9

Noah entered RTA in a foul mood that morning. Even from the car, he was already on a call with his cousin Raffy, who was still in Hong Kong. Frustrated from the night before, he didn’t bother choosing what to wear that day. He just grabbed a body-hugging dark maroon long-sleeved shirt and dark denim jeans. He even forgot to grab his sports coat from the car because he had rushed out after parking. He only realized something was off with his outfit when two women in the elevator gave him a long, lingering stare. His shirt clung too tightly to his body.

He didn’t even return Ingrid’s good morning smile. Noah saw the curiosity in his executive assistant’s beautiful face. She was probably wondering what he and his cousin were talking about on the phone. She might also be wondering why he’d been arriving late at the office these past few days and had only shown up two or three times a week.

The organization at RTA was solid, and the department managers were competent. Technically, even if he only came in once a week, there would be no issues because he had a capable staff. Raffy, in particular, handled most of the agency’s operations. Noah’s role was largely in final decision-making. But he had been used to showing up early every day. That routine only broke when he started feeling a desire for his unsuspecting executive assistant.

"You're just like our grandpa!" Raffy shouted over the phone. "We're in showbiz, Noah. RTA isn't a school or a church!"

"We still have an image to maintain, Raffy. That’s the reason RTA has lasted this long in the industry. Since Uncle Mark’s management, we’ve never allowed our talents to go astray."

Noah rubbed his forehead as he set his black leather briefcase on the console table behind his desk.

Last night, social media was abuzz with rumors that an aspiring actress had allegedly offered sex to talent manager Edmund in exchange for being accepted as RTA talent. The names of two RTA celebrities, Janine and Mara, got dragged into the issue. Showbiz reporters had already called Noah asking for a statement, but he refused to comment. He also instructed the public relations department not to issue any statements.

"The thing is, Janine admitted she was the one who offered herself to Edmund. Edmund was already separated from his wife when it happened, and the two of them got into a relationship. Mara also confessed to doing the same. So it wasn’t Edmund who solicited any sexual favors. There was no coercion or blackmail involved. Those two women were just desperate to land projects, so they resorted to prostituting themselves. I’m a woman, Noah. You know I’ll fight for our rights if I know we’ve been wronged. But that’s not the case here. If Edmund had been the one who initiated or forced them, I’d be the first to have him jailed for sexual harassment."

He clenched his jaw. "It’s still considered a sexual favor because something was exchanged. He could’ve said no for ethical reasons. Our company rules explicitly prohibit offering, soliciting, or accepting sexual favors."

"You’re only saying that because the issue already leaked to the media. You know these things have long been happening in the industry. Some are even worse—harassment, rape, pedophilia. But not in our company, and you know that. We even hire private investigators to monitor our people if we suspect anything shady."

"Because of this, I’m ordering an investigation into all our talent managers. As for Janine and Mara, they’re suspended until further notice. They’ll be assigned new managers. I’m firing Edmund, and that’s final."

His cousin pleaded, "Can’t we just let him retire instead? He was planning to next year anyway."

"Fine. Then you handle the media. Do it well."

"Duh! Of course! Since when do you ever talk to the press?"

"When you get back here, we need to meet. I want to revise the rules—clarify or add more. There should be stricter punishments for talents who offer sexual favors. Maybe their contracts should be terminated to set an example."

"My God, Noelani! Your rules are fine—don’t mess with them anymore. You've already changed so much from the old handbook. We're not ready for another update. Anyway, I have to go—I’ve got somewhere to be."

Noah couldn’t respond, as the call had already ended.

As he sat in his swivel chair, he called Ingrid on the intercom. “Can you please get Cadencio from his studio? Tell him to come in.”

He had been trying to call his cousin, but Cade hadn’t answered. His irritation was stacking up.

“Okay, Sir.”

He rolled up his sleeves to his elbows. “And, Ingrid… tell him that if he doesn’t come with you, I’ll go to the studio myself and drag him out.”

“Got it, Sir.”

A few minutes later, Cade complied. He entered Noah’s office grinning, like he already knew what this was about. Ingrid was also called in to take notes of their conversation. Noah pulled out a chair for her, and she thanked him with a smile. That simple smile warmed something inside him and helped calm him. He knew what he felt wasn’t sexual, not at that moment—he was in no state for carnal thoughts. Noah just realized how much he missed seeing her beautiful smile whenever he wasn’t in the office.

“So you gave your cactus to Ingrid,” Cade said with a grin before teasing Ingrid, “Do you water it, Ingrid?”

“Sit down, Cadencio,” Noah said sharply, pointing to the empty chair. Then he took his place behind the desk.

“You gossip too, huh?” Cade laughed as Noah started the discussion.

Rumors had been spreading in the office that Cade had sex with a model during a recent photo shoot.

“You know the rules. As company owners and RTA employees, we’re not allowed to have relationships with any of our staff or talents.”

“Relationship? There was no relationship between me and Neri. We just had sex. Once. And it was consensual, mind you. No drugs or alcohol involved. It happened in the studio, and—”

“I don’t want the details!” Noah cut him off firmly.

“I asked her on a date, but she declined. What can I do if all she wanted was my body? I felt used, Noelani! Your cousin was the one who got taken advantage of here.”

“How long have you been doing this? You'd better tell me the truth, or I'll have you investigated.”

“Just this once, I swear. And, hey, like I said, I didn’t break any rules.” He turned to Ingrid, seated in front of him. “Let’s ask Ingrid. Tell me, in your own point of view, did I break any rules by engaging in sex with Neri?”

Ingrid looked at Noah, seemingly asking for permission. But Noah also saw in her expression that she was determined to state her opinion, even if he refused. There was fire behind her shy, guarded eyes.

“Sir, is it in the rules that sexual relationships are prohibited?” Ingrid asked after Noah gave a nod.

“Yes,” he answered.

She turned to Cade. “Sir Cade, I know sexual favors are prohibited in the company,” she said.

“It wasn’t a sexual favor, I swear. What would Neri even ask for in return? She already has everything,” Cade insisted.

“Okay. If it happened only once and you had no prior relationship, and, like you said, she declined to date you after, then I think there was no actual relationship. What happened was just a one-night stand, no strings attached. And if that’s not against RTA’s rules, then you didn’t break any.”

Noah looked at his executive assistant, amused.

“There you go!” Cade said as he stood. “Case closed.”

Noah shook his head. “We need to revise the rules.”

“Why fix it if it’s not broken?” his cousin objected.

“Because someone like you will abuse it!”

“Did you even listen to what I said? It was not a sexual favor, Noelani.” Cade laughed. “I’ve never asked anyone in the company to have sex with me, and you know that. I’m very professional at work. I even avoid those who flirt with me if they’re affiliated with RTA. But Neri was an exception, all right? We couldn’t help it—it just happened.” He turned away. “But you can relax now, because that isn’t going to happen again.” He looked at Ingrid and winked. “Thanks, Ingrid!” he said, then walked toward the office door. “And by the way, I want to transfer my studio to the Hall,” he added before grabbing the doorknob.

The Hall was an RTA facility in the next city where workshops, trainings, rehearsals, and auditions for RTA celebrities were held. It also had a gym and a recording studio. Cade had long wanted to move his studio there, but Noah had refused because he wanted to monitor his playboy cousin’s work closely.

Noah exhaled deeply and rubbed his face.

Ingrid spoke up. “S-sir, I’m not siding with Sir Cade—”

“No, no. It’s alright. You made a good point.”

“Do I need to document your conversation?”

“No need.”

She didn’t say anything else or move from her seat. Until he caught her looking at his arms. Was she checking him out?

Ingrid blushed when she realized he’d caught her apparently examining his arms. And was she staring at his chest and shoulders, too?

When their eyes met, Noah fought the urge to swallow because of his suddenly dry throat. The woman’s pretty lips were slightly parted, her chest rising and falling as she looked mortified. Or was it just embarrassment? He thought he saw something else on her face. Was it too much to assume that maybe, just maybe... She was hot and bothered?

He cleared his throat and crossed his arms. “Is there a problem, Miss Delgado?” he asked formally.

Problem? He was the one with the real problem because right now, all he could think about was fucking his executive assistant on his office table.

“I was just thinking… is there anything else you need, Sir?” she quickly asked in return.

Yeah, you.

“Just get me some coffee. Thank you.”