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"Would you mind?"
Nicole asked with shifty eyes, maybe because David's intensity had hit her right in the heart.
"Huh? I don't mind. But you still need to stick to your bottom line. Otherwise, you'll get blacklisted real quick."
David actually opened up a bit: "This country's way more forgiving to directors and male actors than it is to female ones."
"If a movie crosses the line, it's usually the actress who takes the heat. Like Meryl Streep in Lust, Caution, right?"
Nicole nodded. "Yeah, I know. I'd never go that far. I want fame, sure, but I've still got my boundaries."
"So, whose body do you think is better—mine or Meryl Streep's?"
David grinned mischievously. "Let me get another feel before I decide."
"You didn't feel enough just now?"
"I was too busy chatting with you. Didn't have time to appreciate."
After enjoying the moment, David gave his verdict: "I still prefer your type. "You might want to consider if this aligns with his character and the tone you're aiming for."
"Screw you, you just like curvy girls!"
Nicole gave him a playful glare. "Don't leave any marks, alright? I've got a shoot tomorrow. Can't be showing up with hickeys."
"That'd just be a little Easter egg for the audience, wouldn't it?"
"Get lost! I'm not trying to get famous that way."
She brushed aside her sweat-damp hair, wrapped her arms around David's neck, and said:
"You guys are all the same. When you're horny, you're like starving wolves. Always looking for something spicy in a movie."
David raised an eyebrow. "Director William gets men. This movie's probably packed with artistic flavor. I'm gonna check it out on set tomorrow."
"You're saying what you're seeing right now isn't enough for you?"
"The best tease is seeing but not touching. And you—rich and generous like a goddess—are basically a saint."
Nicole proudly raised her chin. "Then be nicer to me. Or I'll make sure you can see but never touch again."
David curled his lip.
Buddy here's had all kinds of gourmet—think I can't move on if I don't get a taste of you? Don't flatter yourself.
Next day.
On set.
David went to set with high hopes… and was totally let down.
Seriously? This is it?
Where was the sexy part?
Nicole was in a scene with Jennifer and Elizabeth, playing a spoiled city girl.
Honestly, her acting got obliterated by Jennifer and Elizabeth.
She was also fully dressed, not even a hint of skin—zero highlights.
No way she's blowing up from this.
Damn you, William. You really brought Nicole in just to play a normal role?
David complained in his head, but then thought, well… she is kind of his woman now, maybe it's a good thing she's not stripping down.
"How was my acting?"
Nicole hadn't expected to be doing legit acting either—no chance to show off her body, so now all her hopes were on her performance.
David glanced at her. "You were up against Jennifer and Elizabeth—what do you think?"
Nicole instantly looked deflated.
One's got awards piling up, the other's basically ruling the scene.
Obviously, she was nothing but background noise.
Guess I'll chalk this up to experience, Nicole thought, trying to comfort herself.
And so, David officially joined the crew as a "vice director"—basically a fancy title with no real job.
He was labeled as Dean's direct disciple and had Michael Bay, one of the producers, backing him up.
His daily routine was clocking in and out on time.
He'd watch how things were run on set, and unwind at night with Nicole. Life was pretty chill.
When he had nothing to do, he'd light a cigarette in a corner and think about his path as a director.
Sure, he was hanging around partly for the girls, but he was also picking up how real directors worked.
He'd learned quite a bit.
"Hey, handsome—got a smoke?"
A husky female voice came from the side. David turned his head.
Jennifer—Jennifer.
He handed over his cigarette box.
Jennifer raised an eyebrow. "Xuanhemen? 'Only love one person in your life' kind of vibe?"
David smiled. "Hey, someone knows their stuff!"
"Of course."
She lit one and gave a small smile. "You're a new face—part of our crew?"
"I'm the assistant director who deals with you actors. You're a big shot, so of course you wouldn't notice a small fry like me."
"Shit. So you're the one here to soak up fame?"
David blinked. "Wait, I'm that famous?"
Jennifer gave him a once-over and grinned like a rogue:
"Word is, some of the big-name actresses on set have been pretty tense lately, so they brought in a handsome boy toy with 'assets' to help them… unwind."
"Hell no! Who the hell's spreading that crap? Okay, yeah, I mooch off women sometimes, but I've still got standards!"
Jennifer laughed, watching him. "You've got some thick skin."
David smirked. "You need a thick skin to survive. And a ruthless mind to stay standing."
"Jennifer, who's this?"
Barbara walked over, a playful smile on her face.
Jennifer, cigarette in one hand, slung an arm around Barbara and pointed at David.
"Let me introduce you. The rumored pretty boy himself."
"No way, that's you?"
Barbara looked him over. "Jennifer, are you planning to have him warm your bed tonight? Not bad—he's got the looks."
Jennifer shot back: "You want him? Take him. Your man Tom's not here anyway. Might help you cool down."
Once women start joking like that, men don't even get a word in.
David just smiled. "I'm a respectable family man, ladies. I'm done with my smoke—gonna head out."
And with that, he turned and left.
"You seriously like him? He's way younger than you. You robbing the cradle now?"
Barbara nudged Jennifer, teasing.
Jennifer rolled her eyes. "Just met the guy, but he seems kinda interesting."
Barbara nodded. "He really is good-looking. Total head-turner."
Jennifer agreed. "For real. And still young—looks barely in his twenties."
"Then why not try a cougar relationship?"
"Not in the mood. Young guys don't know anything—they wouldn't even know how to please a woman. What's the point?"
"You've got a point."
Cough cough, cough cough…
Night.
Nicole came out of the bathroom after brushing her teeth, spotting David smoking a post-coital cigarette on the bed.
"I'm leaving tomorrow."
"..…"