"What did you just do?" Monica Wells, Cole's manager, asked. "You practically hinted that you have a woman on the side, carrying her like a princess! Couldn't you just have waited until the crowd had dispersed?"
Cole massaged the bridge of his nose before shaking his head. He said, "I couldn't. She looked so sad and in despair - "
"I get that, but you might ruin your career because of this and all for what?" Monica let out a heavy sigh and said, "Anyway, we'll stick to the story of your friend being in need of help. You just need to be consistent with the interviews, okay?"
Cole nodded before running his hand against his hair.
"I'll have your car brought around the back of the tent for your convenience. Take her home and deal with whatever is her issue," said Monica before taking a leave.
The two were in a serious conversation behind the show's temporary set. A tent was set up, meant as a changing area, and it was there where Cole hid J
"So what is this appointment you are going to?" Joan asked after hopping on to Cole's car."Meeting with the California Yacht Club president. They are planning to re-market the club and Monica wants me to be the next model for their upcoming ads," said Cole while turning on the ignition of his Jaguar."It's going to be a party that we will attend to so, get ready to flaunt your assets," he said with his usual killer grin.It was no wonder he had a stylist work on her attire. Joan was wearing new shoes, on top of her new dress, and had put on light makeup for his appointment. He was also dressed up for the part.Seeing the reluctancy on her face, Cole asked, "What? No backing out now. I just spent thousands of dollars on you today."She rolled her eyes and said, "Fine. I don't want to go home, anyway."For a second, she took a peek inside her purse and saw that her phone's battery had died. She sighed, thinking it was
"Joan, dear. What are you thinking?" Her mother, Jessica Belle, asked as they were having lunch at the Cafe Teragram.After attending a morning service nearby, they went straight for lunch."Nothing, mom," Joan said and decided to start with her salad.She was still in deep thought about what Cole suggested. He told her that getting the contract with the Yacht Club would be a way for her to catch Christopher's attention, but right now, she wasn't sure what she wanted.Joan hasn't gotten back to Cole for two days.Just as she was in deep thought, another prominent family arrived at the Cafe and Alexander Belle, Joan's father, easily invited them to their table.They had used up an entire ten-seater long table, just the way her mother always liked it.When she looked up to find out who it was, she paled. It was the Hales. Worst, the singer starlet was with them!"Oh, Jessica, it's good to
Cole wrapped Joan in a towel after his security handed it to him.She was sitting on one bench, utterly soaked."What in the world were you thinking, Joan?" Cole Asked as he kneeled down to level with Joan, drying her hair.Joan was taken aback. He was treating her like a wet puppy. 'Or a girlfriend,' she thought.For seconds, Joan found herself distracted by his athletic frame. She could not help but appreciate how well molded his abdomen was. She had never seen a man who had such a slender waist!"Joan?" He asked again, quickly shifting her gaze to his small and manly face.Yes, Cole had a slender face, but they were well-shaped, perfectly athletic looking, and it went well with his military haircut."Are you... gawking at me?" He asked. At that point, she awoke from her stupefied moment."What?! Gawking?! No! I'm - I'm just hurt." She slightly shook before telling, "I met up with the Hales e
Dance music could be heard from across the huge area of the LX Nightclub, an exclusive venue for famous people to party and have a good time without being followed around by paparazzi.The DJ was manning his Console, playing back a record, and mixing it with another famous song."Y'all, let's hear some back to back Justin Bieber and dance to it!" Announced the DJ, swaying his hands in the air.In one corner, Joan was hiding her face with her long blonde hair, utterly ashamed for having arrived with Cole at the club later that night.From the Los Angeles Athletic Club, they had a late lunch and spent some time discussing the benefits of accepting the Yacht Club contract. They had dinner and after which; she was practically dragged to the LX Nightclub.They had been resting for half an hour and had two drinks all in all. Yup, like always, she was bad with alcohol and she was feeling herself getting warm.While run
"Wow! I'm so full. I never thought I could finish an entire bowl of Ramen!" Remarked Joan after practically drinking the soup from the bowl.Cole had shown her earlier the ways and means to drink from a large ramen bowl as if it were a glass. It was technically the most unladylike she had ever done, but Cole's encouragement allowed her to do it."What did I tell you? The best ramen in the city!" Exclaimed Cole."Touché!" Said Joan with a smile.Uncle Ben then came to their table, offering green tea. He said, "Here, to help with the feeling of being so full.""Thank you, um..." Joan was thinking about how to call the old man."Uncle Ben is fine, Joan. Any good friend of Cole is like my own child," said the old man. "Drink up."With a sweet smile, Joan nodded and said, "Thank you, Uncle Ben."An hour passed, and Joan found herself staring from inside Cole's car. They were parked right outside
Sweat formed on Cole's forehead as he had coffee with Alexander Belle from their mansion's patio.Cole let out a heavy sigh before wiping the wetness on his face with his hand.When Joan told him about her father, wanting to see him, he felt utterly nervous. He did not understand why he had to be called to the Belle's estate, but he came either way."What are you trying to do, boy," asked Joan's father before sipping on his coffee. "Are you playing Robinhood again?"Cole gulped at that. He cleared his throat and said, "I - I don't understand - ""Oh, come on! Don't think I did not know you were suspended at school for beating the boys who bullied Joan?" Said, Alexander."Or what about the time you took a snake bite for my daughter during the school camp?" Added Joan's father."The stupidest thing you have ever done was to buy all her cupcakes at the bake sale when they did not even taste any good!"C
"Chris, do you love Shantal?" Joan asked without looking into Christopher's eyes.He had to admit it. The question stunned Christopher. He ended up loosening his tie while answering, "Love? I don't know, but I am enjoying her company. I'm - I'm taking that chance with her."When Joan went to Christopher's office and caught them having sex, she meant to confess her feelings to him. For some reason, she thought it would be a good chance; him being right in front of her.Yet, hearing him say that he could take the chance with Shantal seemingly tied her tongue altogether.Joan could not understand it. Rather, she could not accept it. She asked silently, 'Why take a chance with her and not with me?'When Joan did not answer, Christopher called her attention. He asked, "Joan?""Chris, what's wrong with me?" She finally spoke. A tear fell down her cheek when she added, "Surely by now you know how I felt about you since high school
From the grand estate of the Hales, Christopher had been staring at his windowpane. From his room was an insignificant view of where Joan's room was in the mansion. He thought, 'Her lights are still off. She hasn't come home.'Christopher looked down at his phone, showing the number of Joan. He had been thinking of calling her since he arrived. "Where are you, Joan?""You should have just said something!" He muttered to himself, thinking about their conversation back at Joan's office, but how could he? He was in an obvious relationship with Shantal Lin! Moreover, he had his reasons for not taking that chance with Joan Belle.It was already passed nine when he finally saw the lights in Joan's room turned on. Only then did he rest for the evening.Before he closed his eyes that night, Christopher asked himself, "Am I doing the right thing? I hope so. I don't ever want to regret it." Turning off his bedside lamp, he said, "I'm sorry, Joan. I real