Chapter 5 Rejection

• Chris was displeased with Sophia's rejection, though he understood it. Growing up, he always got what he wanted, and when he didn't, he found a way. Of course, he wouldn't corner the girl and force her to accept him, but that didn't mean he wouldn't tease her.
• Something urged him to persist and discover how to seduce her. He also believed that her aversion went beyond his infamous reputation. Sometimes, Soph appeared resentful, which left him pensive. Chris entertained the mere thought that he had seen her before, that they had conversed, but he couldn't recall. He concluded that perhaps he had seen her in some TV series, and his mind played with these "fantastical" memories.
• It was one of those days when the two of them would be together again. He couldn't help but relish a photoshoot where people would fawn over him, and as a bonus, he would irritate the petite girl who had rejected him.
• "Tell me you already have a girlfriend in mind," Eduard appeared out of nowhere, reminding him of what he wanted to forget.
• The agent Chris had worked with for years was irksome in every sense. In fact, he despised him. The guy had put him through many things during his career, making him accept roles and agreements he didn't want. And now, he was the one demanding good behavior from him.
• He had considered firing him many times, but he knew that Eduard, despite being a prick, had connections. He endured him because if the guy ever thought of double-crossing him, he could easily bring him down.
• "I do. But I won't go into details. Get out of my way and only contact me when I have a job," he replied curtly.
• He sat in a chair, facing a mirror surrounded by lights, with an attractive makeup artist by his side, waiting for the moment when he would be captured in dozens of photos.
• "You know your image matters, don't you?"
• "You know I'm no rookie, right?" He glanced at the agent through the mirror, choosing not to confront him face to face. "By the end of the week, I'll have a perfect girlfriend, a model of trust and moral integrity."
• When he saw the man satisfied and ready to leave, Chris rolled his eyes. It was humiliating for him to realize that people didn't trust him or respect him.
• Then, the woman he had been waiting for arrived. She looked beautiful, with wavy hair cascading down, wearing a black dress under a brown sweater, and black boots reaching mid-calf. He glanced at her through the mirror as she took a seat beside him. She expected some witty remark from him, but he remained silent.
• Since that conversation, she hadn't been sleeping well. Christian had the power to disrupt her thoughts, always getting in the way.
• Certainly, she was the one who was right. Who in their right mind would accept such an agreement?
• Yes, it's more common than people think. Sometimes it's to boost someone's career, promote a project, or clear their record, just like Chris wanted. But she didn't see herself in that role. Well... not on paper, but in his bed, yes. That was disturbing.
• The makeup artist began her work. It wouldn't be difficult since the character was simple and disliked heavy makeup. She only needed a touch-up.
• Sophia noticed something very strange. Christian remained silent, didn't greet her, tease her, or do anything except exist beside her before getting up from the chair and walking away.
• It was irritating. She didn't realize that being ignored by him would upset her so much.
• "Hi. I'd like to ask you a favor," he said as he approached a woman with blonde hair.
• She wasn't particularly tall or short, but she looked stunning, almost like a model or someone who managed them. He liked her type and knew she would serve his plan. Using his charm, he convinced the girl to portray a supporting character alongside him in his theater. From a distance, watching them through the mirror, Sophia observed the scene with irritation. He was back—the sleazy Chris she despised.
• "Could you please give me your undivided attention, no matter the situation, during this rehearsal? Just smile, and I'll take care of the rest."
• Soph wished she could overhear their conversation. It was infuriating to know that she felt jealous because of a jerk like Christian Harrison, her former teenage idol.
• "Do you know what would be good?" her agent's doubtful voice surprised her as he whispered near her face. She had to move away slightly, rejecting the intimacy. "You and Harrison."
• "What about us?" She averted her gaze from him, furious. As if hearing from the jerk wasn't enough, she had to listen to her agent too.
• "That would be the icing on the cake for this movie." He leaned against the dressing table in front of her while she was still being made up. The man knew that such things weren't said in front of just anyone, but he wasn't afraid to discuss it. "Imagine the success. Fans are already commenting, and blogs are buzzing. It will be good for both of you."
• "With your permission." She had heard enough. She got up from the chair and headed to her spot in the center of the set, where they would take the photos. "Seems like everyone is having this crazy idea," she murmured.
• Before Soph reached her destination, she collided with Chris. He held her to prevent her from falling amidst the scattered wires on the floor. The two locked eyes, but he didn't say anything. He simply made sure that Sophia wouldn't fall.
• "What a thing!" she whispered again, watching him move away. "What has gotten into this man?"
• Ignoring her was working. He restrained himself from revealing everything, relishing the sight of her sulking expression. When they faced each other once more, Sophia looked at him, furious. But it was time for the photos, so she wouldn't be foolish enough to confront him in front of everyone.
• "Shall we begin?" the photographer asked, and everyone involved nodded.
• It was undeniable to those observing from the outside that something was happening. They exchanged looks filled with so much emotion that they seemed to be conversing. The smile he gave her during the rehearsal was genuine, revealing how happy he was to be doing it.
• Deep down, Soph wanted to hit him and feel the sting in her hand from slapping him, but she restrained herself, hiding her feelings and proceeding with the photoshoot.
• The closeness, the eye contact, and the touches made her heart race. How could her heart still stubbornly like the scoundrel after everything he had done?
• "You're furious," he said, interrupting her thoughts.
• She blinked, thinking she had imagined the words, but then she noticed him looking at her, surprised. The photographer stopped taking photos. Cornered, Sophia felt confused and embarrassed.
• "What?" She pretended not to understand.
• "At first, Alex hated Christophe, but you don't have to bring all of that back. We can stick to the good part." There was the sarcasm.
• "I think this position doesn't favor you," the other man said, approaching them and positioning them as he wanted. "Remember those passionate looks you gave each other on set? Bring them back."
• As if it were easy. It wasn't a movie shoot. In those situations, the two of them weren't as connected. Especially after that request, the words, and the provocations that happened after the cameras stopped rolling.
• "The poor guy doesn't even know you hate me," Chris commented, whispering, as soon as he left.
• Sophia narrowed her eyes at him and noticed his gaze shifting to the blonde woman he had been talking to before.
• "Do you want to invite her for the rehearsal?" She was going to tell herself not to show that she despised the exchanged glances and smiles between them, but it was too much for her. "Maybe there will be a better vibe."
• "It's not my fault," he said, not knowing he would enjoy provoking her so much. He knew it was contradictory. Soph would say one thing but do another. Was it jealousy? He would relish rubbing that in her face. "You're looking at me as if you're hurt."
• "And you're ignoring me," she finally said.
• "You know what? I'll give you two some space." The photographer huffed, giving up at that moment.
• The two of them didn't care. The heated argument was much more entertaining.
• "I'm not ignoring you," he furrowed his brow. "You told me to stay away. What am I supposed to do?"
• "I didn't say any of that," Soph regretted saying those words because that's when he caught her off guard. "Are you mad because I said 'no' to you?"
• Things were getting really intense. The mischievous smile left his lips, causing anger and regret in Soph.
• "Mad?" He restrained himself. He had to do it. "Darling, I don't have to stoop to that. I made a proposal, you said no, I moved on."
• She was shocked.
• "Was I discarded?"
• From afar, onlookers noticed a couple arguing. Some paid attention to them without hearing or knowing what they were saying, while others tried to ignore it.
• "So, that's it," she crossed her arms. "You jumped into the arms, or rather, into the bosom of some random blonde you met minutes ago?"
• She would say, "Control yourself, Sophia. Don't let him provoke you. Why are you so irritated about this?"
• "I've known Scarlet longer than I've known you," he lied. He had never seen her in his life. But it was satisfying to provoke his colleague. "I have a pertinent question," Chris approached her, his face mere inches from hers, inhaling her perfume, locking eyes, and smiling. "Why are you jealous, or should I say, annoyed, that I understood your message and moved on to someone else?" She faltered. She realized how ridiculous she looked and uncrossed her arms, feeling shy. "After all, I still need a girlfriend. By the way, please don't mention this information to anyone, or it would ruin everything."
• "So... How are things?" Donald's voice froze Sophia.
• She remembered the previous night when she was at an event, one of the many she had attended. He was a famous producer, and she was cast in a minor role in a series he produced. At the time, Donald had gotten too close, pulled her in, asked intimidating questions, and almost kissed her.
• By mistake, though justifiable, she mentioned being in a serious relationship. She didn't even recall Chris's absurd proposal; she just wanted to get out of there. She had never experienced harassment like that. She felt he was using his position, importance, and power over her work to take advantage. Sophia didn't tell anyone except her personal assistant, who warned her that confronting Donald, one of the big shots, would be a mistake.
• The mistake was being harassed and remaining silent.
• The man was talking to those around him, observing her. She knew he would approach her, so she looked at Chris, who, despite being a scoundrel, was a trustworthy person. They had this love-hate thing, but if something bad happened, she felt he would stand by her side. Especially with the secret they shared.
• "Christian," she called his attention before tugging on his clothing and planting a passionate kiss on him in front of everyone.
• At first, it was shy and unexpected, something that surprised Chris. Then, when he pulled her closer by the waist, it became passionate and fiery. It was the beginning of a crazy story. He had never kissed her for real, and experiencing it was mind-blowing. It was hard to remember reality.
• She pulled away, looking into his confused blue eyes and said, "It's just temporary. Don't tell anyone else, or I'll kill you myself."