Noelle never expected so many face-to-face meetings with Chloe. Lately, she was being summoned constantly so Chloe could apologize for her 'Golden boy.'
That dirty piece of shit. How dare he treat me like that and try to frame me? How exactly did he think he could get a hold over me with those pictures?
He had no understanding of her whatsoever. Of course, his mind was set on only one goal: to kick her out. To that end, he was coming up with the most impossible schemes, though he was far from imaginative.
His techniques were nothing more than replications of what he read in his scripts. That photo trap was a plot he'd endured as Andrew Evans, the real heir of a conglomerate whose evil step-brother tried to steal his birthright in 'The End of an Empire'
"I'm glad you understand. I'm shocked, considering the lengths he went to," Chloe said.
"Mrs. Brown, there's no need to worry. I consider the incident nothing more than a bad joke. To tell you the truth, we hear all the time about people in showbiz doing extreme things like that, and we usually think it's a publicity stunt. I see now people indeed suffer in many ways in this field," Noelle replied, her anger slipping elegantly into her words. She caught a glimpse in Chloe's eyes—the protective glint of a mother bear.
"You are right. There are people who suffer. Luca is one of them. He has his reasons. Every trick he has ever played was just to give himself a sense of hope."
Noelle had gone too far. Chloe was not about to throw her one and only superstar under the bus for a random intern.
"My apologies, Mrs. Brown. I never meant to imply he acted without reason. I'm certain this is not an easy road, even for the most successful artists."
"Let's move on, then. You'll still be going to the set. There are a few more weeks of shooting. Is that okay?" Chloe asked.
"Yes, of course. I want that, too."
"I feel a little guilty," Chloe admitted. "I was trying so hard to amend your relationship that I forgot to ask if you even wanted me to. I imagined you had no reason to shun the possibility; it would only help your paper. But it is not a prerequisite. You can complete your work without getting close to him. So, tell me the truth."
"I'm telling the truth. I like the set. I don't think I'll ever get the chance to visit one again," Noelle confirmed.
"Why not? I thought you selected this internship because you were interested in the field."
"Yes, indeed. I thought it would be exciting. But it turns out it doesn't fit me."
"You don't know that. It's too early to tell," Chloe remarked.
"No matter what, back home, I will definitely be pushed towards a different direction."
"Pushed? You mean by your parents? I recall mentioning that they wouldn't approve."
Haha... she remembers everything...
She had surely opened her heart to Chloe during the early days of her internship.
"Well... My mother is a high school principal, and my father is a Professor of Statistics at the university. We're an... academic family. My mother always reminds me that I should take the path she abandoned and pursue a career in academia like my dad. He... he usually says nothing. I feel he would be happy, too, if I did as my mother suggests," Noelle explained.
"Are you looking forward to walking your mother's road? Is this what fulfills your expectations? Your selection here suggests other things," Chloe said.
Yeah! It felt like my rebellion at the beginning, and look where it got me! Maman is a wise woman.
The moment the thought popped in her head, a knot tightened in her stomach. Following the path her mother wanted wasn't wrong - just sad. Her wings, not yet fully spread, would be clipped, and a hollow life would swallow her whole.
"What does it show?" she dared to ask.
"That you want to explore possibilities. That you wish to learn about new things. That you want to get out of your safe zone."
Noelle let go of the breath she was holding. It was such a relief to hear those words from someone else.
Yeah, she wanted to explore. She wanted to take risks. Maybe that was why she stuck around. Maybe that was why she was enjoying the conflict with Lucafer. She was stretching her limits.
"I liked you for that. You know, many interns come here just to meet the stars. I didn't want such a person. I chose you because you were so serious, so focused. It was evident you had no interest in chasing celebrities."
She had to struggle not to laugh, thinking that she was actually after a particular celebrity from the beginning, no matter if the motives were academic in her case.
She managed a strained smile that she hoped signaled she was flattered.
_________________
The next day Noelle went to the set, as if nothing happened. She greeted the people she knew, and she took her usual spot in the basecamp next to Lexi. She noticed that the Tom Vega guy was nowhere to be found.
"Does he have such power?" Noelle said, without even realizing it. Lexi raised her eyebrows. "Oh, I mean Mr. West," she clarified.
"Mr. West? You make him sound like his grandfather!" Lexi commented. "What do you mean power?"
"I don't see Tom Vega today. You know, the one he got into that fight with," Noelle said.
Lexi's gaze darkened. "It's not about power. Just let it go."
How peculiar. From one moment to the next, the always carefree Lexi became another person. She remembered what Luca told her about him.
Could it be...?
Suddenly she heard people talking behind her. She turned around only to face Lucafer coming to the basecamp. He was all ready and packed for his role.
Damn, he looks good…
If it wasn't for his personality, she would consider him as an excellent male specimen.
He sat at a spot indicated by the hairdresser, and started scrolling through his phone.
"There is our demigod!" Lexi noticed.
Demigod my ass. I will make him regret crossing me.
She headed towards him.
"Where are you going?" Lexi asked, panicking.
"To check if he needs anything. I'm his assistant."
"Noelle!" she heard Lexi calling in despair, but she was already marching.
"Good morning, Mr. West," she told him when she got to him.
He regarded her through narrowed eyes, arms folded defensively across his chest. Was he expecting her attack?
"What do you want?" he muttered.
"To be of service, sir," she explained, performing a discreet bow.
"Cut the crap!"
"Why's that sir?" She was playing her role.
"I told Chloe I'll let you around to keep up appearances, but stay away. Don't talk to me, don't look at me," he grumbled.
"We'll maintain appearances if I stay by your side and follow your instructions obediently."
Luca West relaxed his arms and tilted his head back, staring at the ceiling. "God... Why?"
Noelle moved closer and looked him over. Her face was just an inch or two away from his. She could feel the heat of his breathing. She saw his cheeks turning red.
"Because you are a piece of shit, who won't get away easily after what you did," she told him and backed away.
I am playing with fire…
She was now struggling to control her heartbeat, her knees shaking.
Lycafer pinned her with an intense stare. "Are you... Are you crazy? What are you doing? People might think..."
"I wanted to make myself clear. If you try anything new, I can come up with some tricks of my own."
That was a threat. A clear threat.
"Who sent you? What do you want?" Lucafer asked in a low voice.
Oh no! I start to feel sorry for him. He is delusional...
"If you need anything, please call me," she said, walking away and leaving him in a state of total confusion.
"What just happened? Why were you bending over him?" Lexi asked when she sat next to her.
Noelle managed to keep her voice from trembling: "Oh, nothing! He felt something in his eye, and I just tried to take a better look."
"I see...." Lexi said, not sounding convinced.
Her pulse wouldn't calm. Only now did Noelle realize that this chase with West Luca—his tricks, her payback—was starting to thrill her.
She was walking a very thin, very hot line.