Distance

"Are you ready?"

Noelle was summoned to the conference hall exclusive only for the board of directors meeting. She looked at the title of the script being offered to her once again. It felt wrong to turn it down, especially if the one who offered was the CEO.

"I just finished a short script a few days ago. Does this contain lesser s*x scenes?"

Noelle doesn't want to be sore. She knew she had been doing it every day, but too much should be attended well. Noelle waited for Cole's answer, and as expected, he smirked.

"I'm your leading man here, Noelle. I'm going to be the one you're having it with."

From what she knows, Cole is gentle. He retained his rankings because of his care to the woman he's thrusting of at the top of the bed. Noelle haven't experienced it nor even have one with the top actors on the list.

"It must be your first time to have s*x with another top actor aside from Blake."

Noelle retrieved the script from the top of the table and scanned the character schemes. The outline seemed good from the first show of premise, and she knew it would be a good start to deviate from her forte. Trying something new wouldn't mean losing her career.

"It is. I don't agree to do it with the A-class list. I felt downgraded by their rank."

Noelle closed the book and pushed it back to Cole. She crossed her legs and arms on her chest while asking, "So, what can you offer me? I need a high-time price. The one that isn't on my bracket."

Cole snickered. It is very unusual for a woman to accept the offer and ask for a high price.

"1 million for this short skit. Is that fair?"

That's beyond the salary she made for 2 months. It caught her attention and wondered if Cole was saying the truth or just fooling around. Looking at him for seconds, he isn't. Cole knocked at the top of the table and said, "I'm not joking, Noelle. I'm going to pay you that after you agree with the terms."

Noelle smiled devilishly. She stood up and reached out her hand happily.

Cole stood up from his seat, too, and adjusted his coat, shaking her hand.

"Deal. If every offer you made is this good, I wouldn't be able to resist."

Noelle was glad with the news. She wanted to tell Blake right away, but she knew he was busy. He texted a short and sweet good morning earlier and Noelle hasn't replied since. She wanted him to think that she was too busy to even reply back.

Before she can come out of the conference hall, Cole called her back.

"Oh, what is it, Mr. Rodriguez?" Noelle anticipated a salary rise, but Cole just stood in front of her with a desirable smile, like he wanted to say something but resisted enough to pull it for surprise.

"Can you come by the CEO's office tomorrow? Right after we signed contracts, I want to have a meal with you."

It resurfaced in Noelle's face that she was delighted to hear it from Cole.

"Oh, yeah, sure. I'd like to have it with you."

Cole was glad that she agreed. Knowing Noelle, it isn't in her nature to eat with someone else. Time flies by, and Noelle decided to contact Blake again. She missed him too much, and she planned to visit him in the new headquarters if he said so.

The line rung, and in a few minutes, Blake picked up.

"Hey, my love." He sounded restless. Throughout the years they had been together, Noelle wondered how long she studied the patterns of his voice, that she already knew what kind of emotion he feels right now.

Noelle squinted her eyes and asked, "Did you sleep?"

He didn't answer for a moment. Oh, Noelle already knew he was going to lie. That momentary pause gave her enough suspicions and evidence to her doubts. Noelle slung her arms by the balcony railings and urged, "Did you…?"

"Of course, I did. I wouldn't be able to talk to you right now if I am tired."

False pleasure and delight, exactly the tone he is mustering now. Noelle didn't comment further and just let it flow. She asked, "What is the current progress of your filming there? Is it alright?"

She heard the snicker from the other side.

"It's half of the expected time range. I was offered another script, and I accepted it. How about you?" His words were too fast. Noelle smiled and knew there was a bit of joy in his voice. She cleared her throat and announced the great news.

As always, Blake was so happy. Then, he asked, "Who is the leading man?"

"Oh, it's Cole Rodriguez," Noelle declared. She waited for a response, and she knew it. She expected every answer that came from Blake, and no doubt, she has studied him well. Noelle had never been this observant for a long time.

"Cole? The one that leads the ball?" Blake was alarmed. Noelle was very great on leading him on to make her visit him at the headquarters.

"Yes, the Cole Rodriguez that you know offered me the skit, and I accepted it."

Blake gets angry that she has been deluding him to do something in their phone call.

"Come at our favorite restaurant and we will talk it over."

At the meantime, Noelle smiled evil. Blake's companion, Monica, who was talking with the staff in their filming set, saw him on the phone, and exactly knew it was Noelle. Blake stated the time and place they're going to meet and Monica overheard it.

"Of course, I would love to have a meal with you, my love." After Blake heard it, his confidence went up to the point of nowhere. He was the first one to hung up and Blake smirked. When he turned around, he saw Monica.

He got surprised to see her behind him.

"Monica." Her eyes showed of curiosity and nodded at his phone.

"You're seeing Noelle, aren't you?"

Blake swallowed. It's like having another woman behind her back, but it's not even the case.

"Yeah. I had to reconnect with my girlfriend, too. She's mine," Blake reminded.