Between classes, she still walked Washington twice daily. With no afternoon lectures today, she finished lunch with Dave just in time to return for the dog walk. Upon entering, she spotted Cesare emerging shirtless from the basement—home to the gym—his blond hair slightly tousled, and it was impossible not to notice his incredibly fit physique... so perfect that thousands of words wouldn't suffice to describe it. Plus, his chest hair was a light golden hue—
Then he spotted her and uttered this single sentence.
Perhaps she should be grateful he remembered her at all, Jenny thought with a touch of self-mockery.
"Oh, right, Washington." Cesare flipped his wrist to glance at his watch. "Then you're late. Washington gets walked twice daily; this midday session should have started fifteen minutes ago."
"Traffic," Jenny snapped. "If you don't mind, I'd better get back to my duties now, My Lord."
She fetched a sun hat and umbrella from her room, then walked Washington around the neighborhood for over half an hour. Sweat drenched her under the blazing California sun. After returning from the walk, she noticed Lilian's car parked in the driveway. She entered through the back door, secured Washington, and climbed the small staircase to her upstairs guest room. After showering and changing, she finally made her way to the living room to watch television.
"Why are you still here?"
Half an hour later, Cesare appeared in the living room. He looked—suspiciously—as if he'd just showered too, considering it had been over an hour since he finished his workout...
Chen Zhen wasn't deliberately prying, but she paid attention to such details almost instinctively—a lingering habit from her days as a young mistress.
"I live here." She dismissed unnecessary speculation. "Did you forget again? First, my apartment's AC system needed maintenance. Then she said it was more convenient for her classes and walking the dog. Plus, she was lonely living alone. And then she mentioned you—"
She studied Cesare's expression. "Never mind. I'll move back after walking the dog tonight."
Cesare's icy expression softened slightly. "Very well."
He sat down on the small sofa. "What are you watching?"
"Discovery Channel," Jenny replied. "Did you know whales can actually hold their breath for days?"
"No." Cesare's tone politely conveyed his ignorance and lack of interest in such tedious trivia.
They watched TV in silence for over ten minutes before Cesare spoke. "Jefferson, I trust you understand I don't want you staying here. I prefer to keep my personal life separate from work. There must be clear boundaries between the two."
"I understand," Jenny replied. "Actually, I didn't plan to stay here initially because I assumed you wouldn't approve—"
"Wouldn't approve of what?" Lillian came bounding down the stairs barefoot. "Hi, Jen! Hi, honey!"
She plopped down on Cesare's sofa armrest and planted a light kiss on his cheek. Cesare's expression softened slightly. He tilted his head and gave Lillian a small smile. "We were discussing Jefferson moving back tonight."
"Why?" Lillian exclaimed in surprise. "Didn't I tell you about this? Cesare, you agreed to it back then."
Cesare's expression stiffened slightly. Jenny felt awkward and began looking for an opportunity to leave. But Lilian reached out to her. "Sit down, dear—Now, Cesare, we need to have a serious talk. I remember it clearly. The night Jen moved in, I told you about this. You said it was fine—I mean, how many times have we discussed this? When I speak to you, I need your full attention, not distracted by work, scripts, or proposals—"
Cesare shot Jenny a pointed look. Jenny wanted to leave, but Lilian had already slipped off the armrest and sat beside her. "You're not going anywhere, dear, and I won't let you move out either. Someone in this house needs to actually listen to me."
Most of the time, she was so amiable you'd forget her background, but when Lillian started throwing a tantrum, that spoiled princess attitude surfaced. Jenny said, "Lily—"
Cesare chimed in simultaneously, "Lily, this has nothing to do with our issues. If you—"
But Lillian ignored them both, continuing, " And Jenny's name! I can't believe it! A second Jennifer. You actually changed her name just for the gimmick? Was it to spite Belle? But Jenny isn't your pawn in a petulance game, Cesare. You always do this. It really is a problem. We've talked about it so many times. You can't just manipulate people however you please, just to amuse yourself."
This is fucking awkward...
Jenny looked helplessly at Cesare, trying to convey her innocence with her eyes: Honestly, she did feel a bit queasy about the name change, but only a little. Yet Lilian's current approach made it hard for her to defend herself. If Cesare was even slightly confused, he might immediately take it out on her.
Cesare closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. Surprisingly, he didn't explode. He didn't even seem particularly displeased.
"First, let's discuss the name change," he said, still as businesslike and objectively calm as ever. "Yes, it was my decision. The reason is simple, Jenny. Your original name was too casual. This might be my prejudice, but I believe only parents of very low cultural sophistication would name their daughter Jenny instead of Jennifer. Of course, everyone will call you Jen, Jenny, or Jennie—that doesn't matter. But your official name must be Jennifer. Otherwise, you'll never shake off that working-class label. People will think: What kind of parents name their daughter Jenny? Then they'll realize: Oh, right—her parents really are that irresponsible."
Lillian opened her mouth, but Cesare held up a finger. "Don't tell me about exceptions. We're discussing common psychology, Lillian. Ordinary people are just that snobbish and vulgar."
"Okay!" Lilian made a displeased face. "Another cognitive dissonance to resolve."
"Also, about Jenny not living here," Cesare continued as if he hadn't heard her at all. "I know you two get along well, Lilian. Inviting her over occasionally is fine— I know you get lonely when I'm away on business. But having her live here blurs the boundaries of our relationship—and yes, I know what you're thinking. You believe I'm professional enough, that Jefferson is professional enough, that I'm often away, and that this is just a temporary arrangement. Once her career takes off, she'll soon have her own place in Beverly Hills. Of course, all that makes sense, but the Hollywood paparazzi won't see it that way. I guarantee this kind of story will surface fast: 'Jennifer Bell's former agent signs namesake newcomer; the two are already cohabiting. Reportedly, the agent has a girlfriend, and now the three are living together in ambiguous circumstances.' — Jefferson needs exposure, but this kind of story will only backfire."
Lillian sighed, and Jenny followed suit with a relieved breath. Seizing the moment, she chimed in, "Of course, I don't want to get dragged into this mess either."
"So we're good then?" Cesare fixed his gaze on Lilian, his tone softening.
"Fine." Lilian conceded, though her mood was clearly sour, her voice tinged with sarcasm. "This is obviously another 'Oh, the world is so ugly, you don't understand anything' lecture. Got it. You're always right."
Whether East or West, being unreasonable was a girl's privilege. Jenny knew it was time to leave—whatever Cesare chose to do with the current situation, she had no interest in staying to watch.
"I'll go upstairs and pack my things," she said. Neither Cesare nor Lilian tried to stop her.
As she reached the staircase door, Cesare called after her. "Jefferson, I recall your audition is in three days?"
"Yes, three days from now at 11:30," Jenny replied. "Oh, and if you're taking your car back, I can—"
Cesare ignored her trivial offer, his gaze fixed on her like an icy lake—azure, cold, and crystalline. "I hear you've been preparing well."
"I've done my best," Jenny shrugged, suppressing the urge to lift her chin and meet Cesare's intensity.
"Good," Cesare said quietly. "This is a great opportunity, and I don't like waste. You can't afford to miss it. Get it. Failure is not an option."
Jenny suddenly recalled Dave's words from hours earlier: "In Hollywood, one failed audition is no big deal—it might even open more doors for you."
Maybe that's how Hollywood worked, but with Cesare Viglieri, the game clearly followed different rules. The one they were playing was far more ruthless.
"I'll do my best," Jenny said, suddenly grateful for friends like Dave and Lillian. —Dave was talking about the call Lynch had received. Lillian had been chattering nonstop since last night about her tiny fan club on IMDb, but to Cesare, none of it seemed to matter. He wouldn't even mention the inquiries he'd gotten about her or praise her performance in last night's episode.
She genuinely wondered how Jennifer Bell could still be with him—Jenny couldn't even imagine how Lillian managed to stay with him.
Cesare Viglieri was nothing but a machine.