"Just breathe?"
Kristen raised an eyebrow, jumped off the sofa, and padded barefoot toward the kitchen.
"Wait here!"
A moment later, she came out carrying a delicately packaged small cake box and placed it on the coffee table.
The cake wasn't big; it looked like it had been freshly ordered from a nearby high-end dessert shop. On top, written crookedly in icing, were the words:
"Congrats, My Hero!"
Followed by a small, drawn heart.
The drawing skills were a bit juvenile!
Clearly drawn by Kristen herself!
"When did you prepare this?"
Cassius was surprised.
"I had Emma order it before the wrap party!"
Kristen lifted her chin smugly, found some candles, clumsily stuck them into the cake, and then patted around looking for a lighter.
"I knew you'd get the money tonight. Celebrating Mr. Cassius officially escaping the Hollywood poverty line!"
She finally found the lighter and lit the candles.
"Quick, make a wish! Blow out the candles!"
She urged him, her eyes shining in the candlelight.
Watching her bustle about, something softened inside Cassius.
This woman usually acted cool and tough, but in private, she could be childishly cute.
He cooperated, closing his eyes to make a wish, then blew out the candles.
"What did you wish for?"
"It won't come true if I say it!"
Cassius picked up the plastic knife to cut the cake.
"Tch! Eastern superstition!"
Kristen roasted him, but still took the first piece of cake he handed her. She sat cross-legged on the sofa and satisfyingly shoved a big spoonful into her mouth.
They shared the not-too-sweet cake, washing it down with mineral water.
Only a few ambient lights were on in the living room, casting a dim and warm glow.
"What's the plan next?"
Kristen licked her spoon. "The Thor audition will probably be a while!"
"Rob has a few scripts. I'll take a look tomorrow. Plus, there's that USC short film I promised to reshoot a scene for."
Cassius ate his cake, planning. "Also, I need to find a reliable accountant!"
When money was scarce, he could file taxes himself.
Now that his income was up and involved different projects, possibly interstate or even future international taxes, he needed a professional.
"Should've found one ages ago!"
Kristen agreed. "If you need, my team can recommend a few. They specialize in artist taxation."
"Are they expensive?" Cassius asked subconsciously.
Kristen laughed at his realism.
"Relax, I'll get you a friendly rate. Besides, your income is peanuts to them."
Cassius: "..."
Fine, his poverty mindset was showing.
A hundred thousand dollars might not even be pocket money to the real top players!
He looked at Kristen curled up on the sofa eating cake with zero regard for her image, hair loose—a completely different person from the radiant star outside.
Thinking of Director Branagh's invitation at the wrap party today, he said seriously:
"Thank you, Kristen!"
If not for her, he might not have even had the chance to touch that circle.
Kristen paused, then waved her hand dismissively.
"Thank what? You have to be good enough yourself. Director Branagh wouldn't give you a role just for my sake. He genuinely thinks highly of you!"
She paused, her tone carrying a hint of pride.
"But my boyfriend is amazing!"
[Kristen Favorability +1, Current Favorability: 95]
Cassius watched the favorability rise another point!
He silently thought, is this what they call shared glory?
After cleaning up the cake mess, Cassius returned to the living room.
Kristen was already like a lazy cat, sunk into the sofa, eyelids drooping, unconsciously swiping her phone screen.
"Sleepy?"
He walked over and touched her ankle.
"Mmhmm~"
Kristen hummed with a heavy nasal tone, tossing her phone aside and reaching out her arms to him.
The meaning was obvious: Too lazy to move, carry me!
Cassius looked at her rare childishness and wanted to laugh, but he bent down, slipping one arm under her knees and the other around her back, lifting her up bridal style with a bit of effort.
"Whoa!"
Kristen let out a low cry, reflexively wrapping her arms around his neck.
"Getting stronger, Master Cass."
"You know nothing about my strength!"
Cassius carried her toward the master bedroom!
Kristen buried her face in the crook of his neck, stifling a laugh. Her warm breath tickled his skin.
The master bedroom still retained a hint of disarray from the morning's battle, the air seemingly lingering with a touch of ambiguity.
Cassius gently placed her on the edge of the bed.
But Kristen kept her arms around his neck, looking up at him.
In the dim light, her grey-green eyes seemed misty.
"Are you going back to your guest room tonight?"
She lowered her voice, teasingly.
Cassius looked at the favorability score of [95] above her head and thought, Is there even a choice?
He leaned down, kissing her forehead, then the tip of her nose, and finally landing on her lips—a gentle, lingering kiss.
"What do you think?"
He asked back in a low voice, their breaths mingling.
Kristen didn't speak, just smiled and pulled him down onto the bed.
This time, the morning's panic and intensity were gone, replaced by lingering tenderness and exploration.
The rhythm slowed down, as if making up for all the restraint during the contract period.
During the process, Cassius noticed out of the corner of his eye that Kristen dropped a blue attribute orb:
[Emotional Attribute — Immersion +3]
While moving, he subconsciously absorbed it with his mind.
This cheat really liked to make its presence known at all times.
............
After it was over, both were panting, bodies slick with sweat, sticking together.
Kristen was so tired she didn't want to move a finger.
"Who said they had good stamina just now?"
"Shut up..."
Kristen kicked him feebly, the force light as a feather tickle.
After catching his breath, Cassius resignedly got up, went to the bathroom to wring out a hot towel, and came back to give her a simple wipe down.
Kristen hummed comfortably, like a cat being petted.
Lying back down, he turned off the last bedside lamp, plunging the room into true darkness.
Their breathing was clearly audible.
Kristen habitually curled up, facing away from him.
Cassius naturally leaned in, spooning her from behind, arm around her waist.
Her back pressed tight against his chest, fitting perfectly. He could feel their heartbeats gradually synchronizing.
"Used to sleeping like this?"
Kristen's voice was thick with sleep.
"Mmhmm!"
Cassius hummed.
Actually, he was used to sleeping alone and felt a bit awkward with someone next to him, but this feeling wasn't bad.
Within minutes, even, deep breathing came from beside him.
Kristen was asleep.
But Cassius wasn't sleepy.
Too much information today!
The wrap party!
Branagh's invitation!
The extra hundred and ten thousand in his account!
And the woman beside him whose status had completely changed!
He lay with his eyes open, staring at the blurry outline of the ceiling in the dark.
Memories of the past few months flashed through his mind like a movie:
From playing a corpse on the LA Detectives set to lying in a Beverly Hills mansion, holding one of Hollywood's hottest stars.
Cassius looked down.
By the faint light from the window, he could see Kristen's blonde hair scattered on the pillow.
He reached out and very lightly brushed a strand of hair away from her cheek.
The movement was light, but Kristen still moved unconsciously, shrinking deeper into his embrace and mumbling something incoherent.
He closed his eyes, feeling the warmth in his arms, and his chaotic thoughts gradually settled.
After an unknown amount of time, he fell into a deep sleep.
A dreamless night.
...