The Kiss of Defiance

EXTERIOR. UNDER THE BRIDGE.

Gleb shoved a wad of bills at the Driver. The Driver took them without counting.

“This whole story,” the Driver began, “was your father’s idea. He wanted to ruin your reputation so you would eventually come back to his business. That evening, at the birthday party, he slipped something into your drink, a drug. You passed out in the car. I staged everything else. The evidence is in the recorded phone conversations.”

Gleb stood, stunned. Automatically, he handed over the remaining money. Gathering his last strength and fury, he sharply punched the limousine Driver directly in the face. The man recoiled.

“I never want to see you again!” Gleb shouted.

Gleb turned and walked away.

INTERIOR. BUSINESS CENTER. CONFERENCE HALL.

A festive, bright hall. Tables are set, with journalists everywhere, holding cameras and dictaphones. A crowd of people. Gleb appeared in the doorway.

The Father, beaming, walked onto the stage and approached the microphone. Alyona proudly stood up, ready to greet Gleb on stage.

“The work of my life,” his voice sounded loud and proud, “has a worthy successor. Son, please come up on stage!”

Gleb went up. He walked toward the stage. He stopped, looked at his Father, and then surveyed the huge, crowded hall. He took the microphone.

“All my life, I believed that family is a place where you are loved and accepted for who you are. But, after working with my father for a bit, I realized that family can also be shackles they use to try to chain you to themselves.”

He paused. His Father frowned but did not interrupt.

“I don’t want to be part of such a family,” Gleb raised his head, looking straight into the hall. ”And I certainly don’t want to be part of this business!"

Without waiting for a sound or a reaction, Gleb dropped the microphone onto the stand and walked away.

In the corridor, his Father caught up with him. He grabbed his arm.

“Explain yourself! What was that?!”

“You are a scoundrel! How could you destroy my future for the sake of yours?!” Gleb wasn’t shouting; he spoke with such controlled fury that it sounded scarier than any scream. His Father immediately realized Gleb had met the driver. “You betrayed me! Framed me. Made me a laughingstock in front of the whole society. I will never be the successor of your business, and I don’t want to know you as a father!"

Alyona ran up to them, breathless.

“Gleb, all this was done for your future!”

“So you were in on it too?! I don’t want to see or know my father or you ever again,” Gleb said, pushing his Father’s hand away. He no longer looked at them. He just walked on, leaving them standing in the corridor.

INTERIOR. PROVINCIAL NEWSPAPER.

The next day was as grey and monotonous as all the previous ones. Liza sat in the stuffy publishing office, joylessly tapping on the keys. Another article about road repair. Her thoughts were floating somewhere far away, in a world of plots and dialogues, not in boring facts.

The phone rang. Liza picked up without looking. On the other end was an unfamiliar, respectable voice.

“May I speak to Liza?” he asked.

“Yes, speaking,” she replied, holding the receiver to her ear, wary.

“Hello. My name is Anatoly Petrovich. I am a film company owner.”

Liza froze. Her heart plummeted.

“The screenplay you submitted,” the voice continued, ”was selected by me for filming. And I want to meet with you personally to discuss the details.”

Silence. Liza squeezed the receiver.

“What?...” she whispered.

“The script. We are putting it into production.”

Liza jumped up from her chair so suddenly that it rolled away.

“Oh my God! Yes! Yes!” she screamed into the phone, unable to control her emotions.

She grabbed the nearest colleague—old, perpetually gloomy Petka—and hugged him so hard he choked on his tea.

“Petka, Petka! My script! They took it! A movie!” She ran around the office, hugging everyone, knocking over piles of papers.

Finally, her legs gave way. She fell to her knees right in the middle of the newsroom, sobbing, covering her face with her hands. These were tears that washed away long years of defeats. Tears of happiness. She did it.

💖 The First Kiss

🎬 INTERIOR. FILM STUDIO. NEAR THE ELEVATOR.

Gleb, looking determined, was stepping into the elevator. At that very moment, Liza, radiant after signing the contract with Anatoly Petrovich, was stepping out of it. She recognized him. In the last moment, as the doors were starting to close, she darted back in. They were left alone.

“Hello. Do you recognize me?” Liza asked, enjoying the moment.

“It’s hard to forget such a clingy person. What do you need again? Are you chasing another victim to foist your script on?”

“I don’t need anything from a pervert like you! I just want to inform you: my intuition didn’t fail me, and my script will now be made into a major motion picture.”

Gleb began to recite, moving closer to her, his eyes burning with a mix of sarcasm and admiration.

Tries to be gentle with me—no way... Imagine: a cypress, straight as an exclamation point, Tries to bend into a comma—no way...

He recited the lines, moving closer until Liza’s back hit the elevator doors. When he finished, he examined her shamelessly for a few seconds. The closeness made her uncomfortable.

“My intuition also tells me something,” he whispered.

“And what does it tell you?” Liza asked, trying to sound brave.

Gleb smiled knowingly. The door opened. Liza, unable to stop herself, tumbled out of the elevator right into a person holding coffee. The coffee spilled onto her head.

“My intuition is more accurate,” Gleb said, and the doors closed. He waved goodbye while Liza, hissing with anger, tried to rub the stains off.

🎬 INTERIOR. FILM STUDIO. ANATOLY PETROVICH’S OFFICE.

The door to Anatoly Petrovich’s luxurious office burst open with force. Gleb stormed in. He didn’t knock, didn’t wait for an invitation. Determination burned in his eyes.

Anatoly Petrovich, the film company owner, looked up from his desk and regarded him calmly. There was no surprise in his gaze.

“You owe me. Thanks to me acting almost for free in your films, your studio was able to make a name for itself,” Gleb said firmly, looking the producer straight in the eye. ”It’s time to repay the debt."

Anatoly Petrovich leaned back in his chair. “Fine. I remember.” He paused. “We are planning to launch a new film. The screenwriter is young, talented. There’s a good role in it, but it’s a supporting one. I can give it to you. But I must warn you. Your main rival plays the lead role.”

“I don’t care who plays the lead role or what role I get,” he replied, exhaling in relief. “Lead or supporting. I only have one life, and I want to dedicate it to what brings true satisfaction, regardless of any difficulties. I just want to do what I love."

Anatoly Petrovich nodded. The agreement was made.

🎬 INTERIOR. FILM STUDIO. SCRIPT READING ROOM.

A spacious, modern office in Anatoly Petrovich’s production company. Stars have already gathered at the large table. The director, Stas, is reserved and focused. The lead male actor, Maxim. Vadim, and the incredibly popular lead actress, Alla.

Anatoly Petrovich enters. He is leading Liza by the hand. She is overwhelmed, her eyes wide with delight at the sight of so many celebrities.

“Dear friends! Glad to see everyone assembled. Before tomorrow’s press conference, I wanted you to meet our star.”

He nudges Liza forward slightly.

“Meet Liza—our talented screenwriter!”

Liza bows slightly, embarrassed. “It’s a great pleasure. I am thrilled that you agreed to work with my text.”

Vadim immediately leans across the table with a charming smile. “And we are just as thrilled! So talented and... attractive.”

He winks at Liza. Liza blushes.

“Alright, friends,” Anatoly Petrovich continued. “Now to business. We have one more surprise. The film will have another key figure—a supporting role, the main rival of Maxim and Vadim in the plot. We have invited a famous actor for this role.”

“Famous?” Vadim sneered. “Which of our colleagues agreed to a supporting role? This is interesting.”

At that moment, the door opens, and Gleb enters the office.

“Meet him. Our actor—Gleb.”

“What?!” Vadim sharply jumps up from his seat.

“Oh my God...” Liza is stunned.

Maxim, who had been sitting with a completely stony face, changes expression for the first time—his eyebrows crawl up.

“Anatoly Petrovich, what is this?!” Vadim is outraged. “Why weren’t we informed?! You know Gleb’s history, his scandal!”

“I agree with Vadim!” Alla supported him. “We are concerned about the studio’s reputation.”

“My reputation has no bearing on my work,” Gleb cut in calmly.

Anatoly Petrovich knocks on the table, calling for silence.

“Be calm! Sit down, Vadim. Yes, you were not informed. This was my decision. I coordinated Gleb’s participation with the investors and, most importantly, with the director Stas.”

Stas nods briefly in confirmation.

“No one is against it,” Anatoly Petrovich continued. “And you? You are professionals. Besides...” he smiles a sly, producer’s smile. ”Black PR, a little buzz around Gleb’s return to the screens—it’s only to our advantage. All media outlets will be talking about our film before its release. I ask all of you. No quarrels. Unite. Let’s make a good film! We are all capable of it.”

Liza looks at Gleb, who seems unfazed by the outrage. Vadim sits down glumly.

🎬 INTERIOR. CONFERENCE HALL. FUTURE FILM PRESENTATION.

The press conference hall is packed. Flashes sparkle, cameras hum, notebooks rustle. All major media are here. The headlines are already prepared: the start of filming for a high-profile project will be announced today. Everyone is reporting that the film has assembled not just a strong, but an all-star cast, and most importantly—Gleb will be there, returning to the screens after the scandal.

Gleb stands by the curtains, nervously looking into the hall where the journalists are gathering.

Vadim approaches him.

“What, nervous? So much attention to your person after such a break,” He pauses, his smile spiteful. “Relax. Here, have some coffee.”

Vadim offers a cup, but “accidentally” stumbles, and the hot, dark liquid splashes right onto Gleb’s light shirt.

“Oops! Sorry, that was clumsy. Good luck, Gleb.”

Vadim leaves. Gleb clenches his fists.

Gleb rushes to the restroom. He stands at the sink, trying to wash out the huge coffee stain. Useless. The stain only spreads.

The director, Stas, walks into the restroom.

“Listen, Gleb. I’ll be honest with you. Although I agreed to your participation because Petrovich is persuasive, I’m not thrilled. I don’t know how to work with you after everything. Just do your job. No surprises.”

Stas leaves, leaving Gleb alone in front of the wet, ruined shirt. Gleb exits the restroom. Alla, the lead actress, passes him. She gives him a quick, disdainful look—from the wet shirt to his face. A look full of dislike and judgment.

Gleb enters the dressing room, where Maxim is already adjusting his tie.

“Maxim, listen. Do you have anything I can change into? Coffee spilled on me.”

“I’d love to help, Gleb, but I don’t have anything in your size.”

Anatoly Petrovich walks in.

“That’s enough, guys. No more chatter. Everyone is gathered, it’s time to start!”

Maxim and Anatoly Petrovich leave. Gleb glances around and sees a stylist guy sorting clothes. A rather bright, glamorous shirt with a floral pattern is hanging on a rack.

“How much?” Gleb blurts out quickly.

“I beg your pardon?” the stylist asks, not understanding what he means.

“The shirt. Name the price. Two minutes.”

Gleb pulls out a thick wad of money. A minute later, Gleb walks out in a slightly crazy, bright floral shirt, but clean and dry.

The stars take their seats: Alla, Vadim, Maxim, director Stas, Anatoly Petrovich, Liza, and finally, Gleb.

Journalists bombard them with questions.

JOURNALIST 1: Anatoly Vasilyevich! Are you not afraid to launch such an expensive project based on the script of a completely unknown screenwriter?

ANATOLY PETROVICH: No. I am confident in her talent. She is so engaged that she even expressed a desire to be present on the set to assist.

JOURNALIST 2: A question for Vadim. How do you feel about acting in tandem with your former rival, Gleb?

VADIM: I am a lead actor. And I have no intention of yielding my position to a supporting actor, especially one with such a, shall we say, less-than-stellar reputation and a long break from filming.

JOURNALIST 3: Alla, how do you feel about your co-stars?

ALLA: I respect everyone. They are good professionals, and I am confident we will make a quality product.

JOURNALIST 4: Are you not bothered that you will be playing a passionate lover with a man who is known to be of non-traditional orientation?

ALLA: (Looks at Gleb, then answers coldly) Sometimes you have to act with different people. Even those you don’t particularly like. But that is the essence of an actor’s skill—to act convincingly, no matter what.

JOURNALIST 5: A question for the screenwriter, Liza. Did you know Gleb was cast? How do you feel about it?

LIZA: I didn’t know about his candidacy, honestly. When I was writing the script, I certainly didn’t imagine Gleb in this role.

JOURNALIST 5: And why, in your opinion, is Gleb unsuitable?

Liza takes a deep breath, looking at Gleb.

“Because of his orientation. I am concerned that he won’t be able to play a passionate lover—the kind of man who literally burns a woman with his sensuality.”

After Liza’s words, a flame of rage ignited in Gleb’s eyes. He slowly, without saying a word, rose. His entire figure, even in that silly floral shirt, exuded pure, predatory male energy.

He slowly walked around the table. All the journalists froze, pointing their cameras at him. Gleb approached Liza and stopped. He literally devoured her with his eyes, leaned in, and grabbed her chin, not allowing her to turn away.

From that moment on, only she existed for him. He kissed her passionately. He didn’t just touch her lips; he pressed his demanding and greedy lips against hers. Liza tried to resist, pushing with her hands, but Gleb’s grip was steel, and his kiss was unbridled, hot, completely and absolutely masculine.

He didn’t stop, demonstrating to the whole world that his orientation had no bearing on his skill. It was not a kiss, but a defiance—to everyone who doubted him.

LIZA’S VOICE (voiceover): Sometimes we are destined to dance with people who are daring, passionate, and unbridled. In such a duet, there are no rules. Everything is decided by improvisation. And our game had just begun.