"Looks like I didn’t need to lift a finger, fate’s on my side," Xavier said with a smug grin. "My schedule just cleared up because my project got suspended due to a location rights issue. Filming’s been put on hold."
By the end of his sentence, he was grinning like a cat that had just swiped a fish from the dog’s bowl.
He glanced at Rafael, who now wore a deep frown. Rafael wanted to argue, especially since he was all about the money.
He should be celebrating—this was a better opportunity for Xavier, one that would bring in more inco.
But instead, he was torn. The thought of Xavier getting closer to Hera made him uneasy, and his conflicted feelings were evident on his face.
Xavier chuckled, clearly pleased. "Let’s go together, alright? I need to inform the director too."
"Okay..." Hera smiled sweetly at Xavier before returning to her al. Seeing how easily Hera agreed to go with Xavier, Rafael decided not to push the matter further.
He understood that he couldn’t control who Hera interacted with, especially in the context of acting.
There would be tis when she’d need to portray intimacy with male co-stars—perhaps even kiss or perform bed scenes.
But, in his mind, it was better for her to be with Xavier than anyone else.
At least with him by her side, no one would dare cross any boundaries with Hera, besides, Xavier was already one with them, so, Hera’s intimacy with Xavier would still happen one way or another.
Aside from Rafael, nearly everyone in the room shared the sa thoughts, and they couldn’t help but feel a pang of envy toward Xavier for getting to spend so much ti with Hera.
Their careers aligned perfectly, allowing Xavier more opportunities to be around her.
Xavier, fully aware of the unspoken thoughts swirling around the room—especially Dave’s—couldn’t help but wear a smug smile.
He casually enjoyed his food, savoring the mont, and felt an added enthusiasm to head to the audition location.
After lunch and so much-needed rest, everyone went their separate ways to attend to their respective tasks, returning to their offices to handle paperwork and other responsibilities.
Since Xavier and Hera had arrived at the hospital in Luke’s car, Luke would be the one to drive them to the audition location this ti.
Before they left, however, Hera made a brief stop by Minerva’s room. By then, Minerva was being assisted by a nurse, carefully settling into her wheelchair.
Knock... Knock...
"Co in..." Minerva’s weary voice called from inside. Only after hearing the confirmation did Hera open the door and step in. She carefully handed the thermal flask to Minerva.
"As promised, this is your lunch, but I can’t stay long. I have sowhere I need to be. Once you’re done eating, just send the flask to your brother’s room, and we’ll pick it up when I get back."
Hera made sure to remind Minerva of the details, and Minerva eagerly nodded with a smile, clutching the flask tightly as if afraid it might spill. The sight made Hera smile involuntarily.
Afterward, she turned to leave. Dave followed behind them, while Leo and Luke flanked Hera on either side. Xavier walked next to Dave, and Zhane had already gone back to his office to resu his work.
"Luke, you need to drop off at my office," Dave said, strolling behind them with his hands casually laced behind his head, moving lazily as usual.
"You could always take a taxi," Luke replied without even blinking.
"When have you ever seen a Minister take a taxi without a bodyguard?!" Dave shot back.
"I’ve seen worse," Luke retorted nonchalantly. "I once saw a Minister ssing around in soone else’s office, playing on his phone and cursing at soone for playing like a noob..."
Dave choked on his own spit at the unexpected response.
"Co on, dude, don’t you love anymore?" Dave asked, feigning hurt.
"I never even loved you. You’re gross..." Luke replied flatly.
"Is this how you treat your friend?" Dave turned to Hera with a dramatically pitiful expression. "Sweetheart, look at this heartless jerk."
Hera giggled at their playful back-and-forth. Their banter felt so lighthearted and funny, easing her tension and allowing her to relax. She didn’t even think about the audition for a mont, letting go of any pressure and putting her mind at ease.
Although she wasn’t feeling any pressure and was actually quite excited, their playful banter had completely distracted her. As she listened to them go back and forth, even her excitent faded into the background.
"Well, if that’s how it’s going to be, you can always hitch a ride with Leo," Luke added with a shrug.
"Why are you sending your unwanted baggage?" Leo shot back, leaving Dave on the verge of tears—though no tears ca.
He wanted to complain to Hera, but he knew the jerks around him would just gang up on him and turn him into the butt of their jokes, making him seem like nothing more than a whiny sissy.
"Hmph! If Luke’s not dropping off, then you should, Leo. And don’t forget, you still owe for the gas money after hijacking and piloting my helicopter without permission," Dave said with a smug grin, even though Leo’s back was to him. The tone of his voice, though, made his intentions clear.
"I didn’t realize you were so broke that you’re still holding a grudge over a small gas bill," Leo shot back, shutting Dave up in an instant.
’I fucking knew it! These guys are really ganging up on !’ Dave thought, his eyes glaring at each of the n around him.
Though Xavier stayed silent, his eyes were practically laughing on their own, clearly enjoying Dave’s discomfort.
Not once did he offer a helping hand, which only fueled Dave’s growing resentnt.
But there was nothing he could do about it—he could only stew in his frustration, silently nursing the resentnt that churned in his gut.
"I feel like the unwanted middle child of the family," he muttered, pouting as he tried to make his resentnt known.
He didn’t want to make a scene, though, knowing the three devils around him would just turn it into another joke at his expense.
He longed to get back at them, but nothing ca to mind—he couldn’t think of a way to outmaneuver the trio.
Even Leo and Luke seed to be perfectly in sync, effortlessly working together to shut him down at every turn.
"Don’t always pick on Dave; isn’t it a good thing he’s finally focusing on his duties?" Hera chid in.
Her initial words gave Dave a sense of comfort, making him feel understood and cared for.
But as soon as she finished, his world seed to crumble.
The latter part of Hera’s statent hit him hard, and he realized that she had found out about him slacking off of his duty.
Embarrassnt washed over him, and he quickly sent a ssage to his assistant, asking to be picked up at the hospital.
He was determined to change how Hera saw him, to rise above his shortcomings, and to beco better than he had been.
At least, no more slacking off until his work was done. Dave pouted, his playful grumble tinged with a touch of exaggeration as he feigned a pained expression. "Even you, sweetheart?"
He shot Hera his best puppy-dog eyes, sticking out his lower lip in a dramatic pout.
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