Page 40 of Sexting the Bratva Boss (Text to Touch)

Eva

"Cut!" Elliot's voice echoed across the set.

Just like that, filming was officially wrapped. I stood there for a moment, not sure how to react to the finality of it all.

"Echo Alley is officially a wrap!"

The applause was thunderous, but my eyes were getting misty.

Over the past three months of filming, I'd lived and breathed Norah's pain and struggles.

Now that it was time to say goodbye, I felt this indescribable sense of loss washing over me.

This character had taught me so much—I'd never understood a role this deeply before.

"Eva, you okay?" Elliot walked over and gave my shoulder a gentle pat.

I wiped away the tears that had gathered at the corners of my eyes and managed a smile. "I'm fine, just hard to let go, you know?"

"The best performances are always like that," he nodded with understanding. "When you really become the character, saying goodbye hurts like hell."

Time flew by, and suddenly it was Golden Globe night.

The Beverly Hills Hilton was blazing with lights, the red carpet flanked by crowds of media and fans.

As our car slowly pulled up, I took a deep breath and smoothed down my dress.

The blue gown was a masterpiece of tailoring—it hugged my shoulders and back perfectly while the clever draping around my waist disguised my seven-month pregnancy, transforming it into an elegant silhouette.

"Nervous?" Ruslan took my hand, his grip warm and reassuring.

"A little," I admitted. "But mostly excited."

The car glided to a stop at the red carpet entrance. Ruslan got out first, looking absolutely devastating in his perfectly tailored tux. He reached back into the car, palm up, offering me his hand. I placed mine in his and let him help me out gracefully.

Camera flashes exploded like a tidal wave, almost blinding. I took Ruslan's arm and walked down the red carpet, every step confident and poised.

"Eva! Over here!"

"Can you tell us about your expectations for tonight?"

"Echo Alley just crossed seven hundred million at the box office—how does that feel?"

The reporters' questions came rapid-fire. I smiled and waved, stopping occasionally for interviews.

"Just being nominated is already an incredible honor," I said into the microphone. "Echo Alley's success belongs to the entire team."

"Confident about winning?" one reporter pressed.

I glanced at Ruslan beside me, and he was looking at me with that steady gaze that always made me feel safe.

"I just try to give my best to every role. As for the outcome, well, that's up to the judges," I replied diplomatically.

Inside the ballroom, I was seated with the Echo Alley cast and crew, while Ruslan, as one of the film's investors, sat in the business VIP section.

I could feel his gentle, focused gaze on me the entire time.

Whether I was chatting with the director or making small talk with fellow actors, whenever I looked up, I could always catch his eyes.

Our gazes would meet across the room, silently exchanging love.

When they got to the Best Actress category, my heart started racing uncontrollably. The big screen began showing clips from all five nominees.

My clip came third—the scene where Norah breaks down in the rain, fighting for survival.

The presenter was Maria, last year's Best Actress winner, with this voice that sounded like God himself had blessed it. But right now, that beautiful voice was pure torture as she opened the envelope in what felt like slow motion under the cameras.

My palms were sweating. I clasped my hands over my belly, trying to draw strength from mine and Ruslan's unborn child.

"This is a difficult decision," Maria was milking the suspense. "Each of these women delivered truly extraordinary performances."

My eyes were glued to the big screen, not daring to look away for even a second. The tension was wrapping around me like vines, almost suffocating me. Instinctively, I looked up, across the crowd, toward the one man who could calm me down.

The moment he saw my pleading look, his features softened completely, and he gave me the most confident nod.

Miraculously, my heart settled.

"And the Golden Globe for Best Actress goes to—" Maria paused, and that brief moment felt like an eternity.

"—Eva Stone! Echo Alley!"

When my name was called, my brain went completely blank. The thunderous applause, the hugs and congratulations from my tablemates—it all felt distant and surreal.

I stood up, and with the entire room watching, the first person I looked for was still him.

Ruslan was on his feet applauding, that slight smile playing at the corners of his mouth.

I took a deep breath, gathered my dress, and made my way to the stage .

When I took hold of that heavy trophy, the cold metal finally made it feel real. I'd won.

I stood at the microphone, looking out at all the familiar and unfamiliar faces—they represented all of Hollywood, hell, the whole world's attention.

"This award doesn't just belong to me—it belongs to the entire Echo Alley team.

Thank you to director Elliot for giving me this opportunity to bring such a complex and fascinating character like Norah to life.

Thank you to Hollywood, thank you to everyone!

" I tried to control my excitement, but my voice was still shaking.

"Finally, I need to thank someone special." My eyes found that man in the crowd as I said softly, "Thank you, Ruslan. Thank you for always being by my side, giving me strength and courage. Without your support, I never could have made it this far. This moment is complete because you're here."

I saw the cameras cut to Ruslan in the audience, his face filling the screen in front of me. He was glowing with pride.

My heart was bursting with happiness.

I finished my speech, smiled, and bowed, ready to return to my seat and wait for the host to wrap up the ceremony so I could run into Ruslan's arms.

"Eva, please wait." The host suddenly called out, stopping me in my tracks.

I turned back, surprised, confusion and curiosity in my eyes.

"Ladies and gentlemen, please bear with us," the host addressed the audience with a mysterious smile. "We have one more very special segment tonight."

Special segment? I was confused. As an actress, I knew the flow of every major Hollywood awards show by heart. Traditionally, Best Actress was the final award of the night—after this, the ceremony should be over.

Murmurs rippled through the audience. Everyone seemed puzzled by this unexpected turn.

A strange premonition washed over me, and I instinctively looked toward the investors' section—Ruslan's seat was empty !

My heart started pounding.

Suddenly, the lights went out, plunging the entire ballroom into darkness.

All conversation stopped instantly, leaving only the rustle of fabric and confused breathing.

I stood center stage, clutching my trophy, the cold metal helping me stay somewhat grounded.

This definitely wasn't part of the program.

My actor's instincts told me something extraordinary was about to happen.

The next second, a spotlight hit the left side of the stage. Ruslan stood there in his simple tux, no flashy decorations, but his presence commanded everyone's attention.

The entire hall went dead silent, as if everyone was holding their breath along with me, waiting to see what would happen next.

Under the gaze of the world's top celebrities, stars, and media, this man who controlled Los Angeles's underworld walked toward me, step by deliberate step. His stride was steady and sure, each footfall like a drumbeat against my heart.

His eyes saw no one but me. It was as if this vast temple of fame and fortune was just a backdrop he'd built for me alone.

He stopped in front of me, ignoring the microphone the host offered him.

He looked at me with those deep blue eyes and said tenderly, "Eva, before I met you, my world was nothing but darkness.

You brought the only color into my life.

I thought someone like me didn't deserve the sun.

But you showed me that I could bask in the light, too.

My love, you are the brightest flame in my life. "

He continued his confession, "Tonight is the most important moment of your career.

But for me, every moment I have with you is the most important moment.

I can't imagine a world without you. I want to spend the rest of my life by your side, through everything, never apart.

I want to give you the happiest marriage, build the happiest family with you. "

His voice trembled with genuine emotion.

Oh my God! This special segment was the most beautiful, incredible surprise. I gasped, feeling like my heart was about to burst out of my chest .

I watched Ruslan Yvannov—who never even bowed to anyone—solemnly drop to one knee. Then he pulled out an exquisite little velvet box from his jacket pocket.

When I realized what this moment meant, I could feel my pulse racing so fast I could barely hear the tsunami of gasps and exclamations from the audience.

He opened the box, revealing the brilliant diamond ring inside. Its sparkling light reflected in my eyes, making them sting as tears began to well up.

"I know this might seem sudden, but I've thought about this carefully," he said, taking out the ring, his eyes swirling with love as he looked at me. "Eva Stone, will you marry me?"

My breath caught. This impossibly proud man was offering his heart to me with the gentlest gesture in the world.

I stood there transfixed, feeling like I was about to drown in Ruslan's passionate eyes. Tears spilled over as I nodded frantically, my voice choked but firm. "Yes. Ruslan, yes!"

I extended my right hand—the one not holding the trophy.

He gently took my hand and smiled. "Thank you, Eva. Thank you for giving me this chance."

He carefully slid the ring onto my ring finger. It fit perfectly, as if it had always belonged there. I knew that from this moment on, my life was forever intertwined with his, inseparable.

To thunderous applause and cheers, Ruslan wrapped one arm around my waist, cradled the back of my head with the other, and leaned down to kiss me. Camera flashes went crazy around us, witnessing and recording this moment.

When the kiss ended, he gently pressed my head against his chest. I could hear his steady, strong heartbeat mingling with mine.

He whispered in my ear, "I love you, Eva," his hot breath caressing my skin.

"I love you too, Ruslan," I whispered back fervently.

After the ceremony ended, we retreated to our own quiet world. Instead of taking me home, Ruslan drove us to Santa Monica Beach. It was late, and the beach was nearly empty. We kicked off our shoes and walked barefoot in the sand.

The evening ocean breeze was cool, so Ruslan took off his jacket and draped it over my shoulders, pulling me close against his side. In the distance, the city sparkled with brilliant lights; nearby, the ocean glimmered under the moonlight.

I stopped walking and held up my right hand, studying the ring on my finger in the moonlight. Everything felt like a dream too beautiful to be real.

"What are you thinking about?" Ruslan's deep voice rumbled.

"Just... I don't think I'm used to my new identity yet," I said softly.

"Which new identity?" he asked playfully, his warm breath tickling the top of my head. "Newly crowned Golden Globe Best Actress, or Mrs. Yvannov?"

I laughed at his teasing, turning to look at his handsome profile.

"Mrs. Yvannov," I said, savoring the title. "It has a nice ring to it."

"It does," he agreed, cupping my face in both hands. "Eva Yvannov. I like the sound of that."

"We're not even married yet and you're already changing my last name?" I mock-scolded him, though my heart was melting with sweetness.

"It's going to happen," he declared possessively, then leaned down to press a soft kiss to my lips.

The ocean breeze picked up, and I pulled his jacket tighter around my shoulders, still warm with his comforting scent.

A thought suddenly occurred to me. "Ruslan, what if—and I'm just saying what if—I hadn't won tonight? If I hadn't been on stage, would your plan have changed?"

He chuckled low, the sound making my ears tingle.

Instead of answering directly, he took my hand and led me closer to the waves.

He pointed at the wet sand beneath our feet, gleaming in the moonlight, then looked at me and said slowly, "If there hadn't been that opportunity on stage," his voice was tender and loving, "then I would have done it here, on this beach.

No spotlight, no audience, but with the moon and ocean as witnesses.

Eva, whether you won or not wouldn't have changed anything.

Because I was always going to propose to you, no matter where. "

So no matter what had happened tonight, he'd prepared the most romantic proposal for me.

I couldn't speak anymore. I could only stand on my tiptoes, wrap my arms around his neck, and respond to his love with a deep kiss.