Rebecca left Everett’s condo early in the morning when a few people were present. He wouldn’t allow her to take a cab home, but drove her there himself. Everett insisted on calling her Josalyn, and it would take Rebecca time to adjust to that. She’d stopped thinking of herself as Josalyn. Now they were back to the struggle of their private and public identities. Rebecca would struggle not to call him Jake in public, and he’d hate it when she called him Everett in private. The thing about the different names helped them divide their personal lives from their professional lives. Which was true, but it didn’t make it easier to put into practice. But the intimacy of their names between them. It brought all the wonderful memories back, and she could feel herself caving to his wants. Her mind wanting to be happy again and knowing until they’d started acting, they’d found happiness with each other.The studio requested Yuri to escort Rebecca to a trendy restaurant post-work. A re
“Hey, it’s all good. Let’s enter and make it look like we’re having a working dinner. Move some folders and enjoy a meal. We notice them enter and you go subtle caveman on her. Is this authentic or just for employment? Nunzio’s presence led Everett to the restaurant where he found Rebecca with Yuri. Nothing about this boded well. Everett couldn’t see his fans wanting him to marry anyone other than them. The Studio Executives insisted the fans made their opinion known. He was uncertain about his next move in case of failure. Everett still couldn’t get the condom breaking out of his head. It persisted throughout the day. He hadn’t considered the Studio’s reaction. Everett would sue them if they fired Rebecca or tried to pressure her into aborting their child. He screamed inside his head in frustration because his imagination was acting like a runaway bullet train, and it was annoying him. “I’m hoping I stacked the cards right s
Yuri seated Rebecca at their table and excused himself to visit the men’s room. The restaurant’s tables appeared filled with people. He’d expected nothing less. What he hadn’t expected was the appearance of Gena D’Ore. She’d attempted to enter quietly, but her acting skills failed her, and she’d intended to be seen and heard tonight. Yuri saw now if he ever got his hands on her, he’d have to teach her a thing or two. Her beauty was outstanding, but her subtle grace needed a lot of work, as did her subtly. Yuri knew he’d enjoy teaching all about her mistakes. Screw her family connections. They’d thank him later. As he left the men’s room, he found himself accosted by Gena. “So, what’s a girl got to do to get the attention of a man like you?” Yuri studied Gena for a moment. “Start by stop pretending to be someone you are. What is with that straw on your head, woman? You looked better with your hair dark.” Yuri wanted to see how much she wa
Paulo told Gena about how out of luck Everett was because Rebecca had found a new man named Yuri. He’d paid so little attention these days since his wife became pregnant with yet another brat. Paulo couldn’t remember Yuri’s last name. Gena had to look it up. Paulo’s phone rang not long after Gena returned to their table. He’d ordered food for them while she was taking care of business. “I’m sorry, love. But something’s come up at home and I must leave you to deal with it. Will you be okay alone while you eat? I’ll have my driver pick you up when you’re done.” “No need. I can have someone do that. But I hate that you’re abandoning me again.” “Gena, I have responsibilities and you knew that when this all started. Now be a good girl and leave daddy to do the arduous work.” “Fine, this time. But you must bring me something shiny next time.” “Of course, love. Anything you want.” Paulo was so easy to manipul
Rebecca questioned the reason for Yuri’s extended absence from the men’s room. But he returned in time for their meal to arrive and still felt warm. She saw Gena skulk back to her table. Ugh, this could turn into a disaster. “Don’t look at her, Rebecca. Don’t engage with her. I’ve settled her down for now, so she won’t be a problem.” “What do you mean, Yuri?” The few hours Rebecca spent with Yuri before they arrived at the restaurant told her everything, she needed to know about him. He wasn’t her type at all. He pushed and instructed her, annoying her. She’d been alone for years and in control of everything in her life. She lacked interest in going back. “Don’t worry about it. It’s none of your business. I’ve dealt with her, and she knows her place is there right now. Now let’s have an enjoyable meal.” Yuri broke off the conversation, denying her the right to know his actions. Now he left her wondering what he hid from her. That was som
Rebecca dragged him outside from the spectacle. He felt confident about leaving with her. Everett hated revealing Becca’s health issues, even if it wasn’t too detailed. He hoped the server, and the Chef understood they’d done nothing wrong. He’d have Nunzio tip them well. Everett wanted to avoid being banned from the establishment. Rebecca looked furious with him. God, he loved to see her full of life like this. In the beginning, she seemed lifeless. Like she’d lost her will because she didn’t see her purpose. It added onto what weight down Everett’s guilt. They had plenty to discuss, leaving him unsure where to begin. Sex was not the matter for either of them. She tried to turn her life into that of a silent martyr, which he vehemently opposed. Everett couldn’t take the guilt of how self-centered he’d become at the hands of Paulo. “Love, please get in my car now. Everett turned the tables on her as soon as they stood beside the limo tha
Yuri thought he’d receive pity when Everett horned in, then stole her away. He didn’t know she wasn’t supposed to eat gluten? When did it kill anyone? It's a fad diet. Did that account for Rebecca’s weight loss? He knew she was skinny. Yuri had assumed she’d dieted. One rumor floating around was that she’d become addicted to pills. People often dropped weight from addiction and explained her time in rehab. It’s possible Rebecca was in rehab for other reasons. They worked with many conditions. How sick was she? Yuri didn’t know or care. Whether Everett was a fine actor or the dude was that concerned, it wasn't Yuri's business. Did the Studio know something that he didn't? Were they in a relationship? Everett had mentioned a lot of Rebecca's personal information. He possessed an intimate knowledge of her life, surpassing that of a colleague. Yuri thought Everett was getting into character. Yuri thought about when they signed their contracts at the mee
Again, Jake took her back to his condo, not the house they’d once shared. Jake had held her even though they’d argued. He wasn’t happy with her response and her following explanation of what there was she could give. Now she worried that she’d said too much, and he did something foolish. Something foolish that would trigger events that would ruin her life and many others. She avoided responsibility for potential deaths during the unfolding events. Jake held her. He didn’t kiss her, just held her. No more words passed between them. Josalyn found the silence didn’t bother her as much as she believed it would. It didn’t take them long to arrive, and they went through security. Jake whisked her up to his condo again. This time, he didn’t hesitate to kiss her hungrily as the elevator rose to his condo. Inside his condo, Jake guided her to the sofa after they abandoned their coats by the door, forgotten for now on the floor. He rushed nothing once he had