Page 176 of Lovestruck at Sundown
After discussing the city’s horrible traffic and the possibility of a harsh winter this year, the captain announced we had reached 10,000 feet. Our flight attendant came out to offer us something to drink. We all asked for water, and Abigail clapped her hands once and said, “Should we get started?”
“Of course,” William replied in a cheery tone.
I stood and sat on a seat across the aisle to give them their space, as I always did during the interviews. I was merely a spectator, a silent witness. And it didn’t matter that the person being interviewed was my boyfriend. I knew how Abigail liked doing things and her expectations of me.
As Abigail readied herself, I noticed my hands were shaking. William turned to look at me and smiled, putting me slightly at ease. But I shook my head at him because here I was, sitting at the edge of my seat, waiting for the damn interview to start. And Abigail couldn’t have pulled out her small recording device, notepad, and pen any slower.
Once she had her things neatly organized on the table, she finally began. “It’s truly an honor to have this opportunity to chat with you, William. So please let me start by thanking you for taking the time to sit down with me today.”
“My pleasure, Abigail,” William said with a charming smile. “The honor is mine.”
“So, let’s dive right in, shall we?” Abigail rested her forearms on the table and interweaved her fingers. “There’s been quite a buzz surrounding your latest project with MC Comics, and I must say, your fans and the critics seemed pleased with the Haldor Stormbreaker franchise. But before we get into the nitty-gritty details about the updates you’ll be exclusively sharing with Empire Magazine, I’d love to start by reflecting on your journey thus far. You’ve had such a remarkable career, filled with diverse roles and memorable performances. What do you attribute your success to?”
William made a brief pause before answering. “Well, Abigail, I think it’s been a combination of hard work and a bit of luck, if I’m being honest. I’ve been fortunate enough to work with incredibly talented people along the way who have challenged me and helped me grow as an actor. And, of course, the supportof my fans has been invaluable throughout it all.”
“It’s clear that your dedication and talent have propelled you to great heights,” Abigail added, sipping from the glass of water our flight attendant had brought for each of us moments before. “Would you say acting is your passion?”
William’s jaw jutted out, and he steepled his finger under his chin as he considered Abigail’s question. “I’ve certainly poured my entire heart, spirit, and mind into every role I’ve been cast to play,” he answered, still unable to say acting was his passion. We had had many conversations where the subject came up in the past, and he always dodged the question or offered an ambiguous reply.
“I’ve enjoyed every second of my career in the industry,” William continued. “But as time has passed, I’ve learned to appreciate other things in life that bring me great joy—things I haven’t been allowed to explore because I’ve been fortunate enough to be booked for incredible projects back-to-back.”
What are you up to, William?
Abigail nodded thoughtfully. “It’s fascinating to hear you speak about that balance between dedication to your craft and finding joy in other aspects of life. So, William, what’s next for you? Are there any particular endeavors you’re looking forward to exploring outside of acting?”
William leaned back in his seat, rested his elbows on the armrests, and placed his hands over his belly as he contemplated Abigail’s question. “I’m excited to share that I’ve been working on something quite different from my usual projects. I don’t think I’ve shared this publicly, but I left my culinary studies on hold years ago to pursue acting. And for the past six months, I’ve been working on my final project, which consists of creating an original menu and concept for a restaurant so I can earn my degree. And now that I’m finally done, I’m ready to present it to the committee, and that’s why we’re on our way to Stockholm right now.”
“William,” I said under my breath, lifting a hand to my mouth to shut myself up. He looked at me and gave me the most beautiful smile, but he returned his attention to Abigail. I didn’t want to interrupt the interview, but how I wished I could jump from my seat to tackle him and tell him how fucking proud of him I was. I knew how important tying up that loose end was for him, and I couldn’t believe he had managed to keep it hidden from me all this time.
“Can you tell us more about this project you worked on to earn your degree?” Abigail inquired, curiosity etched in her features.
“Certainly,” William said, his eyes glowing with excitement. “Chef Jan Parker is a close friend of mine, and we’ve teamed up to create a very classic, homey, farm-to-table concept restaurant in the Hamptons. It is similar to his restaurant in Pocantico Hills, but we’re making it our own by tossing a few elements of Scandinavian cuisine into the mix. Chef Jan will keep his executive chef position at his restaurant but will remain involved in all of the seasonal adjustments that will be made to our menu to keep things fresh and exciting for our diners. And so will I.”
“That sounds like a place I’d like to visit.” Abigail chuckled. “Will you be stepping in as executive chef?”
It was as if she were reading my mind because I wanted to know that, too.
“I will not,” he declared. “I will be busy with other projects that have caught my eye. Jan and I have offered the executive chef position to Chef Moira Mae, who is not only a longtime friend of mine but a beast in the kitchen. We studied together in Sweden, so she deeply understands our cuisine.”
I gasped with excitement, but thankfully, the airplane’snoise muffled my voice because no one noticed. Moira deserved this. She was going to kill it.
“This sounds like something you’ve been thinking of doing for a while,” Abigail said. “And I have no doubts you will find a lot of success in this new venture. But can you tell us more about the other projects you mentioned that have caught your eye?”
William downed what was left of his water and settled the glass on the table. “I’ve been delving into the world of producing and financing indie films. It’s a new challenge for me, but one that I’ve found incredibly rewarding so far. I’ve gained a deep appreciation for the creative process beyond acting. Producing allows me to be involved in other aspects of bringing a story to life. I believe it’s a way for me to contribute in a different capacity and champion stories that resonate with audiences on a deeper level. There are so many talented people out there who, with the proper support, can finally bring their vision to life. I’m particularly proud of our filmSavages, which we’ll present at Cannes next year.”
“That sounds like an exciting shift in your career.” Abigail seemed impressed and intrigued. “It seems like a fantastic opportunity to explore your creativity in new ways. Your fans will be eager to see what you have in store.” Abigail took a few notes on her pad before continuing. “And speaking of your fans, they’re always keen to know if there are any upcoming acting projects on the horizon. Can you give us a hint on what we might see from you next on the big screen?”
William rested his arms on the table and leaned forward, a spark of anticipation igniting his blue eyes. And without further ado, he said, “I will be taking a step back from acting.”
What!
I took my folded index finger to my mouth and sunk my teeth into it.
Abigail was usually great at controlling her reactions, but her eyes widened, and her lips parted with shock. She took more notes and said, “Before I delve into the reasons behind making this pivotal and unexpected move in your thriving career, I have to ask when can we expect this decision to become effective? Considering your five-movie deal with MC Comics. If I’m not mistaken, the second Haldor Stormbreaker movie is set to start filming soon.”
“You are correct, Abigail.” William paused and ran his tongue over his lower lip before he drew a deep breath. “I can confirm that I’ve made the decision to step away from acting, effective immediately and for an indefinite period. The role of Haldor Stormbreaker has been recast, but I’ll continue my involvement as a producer and investor for the upcoming films in the franchise.”
Abigail cleared her throat and took more notes. “Are you at liberty to discuss who will be taking your place as Haldor Stormbreaker?”
