Luca's initial thought was to keep her close to show her that he is so good at his field that she shouldn't underestimate him. She would understand he had power and leverage.
Later, his mind shifted. He would keep her closer to make her suffer. As his assistant, she would abide by all his requests. He could load her with so many errands, that she would wish to leave at once.
Yet, that didn't work out. Christmas was efficient. Annoyingly so. He liked that. He also enjoyed watching her annoyed face every time she did what he asked her to.
It was not until Camilla mentioned to him her schedule for the end of the week, that he conceived his master plan.
"We have to be here so early on Thursday and Friday. Fuck! I have to wake up at four o'clock. Listen babe, why don't we make it interesting? I plan to catch a nap around noon to freshen up. I can't sleep during the daytime unless I take a pill, so I won't be… conscious.
"I know you are shy... You still got the key I gave you, right? Why don't you come over when I am sleeping and play with me? You're the only one to know. Just do me a favor and film us, so I can watch it later…" his co-star had told him.
He had heard hundreds of proposals over the years when people were hitting on him. It was the first time that he was hearing something so extreme and twisted, that he couldn't hide his shock.
That didn't bother her and gave him a mischievous grin.
What she said was spinning in his head, like a nightmare. But as it was spinning, it got intertwined with his other problem.
On Thursday he checked Camilla's status. He used the key she had given him and entered the trailer. Indeed, she was waiting. Naked on the sofa. Deeply asleep.
Next day he would find an excuse to make Christmas enter the trailer. She hadn't realized yet what kind of world she had entered. He would show her the dark side.
Keeping records was a bad idea. But one image was enough to build a narrative.
When she didn't arrive on the set, he was close to missing his opportunity. He swiftly found a workaround; that Tom Vega bastard who was making him want to puke whenever their ways crossed.
Bingo! Two birds with one stone.
Although now, Chloe wasn't so understanding. If only he could share his experiences, the pressure he was getting from Camilla, or the real reason he wanted Vega out, maybe she could soften.
"But you're right Chloe. In the end I was trying to find a way to frame her!"
Chloe went on lecture mode. "I'm not here to understand what, how or why anything happens. My single target is to safeguard your career and your life. Along with mine.
"Don't do anything that will risk your reputation ever again. Stop making plans to put pressure on Noelle. I don't want you to bother the slightest with her.
"Focus on your job, follow the agreed daily plan, as you have successfully done for years, and we will make everything up."
He knew that he had crossed too many limits. Unsuccessfully to his dismay. And he knew he had stressed Chloe a lot, his one and only ally. He had to back off.
One day that Christmas girl would bring his world to pieces. The day that would happen, he would proudly say to Chloe 'I've told you so'. For the time being, he would just respect her will and pretend that Christmas is not around.
"Agreed," he said.
"You are a man of your word. I trust you will not do anything foolish again. I will give instructions to Noelle as well. She'll visit the set two times a week, though she won't be your assistant any longer."
"I understand, but why resort to such extremities? I wish I didn't have to talk to her, but it will be awkward if we're in the same space and don't exchange a word," Luca suggested.
Everybody on the set knew her by now as his assistant. It would appear super fishy if they stopped talking and interacting.
"I wish I could keep her away from you, to the extent that even if you are drowning, she shouldn't even offer you a hand to pull you out of the water. But you are correct, it's too extreme. Keep it low, and we'll see how it will turn out."
"Ok, I will do as you ask."
He had surrendered. Maybe he was too tired to fight, maybe he didn't want to cross blades with Chloe anymore. For weeks now they had been arguing about everything. That made him feel even more insecure.
Luca would step back, and carefully review the situation. There was a slight possibility that he was wrong. The possibility irritated him. Because if she wasn't digging, then his reaction made no sense.
The next thing that Chloe told him, made him relax just a little bit.
"Another thing. Jason's been asking me why you haven't visited lately."
"Yes I know, he's sending me messages! I told him I'll come over soon. Maybe dinner this week?" Luca asked, expectantly.
Indeed, he hasn't been to Chloe's for the past month, as they were both angry at each other. But Jason was not the one to pay for their problems. The kid was the only one who saw Luca for what he truly was. And who would play video games with him, besides Luca?
"Wednesday is good. I'll let him know," Chloe confirmed.
That was their usual way to wrap up every fight they got; a family dinner.
Chloe turned to her monitor. It seemed it was time to put on her manager's face again. Better than the punisher's face.
"So, let's review your schedule. You've got that promotion with Isabella at noon. You should go get dressed."
He hadn't forgotten. He was supposed to promote an ice-cream shop, Icy Cloud, which was supposed to make ice creams light in texture, like Cloud. He was looking forward to tasting them, but he wasn't looking forward to his date.
The promotion concept? Native social media content. Just him and Isabella casually shopping at a mall. Only Lexi and Isabella's assistant would be with them. No media, no spotlights. Who would buy that? If that was what the customer was paying for, that was what he was getting.
"Abby is waiting for me. I'll go with Lexi. Isabella will meet us there," he confirmed.
"Talking about Isabella , is she still looking for more?" Chloe asked.
"Isabella will always be looking for more."
"Think about it. She's on a fast track to the top. She could help you," Chloe proposed.
"Next subject please!"
Chloe chuckled. But then she turned serious and she looked at him with some discomfort. "I have to warn you. She has returned to Nova Bay."
That was when the air left his lungs.
"I know. She dropped by my apartment, weeks ago."
"Why didn't you say anything? We need-"
"Chloe! I had too much for one day."
He was not going to analyze that. Chloe's reminder was already a buzz in his head. He would discuss these issues later. Another day.
He wished he didn't have to.
But he knew the bitter truth.
Family ties didn't loosen with time. They tightened. Quietly. Until they strangled you.