Chapter 11

The news of Sebastian's return to acting, even if it was just for a single scene, spread like wildfire through the company. Whispers filled the air, laced with a mixture of excitement and disbelief. Here was the enigmatic CEO, the man who'd dominated the adult film industry before vanishing two years ago, stepping back into the spotlight. And his co-star? A nobody. Me.
From what his assistant told me, Sebastian fielded numerous calls throughout the day. He'd been completely unbothered, even as his voice soothed irate producers and intrigued colleagues. The team moved with a quiet efficiency, finishing up the remaining review on the day's footage before I finally turning his attention to me.
"Excellent work today, Yvonne," he said. "You surprised me." There was a hint of something in his eyes, a flicker that could have been respect, or perhaps amusement. It was impossible to tell.
He paused for a beat, then added, "I'll let you know when we pick up the remaining scenes. In the meantime, get some rest."
Before I could respond, he turned and walked away, leaving me standing alone in the area around the set. The rest of the crew was busy hustling around to set up. Though he was gone, the weight of his presence lingered in the air, and my whole body still buzzed from the scene.
As I left the studio, the late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the street. The city buzzed with its usual energy, but for some reason, it all felt muted, distant. My head throbbed with a dull ache, the emotional rollercoaster of the day taking its toll.
The guilt of sleeping with Sebastian for the role gnawed at me, a constant reminder of the price I'd paid for this opportunity. The fact that I ended up sleeping with him again in the scene burned a bit. But amidst the self-loathing, a tiny voice whispered a different truth. Today, had been different because I'd filmed with Zane first. It was the first step away from being just a nobody. And my scene with Sebastian had been nothing like just sleeping with him for the role. It had been more distant than that, more professional. His direction had been firm but not mean. I'd learned a lot.
The climb to the top, I realized with a newfound clarity, would be a treacherous one. It would be paved with compromises, with blurred lines and questionable decisions. But somewhere in the midst of it all, I had to find a way to hold onto myself, to not become another one of Sebastian's conquests, another face in his ever-growing collection.
I snorted at that thought. I already was one of his conquests, and just like most of the others I had gotten what I wanted out of it.
As I walked towards the bus stop, the weight of Sebastian's gaze still heavy on my shoulders, I knew one thing for certain: this was just the beginning.
The prospect of a few days off stretched before me like an uncharted territory. I was grateful for a chance to breathe and, hopefully, forget the tangled mess my life had become.
But as always, fate seemed to have other plans. My phone buzzed with an unexpected call from Quinton. A sardonic smile played on my lips as I picked up.
"Well, well, well," he drawled, his voice laced with amusement. "The rising star have some free time? Care to join an old friend for a drink?"
The tension from the day was a coiled spring within me, and Quinton's casual invitation was tempting. Perhaps a change of scenery, a night of lighthearted conversation, was just what I needed.
"Sure," I agreed, a touch hesitantly. "Where are you thinking?"
"There's this new bar downtown," he said, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Password required, naturally. But for a beautiful lady like you, I might just be persuaded to share it."
I couldn't help but laugh, a genuine sound that surprised even me. "Alright, Quinton. You've twisted my arm. Give me the address."

The evening unfolded in a blur of laughter and lighthearted conversation. Quinton, despite his usual brooding demeanor, possessed a surprising wit, his playful jabs keeping a smile on my face. As the night wore on, the air crackled with a subtle tension, a unspoken question hanging between us.
Then, in a moment that felt both sudden and inevitable, Quinton leaned in and kissed me. The surprise of it, coupled with the residual emotions from the day's shoot, left me flustered.
"Whoa," I stammered, pulling away, "what was that for?"
Quinton smirked, a hint of mischief in his eyes. "Just testing the waters, darling. Seems the rising star is a bit… touchy."
His words hit a raw nerve. The memory of Sebastian's calculated touch, the price I'd paid for the shoot with Zane, flooded back. Anger bubbled up within me.
"I'm not touchy. You kissed me out of nowhere."
"I plan to do a lot more," he said.
Before I could say anything more or ever figure out what to say, he raised an eyebrow, a knowing glint in his eyes.
"I'm not taking it back, and I'd do it again," he countered smoothly, "perhaps you could kiss me back and see where it leads."
The challenge hung in the air, a tempting invitation that both scared and intrigued me. But before I could respond, a practical concern surfaced.
"I have to do laundry."
"What?"
I winced. "My place isn't big enough for a washing machine, so I have to--"
"Do it at my place," Quinton said, grinning.
"What?"
"Bring your laundry to my place. I've got a washer, a dryer, even an extra shower if you need..."
"Isn't your place... crawling with women?"
He laughed "Not today. The penthouse is all mine tonight. "
I shrugged.
"Alright, Quinton. It's the least you can do."
He snorted. "A resourceful woman, I see. Though very unimaginative. You're not exactly leaning into the mood, Yvonne, but who am I to deny a lady her clean clothes?"