2 Years Later

But… not every beginning has beautiful endings. In fact, Noelle didn't believe in fairytale endings.

After 2 years of being in a relationship with Blake, sometimes, argument suddenly rises.

"Both of us are porn stars, Noelle, for God's sake! How can you be that jealous to a woman I once work with?" Blake threw his night robe at the rack, enraged. Noelle's instincts were always true. He was hiding something, but Noelle failed to comprehend what.

"You work with her for three times already, Blake. How can I forget the rumors the two of you have?" Noelle pointed out. Several reports have dropped on her messages, and she got tired reading it. It saddens her that their job can be a subject for betrayal.

"Monica Ellis is nothing to me! That's final, Noelle!"

Again, that woman gone to the same school as Noelle had. She envied her for being popular. Now, it's happening again, but fated on the same man. Noelle doesn't like these strings. She should have backed out when Monica chose to be a porn star, too.

"I know Monica. She's too popular when I'm a junior. She knows how to captivate men."

"Do you think I'll be carried away with her beauty? Yes, she's pretty, Noelle, I don't want to deny that to you. But this argument is getting nonsensical as it passes. It's our job to handle partners and have sex with them! How many men did you have climbed on?"

Noelle felt guilty. She can't count on her fingers how many times she does sex.

If only she didn't have a mother to pay for that time, Noelle will back out from it.

Now, her mother is in nursing home. She's able to stand up for a few minutes, but back on her wheelchair again. Noelle wished for her mother's accommodation back before, and now, she's happy to see her mother interacting with other patients.

So, she had to stay here.

"Look at you. We're both the same now. We have used various men and women to earn money. We are here arguing because of our attachment to each other but Noelle, it's part of the job. Do we have a problem?"

Noelle crossed her arms. She got carried away by emotions.

With Noelle's anxiousness, even Blake's temper has gone too close to low.

She sat down at the edge of the bed, initiating the distance between them.

Blake exhaled, walked away to the bathroom, and unwinding the rage in his head.

…

For a few days, they didn't talk. Noelle is still squirmy about Monica's involvement to Blake. She was being clingy, accompanies him when they're done shooting scenes, and become extra needy about a man's touch.

Monica should know the boundaries. But as A&E is a porn job, it's natural for men and women to kiss in the hallways informally. Hell, they were even allowed to have sex inside a room with no lights on.

Noelle maintained her dignity and confidence. If she's going to continue it, her respect waded down. Noelle should keep the line intact, and be professional and decent at all times.

She wore the outfit of the day: a red, short dress.

Noelle wasn't bothered by the cold, and pressed the up button.

When the elevator car opened, Monica is there, wearing a tube top and long skirt.

She's short-haired while Noelle stayed on her curls. She walked in without hesitation.

"Good morning, Ms. Noelle Iris."

"Good morning, too, Ms. Ellis."

Noelle cleared her throat, pushing the fifth floor button.

"Are you going to work? I'm going to shoot another scene with Blake."

What does she care? At least, Blake's going home to her arms.

"I'm going to read another script. They're offering me another one."

Monica smiled. Noelle didn't like the tension in the air. She felt her angst.

"How long does it take for the rankings to come out?" Monica asked.

She must be waiting for it. Noelle didn't care about that, but wished to earn too much like most of the stars do. Monica turned to her.

"Your boyfriend has a lot of stars and views. I bet the two of you will join the rankings."

Inside 2 years of working as a porn star, Noelle wished to obtain a ranking, but it was impossible to even have it at all. She was good with the kiss, but not with the tickles, with enticing aspect to stimulate the audience's wants.

Noelle was similar to a worm getting rid of her own dirt.

"I don't hope for that too much, Noelle. I am still exploring the kind of person I can be."

Monica turned to her while smirking. What is she imploring on? Is she trying to get pity?

"In 2 years you're doing some porn, you are still exploring? How can you say that to me?"

Monica isn't at all compelled to Noelle's honesty. She already lost the way back.

Being a porn star is a commitment and a struggle to be independent. To be exact, Noelle was still guided by Blake Villano, her boyfriend. She never wanted to stand on her own, or even have a decision that she's logical to even apply. Noelle wouldn't be this tamed if she stayed single all the way.

"If you found your place, Monica, then, it's good for you. I didn't intend to enter this job at the first place. I was just forced because I needed money. If you are not in the same situation as me, can you please shut your mouth up?"

She was annoyed to everything. Blake is starting to be distant. They're right: relationships only existed at the first time, but as long as it's happening, the sparks lost its will to burn brighter. Noelle wished she wouldn't lose Blake.

He's all that she has.

Monica was astonished by her feistiness. When the doors opened, Noelle didn't glance at her for a second. Monica was bewildered, muttering to herself, "What is she thinking?"

Noelle stormed to the lobby of A&E, ready to meet the directors at the conference hall by the clothing store. They wanted to be private, and Noelle agreed. After all, sexual harassment is not a part of their job. They had been working with naked people all the time.

The staff behind the cameras will not crave for anything, even someone's body.

When Noelle reached the lobby, the flourish of A&E's anthem flourished in her ears.

Noelle got surprised by it. She turned at the billboard, and the header appeared, saying, "TOP ACTORS OF A&E FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY 2023."

Then, the names and pictures of top 5 actress and actresses flashed.

Noelle can still see Blake Villano's third spot. He never lost stars. Blake is still good for his spot, and he is hard working. Noelle pursed her lips, feeling lost, already having second thoughts about continuing being a star.

Now that Noelle wanted to back out, she questioned herself where to go.

Will she be hired at the convenience store once again? Will she be doing two jobs again?

Noelle doesn't want to go back to her filthy life, as she regarded.

She came up with a solution, but not as strong as anyone else. If she can hook up with the number one star of A&E, will it help her to raise the bar, to be at the top of the clouds?

Noelle craved for fame. She wanted more than just to earn.

She stared at the name: Mason Parker.

"I never even met him once," Noelle stated.

The female artists were ranked, too. Noelle didn't saw her name, as she expected.

Noelle was going to the conference room, but suddenly, a coffee cup was splashed through another person, who turned out to be a man. He's wearing a burgundy tie, the same shade as Noelle's heels, and the burn scalded in his skin.

"Ouch!" With the cause she did, a scene had taken its place.

Noelle's jaw opened wide. She gasped, checking the face of the person she slammed into, and got bewildered. The coffee spilled at the center of the lobby, and she immediately retrieved the mop from the nearby cleaner.

She was about to go and apologize, but the man reached for her wrist, and hitched her closer. His hooded eyebrows and dark gaze melted Noelle in her place, and she realized who she was staring into.

Mason Parker. The charismatic, conservative porn actor of A&E, the admirable top ranking actor, that everyone was envious about. Noelle's feet were drilled at the floor, unmoving. One single twitch and Mason will not let her go.

"Pay for the drink. It is the last one for this morning, and you spilled it."

His voice was manly, and it must have strike towards Noelle's heart. She is focused with Blake's features, not even gaining a chance to look at another man. Noelle will regret not witnessing Mason's beauty at the fresh start.

She's been around here for 2 years, but failed to meet him until now.

Good thing she splashed his coffee, and it loosened the rage she felt after arguing with Blake and conversing with Monica.

"Of course, I'll pay you. Can we have some breakfast?" Noelle offered fast.

Mason tilted his head to one side, scoffing.

"What did you say, young lady?"