Chatper 94


    Chapter 94


    In the farthest corner of the studio’s lounge, solitude reigned. With lunchtime lingering on the horizon


    and the assistant directors nowhere in sight, Natalie settled into the embrace of an overstuffed couch,


    the distant din ofughter barely seeping through the walls as she fired up a round of Solitaire on her


    phone.


    “Natalie?” A voice cut through her focus, prompting her to nce up. There stood Arlen,


    concern etching his features. “Your cheek still hurting?” he asked softly, gesturing towards her face.


    “Thanks for asking. It’s much better now,” Natalie replied, her tone polite but distant.


    Arlen stepped inside, fishing a small bottle of pain relief cream from his pocket and extending it toward


    her. “Miller wanted me to give this to you. Had a hard time catching you alone.”


    Natalie eyed the hand hovering close enough that taking the bottle would mean brushing against his


    fingers. She needed to keep her distance from Arlen.


    With a light chuckle, she suggested, “Just set it on the table for now, please. My hands are a bit tied at


    the moment.”


    Arlen was eager to discuss with Natalie the evening he saw her step out of a sleek sports car. Despite


    the rumors on set, her guarded demeanor hinted at a certain self–respect that contradicted the gossip.


    Their reyes briefly met before Natalie, picking up on Arlen’s reluctance to leave, quickly cut in.“Oh, by


    the way, I think Sofia was looking for you earlier. You might want to check in with


    her.”


    “Sure,” Arlen relented after a brief hesitation, cing the bottle on the table before he exited.


    Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.


    As Natalie watched his retreating figure, a sigh of relief escaped her. But when she turned away, her


    gazended on Brian, who was leaning casually against the restroom door, his face an unreadable


    mask.


    Her heart nearly leaped out of her throat. She could’ve sworn there hadn’t been a sound from the


    restroom before. She had checked for privacy.


    A quick scan of the bustling corridor outside, and she decided to make a move. Pocketing her phone


    and rising from the couch, she approached the door. But before her fingers could graze the handle,


    Brian’s hand mped around her wrist, pulling her back with a force that bordered. on daring.


    “What are you…” Her objection was cut short as Brian swung the lounge door shut and, gripping her


    firmly, steered her towards the restroom.


    Natalie struggled in vain against his hold, biting down hard on his wrist when they reached the


    threshold of the shower.


    Brian winced but managed to shove her into the stall, pinning her against the wall as he turned


    12:10


    Chapter 94


    on the water. The icy cascade triggered a shiver that shook her to the core.


    “Are you insane, Brian?” she cried, trying to break free, only to find herself hoisted onto a ledge lined


    with shampoo bottles.


    “Yes! I am insane!” he growled, his hand fastening around her chin, as he drenched her from head to


    toe with the shower head.


    He was out of his mind to have sent her abroad, to have let her lose their child and not care, to have


    introduced her to Ken, to have encouraged her acting career!


    Chilled to the bone, Natalie’s legs iled instinctively towards Brian’s abdomen. But before her foot


    could touch him, he caught her slender leg with ease.


    With a mere tug, the elegant dress she hadn’t had time to change out of tore apart like tissue


    paper.


    Natalie hadn’t expected such brazen disregard from Brian, especially there. Panicked, she raised her


    arms to shield herself, but before she could, Brian yanked her arms away, pulling her into him with


    undeniable force.


    Perched on the ledge, her waist was eye–level with Brian’s, and as they collided, Natalie’s face. went


    deathly pale. She felt his sexual reaction, undeniable and pressing against her.