Lucas wiped away Nana's tears, saying, "I'm staying with you. Don't worry over nothing.""I don't want to, but you've changed so much. You used to look at me only, but now, you're always finding Cordy…" She sobbed even as she grabbed his wrist. "I'm so scared!""We're getting married soon," Lucas assured her. "We'll decide on a date once my parents return, so stop being paranoid.""Actually, I spoke a lot with Cordy just now…" Nana said, staring at him dolefully.Lucas did not ask any questions, so she continued, "I told her to stay away from you and not to talk to you."Lucas blinked."Are you upset?" Nana could always sense when his emotions stirred—even a little."Nope."Nana's hands clenched on his just then. "Cordy agreed that she won't reach out to you. I know what I did was despicable, but I can't help it. I'm really scared that you'll be drawn to her because she's so beautiful and attractive…""She agreed to it. That's enough," Lucas said indifferently."Can you promi
Once everyone was given their respective scripts, they each sat in a corner to study their assigned roles, after which they would present their own interpretations to Jay.Zoe sat at the furthest corner, studying her script seriously, but she was also starting to nod off as she did.She swore not to binge on alcohol ever again even if it killed her.To think that she actually brought Cordy and Quinn to the graveyard last night… Was there anything she was not capable of while drunk?!Even as she did her best to stay awake, Candice approached her. "Zoe."She would be in the same group for the next stage, and they had grown closer since they worked together on the last round.It was also common knowledge that every contestant should stay in cliques, even if it was just for appearances, despite the competitive nature of his variety show.Zoe never did, however, because she had not met the rest for that long, and none of the others were willing to hang out with her. Some were even ke
Everyone rehearsed their roles as Jay instructed, practicing their routes and dialogues before freestyling their respective performances.Zoe was exhausted and therefore constantly distracted, even missing her cues constantly—she did not have that many lines but made a mess of everything.She clearly saw Jay's brow creasing deeply and wondered then if he regretted saving her during the last stage. Hailey arrived for an inspection just then. She had been rehearsing with her group at the next studio, but they could hear her scoldings despite the immaculate soundproofing between studios.The diva was so strict that she would start snapping at anyone mercilessly if they failed to meet her demands.Many who were not chosen for her group were rejoicing in the fact—would they even survive otherwise?In fact, word had it that Hailey left one of her actors breaking down in tears even before they got started.And now, Hailey herself was sitting beside Jay—they were arguing a little ove
Hailey also realized that she had been overreaching—this was Jay's group, and she had no cause to throw her weight around.Hailey could not help snapping at Zoe given how she was behaving and was surprised that Jay took exception.As such, Hailey came up with an excuse to leave.On the other hand, it was still awkward for Zoe, since Jay did hang her out to dry.He never snapped at people, but his impassive expression could leave one feeling nonexistent.Soon, the first rehearsal was over.Jay did not say much and dismissed everyone for a break before turning toward Zoe. "Come with me."Everyone was throwing Zoe looks of pity right then, and she certainly pitied herself as well.But there was no one out there to save her!She steeled herself as she followed Jay into his VIP lounge, hanging her head as she stood there respectfully like a kid caught doing something naughty.She did not mind appearing pitiful if that could buy her a little sympathy from Jay—when one lived long en
"There's a bed there in the inner room. Go take a nap," Jay said. Zoe was left staring at him and sincerely wondering if she misheard."You heard me right," Jay said, reading her mind just then. "Go take a nap."Zoe bit her lip—there had to be a catch.So what was Jay planning?However, just as all sorts of thoughts crossed her mind, Jay got up and left without any explanation, giving her the room.Zoe hesitated, poking her head in to see the interior of the inner room—it was not at all spacious, but it looked comfortable nonetheless.She felt like her soul was drifting over to lie down, and she thought she would fall asleep if she put her head on that pillow… which she did.In fact, she had actually thrown herself on that moderate-sized but exceedingly soft, clean bed. There was a faint scent of high-grade softener and nothing else.She had reason to suspect Jay never slept here before, and it was fortunate—she might not be able to sleep if she picked up his scent on the she
As Zoe abruptly opened the door to the inner room panickedly, she found Jay sitting calmly and elegantly on the luxurious couch in his lounge, taking a sip of coffee.His bearing was certainly a far cry from hers.Zoe worked hard to calm herself, before asking meekly, "How long have I been sleeping?""A day. It's now 10 PM."A day—not just a couple hours and certainly not just the entire afternoon.In other words, she slept for twelve hours… from 10 AM to 10 PM!What?!"Why didn't you wake me up?!" Zoe asked in shock.She forgot to turn on her alarm, and she was the type who always overslept if no one disturbed her.That was how soundly she slept."You used to be so foul-tempered if someone woke you," Jay blurted."That's before! Would I even misbehave now? I'd be marching out of bed if you called," Zoe quickly retorted. Jay smiled then.His smile had always been refined, and she had never seen him smile in a way that lacked control.That was why one could not tell if he
Nonetheless, Jay stopped her. "Zoe."Zoe turned and promptly nodded politely. "Thanks for the ride, Mr. Parker.""You left this," Jay reminded her then."Left what?" Zoe patted herself, but her bag and phone were there, and she had nothing else."This," Jay said, holding out a box of food.While Zoe was left surprised, he said, "It's your portion."Zoe realized with a start then.Sure, she said she wanted to take the rest of it home, but she did not actually mean it… And he was the one who had bought the chowder in the first place. Why did he have to make up for it?Still, she did not want to argue and quickly said, "Thank you, Mr. Parker. See you tomorrow."Jay swallowed. Was this the only way Zoe would treat him now?Still, he raised the car window and told his chauffeur to drive away.Zoe watched as the car left before heaving a slight sigh of relief.Just now, she felt that Jay was a little angry for some reason.Well, whatever—the past they shared was far from ide
Yelena and Clara shared the same room, and Clara woke up with a start when Zoe opened the door. One was certainly prone to being woken up when they reached a certain age."Just checking on Yelena," Zoe whispered."Okay." Clara tossed around in bed and fell asleep again.Zoe walked up to their bed and stared at Yelena's little cheeks, which were reddened from sleep.Who would have known that Zoe somehow ended up becoming a mother?Yelena's arrival certainly surprised Zoe—she never expected that she could get pregnant in one shot.It was Clara who suggested that she might be when she missed her period for three months and her belly started to swell.She was certainly shocked—she had previous cases of irregular periods before, when she slimmed down drastically or fattened up for certain roles. In fact, she was so used to it that being pregnant did not cross her mind.She struggled with herself for a long time, but she eventually decided to give birth.Clara supported Zoe, say