Deep breath, and another deep breath—
Kate had been adjusting, adjusting her mindset, her rhythm, and her pace. She felt like she was getting very close, but something always seemed to be missing just slightly.
Unlike before, Kate wasn't irritated or anxious. She had returned to her familiar work mode, completely focused on the character. Nothing could stop her from continuing to perform and immerse herself in the role.
Finally, she was ready.
But... where was the cue?
The director hadn't called for action yet, or had he, and she missed it?
Suddenly, Kate lifted her eyes, taking in the entire apartment from the kitchen. Only then did she notice the crew members, all completely absorbed, their eyes fixed on Anson. Her gaze followed suit, unintentionally.
For a brief moment, Kate felt an illusion—
As if the whole world had pressed the pause button. Everyone else's time was frozen, while only the two of them continued moving, meaning they could do whatever they wanted, as freely as they wished.
The small space was crowded with people, yet it felt like the vast world contained only the two of them. That strange stillness amidst the noise caused her heart to beat in sync with his. Her soul began to sink, slipping into another body, and Kate became Clementine.
A little nervousness, a little excitement.
A little thrill, a little joy.
Various emotions churned and surged in her chest. Clementine couldn't control herself any longer. She just wanted to leave the kitchen and be with that man—
She had no idea where this feeling came from, but she didn't care.
Just enjoy it.
Grabbing two glasses of alcohol, she didn't even care as some spilled onto her finger. Reflexively, she raised her finger to her mouth, licking the alcohol clean before turning and walking away, afraid to make him wait even a second longer.
"Two glasses of Blue Ruin."
Clementine flashed a big smile, a bit giddy, and her steps even bounced lightly—
Completely forgetting that she was holding glasses, causing the alcohol to spill.
Clementine looked down at the stain on the carpet and muttered quietly.
This scene didn't escape Joel's eyes.
Joel was a bit flustered, a little amused, a little panicked, but mostly tense. He could feel Clementine's lively energy, which was clearly beyond what he could handle.
Instinctively, he took half a step back.
Joel regretted it. Escorting a stranger he'd just met home was already too much for him; now being inside a stranger's apartment was completely overwhelming.
Joel felt like he was about to explode.
However, Clementine didn't give him time to.
Without hesitation, without stopping, and without even glancing at the carpet, Clementine was already standing in front of Joel.
Joel's small step back meant nothing. He lowered his head, took the glass from Clementine's hand, and avoided looking into her eyes, staring down at the glass instead.
But due to his height, even though he looked down, Joel could still see Clementine.
By accident, the corner of his eye caught sight of her sleeveless top...
Joel quickly lowered his gaze again, pretending to study the glass, examining the patterns on it. This clearly wasn't a wine glass, and the blue liquid inside didn't even look like alcohol, leaving Joel with a head full of questions.
Clementine seemed dissatisfied that Joel's attention wasn't on her. She stepped forward and swayed her body gently—
There was no music.
But Clementine still couldn't stay still, as if she were in a bar, lightly swaying to an invisible rhythm, naturally closing the physical distance between them.
"Down it in one, young man."
Clementine whispered a spell into Joel's ear.
Joel still didn't dare look Clementine in the eye, staring at the glass in shock, estimating the amount of alcohol inside.
Clementine noticed and leaned forward slightly, "This makes seducing you feel more natural."
Joel froze completely—
Awkward but sincere.
Clementine couldn't hold back, bursting into laughter, bending over with laughter, "Haha, hahaha."
As she laughed uncontrollably, Clementine raised her left hand to rest on Joel's shoulder, naturally finding a support point, and physical contact happened just like that.
Clementine's eyes and smile were full of joy, "I was just joking."
Joel blinked, finally looking at Clementine, only to see clear and bright sincerity in her eyes, like the sun. Panicking, he quickly looked away again, focusing on Clementine's right hand—
More alcohol had spilled. Blue.
Clementine was now watching Joel's face, from bottom to top, leaving Joel's eyes nowhere to escape. She adjusted her posture as she pursued eye contact, boldly seeking a connection.
Chasing and evading.
That intense gaze left Joel with nowhere to run.
Instinctively, he lifted his eyes, meeting Clementine's. Their eyes locked.
In that brief moment of collision, a smile tugged at Joel's lips, and a muffled laugh bubbled in his chest, but their eye contact broke again.
Joel was the first to give in, retreating in haste.
He smiled, awkward and embarrassed, using laughter to cover his nervousness, even raising the glass to take a sip.
But.
Clementine's left hand slid down from Joel's shoulder, landing on his chest, her fingers and palm feeling the heat radiating through his shirt, so hot it almost burned her hand.
A sudden impulse surged up.
Without hesitation, Clementine pushed against Joel's chest forcefully.
Startled, Joel staggered backward, ultimately falling onto the sofa.
Without missing a beat, Clementine followed, straddling Joel's lap, her now free left hand wrapping around his neck, gazing deeply into his eyes.
Joel: Uh.
His gaze darted left, then right. His wildly pounding heart felt like it would leap out of his chest, and he barely breathed, his entire body stiff as a board.
A bit of intimacy, a bit of awkwardness, two conflicting atmospheres clashing together, but somehow, it held the attention.
Clementine noticed.
Even as she sat on Joel's lap, her arms around his neck, looking down at him, Joel's eyes still darted around, avoiding her.
Up, down, left, right—his gaze flickered, but he never dared to look at her directly.
This made Clementine pause.
Sure, she was bold, passionate, and direct, like a flame; but that didn't mean she couldn't read the signs.
Her smile froze slightly at the corners of her mouth. Clementine finally realized she might have been mistaken, and the thought caused her heart to plummet.
Heh.
Clementine let out two dry laughs, masking her embarrassment. She didn't linger, climbing off Joel's lap and sitting down nearby, scratching her head awkwardly as a mix of disappointment and frustration filled the air, her eyes drifting elsewhere.
The atmosphere chilled instantly, as if a cold front had suddenly rolled in.
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