. But the tension didn't.

They walked out separately.

But the heat? That stayed.