Elijah’s POV:
My fingers stroked through Ash’s hair absentmindedly while his head was resting over my chest. He was sleeping. And I was glad for that after seeing his breakdown earlier.
I was sitting on the sofa with one of my legs stretched out on the sofa and the other one planted firmly on the floor for balance. While Ash was curled up peacefully between my legs, his body pressed against mine.
His soft and delicate breath that was drifting from his slightly parted lips, I could feel the sensation of them against my chest even from above the shirt. He appeared gentle, vulnerable and extrely weak. Both physically and ntally. And now that I’m looking at him with my sole attention, he has lost quite a lot of weight too.
My thoughts are a ss. I wasn’t angry at him for hitting Benji. I understood why he did it. What worried was his career. I didn’t want him to lose this role over a mont of rage. But what I didn’t expect was the reaction I got from him later.
I thought seeing him in pain would bring satisfaction. I was wrong. Entirely wrong. Seeing those tears in his eyes, hearing his voice break with pain—it felt like my own heart was being torn out. Like soone twisted my guts and drained out all of my blood.
When I saw him standing there and silently hearing the taunts from other rookie actors, I felt an unexpected wave of anger rushing towards my head. And I still don’t know why seeing him in that powerless position felt as if those insults were jabbed at instead of him.
The disrespectful behaviour of the rookies toward him brought out a protective instinct in . I wanted them all to shut up, to fire them all, yet I endured my uncontrollable anger sohow.
So, now I have co to a decision. And that is. My revenge has to wait.
Seeing Ash like this isn’t giving the satisfaction I thought it would. Instead, it leaves feeling hollow and guilty. So, now until I find out a better plan to fulfill my revenge, I should lay low.
I sigh, rubbing my face with one hand. I look down at Ash, still playing with his hair. Now his face looks so serene in sleep. But I can’t forget the anguish that twisted his features just a short while ago. My fingers trace the lines of his face, noting the delicate curve of his cheekbones, the softness of his lips, the long, dark lashes keeping his eyes close.
Why does he look more alluring when he’s in pain? Am I really a sadist for thinking like that? Is that why his vulnerability tempts so much? Though, I don’t like seeing him crying. He should only cry from the pain mixed with pleasure that I give him.
I couldn’t take my eyes off him as if I was bewitched.
Carefully, I get out from under him, making sure not to wake him. He shifts slightly but remains asleep, his breathing steady. I pull out my phone and dial Daniel.
"Daniel, get Benji and bring him to the conference room," I say in a hush voice.
"Yes, sir," Daniel replies promptly.
I end the call and look back at Ash for a last ti before leaving the office quietly, closing the door behind with a soft click. I made my way to the conference room.
Reaching the conference room, I take a deep breath to focus my mind on important matters.
Benji was already there so I took my seat as well, resting my hands on the desk with a serious expression.
"Good afternoon, Mr. St–"
"What exactly happened between you and Ash?" I demanded coldly and directly, not wasting my ti on his pleasantries.
Benji’s smile faltered slightly, but he quickly recovered. He was all patched up now though I could see how hard Ash punched him. He’s not as weak as I take him as.
"I was just congratulating him on getting the role, but he seed really agitated. I tried to be nice, but he snapped and punched . I don’t know what set him off."
I listened, trying to process his words. Sothing about his words fell off. I provoke Ash all the ti and I’m well aware that he won’t counter back if his triggering points aren’t pressed. So, I don’t have to think twice to know that Ash was telling the truth about the accusation Benji puts on him.
"Is that all?" I asked with my eyes narrowing as I studied his expression.
"I assure you that was all, I was just trying to be friendly. Ash must be under a lot of stress," he continued with a shrug. "He’s always been a bit of a bully. Always lashing out without any reason, making things difficult for others. It’s no wonder he got blacklisted."
My temper flared. "Enough. You’re here to tell what happened, not to badmouth Ash."
Suddenly his face hardened and his smile vanished. "You favour him too much," he said bitterly. "What’s so good about him?"
I frowned in confusion. He stood and walked towards suddenly. "What has Ash done to earn such favour from you?" Then, shockingly, he fell to his knees in front of . I wasn’t shocked, but it did catch off guard.
"Mr. Stone," he said softly in a seductive whisper. His hand moved to the button on my pants. "Let prove myself to you. Let show you what I can do. You’ll see that I can please you far better than him."
I grab his wrist tightly and squeeze hard, causing him to wince. "Never try to touch again," I warned him.
He swallowed hard but smiled and tried to keep the act going. "Sir, I can make you feel real good, you won’t regret it. You just have to give a chance."
I let go of his wrist and stood up, moving away from him. "Get out of my sight," I commanded.
He froze in disbelief, looking up at with wide eyes. "B-But..."
"Now! Get up," I ordered sharply. "Have so dignity."
This wasn’t new. There were nurous rookies who offered such services to gain favour or a role from . And I have always found such behaviour disgusting. It was cheap and degrading.
But he ignored my words and retorted, "Did you also give this dignity lecture to Ash? No, right? Why do you let him play with you and not ? I’ll be much more worthy and skilled in my services than him, I can assure you of that."
I rolled my eyes internally. If only he knew the truth of the situation between Ash and . Despite everything, Ash never once asked for a favour to get a role. Even when I could get him various roles just by him asking, he always earned his movies by himself. And to reward that hard work, I always kept getting new roles for him in secret without him knowing.
But this foolish actor’s incessant chatter was getting on my nerves. His smug face was inches from mine, his hands resting with a bold closeness on my knees. My patience snapped. With a sharp push I shoved him away and stood up furiously.
"Have so self-respect," I scolded, this is one of the many situations I never want myself to find again. But everyti it just ends like this. "Stop striking others to make yourself feel better. I don’t need to listen to you to know how Ash is. I know him better than anyone else."
His face twisted with hostility as he stood up, his eyes constricted into slits of malice. His lips curled into a sneer. "Is there sothing going on between you and Ash?" he asked venomously. "Do you really like him this much to defend him when he’s not present? Are you both...gay?" He practically spat the last word as if it was a disease.
I felt my face burn with rage and disbelief. My fists clenched at my sides. "What did you just say?"
"It’s fine if you just want to have your fun with Ash. But if you really like him, you should think twice about your reputation and na. Being gay is disgusting and you could lose your status."
"Shut the fuck up!" I yelled at the top of my lungs. I was fuming beyond coming back to my senses. I restrained myself from hurting him as I watched his bravado crumble instantly. How co I never knew I have such narrow minded employees in my company.
"I’m s-sorry-"
"How dare you run your mouth so loosely in my office! Do you want to be fired?!" I exclaid as I clenched my jaw so right it began to hurt. He flinched as his face paled, slightly backing away from my seething figure.
"Get out, before I lose it completely and do sothing I’ll regret."
He turned and hurried out of the office, the door closing behind him with a final thud.
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